Looking Up by Stephan Pastis

Looking Up by Stephan Pastis. Aladdin, 2023. 9781665941563
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Format: Paperback ARC (published 10/23)
Genre: Humor
What did you like about the book? Saint spends a lot of time alone as her single mother works. She collects knights (but only those with one knee bent as if they are praying for help in slaying a dragon in a non-violent way) and pinatas that she has rescued from birthday parties so they will not be destroyed.  The town she loves is being completely changed by latte drinkers with a lot of money.  They are buying up houses which they knock down to build coffee shops.  They have knocked town Saint’s favorite toy store where she buys her knights.  She removes the “for sale” signs in front of houses and throws them in the creek.  (Her mother works for the realty…) Then she meets and falls in love with Daniel, the boy with the adorably round head who lives across the street.  This is wonderful but Daniel’s house is up for sale, too!
I loved this story!  It is poignant and funny, rather absurd, and totally wonderful.  It is impossible not to fall in love with Saint.  There are one or two illustrations on every page that contribute to  the fun.
Anything you did not like about the book? No.
To whom would you recommend this book? Stephen Pastis has a very unique sense of humor so I would recommend this to those who loved the two books in the Trubble Town series, Squirrel Do Bad and The Why-Why’s Gone Bye-Bye .
Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it? J Fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review:  April 10, 2023