Nutmeg

Gr 5 Up—A simple relationship-driven narrative that only fans of the previous installments might enjoy. In this middle school drama, Pepper and a new acquaintance plan a way to take down their nemesis, Longfellow, via a brownie prank. This volume showcases the protagonist's struggle to form lasting friendships and navigate social cliques. This work focuses on the themes of fairness and belonging. However, the language employed by Wright is forced and clichéd. The author does not effectively create mounting suspense and the story line is predicable. The overall character development is devoid of depth and readers' won't feel vested in these figures' conflicts. The homogeneity of the Nutmeg characters and the "catty" dynamics of the female relationships will deter kids looking for strong, nuanced female protagonists. Avid graphic novel enthusiasts will be disappointed by Croft's lack of artistic detail, with several subjects drawn at awkward angles. Similarly, the muted color palette is bubble gum-sweet and off-putting. While the illustrations do follow a logical sequence, there is a jerky quality to the movement from page to page. The illustrations do not take the story beyond its words. With that said, this work perhaps might be of interest to reluctant readers or those looking for a light read.