Fox Point' Own Gemma Hopper by Brie Spangler - ADVISABLE

Fox Point' Own Gemma Hopper by Brie Spangler, 264 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Knopf (Random House). 2023. $22 

Language: G (1 swear, 0 F); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Middle schooler, Gemma Hopper, is going through a lot as she balances cooking and looking after her younger brother while navigating school and friendship. Gemma's parents aren't around much and neither is her older brother, Teddy, who is a standout baseball player. When Gemma takes the mound to pitch to Teddy, she can escape and be Gemma Hopper, star pitcher. Baseball could either be Gemma's ticket to the big leagues or end her family as she knows it. 

I loved Gemma! She is taller than most of her classmates and her challenges are real and relatable. This book perfectly captures the angst of middle school while capturing the thrill of baseball. The illustrations are done in shades of green. You will find yourself cheering for Gemma and see shades of yourself in her story. Gemma seems Caucasian, though it's hard to be definitive from green illustrations. 

Michelle in the Middle