News from me, Lucy McGee

News from me, Lucy McGee
Mary Amato
Holiday House, October, 2018 129 pages
Grades 2-5
Realistic Fiction
Lucy McGee series #1

Creative soul, Lucy McGee, has a dilemma. Her father has signed her up for classmate Phillip's Songwriting Club in the school library after school, but popular girl, Scarlett, has invited her to join her new Craft Club. Lucy would love to hang out with the popular girls, so she lies to her father, blows off the Songwriting Club, and goes to Scarlett's house after school. Scarlett tricks Lucy into cleaning the shed that is intended to be the new clubhouse. The next week after repeating the same sneaky behavior Scarlett tricks Lucy into painting the shed. After Scarlett gets in trouble with her parents and blames Lucy she decides that Scarlett is not nice and tells Phillip that she will for sure be at the Songwriting Club, only another invitation arrives from Scarlett, offering her a deal she can't refuse. Once at the Craft Club with the other girls it is not as fun as Lucy imagines, especially after Scarlett has another nasty trick up her sleeve. What should Lucy do? Is it too late to get back in Phillip's good graces and how can she get her family to trust her again? Lucy comes up with a diabolical revenge plan for Scarlett and her pals, but does she have the courage and spite to go through with it?

No stranger to writing chapter books for newly independent readers; Mary Amato pens a brand new series with a lovable and quirky protagonist for fans of Junie B. Jones, Ivy and Bean, and Clementine. Lucy has a tendency to find trouble and a personality that will make readers giggle as she gets the situation just a little bit wrong. The conflict is one that all too many kids can relate to, trying to fit in with the popular crowd and learning how to deal with the class mean girl. Amato resolves the main conflict in a satisfying, yet gentle, way, demonstrating to readers how to handle tricky situations in their own lives. Lucy admits to her transgressions, makes amends, and moves forward in a positive way. Her family is both supportive and hilarious, as her two younger sibs teach her to howl like a wolf when upset. Lucy's little brother is right; it DOES make you feel better. Black and white cartoon illustrations, contributed by Jessica Meserve, add to the humor and make the book that much more approachable to the target audience. Back matter includes the lyrics to the songs that Lucy and her pals compose on their ukuleles. Amato offers a website address containing the songs being performed, karaoke tracks, and ukulele tips and chords, inspiring future musicians. A creative new series sure to kick start some home song writing. The second in the series, Sing with me, Lucy McGee is set for an April, 2019 release.