This story about a middle-grader with a passion for making movies is accessible to people of any age or any interest, and is an engaging, fun read.

Kate Walden is a seventh grader with dreams of a Hollywood director career. She’s already made one movie, and is determined to make a second. However, a new boy moves into her school and decides to make a movie, too. From there, the complications mount as she strives to show up the newcomer while scrounging for actors, props, and locations…and dealing with bullies and friend-issues. Ah, the simplicity of middle school.

"Bride of Slug Man" is more than a school or friendship/middle-grade romance story (to me). It’s a story about making movies! I can relate to the fun of making art, the thrill as you experiment with new techniques or try to get a certain effect. Kate’s movie starts with learning to make slime (for the titular Slug Man), but goes on to wrestle alien costumes, UFO special effects, casting issues, lighting, camera angles… It got me wishing I could make a movie, myself. The joy of creation, and the danger of losing that joy if your motivations get tangled, is something that rings very true for me.

This book might be middle grade fiction, but it’s not just for kids. It’s a realistic tale of interpersonal relationships, artistic pursuits, and the issues we can create for ourselves in our own minds. Plus, it’s funny, fast-paced, and absorbing.

ARC-Netgalley