Book Review by Aarene Storms: Squirrel Meets World

Q: I love funny action stories with quirky characters and silly dialogue, but I don't like graphic novels. Any suggestions?

A: Oh, heck yes.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World
by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

14-year-old Doreen Green is new in town, starting a new school, trying to make friends, and doing her best to stay out of trouble and keep her squirrel tail hidden.

Wait, what?

Yes, it's true: Doreen Green has the strength, the agility, and the tail of a squirrel, plus she is incurably optimistic and likes climb trees to hang out with her squirrel friends. The kids at her new school are skeptical at first, but soon even the Skunk Club wants to reform their bad ways and become Squirrel Scouts. So, it's all good right?

Of course not! A superhero origin story needs a villain and this story is no exception. In facing her terrible opponent, Doreen Green discovers her real identity .... and the origin of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is the story you won't want to miss.

Filled with action, word play, humorous footnotes and rodent puns, this middle-grade SG prequel is a great introduction to the characters for newcomers, and a welcoming backstory that fans will love.

Highly recommended for readers ages 10 to adult. No kissing, no drinking or drugs, no nekkidness and no cussing ("butt" isn't a cuss word, is it?  as in "eating nuts and kicking butts"?)

You're gonna love this.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS