The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung - ESSENTIAL

The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung, 272 pages. Levine Querido (Chronicle Books), 2020. $18 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f') Mature Content: PG (talk fo boys kissing) Violence: PG (Bullying, fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

6th graders Matt and Eric are best friends, have been since 4th grade. They have a lot in common, especially in their love of comics. Matt plays the flute in the orchestra and piccolo in marching band, and as the only boy flutist, he gets his share of bullying. The worst is Kenny and his sidekick Sean. So, there's some apprehension when the band teacher announces the band is going to a competition in the spring that is a sleep away. The good news is, it's at Adventure World, the bad news . . . Sean and Kenny are in the band, too. 

Although Matt and Eric are teased by the bullies (and pegged by a girl in a comic store) for being gay - because they are such close friends - I love how that doesn't change their relationship. They defend each other and navigate middle school together despite bullies and rumors, and a crisis to their friendship. 

Lisa Librarian