Something maybe magnificent

Gr 3--7--In Toalson's sequel to The First Magnificent Summer, Victoria Reeves returns, this time to scare off her mom's new boyfriend, Kyle. It's been a year since her dad left Victoria, her siblings, and her mom to start a new family. Victoria has gotten used her new life and likes it the way it is. So when her mom announces that she and her boyfriend are getting married, Victoria ramps up the heat on Kyle. She blames him for things he didn't do and pulls pranks on him as often as she can in an attempt to get him to break up with her mom. Victoria is often rude and unkind. She tries so hard to keep her family intact, but doesn't think about the consequences of her actions. Toalson's journal-style story contributes to Victoria's hyper-focused depiction as she details the events of her summer. She frequently mentions experiences relating to her menstruation, which will be relatable to tweens. In addition to outlining her day, Victoria includes poems, multiple-choice quizzes, and letters. Toalson shares countless 1990s references, but some, such as Seventeen magazine and Beverly Hills 90210, may not land with contemporary readers. Most secondary characters are one-dimensional with the most nuanced one being Victoria's friend, Eli. The protagonists are cued as white. VERDICT A general purchase for realistic fiction collections.--Beth Brentlinger

Victoria Reeves is back with another No-Fail Plan in this follow-up to The First Magnificent Summer (2023). This time, Victoria is ready to move on from the disappointment of last summer, which she spent with her absent, neglectful father. Now her plan consists of just three steps: "Forget about Dad," "Get published," and "Spend as much time with Mom as possible." Step one is already off to a bad start--in the past year, Dad hasn't reached out to Victoria, her siblings, or her mom or sent any child support, even while Mom has worked two jobs to barely get by. At least the other two goals look promising. That is, until Mom's serious boyfriend starts hanging around more, becoming The Problem Known as Kyle. Victoria hatches The No-Fail Plan To Fix Our Family (and Heal), which boils down to getting rid of Kyle for good ("I've read all the fairy tales. The kids are never the winners when stepparents enter the picture"). As Victoria grapples with "womenstruation," her growing body, new feelings, and more family changes, she must decide whether she'll let people into her life or build walls so high that no one can reach her. Victoria writes her journal entries in both verse and prose, which will appeal to a variety of readers. This sequel thoughtfully and sincerely explores themes of womanhood, family, anxiety, and identity. Characters are cued white. Tugs at the heartstrings and shows the importance of unconditional love. (author's note) (Fiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.