I've been enjoying this series quite a bit. It does a nice job of illustrating the complexities of major life changes, in this case, moving from the city to the country (and running a farm) as well as becoming part of a blended family. The latter is a main focus of this particular installment. I loved that it explored Jen's complicated feelings of simultaneously being an only child, and of being a stepsister. It felt like a very real experience that readers would be able to relate to. I do wish that the story had delved into this aspect a little bit more, but I did find it an enjoyable read. Readers that enjoy realistic fiction graphic novels will likely enjoy this book.

The third and final installment of the Peapod Farms series is set during the winter and early spring following Jen’s move from the city to the country. This volume focuses more on her relationships with her new stepsisters, Reese and Andy as well as Jen’s experience with fitting in with her classmates. The girls all experience the first snow on the farm as well as learn how to tap maple trees for sugar.

This whole series was a joy to read, and should be read in order: first with Stepping Stones and then Apple Crush. The series as a whole wraps up really well with Sugar Shack. Readers will enjoy this coming-of-age story, cozy farm vibes, and relatable characters.

I have enjoyed each volume of the Peapod Farm series and each book that I’ve read by Lucy Knisley. She usually writes graphic memoirs but this was a (fictionalized) account of some events that happened in her life. I loved seeing life on the farm and the relationship between Jen and her (sort of) step sisters develop further from the prior two volumes. The art was gorgeous as always, as was the color palette. I believe this is the last in the series? If not, I will definitely be picking up the next one! They are also so cute and this one was no exception.

Kinsley has another great entry in the Peapod Farm series as we experience winter on the farm. Her stepsister Reese prepares for her Bat Mitzvah and pines for her crush from the fall who is Idaho. Jen and Andy haul firewood, learn about tapping maple trees (and the sugar shack where it's boiled into syrup and a syrup candy recipe is shared), and have fun in the snow. Jen starts to think about what kind of adult she wants to be. Kinsley strong line work and clear but soft colors make the book cozy and inviting.

The Sugar Shack is the final book in the Peapod Farm series. Knisley is able to do well at writing character relationships. The relationships are complex and realistic, particularly the relationship between the main character Jen and her stepsisters. The art fits well with the story she is telling. Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought that it was well done. I’d recommend this graphic novel to children who enjoy contemporary graphic novels. I received a digital review copy of this book from Random House Children’s and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Strong finish to a lovely series! I wish we'd gotten to see a bit more Ollie, but it felt like everyone's story reached a natural end point, even though there's more that could be said here. I'm glad that I ended up reading this series all in one go, because it's easier to see the full scope of Jen's development, and everyone else's alongside her. The sisters' relationship really blossomed here. Like every other reader, I find Walter annoying, but I teared up here in one of his panels.

This is very much the end of a series, and will not make sense if read on its own. I'm an entire adult and I loved this--it's middle grade without being condescending or oversimplifying the relationships. Knisley's note at the end about Walter (the stepdad character) exemplifies this. I mostly appreciate that this series got me out of my own head for a few hours, which is an achievement all on its own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of "Sugar Shack." If you're looking for some low-stakes, slice of life MG farm adventures, I very much recommend this series.

I love this series.

The third installment of the Peapod Farm series takes place during the winter months when the family is collecting sap and making maple syrup. The sibling dynamics are well written and realistic, and the complicated relationship between Jen and Walter reflect many step=parent/step-child relationships I witnessed as a child.

I see a lot of my middle-school self in the character of Jen. These books would've been great to have when I was in middle school.

This is probably my favorite entry of the Peapod Farm series. Jen is a sweet, quirky, extremely introspective and determined character. I enjoyed reading her journey of coming into her own and become more assertive about who and what she wants to be, both within her new family and in the world overall, even as she continues to grow. Her emotional intelligence throughout as she grows is heartwarming, and her emotional intelligence throughout (which is very sharp) is always refreshing to see, particularly in books geared towards young readers. I feel that there are a lot of young readers who can empathize with Jen and have been happy to follow her story across these books.
There are some nice subtle details throughout, such as the list of adults whom Jen aspires to be like because of their "coolness." It reveals not only Jen's value system but her appreciation for those who've taken the time to really see and encourage her, especially when others don't. I also enjoyed the framing device of the actual maple sugar shack and the process that it takes to harvest and turn the sap into something delicious that can be shared with everyone, but which requires a lot of time and care in order to do effectively. The notes about sustainable farming and animal husbandry were also welcome and sensitively-handled, particularly for animal-loving children who are also concerned about what happens to livestock (little me being one of them.) The expanded notes and photos in the back
The story did feel rushed at times, and I felt that the core emotional tension of Jen feeling like just a stepsister to Andy and Reese's "real" sister relationship was resolved too quickly, without a lot of discussion, although Jen was clearly hurt by it. Jen internalizes most things anyway and doesn't always say what she's thinking, but at the same time, I feel sympathy for her as she's hurt so often while others, willfully or not, are oblivious to her emotions. I'd have liked to see her discuss her feelings with someone or even elaborate on them a little more through her drawings, but I also realize that this may not have been consistent with Knisley's own story. The real life notes and photos at the back were again fun to read. The more that she shares, the more questions I have and the more I'm interested in learning about her life during that time.
Regarding Walter, he's slightly better in this story, but I'm just still not satisfied with the resolution of the whole relationship arc, even with the notes in the back about why the author included the character and wrote him as honestly as possible. Even when he shows the slightest bit of tenderness towards Jen in this book, it's difficult to give him credit because of his general behavior; the kindness is such a rarity and it shoudln't be. It's still frustrating that we hear others like Andy talk about how Walter is noisome and insensitive to them as well, yet Jen gets the brunt of his bad behavior. As a reader, our perception would be different if we actually saw those circumstances with other people. Naturally there are some incidents that Jen couldn't talk about unless someone shared them with her, but it still would make a difference to actually see said incidents with others.
This is apparently the last book in the Peapod Farm trilogy. While the ending was sweet (I love the full circle moment with the barn cat) it still feels like there are more stories left to share. Lucy Knisley really excels at memory recall and honing in on specific emotions and situations, and I would welcome any further stories. Fans of the series should enjoy the book and will be happy to see Jen finally come into her own, while being encouraged to be themselves, too.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, RandomHouse Graphic for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

“Sugar Shack” is set during winter on Peapod Farm, where Jen spends time with her step-sisters and helps out with daily farm chores.

The art style is really lovely and adds a lot to the mood of the story.

There isn’t much of a plot though, and I didn’t love how the book presents rabbit farming as sustainable and ethical.

However, it’s an enjoyable read overall, and I’m looking forward to more books in the series.

Initially I chose this title based on the cover and title, which I still stand by my decision, however I was disappointed in discovering this was not the first title in the series. That being said, I enjoyed the story in this title and I very much enjoyed how well emotions and especially the confusion felt by characters was shown rather than told. I found myself sad at times, While other times I laughed . Overall, this was a solid 4 star read for me.

I love how perfectly she conveys the confusion, pain, and resolution wrapped up in whether or not Andy sees Jen as her sister. Lucy Knisley is a masterclass of show don’t tell story and characters while gently folding instructions for tapping maple trees and making latkes. The emotional world of peapod farm is familiar, timeless, and comforting.

I closed Sugar Shack with a smile on my face and a lump in my throat—the kind of feeling you get after finishing a story that knew just how to hold your heart gently, even while nudging it into hard places.

This final volume in Lucy Knisley's Peapod Farm series is everything I hoped it would be: funny, honest, warm, and quietly profound. It follows Jen and her growing family through a winter on the farm, complete with all the seasonal rhythms—chopping wood, feeding animals, collecting sap, and learning the slow magic of turning it into maple syrup. And in between all that, it gives us something even richer: the quiet blooming of emotional growth.

Jen is a city kid learning to live in the rural world, and one of the most resonant parts of Sugar Shack is how it captures the awkwardness and duality of feeling like you don't fully belong in either place. Knisley doesn’t shy away from complexity here—whether it’s in place, identity, or family. And speaking of family, the nuanced portrayal of Walter (Jen’s difficult stepfather) was especially powerful. Knisley acknowledges the reality many kids face: adults who are in your life not by choice, who aren’t always kind, and who don’t always change—but who are part of the story all the same.

Walter's arc across the series has been handled with subtlety and realism. He’s still flawed, but here, he’s also more layered—less of a caricature, more of a person. Jen doesn’t forgive him so much as she learns how to navigate around him, stand up for herself, and find strength in the people who *do* show up for her.

At the center of this book is a deep and beautiful bond between sisters. The way Jen, her mom, and her stepsisters find small ways to support each other—without it ever feeling forced or idealized—is part of what makes the story so touching. I loved how their shared experiences created a kind of chosen family warmth. It’s not perfect, but it’s real.

And of course, I have to mention the art. The winter palette—icy blues, soft pinks, muted browns—set the perfect cozy tone. The expressive characters, the sketchbook-style journal entries, the tiny observational details (like the way snow looks when it piles on barn roofs, or how you tap a tree for sap)—they all made me feel like I was there. There’s something incredibly transportive about Knisley’s style; it doesn’t just tell the story, it *immerses* you in it.

What struck me most is how Sugar Shack balances heartwarming family moments with bigger, messier themes: belonging, autonomy, resilience. It doesn’t need drama to be powerful. Its emotional weight comes from lived experience, quiet courage, and the way small kindnesses can change the shape of a hard day.

This series deserves to be on every middle-grade (and adult!) shelf. I wish there were more books coming, but if this is the end, it's the kind of end that feels like a soft, lingering hug. One you won’t forget.

Winter is coming, and while everything was frozen, apparently there’s no shortage of chores. There were many things happened in his book but the main event was tapping maple trees then turn the sap into syrup in the sugar shack. Of course there’s a lot of sisterhood stuffs here and I think Reese appeared the most in this book compared to the previous ones. There was even a heartwarming touching scene that made me weep a bit.

It was cute as usual, and even though I still don’t want to accept that this is the end of the series, it’s definitely a good closing. Will check other Lucy’s books because I’m obsessed with her storytelling and drawings.

What a pleasant surprise to see there was a new book in the Peapod Farm series. I so enjoyed the first two books (despite the jerk stepfather Walter) that I decided to reread them to refresh my memory on the characters. I’m happy to say that the third book is just as good. Not only does the author illustrate the scenes and facial emotions to perfection, but the font and colors are also superior.

I enjoy reading about Jen and Andy’s ongoing friendship/sisterhood and how little sister Reece is just as pesky as ever. It’s wintertime and frigidly cold and snowy on Peapod Farm. It’s time to tap the maple trees for sap and cook it into maple syrup. Walter built a shack on the farm strictly for the cooking purposes, hence the title Sugar Shack. Besides the making of syrup, Jen is responsible for so many other chores on the farm including daily hauling of chopped wood and is encouraged to join the 4H club.

We also learn about Andy’s heritage and her bat mitzvah, her ongoing relationship with her crush Eddie, who is also Jen’s very good friend. This is a beautiful coming of age graphic novel. The first book took place in the summer, the second book in autumn and now this book in winter. I understand this is the final entry in the series, but could there possibly be a fourth book, set in the spring? Crossing my fingers and toes.

Note: I received a DRC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
“Like the seasons, everything changes with time, and for one city-kid turned country girl, she's ready to settle in for the winter...too bad there is always work to be done! Don't miss out on the final volume of New York Times bestselling author Lucy Knisley's Peapod Farm series!

Winter has come to Peapod Farm and Jen couldn't be more excited to spend time with her step-sisters. Jen has been so focused on trying to figure out how she fits into her new family that she hasn't realized she's found her place until Reese calls her 'sister'.

Unfortunately, this puts a rift between Jen and Andy. Andy has been and will always be Reese's ACTUAL sister, Jen is just the STEP sister. Just when Jen thought she had everything figured out she's suddenly not so sure...Jen still has a lot to learn about living life outside the city!

Maybe between Peapod Farm's first snow and learning how to tap a tree for sugar, Jen and Andy both will have a chance to truly understand what it means to be family.”

This entry of the “Peapod Farm” series was heartwarming and charming, just like the other books in the series. I loved the illustrations, and the story was cozy and enjoyable. If you liked the first two books, then I think that you’ll love this newest entry in the series. I would recommend this book to kids who are in the age range of 8 to 12. I enjoyed my time with this book a lot.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoy connecting with the characters, and this latest installment is no exception! Loved all the cool things they do on the farm during the winter time and to see some of their familial and religious customs as well. Great book that will be adored by middle graders!

I LOVE Lucy Knisley and this was just a delight. I think she has a clever way of telling a story that is fun and sweet all at once. Her art style is my favorite and I love how adorable it all is.

I love that graphic novels are accessible to many different levels of reading and age groups. I would read this again with my kid and especially revisit when she’s able to read on her own.

my daughter read this ARC.

"I like this book because it shows that good can come out of the unexpected. In divorce you can find your best friends, and in the sap from the maple trees can bring family and friends together." -Cadee, age 12

This was so cute!!! I loved seeing the characters and their relationships develop further. A great addition to the series with amazing illustrations and compelling stories. My favorite character by far was Fred. Fred will always have a special place in my heart even though I just learned about her. Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!!!

This is a cute, kid friendly story. There is no foul language or violence and the drawings reflect the perspectives of the kids in the story. The recommended reading age is 8 to 12 years old.

Jen loves visiting her father and her two step-sisters on the farm that her father owns. They have wonderful adventures such as building snowmen and snow castles, then coming indoors for plentiful mugs of hot cocoa. The farm has many maple trees from which the family makes maple syrup. I enjoyed learning how it is made. The title of the book comes from the sugar shack on the farm where the maple liquid is boiled down into syrup. First, maple liquid is tapped from the trees into a bucket and later made into the syrup. The step-sisters also have fun experiences with their friends from school. Jen is introduced to them and joins in their activities. Jen is boy crazy, though, and there are many scenes where she talks about her infatuation with a guy named Eddie.

Jen spends her Saturday mornings studying with her rabbi for her Bat Mitzvah. She is a fairly religious Jew while her step-sisters don't have any knowledge of their Jewish ancestry. Technically the step-sisters are not Jewish because I don't think their mother isn't Jewish. If she is, this knowledge has not been passed down into the story.

The dialogue in Sugar Shack is written the way kids talk. With the brightly colored comic panels the book has the feel of a children's books, which it is. However, my sixtysomething self thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It sent me down memory lane to my own childhood where I, too, had fun with my friends and classmates.