Rocklin, Joanne. Love, Penelope. Lucy Knisley, Illus. Fiction. Amulet, 03/2018. 255[+7]pp. $16.99. 978-1-4197-2861-7. ADDITIONAL. GRADES 3-5.
Fifth grader and Golden State Warrior fan Penelope, pictured on the cover with light skin and brown hair, keeps a diary of her mom’s pregnancy in Oakland for her future sibling. Penelope has two moms and battles prejudice on behalf of them from both friends and extended family. She matter-of-factly explains the donor insemination process. With limited representation of lesbian families in middle-grade literature Love, Penelope is a welcome addition. However, the plotline would have been stronger with more stringent editing, as the second half of the book moves far slower than necessary. This book has California-specific content.
Beth Gousman, Montclair School