Penny draws a school play by Sara Shepard

American author Sara Shepard has had huge success in the young adult market with both Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game book series having been turned into television shows. The Penny Draws series is Shepard's first foray into the middle grade space, with this book being second in the series. Although it would be ideal to read the series in order, it would be absolutely fine to read this one as a stand alone novel as it contains enough context to understand what has already occurred. 

Penny Lowry is in fifth grade and, although she suffers from anxiety, she thinks life is under control at the moment. Her Feelings Teacher (counsellor) has suggested she keep a journal, and Penny does this in the form of writing letters/diary entries to her dog, Cosmo. Most pages of her journal are about 50% words and 50% little comic strips - the comic strips don't just illustrate the story, they are an integral part of the story. 

From being under control, suddenly there is a lot going on for Penny - moving house, twin siblings on the way, a class play that everyone must be part of, weird behaviour of her little brother, strange noises in her new house, figuring out how to bring together friends from two different parts of her life, and keeping a list of Worst Things to Possibly Happen to Me (no. 25 is 'waking up and realizing I'm a squirrel'). 

Penny learns strategies for managing her anxiety and is very brave in giving things a go and coping with change. Her friends, family and teachers are a wonderful, warm network who all offer support in their own unique ways. 

The comic strips and humour throughout this book make it very appealing for young readers who will take on the messages about never knowing what's really going on in someone else's head, it being okay if things don't always go to plan, and rolling with the changes and being brave. 

Fans of Wimpy Kid will love this format as well as the main character who is funny, warm and relatable.

Themes: Anxiety, Friendship, Moving house, Change, School.

Kylie Grant