Bubbles

April 15, 2017
Cooper (Sticks and Stones, 2016) revisits quirky maladies and middle school friendships. Brown-skinned, mixed-race (Latina/white) 12-year-old Sophie Mulvaney and her mother used to be "Adventurous Girls." But ever since Sophie's mother broke up with her boyfriend, Pratik, and lost her job, she's been depressed, and Sophie blames herself. Worse, Sophie suddenly notices comic-strip-style bubbles above people's heads that broadcast their thoughts--or so she thinks. Her friends, anxious Kaya, described as having dark-brown skin, and "hyper" Argentine-American Rafael, miss her adventurous nature. Fortunately, a social studies group project conveniently addresses Sophie's situation: risk-taking. As the friends tackle their respective fears to train for a triathlon, Sophie's mother faces her depression. Meanwhile, Sophie addresses the thought bubbles she sees with the aid of a therapist, which the author handles straightforwardly. Sophie's bubbles are never diagnosed; like Sophie's frequent allusions to historical events, they're simply a vehicle for a moral. Even Sophie's interest in history itself becomes a metaphor for her development as she learns people aren't always what they seem; her only unscathed trait is her obsession with pancakes. Her friends are barely developed, and a snooty white classmate is a lonely cliche. Though the author inserts a few roadblocks, the ending is almost too pat to be believable. Though readers may root for "Team Everybody" (and perhaps crave some pancakes), the heavy-handed lessons make this feel-good story a bit of a slog. (Fiction. 9-12)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-Everyone has inside thoughts. If you were a cartoon, they would appear over your head in a fluffy cloud or a bubble. No one is supposed to be able to see them, right? But Sophie suddenly can see them. After her mom loses her job and her boyfriend and the stress of a class project sets in, bubbles begin to appear everywhere. Knowing what everyone else is thinking should be really amazing, only it isn't so great when you know that people are sad or lonely or that your best friend might have a crush on the boy you like or that perfect Viv's class project has to do with you. Sophie Mulvaney is a wonderful character who, like many kids, feels the weight of other people's problems and responsibilities. There is a believable dynamic between Sophie and her friends, her mother, and other adult characters. Realistic elements of mild depression, preteen insecurities, and helpful adult interactions propel an authentic yet whimsical journey into the life of a 12-year-old girl. Sophie's story offers a bright spot of hope and understanding in a difficult time in a child's life. VERDICT A funny and sensitive novel, bound to find eager middle grade readers.-Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford College, TX

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