One-Third Nerd

Starred review from October 22, 2018
Fifth grader Liam lives in a basement apartment with his mom, his two younger sisters (promising third grade scientist/resident nerd Dakota and second grade expert hugger Izzy), and their accident-prone German shepherd, Cupcake. Cupcake’s bathroom issues push their cranky upstairs neighbor and landlord, Mr. Torpse (also known as Torpse the Corpse), to an ultimatum: either Cupcake goes or the whole family must. Though their divorced mother and father implore the siblings to accept that Cupcake must be rehomed, the kids carry out schemes to keep the dog. Black-and-white spot illustrations by Ceulemans faithfully depict the unique personalities of Liam’s siblings and friends, including new kid Moses, whom Liam desperately wants to impress. Choldenko (the Al Capone at Alcatraz series) subtly emphasizes Liam’s stress about being the responsible, oldest sibling; his parents’ divorce; and insecurity about the family’s modest lifestyle. It is Liam’s quiet thoughtfulness and relationship with his sisters, especially his interest in their lives—Izzy’s Down syndrome social group “the Forty-Sevens” and Dakota’s impulsive experiments—that let him shine just as bright as his two extroverted sisters. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. Illustrator’s agent: Hannah Whitty, Plum Pudding Illustration.

Narrator Maxwell Glick plays up the gross humor in the latest middle-grade novel from the author of AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS. Liam strives to find the perfect balance of attitude and actions to achieve total coolness in fifth grade, but his younger sisters seem to destroy his chances at every step. Glick packs the voices of the children with character: Liam's awkwardness, Dakota's know-it-all sass, and Izzy's gentle sweetness. The mother's Australian accent comes out slow and a bit strained, though that fits her constant exasperation at the antics of her children as they try to save their incontinent dog from eviction. Glick's upbeat tone finds the hope in a meandering plot that tackles myriad issues, including divorce, poverty, and having a sibling with Down syndrome. S.T.C. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine