Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I finished Booki Vivat’s third Frazzled book last night–Minor Incidents and Absolute Uncertainties–and it was a beautiful thing.  Abbie Wu stresses and worries about the kinds of things that I did at that age, and Vivat’s illustrations are an amazing part of her storytelling.  I love that she focuses on adjusting to changes and learning how to remain yourself as things change, rather than boy/girl drama; yes, that’s also a part of middle school or junior high, but Abbie’s problems and the solutions she finds are relatable (and helpful!) to a far wider audience.  We didn’t all have boy- or girlfriends in junior high, but who didn’t have to learn to deal with shifting friendships as people’s interests change?  Who (that HAS siblings) hasn’t struggled to see their siblings as complete people, instead of the parts of them we become accustomed to focusing on?  Who hasn’t felt like Abbie Wu?!  (It’s possible I enjoy saying “Abbie Wu” in my head a little too much.)

This third book sees Abbie headed to “Outdoor School,” at which her Popular, Perfect brother Peter is a counselor.  How she finds her place there is a delight from start to finish–and on that note, I’d better pass the book on to my 10-year-old before she realizes I finished it last night and comes to find me.  If you’ve got a latter elementary schooler, definitely give Vivat’s series a try!