MAPLE FOR THE PEOPLE

School election drama raises awareness about disability rights and the affordable housing crisis in this sequel to Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen (2021).

Maple, a sixth grader who writes detective stories by dictating into her audio recorder, is running for Student Leadership Council president. With Agatha Christie, Malala Yousafzai, Kamala Harris, Mari Copeny, Greta Thunberg, and Judy Heumann as her role models, she’s eager to serve her community. But Maple is worried that her peers might not vote for her because she has dyslexia. Her best friend, white-presenting Jack Wells, an artist par excellence who also has a reading disability, volunteers to be her campaign manager. Apart from running against Sonia Shah and Sal Chaffee, Maple needs to help her white Jewish mom and Indian dad; their rent has become unaffordable, and they’re looking for another apartment. Amid all this, an apartment building in her neighborhood burns down, and Maple discovers a secret that threatens her relationship with Daniela Ciccola, a former enemy turned friend. McGovern’s fierce advocacy on behalf of children with learning disabilities shines through in her portrayals of the benefits of classroom accommodations and her characterization of the kids in the reading intervention group as bright people with valuable skills who can make the world a kinder place. Maple and Jack are lovable, and readers will be heartened to encounter numerous adults who root for the children’s dreams and visions and help them without being patronizing.

A charming and affirming page-turner with a happy and unexpected ending.