Kathryn's Inbox

What does happily ever after look like? That's the question at the heart of this sweet YA graphic novel by Hari Conner. Set in England toward the end of the Regency era, it tells the story of Eleanor, her friend George (never Georgiana) and Eleanor's cousin Charlotte. Each of the three women are of a marriageable age, but there is a twist. George has no desire to marry, feels more comfortable in men's clothing and has also inherited a large fortune meaning that they don't have to marry if they do not wish. Charlotte is in love with a man who has little income. And Eleanor, well, she doesn't want to marry anyone and she is finding herself more and more confused about her feelings for George ... In many ways, I Shall Never Fall in Love feels like a mash up of Heartstopper (unsurprisingly, there's a quote from Alice Oseman on the front cover) and Jane Austen. And within that second part lies my biggest issue with the novel. Parts of it feel very much like a LGBT

Sleepovers, friendship and loyalty are at the heart of the ninth Baby-Sitters Little Sister novel. Written in 1990, the novel still stands up well today thanks to the simple but empathetic way that the author handles the plot. This time around, Karen Brewer is gigundo excited because her dad, Watson and stepmother, Elizabeth have given her permission to have a sleepover at the big house. Karen has invited all of the girls in her class at Stoneybrook Academy. But excitement soon gives way to hurt feelings when Karen's best friend Nancy does not receive her official invitation in the post. The two handle it as a pair of seven year olds would--through hurt feelings and wounding one another more. Then a new girl joins Karen's class. There is something about Pamela that makes her seem very glamourous. All of the girls want to be her friend, including Karen who invites her to the sleepover. And then ... Well it turns out that Pamela isn't nearly as much fun to hang out with at a