Lights, Camera, Middle School!

Everyone's favorite messy-whiskered mouse has moved on from elementary school and pink-tinted graphic novels to middle school and a new spin-off series of middle-grade novels copiously illustrated in black and white. The format naturally features more text than the previous books, but fans will find many of the graphic novels' hallmarks, including comic-panel fantasy scenes. As before, Babymouse wrestles with friendships, math anxiety, cafeteria drama, and of course, "a love-hate relationship" with her locker. The intrepid middle schooler--taller and dressed in leggings with a heart-decorated tunic--declares that she wants to "stand out. I wanted to be the one everyone was talking about." To that end, she joins Film Club and, as screenwriter and director, undertakes the (wildly overambitious) epic Au Revoir, My Locker. Though club members seem unusually well versed in moviemaking fundamentals (thankfully, an appended glossary helps with jargon), our own type-A micromanaging director still has a lot of on-the-job learning to do. Creative problem-solving and listening to friends help Babymouse develop into an eager and confident collaborator. Readers who've grown up with Babymouse will welcome her new adventures. kitty flynn