Evie Brooks in Central Park Showdown. Sheila Agnew. Toronto, ON: Pajama Press, 2016. 236 pp., trade pbk. & hardcover, $12.95 (pbk.), $17.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-927485-94-1 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-927485-93-4 (hc.). Subject Headings: Moving, Household-Juvenile fiction. Adjustment (Psychology)-Juvenile fiction. Fathers and daughters-Juvenile fiction. Grades 4-7 / Ages 9-12. Review by Sophia Hunter. *** /4

excerpt:

Our meeting lasted exactly forty-three minutes. It was supposed to last an hour so Dr. Blakely must be ripping Michael off. That didn’t bother me. Dr. Blakely spent most of the time talking about himself and discreetly checking his large gold watch. He explains that he had started his career as a highly successful executive in Boston. He was sketchy about what that actually involved. He told us his life’s meaning and purpose: he wanted to find some way to contribute to the world, to be a force for positive change and to make a difference in the lives of children of parents in conflict. He spent years devising the Austin Blakely Co-Parenting method. Yawn. I’m just summing it up here. The method seems to involve ticking off checklists using special colour-coded highlighters. You get a free pack of highlighters when you buy your first Dr. Blakely book and a fifteen percent discount off the second book.

Following Evie Brooks is Marooned in Manhattan, Evie Brooks is back in Evie Brooks in Central Park Showdown. Just when she thinks she has settled into life in Manhattan with her Uncle Michael, her birth father appears. To make matters worse, he is trying to claim custody. Evie is eager to stay with her uncle, but the family court system might have other plans for her. Against the backdrop of a first romantic interest and the new veterinary client, Central Park Zoo, for her uncle’s practice, non-stop drama ensues.

     The result is another fun, animal-filled romp through Manhattan. Evie’s colourful friends, quirky veterinarian clinic patients and dramatic court proceedings are all written in a humourous manner. This is not a serious look at custody issues or different types of families. Despite the surface treatment of important material, this series should have a broad appeal. Evie’s blend of serious situations with comical observations is successful and will appeal to many middle school students, particularly girls, due to the female protagonist and romantic storyline.

     Young women who like books with animals or are enthusiastic readers of writers like Wendy Mass would be potential readers. Evie Brooks in Central Park Showdown is recommended for school libraries and public libraries, or any collection that serves female middle school readers.

Recommended.

Sophia Hunter is a teacher-librarian at Crofton House Junior School in Vancouver, BC.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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