After Jen's experience in moving to Peapod Farm with her mother and step father in Stepping Stones, and continuing to make peace with her situation in Apple Crush, she is back in a fairly good place. Somewhat pushy stepsister Andy is busy preparing for her bat mitzvah, and Jen has learned to give her her own way in situations where Jen doesn't particularly care. Young Reese's exuberance is easier to tolerate, and Jen is starting to feel like an older sister. Even Walter has calmed down a bit, and thinks before he speaks. Since Andy has to go to town on the weekends to prepare for her bat mitzvah, Jen's mother suggests that she attend the local 4H group, where she find some people that she likes, and others, like a boy who unnecessarily talks a lot about "culling" rabbits after a petting zoo fundraiser, who are harder to take. The family has decided to tap the maple trees on their property and host a small festival with the maple syrup they make. We follow the family through the winter, with some epic snow days, one of which almost ends disastrously, and Andy's bat mitzvah celebration. By the time the syrup is made, Jen has a few more friends, and feels more a part of her family. Ms. Knisley has extensive notes and sketches at the end of the book, explaining how her own life story parallels but isn't exactly like Jen's.
Strengths: Like all of Knisley's work, there is something utterly compelling about Jen's story, and it was a relief that it was also primarily a pleasant story. It was fascinating to read her note about readers' reactions to Walter, and her decision to include him; I had also felt that it was valuable to see flawed characters and learn how to deal with them without changing them. I loved that the girls had a lot of chores. The wintery setting, complete with sugaring off in a tiny cabin and mugs of warm maple juice... this just speaks to me in the same way that the 1970s family room in Holm's Sunny books does. It doesn't hurt that the first two books really helped one of my students who was struggling with a difficult stepfather. Look at that cover! This is a cozy book about how family makes us feel loved and wanted even when the people in it are messy and difficult.
Weaknesses: I wanted to know more about how the farm was staying in business. It's a somewhat unusual setting, and while young readers won't really care about the economic value of maple syrup, I was really curious, especially after reading in the afterword that Knisley's mother and step father divorced when she was in her teens and she left the farm.
What I really think: Now I want to go back and read Sorenson's 1957 Miracles on Maple Hill again, complete with Joe and Beth Krush illustrations. There are a lot of similarities, tapping maple trees, and another cozy house. I'll definitely purchase this for my school library, since the first two books have been very popular.

This was a wonderful addition to this series by Lucy Knisley. I've enjoyed them all but this was my favorite so far! Wonderful conclusions to the step siblings in this book and I really enjoyed the maple syrup harvesting aspect. Fred the bunny was a highlight as well. I'd read about 100 more books with these characters. Such a blast and I loved the additional material at the end where Lucy shared what she has in common with the characters and the inspiration for the series.

Another cute book in this series about 12 year old Jen and her adapting to her new life living with her mom and her boyfriend on a farm. I think these books show great and realistic depictions of life with a blended family. I especially liked how this one touched on different religious traditions at the holidays. These are always cute books that I know my tween will love to read! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I picked this because my middle schoolers have asked for books that talk about sugaring since it is something they do in the spring. It’s really about moving to the country and settling in with a newly blended family. I think my students will connect to it in multiple ways.

Thank you Random House Children's, Random House Graphic, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this delightful book. I was so excited to see another one of Lucy Knisley’s graphic novels and was glad when I was approved! This is such a feel good story, another one in the Peapod series, about hardships and joys of growing up in a blended family. Lucy’s wonderful graphics and between the chapters artwork makes this book so much more fun to read. I really hope that there would be more books in the Peapod series for I’d love to stay some more in this world.

Sugar Shack is the third installment in the Peapod Farms series of graphic novels. I have enjoyed all the books in this series. The main character, Jen, has relocated from the city to the country after her parents’ divorce. Throughout the series, she leans to adjust to life on a farm and deal with the complexities of her relationship with her mom’s new boyfriend Walter and his two daughters. I loved the realistic portrayal of these situations and other facets of life as a teenage girl. I enjoyed how Jen’s relationships and appreciation of her life, family and friends has grown over the course of the series. Highly recommend these graphic novels!

Maybe a trigger warning for animals being raised for food for the sake of small children.

Going back to Peapod Farm is like a warm hug. Or in this case maple syrupy goodness. lol I love seeing what the 3 sisters are going to get up to. I love the blended family dynamics. That step siblings can get along like actual siblings. That mature adults can get along when they all get together for shared kids events. Over all I loved the story and the art was wonderful as always.

Cards on the table, I'm a long-term Lucy Knisley fan. The 8-year-old and I have been reading the Peapod Farm series since the first one, and this entry does not disappoint. I love seeing more of Jen and her experiences, and can't wait to get the book to share it with my kiddo. They're just such well-told books for kids and grown-ups alike, with good stories and good artwork. I'm glad we get another one.

Jen and Andy's story continues, and while their mixed family continues to learn how to live with each other, Jen learns more about food and agriculture, Andy gets ready for her bat mitzvah, and the season comes and goes, with all the seasonal changes that brings.

I really like the way this book (and the rest of the series) focuses on where food comes from and what it means to be a citizen of the planet earth. There isn't a strong focus on sustainability or anything, but this book reminds us that food doesn't magically appear in a grocery store: it has to be grown and harvested, and that can be both hard work and unpleasant. There's a subtle sub-plot of family conflict throughout this book, between Jen's relationship to her often inconsiderate step-father to her feelings of being left out when her step-sisters are part of something Jen can't do. I enjoyed the little vignettes, but there generally wasn't a strong plot. I think that's okay, but it was a little slow compared to book 1.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Sugar Shack by Lucy Knisley.

I had read the two previous books in the Peapod Farm series, Stepping Stones and Apple Crush prior to receiving this ARC. This is the third installment within that series. I loved this series and hope this is not the end! Once again, Knisley delivers a cozy story, continuing to build on the growth of Jen and her step-sisters. Knisley's art was wonderfully bright and expressive. Although this book was written for a younger audience, I felt this book was still a great read as an adult. It allowed me to think back on my childhood and re-examine my life and career choices. My only thing about this book was I wish it continued on a little longer. I definitely recommend picking up the Peapod Farm series and enjoying it with a hot cup of tea!

Sugar Shack continues Lucy Knisley's semi-autobiographical story started in Stepping Stones & Apple Crush. Jen is still navigating being part of blended family and growing up. There are challenges and celebrations. As always Knisley's illustrations contribute to the strong appeal of this middle grades graphic novel.

Moods: Lighthearted, cozy, nostalgic

Content Warnings: Animal death (not on page, just talking about humans eating animals and raising bunnies to eat them/kill)

This was a lovely winter book! I see that it will be published during the summer, and its setting will be a lovely reprieve from the heat for readers. The setting is cozy and there are no major conflicts between characters to cause anxiety, so this reads more like a slice of life on a farm. There are a few recipes, such as stuffed mushrooms and pancakes, and mention of food like maple water and maple syrup. I would feel comfortable recommending this to patrons of all ages.=, including elementary students.

Jen, Andy, and Reese are getting the hang of being sisters. They are bonding over enrichment actives, and also over thinking creatively about the future. For example, one wants to live in a hobbit hole, one in a traditional house next to the hobbit hole, and the other in a sky rise with a candy room!
For now they live on a farm. The girls are getting involved with sustainable hobbies, that can help them as they grow into young adults. I liked how Jen questioned her mom about what she wanted to do as a kid, and the answers she gave.
There are a couple of serious parts, where being there for each other really works out. I've read that this is the last in the series, and that the step-dad was a 'jerk'. He's not so much, that I noticed, in this one. The drawings are very well done, and enjoyable. There's also a section in the back that explains parts of the book and encourages kids to branch out when they are going through tough changes.

In the third and potentially final installment of the Peapod Farms series, Jen faces some struggles as she starts a new school and still doesn't feel fully integrated with her new family. Walter continues to be kind of a jerk, but to a lesser degree than the previous volumes. Always appreciate it when the other kids stick up for her in that.

Knisley's art is always so inviting in these books. This series is a fave in my library, and the third book will definitely have a place on my shelves.

I have an incredible fondness for this middle grade graphic novel series. Lucy Knisley has created a wonderful retreat in her semi-autobiographical Peapod Farm series. This third installment is a perfect winter read. As Jen is holed up with her blended family, she plays in the snow with her two step siblings. They tap trees for maple syrup, warm themselves by the fire with chopped wood, and tend to the animals. While you don't need to read the previous two books to enjoy this one, it certainly makes the experience sweeter knowing the backstory and side characters. I love the illustrations and coloring- so readable and such a fresh treat for the eyes. My favorite part was the little extras like the notebook pages between chapters, the recipes, the brief breaking of the fourth wall, and the author end notes. My only criticism is the story felt a bit fragmented at times and needed a bit more cohesion. For example, I enjoyed the inclusion of Andy's faith though it seemed injected into the story rather than cohesively woven into the plot. I also wanted a little more from the conclusion, especially given that this book may (sadly!) be the end of Jen's story. Nonetheless, I loved this read and would recommend it. I was very grateful to receive an advance digital copy for review from NetGalley. 4.5 stars.

This is the first of the Peapod Farm series. It is about a girl who is learning to be a farm kid. She is not too happy about all of the chores that come with living in the country. She also has to deal with step sisters after being an only child. This can be hard at times when you are not blood related. It is about navigating different situations and learning to be who you are.

I would like to add that this includes a LGBTQ+ relationship. Working in a library I think it is a good thing to be aware of.

3.5/4 * Very cute read. I haven’t read the previous books in this series but will go back and do so. Thanks for letting me check this out.

As a long time reader of Lucy Knisley’s journal comics, it’s been really fun to follow along with her books for younger audiences. In the third installment of the Peapod Farm series, Jen continues to navigate being a step-sister alongside thoughts about growing up. This series borrows a lot from Knisley’s own experiences, and this is apparent in the honesty that she uses to portray family dynamics, both the good moments and the tough ones. One detail I really enjoyed this time around was illustrations of the kid’s ideas about what they would be like as adults. The drawing style for these segments brought to mind Calvin and Hobbes, as did Andy calculating sledding trajectories. The colors in this book are bright and expressive, and Jen’s sketchbook illustrations between chapters add another layer of immersion. Excited to have this one added to the library’s collection!

Sugar Shack is another fun addition to Peapod Farm, Lucy Knisley's middle grade graphic novel series. Jen is more used to farm life, but there's always more to learn! Her blended family is planning on making maple syrup, so they build a sugar shack to process it and start tapping trees! Jen's relationship with her step-sister Andy continues to be the heart of this wonderful series. The characters continue to be very authentic with a full range of emotions, and I loved the bonus material at the end. Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another great installment in this series! I especially enjoy the author's notes, when she explains how her life was different than the story. Perfect for Raina Teglemeir and Kayla Miller.