How is everyone doing? My December so far has been pretty busy. I’ve been to the hospital for my family but luckily everything came out okay. And I’m trying to just relax and enjoy the last part of the year.
I have however been reading and reviewing like a fiend. I’m trying to get my NetGalley percentage up so I can get more books. So I’ve been going through that mostly. Also I’m blasting through my reading goal. I’m currently at 121 books and know I’m going to get past 125. So I’m excited to see where I end up.
Synopsis
Sugar Shack was one of the books I got to review from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. It is the third book in the Peapod Farms series. That focuses on a blended family coming together to work on a farm
The main character Jen, is excited to spend time with her step-siblings going Andy and Reese. Jen has been focused on finding her place and finally believes she’s found it when Reese calls her, her sister. However this upsets Andy who claims Jen is only Resse’s step sister while she is her real sister. Will Andy’s attitude ruin Jen’s winter at Peapod Farms
Will she be able to enjoy her winter and get close with her sisters? Her sisters aren’t Jen’s only problem though. She has to figure out things with her step-father who seems to look to cause problems and conflicts with Jen.
As the winter passes and the family starts to tap trees for maple syrup. They will begin to truly learn what makes a family.
Review
What makes someone family when you have a blended family? Is it shared interests, or is family truly just the people you are blood related with. Sugar Shack delves into this topic with grace and wit. It continues to follow the adventures of Jen and her step-sisters Andy and Reese. These characters were featured in both the other Peapod Farm books, Apple Crush and Stepping Stones.
I enjoyed that this book showed off some of the interesting things about life on a northern farm. It specifically highlighted the process of making maple syrup. This was interesting and something I didn’t know about.
The author also has information in the back of the book about the real life inspiration for Peapod Farms and her characters. I like how she has made the book semi-autobiographical. Readers of books like The Babysitter’s Club graphic novel series or Squished would enjoy this book.
Overall I would give it four stars. The book is interesting and both the plot and art are done well. Good but not one of my favorites.
Amazon: Sugar Shack
Sugar Shack will be released on August 5th 2025
About the Author
Lucy Knisley is an illustrator, comic artist and author. I’ll bet you’re wondering how to pronounce her name (the K is silent).
Lucy is a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she went to study painting, and ended up making comics. She then studied at the Center for Cartoon Studies, where she received a scholarship to pursue her MFA (completed in June, 2009).
Beginning with a love for Archie comics, Tintin and Calvin and Hobbes, she has been making comics in some form or another since she could hold a pencil.
She lives in Chicago, where she makes comics, does freelance illustration, and teaches the occasional comics workshop. Check out her blog and web comic essay series on Lucyknisley.com!
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