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.

My library kids are very much going to enjoy the final installment from Lucy Knisley in this series. I have loved seeing the growth of characters and how this family has come together. This time, I really appreciated the author's notes about just how much this series was true and how much was different. We learn from others no matter how long they are in our lives which I think is something important to remember!

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.

This book focuses on Jen still trying to find her place within her new blended family. Problems arise when one of her step-sisters finally calls Jen, just sister and the other has a problem with that. The story also goes into the continued conflict between Jen and her step-father.

I enjoyed that this book showed off some of the interesting things about life on a northern farm, specifically the process of making maple syrup, it 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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a eARC of this book. I had read almost all of Lucy Kinsley books and was so happy to get early access of this title. I had read the previous book in this series about the Pea Pod Farm and had enjoyed it as well. This book I feel is actually better. In the first book Jen is struggling with a lot of changes and emotions with her mom's recent marriage. In this book Jen seems to have found her place within the family and is starting to adjust to life. She starting to have close feelings for her stepsisters and starting to feel like they are a "family". Though her one step sister is struggling with that concept it still brings a lot to light about the dynamics of a child adjusting to parents remarrying and change. I do recommend this book to others especially children who are going through a parents divorce or parents remarriage or family change adjustments. I feel Kinsley really explains it well in a way a kid can relate to and understand. With me being a adult who had to go through the same thing as a kid - I was able to closely relate to the feelings she has portrayed in this series. I do hope there are more books in the Pea Pod Farm series because I would love to read them as well.

This was such a well crafted, beautiful story. And so many amazing messages: fitting into a new place, new family, different dynamics between types of people ("townies" vs "city kids" and more), and I loved the inclusion and diversity. The illustrations were also fantastic. I especially loved Jen's drawings between chapters as well as the subtle expressions on the adults faces reacting to the kids' comments and conversations.
This is absolutely a book that kids + grown-ups can enjoy together.

A perfect conclusion to Lucy Knisley's Peapod Farms series! I loved seeing Knisley branch out into middle grade graphic novels, and I love the way she incorporated aspects of her own life into these books. She handles the feelings felt by preteens so deftly in a way that will speak to both young and adult readers. The art capturing winter on the farm made me want to visit!

Sugar Shack
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Sugar Shack.

Sugar Shack is a beautifully illustrated and colorful graphic novel about the complexities of being a child in a blended family. While this is the last in the Peapod Farm series, I read it as a stand-alone. I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series. 5 stars

This graphic novel was so cute, and had so much heart. You could really tell that the author was pulling from their own experiences, but in helps the story seem so relatable. I enjoyed how the author talking about the melding of traditions.

This is the last volume of the Peapod Farm series from Lucy Knisley, and it's also probably my favorite. She's done such great work with these characters, making them all just as charming, curious, and annoying as actual tweens and allowing their relationships to develop in ways that feel really authentic. The part at the end where Jen meets the new kittens made me tear up. I especially loved Knisley's author's note at the end of the book, where she goes into detail about some of her creative process. I highly recommend this series, especially to readers looking for sweet, cozy vibes and a peek into what it might look like to live on a small farm.