Posted by Hale, Shannon. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, 2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious. Marvel Press, 2018. 323p. ISBN 9781368011266. $13.99 MS ****
Doreen Green is the unbeatable Squirrel Girl but honestly, being a regular middle schooler can be tougher than being a superhero. Between trying to figure out her homeroom teacher, how to keep her BHF (best human friend), and talking evil-doers out of doing evil, Doreen has her hands full. In this volume, Dorren is assisted by her BHF and help from the squirrel army (fronted by Tippy-Toes) to take on a well camouflaged threat in her town of Shady Oaks, New Jersey.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 2 is an upbeat, overly positive sequel to the first novelization, but readers do not need to read the first book to enjoy this one. Doreen, aka Squirrel Girl, does her best fighting while attempting to talk down run of the mill villains (mostly urban citizens who are just having a really bad day). She only resorts to physical responses when others are in danger. Besides plasma guns, a tobacco reference, and general evil-doer plotting, there isn’t anything objectionable mentioned; a few characters end up with scrapes, bruises, and get knocked unconscious. The book switches perspectives between three characters, one of whom is Ana Sophia, Doreen’s BHF, who happens to be deaf. Her perspective is eye-opening about how she feels around those who are able to hear. Readers will enjoyed the flow, humor, group chats with other Marvel characters, and awkward middle school situations. Definitely recommended for middle schoolers and early high school students who may be reluctant readers.
Jessica Lundin, San Jose Public Library
Bay Area Young Adult Librarians 