-For elementary age 1st-3rd ish... I thought about Braxton when reading this
-This is a great, fun book about a soccer team and all the coach wants to do is win. Once they are winning the team realizes that there are things that are more important than winning.

Ew, worms. Yay teamwork. ( )

Great graphic novel with chapters. The book is based on a series that describes Anmenobas as if they were young students. Good idea for third graders and up. Provides great digital art for students to enjoy. ( )

[Digging through the archives...]

I purchased this for the library of course. Squish isn't quite as popular as Babymouse, but mostly because not all the kids have realized there's another series. I probably should have shelved Squish with Babymouse.

Squish tackles the world of sports in this title, joining a soccer team, the Water Fleas, and dealing with constant losing. He's thinking of himself as Captain Disaster, when he figures out how to play to his players' strengths and they start winning.

However, his friends, dad, and coach all insist that he's being mean by not allowing everyone a chance to play and have fun and that's what sports is all about (never mind the other teams who made fun of them when they lost). Squish lets his other friends play and they lose, but everyone has fun.

I don't remember the other Squish stories having quite as much sarcastic snark, but it's been a while since I read one and I don't think most kids would notice it anyways. I didn't care much for the message of this one myself, but mediocrity seems to be the goal in education now and a lot of parents and teachers will like this. The kids just like the weird amoebas.

Verdict: If you're buying Squish, and of course you are, buy it. Library bound. Feel free to roll your eyes in private if you, like me, are not an advocate of teaching children that hurty feelings are the most important things in the world.

[Revisited: Eventually I reorganized the graphic novels and both Babymouse and Squish are now shelved together under Holm (along with all her other titles). Squish shot up in popularity and we recently used it in book club to great enthusiasm from the kids. This particular title is not much of a stand out though the series as a whole is great.]

ISBN: 9780375843921; Published 2012 by Random House; Review copy provided by publisher (added to summer reading prizes); Purchased for the library.

PSC REVIEW: Kids who are not yet ready to give up pictures as they read will enjoy the Squish series from the creators of Babymouse. Squish is an amoeba who has a life similar to any kid. Squish is that kind of kid with an imagination and a sense of right and wrong and is often involved in the battle of good and evil. This time he is struggling with good and evil along with his soccer team. This is a fun series. ( )