The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science #2: Secrets of the Purple Pearl written by Kate McKinnon and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: In this second installment of Kate McKinnon's #1 New York Times bestselling series, Millicent, Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee—face their biggest challenge yet during a summer at the glamorous Purple Pearl Hotel. The evil Krenetics Research Association has arrived, still determined to resurrect their fearsome leader, Talon Sharktüth, and they're hunting for the legendary Purple Pearl, a source of power hidden at the bottom of Kagloopy Lake. To reach it, they need to find a mysterious creature called a Shrimpmaid and boil away the entire lake. The sisters must work together to stop the KRA and prevent disaster, all while uncovering shocking secrets about their own origins and identities. It's a wild, mad science adventure they'll never forget. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Young readers will love this series for its quirky humor, imaginative world-building, and unforgettable characters. The Porch Sisters feel like real friends, and their found-family dynamic resonates deeply. The absurd, witty storytelling celebrates individuality and curiosity without taking itself seriously. This book works wonderfully in school libraries as both an independent read and a shared audiobook (or read aloud) experience. Librarians can feature it for middle-grade fantasy lovers seeking humor and heart. The illustrated text supports visual learners. Teachers can use it to spark discussions about found family, resilience, and embracing differences. Book clubs can explore its themes of acceptance and courage. Its popularity makes it a natural recommendation tool for connecting readers with similar titles like Series of Unfortunate Events, helping build a community of enthusiastic young readers. Overall, it's laugh out loud weirdness and I am here for it!

Dinner with King Tut written by Sam Kean, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Sam Kean's "Dinner with King Tut" takes readers on a fascinating journey through the world of experimental archaeology. By blending hands-on methods with historical fiction, Kean revives the sensory experiences of ancient civilizations. From the sounds of medieval cannons to the tang of Roman fish sauce, the book explores how researchers recreate past technologies, cuisines, and medicines. Each chapter focuses on a specific era, from early humans in Africa to post-conquest Mesoamerica, illustrating the dedication of archaeologists who strive to bring history to life. Kean skillfully interweaves fictional narratives with factual research, offering a vivid portrayal of ancient daily life.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is unique in that most of it is non-fiction and you learn a lot about ancient life.  But short chapters are fictionalized so that you can actually imagine people using/doing the things that archeologists have discovered. There are real-world experiments that the author puts himself too.  Some are funny, some are gross, which will probably make high school students enjoy reading this book.  I enjoyed reading this book (and I am not the first one to pick up non-fiction to relax with). The book's vivid descriptions and imaginative narratives make it a valuable resource for lessons on historical inquiry and cultural understanding. It could get students interested in the field of archeology.  I would make a book display by pulling other non-fiction books that go along with the time periods in Kean's book. By connecting students with the past in a tangible way, Kean's work encourages a deeper appreciation for the complexities of ancient life.  The cover illustration makes it attractive to high school readers, even though it's marketed for adult readers.  Sharing with history and science teachers could help promote circulation of this book.

This Is How You Know written by Kirsten W. Larson and illustrated by Cornelia Li, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: "This Is How You Know: How Science Happens" by Kirsten W. Larson, with illustrations by Cornelia Li, is a beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates the wonders of science and discovery. It encourages children to embrace curiosity, imagination, and perseverance. Through lyrical text and vibrant illustrations, the book guides young readers on a journey of exploration, emphasizing that science is a process of inquiry filled with unexpected discoveries and joyful learning. The diverse cast of characters and engaging visuals make science approachable, showing that mistakes are part of the learning journey and that curiosity leads to understanding the world around us. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a great book to inspire a love for science in students! The book can be a wonderful read-aloud choice, sparking discussions about scientific inquiry and encouraging students to ask questions and explore their natural curiosity. Librarians can create engaging displays featuring the book alongside related science resources, offering students additional opportunities to dive into STEM topics. The book’s emphasis on diverse characters and real-world applications provides a platform to discuss the importance of inclusivity in science. With its cute illustrations and thoughtful backmatter, it can also serve as a valuable resource for collaborative projects with teachers, integrating science into reading and literacy programs to enhance interdisciplinary learning. This is a great way to introduce the process of scientific inquiry. There is also an easy connection with visual arts and what the illustrator created, to what the author wrote about science. Talk about interdisciplinary! While this would be a great choice for any school library, it is particularly well suited for a IB PYP library. This would be a great addition to an exploration about Inquiry. Students familiar with words from the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning will be able to make thoughtful connections. This book can also easily align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in a few different ways.

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science written by Kate McKinnon, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: This funny and whimsical adventure follows three sisters—Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch—who feel out of place in their snooty town of Antiquarium, where strict etiquette rules reign. After being expelled from multiple etiquette schools, the sisters receive an unexpected invitation to study under the notorious mad scientist Millicent Quibb. At 231 Mysterium Way, the girls encounter a world filled with bizarre delights, such as pizza that can be fatal and a bus powered by gerbils. As they learn the ropes of mad science, they discover their unique talents and the importance of embracing their differences. When a sinister group of mad scientists threatens their town, the Porch sisters must band together and use their newfound skills to save the day. This story is filled with humor, eccentric characters, the love of sisters, and a message of belonging, making it an engaging read for young audiences. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: As an adult, I loved this book!  It was laugh out loud funny.  There are a lot of words that will increase the vocabulary of anyone who reads it. One of my favorite parts what that Kate McKinnon was writting the book as Edwina Candlestank!  The thrid sentence in the book was "Man, do I hate the viola."  As a viola player, I took offence and laughed at the same time.  A lot of the names integrated funny takes on the German, French and Dutch languages.  There are elements of magical realism and adventure in this book. The dialogue is just funny and you can see a lot of the authors humor coming out.  This book can be paired with lessons on individuality, acceptance, and the importance of science in everyday life. Librarians can host book clubs where students explore themes of belonging and courage, encouraging them to share personal experiences related to feeling different or misunderstood. Additionally, hands-on science experiments inspired by the mad science elements in the book can be introduced to make learning interactive and fun. The illustrations and humor in the book also lend themselves well to art projects, where students can create their own quirky characters or scenes from the story. By creating a multi-faceted approach, librarians can enhance students' reading experiences while fostering a love for literature and science.  It is definitely geared towards middle school students, but I can see a lot of other readers enjoying it.  I also LOVED that the book was set up like an old Victorian era book: they typography, the hardcover and the deckled edges.  Super fun and highly recommended for a school library.