Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Maggie Malone Makes a Splash by Jenna McCarthy & Carolyn Evans -- ADVISABLE

McCarthy, Jenna and Carolyn Evans Maggie Malone Makes a Splash (Maggie Malone #3). 192 pgs. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2015. $6.99. Content: PG.

Twelve-year-old Maggie Malone convinces her friend Elizabeth that they should try out for the swim team, but when Elizabeth turns out to be unexpectedly talented, the team's former star is determined to take Elizabeth down. And she's planning to use Maggie to do it. Worst of all, when Maggie warns her friend, Elizabeth thinks Maggie is lying out of jealousy. There goes every friend Maggie had finally made at her new school. To escape her problems for a while, Maggie decides to spend the day as Marina Tide, photogenic daughter of a world-renowned oceanographer. Unfortunately, Marina's picture-perfect world is even more dangerous than Maggie's own. How can Maggie save Marina's reputation -- and possibly life -- then turn around and save Elizabeth from impending social disaster? Especially when Maggie can't even get a handle on her own life?

The third book in the series is almost as fun as the first two, with its insights into a world many middle-grade readers would love to visit if only they had magical boots of their own. Maggie is an especially fun character to travel with, as she's smart and resourceful and genuinely kind, while not being so perfect that she's unsympathetic. While both the middle school and Marina Tide plots were wrapped up a bit too quickly and easily to be completely satisfying, this was still an enjoyable read that would likely do well on many library shelves.

EL (4-6), MS -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

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