TRUE THINGS (ADULTS DON'T WANT KIDS TO KNOW)
by Jimmy Gownley & illustrated by Jimmy Gownley
The irresistibly plucky Amelia Louise McBride is back for her sixth adventure, dealing with more of preteendom’s tricky trials and tribulations as she celebrates her 11th birthday. Her party is a smashing success and includes a special performance from Aunt Tanner and a book from her crush, Kyle. With everything going so right, things are bound to take a turn, and, predictably, they do: Kyle brings another girl to Aunt Tanner’s concert, Aunt Tanner and Amelia’s mom get into a huge fight and, in trying to help Aunt Tanner find what she’s looking for, Amelia may have inadvertently lost her. Sassy, spunky Amelia handles these situations the way most 11-year-old girls would, with a lot of heart and a few rib-tickling diatribes sprinkled on top. Gownley is a master at tackling serious issues with a confident, accurate pen, making endearing and engaging what could easily slip into saccharine didacticism. An utterly charming addition to this wonderfully fizzy series, this installment proves that Amelia truly does rule! (Graphic fiction. 9-12)