  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 09/01/2018 Gr 4–6—Eleven-year-old Georgiana, who prefers to go by Georgie or G-baby, is adjusting to life in her newly blended, African American family. She has moved to the suburbs with her mom and younger sister Peaches to live with her stepdad Frank and teenage stepsister Tangie, whose approval she is trying to earn. Meanwhile, she hasn't seen her dad much since he married Millicent. When Peaches gets sick, requiring a stay at the hospital, Georgie feels guilty for not being there because she snuck out to see a friend. This sweet story features themes of family relationships, friendship issues, testing boundaries, standing up for oneself, and first crushes. The story also touches briefly on difficult subjects including police brutality and racism as Tangie is planning to attend a peaceful protest with her college-age boyfriend. It's rare to find a middle grade novel that puts divorce and the complicated dynamics of blended families at the center of the story, a topic that is relatable to many readers. VERDICT Readers will fall in love with Georgie and her "blended-up" family as they navigate tough challenges and new family dynamics.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 10/15/2018 Living in a blended family is not easy, especially for a girl whose parents have both remarried and moved on to build new families. G-Baby’s world centers around her little sister, Peaches; however, since their mother remarried, G-Baby has become obsessed with having a relationship with her new teenage stepsister, Tangie. When Peaches’ health takes a turn and she is hospitalized, G-Baby feels guilty and desperately tries to visit her, learning some hard lessons about doing the right thing and listening to adults in the process. Using beautiful prose, Youngblood’s debut explores the expansive love only siblings can have for one another, while capturing the heart and soul of what it means to be a blended family. The multilayered characters and compelling story will resonate with readers, many of whom will find parallels to their own families, whether in terms of dealing with bullies, first crushes, friendships, or blended families. Young readers will fall in love with these characters and gain a new favorite author. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. Loading...
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