5 stars
I always love a visit to Berrybrook Middle School. The third book in the series does not disappoint. I loved Jorge’s character is the second book, so was especially excited to follow him in this one.
Jorge is perfectly content to hang out with his two best friends and serve as the quiet protector of Berrybrook, always ready to help and look out for his fellow students. But when he starts crushing on a classmate, his familiar world is turned upside down.
These books don’t necessarily need to be read in order, but it’s fun to see how they build off the previous ones as different characters have their time to share their stories.
Continuing the theme of the first two books, this one also deals with bullying, especially when it comes to people you think are your friends. It also explores issues such as facing your fears and dealing with drama, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.
I really love the way Chmakova taps into the middle school experience. She brings up so many great issues and topics, but it never feels like a lecture. The characters make mistakes and have room to figure things out, allowing the reader to learn from them as well. Such a great series.
As always, the artwork is wonderful. Fantastic expressions that convey the emotions of the characters. This one was so sweet. I couldn’t handle it with all the blushing. The whole crush plotline was absolutely adorable.
The backmatter contains a bit of information about character designs and details, the process of creating a panel, and how cover designs change.
Another great visit to Berrybrook. Can’t wait to dive into the next book.