This graphic novel was a great volume to end the series and bring together not only family but community. The illustrations carry the story with some full page spreads and other pages with panels with very few words - perfect for reluctant readers. Plus, we learned a lot about maple syrup in the making

I AM SO SAD TO SEE THE PEAPOD FARMS SERIES COMING TO AN END! I absolutely love this series and wish she would continue it, but I totally understand. I LOVED the end when it goes to real life and she explains her feelings compared to the story's. I just love it so much. I will read anything this woman writes.

I think this is a great story about finding where you fit in and what makes YOU happy. And you get to learn how to make maple syrup!

Huge fan of the series and delighted to get a third installment!!

This was a wholesome and heartfelt graphic novel that gives a fun glimpse into farm life. It's kinda slice-of-life, so not much happens and the storyline isn't too exciting. Not that it's a bad thing because it made for such a relaxing read. Though I feel like the book only scratches the surface of its themes, such as loneliness and feeling left out.

Reese is sooo cute and I love her! But I was surprised by the author's notes saying that Walter is meant to be portrayed as mean, because I didn't get the impression while reading the book at all, so seems like the storytelling is lacking?

Nevertheless, I enjoyed following Jen's life and can't wait for more of her adventures.

In Sugar Shack we have another beautiful slice of life from the blended family at Peapod farm. Jen is at a comfortable place in adolescence in book #3; she's gained some confidence in herself and is really able to appreciate her new environment and family. Knisley draws her characters with charm and charisma. Each chapter is completely satisfying and ends with a few notebook sketches. So much of the the creator is shared in this lovely graphic novel. It's a treasure.

This book is a great conclusion to the Peapod Farm series. The wintertime setting, with lots of snow and chilly temperatures, makes the book feel like a warm hug. I love how ripe for conversation some of the topics covered in the book are, particularly on farming and where our food comes from, and how they were part of the story without being the whole story. The relationships between the characters has grown through the three books and you can really feel that love between the characters in Sugar Shack.

A very sweet story (appropriate for a book called Sugar Shack! :) ), and I love Lucy Knisley's art style. I haven't read the other books in the series, so I know I was missing a few things, but the relationships and plot were super relatable and I think lots of kids would enjoy reading this one.

It's winter on Peapod Farm, and that means adventures in the snow, an endless supply of firewood, homemade maple syrup, and of course, lots of chores for Jen, Andy, and Reese. The girls are finally finding a rhythm on the farm as they continue to figure out how they fit together in their blended family. In addition, Jen continues to practice her drawing and define herself, and Andy is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah. As the book draws to a close, Knisley features a meaningful callback to Jen's journey on the farm, and breaks the fourth wall as well, giving readers a glimpse behind the book. She also includes a Q&A at the end of the story, offering some additional insight into the inspiration behind the series and its characters. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this final installment in the trilogy--although it will certainly leave them wishing for more.

If you liked her first book in this series (Stepping Stones) then you'll like this one too. The illustrations are fun and keep the reader engaged. I liked this book better than Apple Crush (book 2 in the series).

It reminds me so much of the American Girl and Babysitter’s Club books I read as a kid. The artwork is sweet, the writing is age-appropriate and it updates on a number of tropes that were absent when I was a kid such as Jewish representation and queerness. Nothing in this book ever seems to scream “This is how girls should be!” and the book takes great lengths to keep it that way.

It also has recipes, which I am a huge sucker for in books. I tried the stuffed mushrooms and I am in love with them (I used turkey bacon in mine). It is delightful for the young girls in your life. My second 5 stars of the year.

"Sugar Shack" by Lucy Knisley is an amazing graphic novel that I absolutely loved! It's a heartwarming story about a blended family, finding your place, and the simple joys of farm life.
​Knisley's art is so charming and expressive – it really brings the story to life and makes you feel all warm and cozy. She handles tough feelings with humor and warmth, making it easy to connect with the characters.
​This book is a perfect read for kids and adults alike, offering sweet lessons about family and belonging. It's a truly wonderful end to the "Peapod Farm" series, and I can't recommend it enough!

The blended family of Peapod Farm is getting along very well, and keeping busy with wintry farm chores. (Yep- even in the winter, there's work to be done.) Jen gives 4-H a try, and is upset to learn what becomes of the adorable bunnies one family is raising. Her little sister is even more distraught, though this leads to a happy ending for at least one of the rabbits. Both Christmas and Hannukah are celebrated, and love and good cheer abound. And, shouldn't every book end with the characters enjoying pancakes with maple syrup?

I just adored this volume, and I hope there are many more to come.

Lucy Knisley can do no wrong!

Sugar Shack is another adorable graphic novel by Lucy Knisley. The illustrations are fantastic and the story is perfect and relatable for middle grade readers! Recommended for all children's collections!

Sugar Shack is the third book in the Peapod Farm series and it does not disappoint. In the first two books, Jen had to adjust to her new life at the farm with new step sisters. There were lots of growing pains and hurt feelings, and new family dynamics to get used to. In this volume, everyone is actually pretty comfortable within the family. There are the normal disagreements, but everyone genuinely cares for each other.
Lucy Knisley draws and writes children in a super relatable way. I love her books and will buy anything she makes.

I didn’t realize this was #3 in the series when I picked it up. But thankfully, you don’t need to read the first two to enjoy this story. It’s really sweet and encourages children to appreciate the hard (and important) work of farmers.

The art is easy to read and colored beautifully.

Sugar Shack by Lucy Knisely is the third book in the middle grade graphic novel series, Peapod Farm. The main character, Jen, is a middle schooler who lives on a farm in upstate New York with her mom, stepdad, and two step-sisters who live there part time. Each book is set in a different season, and this particular one takes place during winter.

I really like the illustration style and heart and humor of the story. I also love when graphic novels have extra content that explain the author’s inspiration, so it was cool to see what aspects of the story were based on true events.

I’d recommend this series to fans of Reina Talgemeier, Victoria Jamieson, and Shannon Hale.

My daughter absolutely loves "Apple Crush" by Lucy Knisley, and this is a great follow-up to that book. What a lovely book about family and what it means to have a family. Lucy Knisley does an outstanding job at graphics and being a graphic novelist is definitely her forte. Definitely would recommend!

I’ve loved the Peapod Farm series and Sugar Shack is a great conclusion to the series. My students are often drawn to the series because they can relate to so many of the life changes that Jen experiences. I particularly loved the frequently asked question section because it helped make the series more real. Fantastic end to a fantastic series.

A sweet end to the Peapod Farm Trilogy, though I wish it weren't! I've enjoyed this semi-autobiographical series about big changes, blended families, and growing up. Sugar Shack takes place during the winter season, and it is so cozy! I loved the inclusion of recipes/photos.

This children’s graphic novel brings light to topics that kids probably don’t know much about, such as: navigating separated/divorced parents, the process of farm to table, and the many ups and downs of life.

This book serves as an excellent example of the trials and tribulations of life.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

✨ The Vibes ✨
A sweet middle grade graphic novel about family

📖 Read if…
✨ You’re looking for a graphic novel the whole family can read
✨ You want a book that celebrates all kinds of families
✨ You’re hungry for a sweet treat

Lucy Knisley is one of my favorite graphic novelists. I’ve enjoyed all of her adult memoirs, so when she pivoted to a middle grade series, I knew I’d have to check it out.

Sugar Shack is the third book in the Peapod Farm series, a semi-autobiographical look at Knisley’s own childhood. The book follows Jen, a young girl who’s facing situations many kids face: moving to a new town, embracing a blended family, and dealing with learning difficulties.

Knisley’s writing is easily digestible and very comforting, and I think a lot of kids will feel seen by and enjoy this read. She also includes some bonus content talking about the parts of her life that inspired the series, which is really interesting. It is the third in a series, so I recommend checking out the earlier books first to get the full backstory.

Sugar Shack is out August 5th. Thanks to Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.