The Cure for Cold Feet

Gr 3–6—This is Ain's (Izzy Kline Has Butterflies) second free verse novel following Izzy, now a sixth grader entering the alien world of middle school. In addition to being split from her trusted trio of friends, Izzy is paired with her archrival, Jackson, for dance in social studies (the teacher's unwelcome way of bringing the "social" into social studies). Not only does Izzy have to suffer Jackson in school, but he is the son of her mother's new best friend, Yogi. On top of that, Izzy's father is engaged and her teenage brother has found a new companion in tequila. Izzy's narrative dances over the pages in clear, engaging verse. Readers hesitant of poetry would do well try Ain's work as an introduction. Chapter headings mark days and moments ("Homework," "Trick or Treat," "Flashback") and the sections are short enough to keep even reluctant readers engaged. Izzy's family is Jewish, and Izzy observes many diverse characteristics in her classmates, developing a crush on an exchange student from Spain. In one scene, Izzy describes a black classmate's braided hair and her intense desire to touch it, though she never does and the topic is not brought up again in the book. While stories of school and family hardships abound, this is unique in its weaving of so many issues into a tight narrative. Kids need not have read Izzy's first outing to have a full and positive experience of this companion novel.