Gum Girl!: Chews Your Destiny

Gr 2–4—Gabby Gomez loves to chew gum, even when she goes to bed. But one morning when her mom has to pick the stuff out of Gabby's hair with peanut butter, she bans her daughter's habit. Already feeling distressed while walking to school, Gabby discovers her last piece of a super-duper gum in her pocket. With it she blows the biggest bubble she's ever made, and it touches overhead wires. The bubble bursts, and Gabby is covered in the sticky stuff. She acquires some superpowers, though, including the ability to catch a purse thief and gaining the sobriquet "Gum Girl." But what will she tell her mother, and how will she get to school on time to avoid detention? The characters are one-dimensional, but the simple, entertaining story is easy to read, and the numerous illustrations are eye-catching. Children who like series such as Greg Trine's "Melvin Beederman, Superhero" (Holt) will easily be drawn into Gabby's world.—Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT