2021-03-08 Publishers Weekly

76 BOOKLIFE, MARCH 8, 2021

MIDDLE GRADE

Finding My Yip

Christine Isley-Farmer | Wandering

in the Words Press

104p, ebook, $8.95, ISBN 978-1-733-

21266-3

Touched with love and music,

this debut by Isley-Farmer

follows Boomer, a friendly

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

puppy, in his quest to “yip” as

proudly as his sisters do. Boomer

befriends Chloe, the nine-year-

old granddaughter of his care-

taker, Nana Weathers. Boomer

and Nana are able to communicate with each other thanks to

Nana’s magic ring, but Boomer and Chloe, who struggles with a

stutter, bond simply through their similarities, helping each other

find their confidence -- and eventually their voices. Taylor Bills’

black and white illustrations mark the beginning of every chapter

and warmly spotlight the sentimental aspects of the characters,

such as Boomer’s expressive, soulful eyes. Budding readers will

easily connect with this story of growth and self discovery, set

against a backdrop of human and animal attachment.

While younger fans will likely be familiar with talking animals,

the rules of Boomer’s world aren’t clearly established. Boomer

possesses vocabulary enough to understand what humans are

saying, but he doesn’t know what the sun is. Nana’s ring, mean-

while, has unexplained powers to do apparently just about

anything. Dialogue drives the somewhat stretched out narra-

tive, often in place of action, description, or momentum, contrib-

uting to the feeling of uncertainty about Boomer and his world.

Readers learn more about what Boomer hears people saying

than what he sees or what the characters actually do.

Finding My Yip is strongest

when illuminating the rela-

tionship between Boomer and

Chloe. Despite appearing a

touch more mature in the illus-

trations, Chloe is a typical

nine-year-old struggling to

make friends, build self-confi-

dence, and find her voice. With

or without Nana’s magic ring,

the camaraderie between

Chloe and Boomer touchingly

demonstrates the power of

reciprocal love. Whether or not

its young readers have

enjoyed the experience of

bonding with an animal, this

charming story will appeal to

those who know what it’s like

to need a friend, whatever

species that friend might be.

MIDDLE GRADE

Magnolia in Ilium

D. L. Jenkinson| ProductPublisher

298p, trade paper, $18, ISBN 978-1-980-

62117-1

In Jenkinson’s magic school

adventure, twelve-year-old

Magnolia Bannister lives in the

quirky, well-thought-out world

of Faraway on her parents’

magical steamboat, the

Theodora, with her mother,

Dorothea, her father,

Beauregard, and her parrot,

Joe. Magnolia’s is an idyllic life,

so when her parents suddenly insist that she go to Gryndells, a

magic school in the fantastical city of Ilium, Magnolia is less

than thrilled. Eccentric Magnolia tries to settle into her

surroundings, with its strange roommates, attentive boys, and

odd professors--but when one of her roommates, Moira, goes

missing, Magnolia believes she was chosen to find her and

sets off to do just that, putting her place at Gryndells in

jeopardy.

Ultimately, this romp is a bit of a mixed bag. Though the

constant shifts from Magnolia’s point of view allow for some of

the funniest moments, they rob readers of the chance to see

how Magnolia interprets key relationships and moments.

Magnolia’s school term is fun, with wondrous creatures and an

inventive magic system, but it’s not until halfway through the

story, already somewhat long for a middle grade title, that

Magnolia’s mission truly begins. When the game’s at last afoot,

characters offer Magnolia and her crew answers quite easily,

sometimes out of the blue, making it so they don’t so much

solve as stumble their way

through their quest.

But, if anyone can stumble

through a quest, it’s Magnolia-

-she’s empathetic, confident,

and impulsive, the perfect

protagonist for this wholly

original world. And it’s a well-

built world at that, one that

feels lived in by virtue of its

history, lore, and geography.

As an added bonus, the vocab-

ulary is just advanced enough

to teach young readers some

new words, and the old-fash-

ioned imagery lends charm.

Living up to his promise,

Jenkinson’s first entry in this

series is different, enter-

taining, and amusing, despite

its occasional lack of focus.

Dog-lovers and shy

kids alike will enjoy

this uplifting story

about friendship

and courage.

Production grades

Cover: B+

Design & typography: B

Illustrations: –

Editing: C+

Marketing copy: B

Production grades

Cover: B

Design & typography: A

Illustrations: A-

Editing: B

Marketing copy: A

Fans of middle

grade magic school

mysteries will find a

lot to enjoy in

Magnolia’s quest.

Great for fans of

Natasha Lowe’s The

Power of Poppy

Pendle, Robert

Beatty’s Serafina and

the Black Cloak.

Great for fans of

Laura James’s The

Adventures of Pug

series, Ann Cameron’s

Spunky Tells All.

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