Jamila has just moved into the neighborhood, and wants nothing more than to play basketball on the public court. Her mother wants her to attend the same science camp that her older brothers went to when they were her age--and hated. When Jamila meets Shirley at a garage sale and finds out she's being forced to go to a dance camp she doesn't like, they come up with a plan--and convince their mothers that they can watch out for each other at the basketball court.
Shirley isn't so great at making friends, but she is super-observant and great at solving mysteries. Soon Jamila joins her in finding a missing pet gecko. The clues lead them all over the neighborhood, breaking Jamila's promise to stay at the basketball courts and getting her in trouble with her mother. Will Jamila get to spend time with Shirley again? Will the gecko be found and returned?
This graphic novel has a diverse cast of kid characters who are all different in their own ways, yet representative of so many neighborhoods--immigrants, latchkey siblings, misunderstood bullies, teen lifeguards with attitudes, even a cancer survivor. Their differences play a part in the story, but aren't the focus of this mystery.
If you're a fan of graphic novels like Roller Girl or Smile, then Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz should be added to your to-read pile!
It's Ms Margocs' last Monday of summer break! Time to plan reading for evenings and weekends. Have you finished your summer reading pile yet?
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