Maple's Theory of Fun

December 18, 2023
When white-cued Maple McNutt’s best friend Sunny Gwon (who knows four languages: English, Korean, Spanish, and binary) asks, “Why can’t you just be fun?” Maple worries that her logical mind and cautious behavior is pushing her loved ones away. Employing the scientific method, aspiring astronaut Maple develops a four-step plan, hoping to become fun in time for the Invention Convention, a STEM–focused contest that Maple and Sunny promised to participate in together. Maple enlists Lada Quiche, a new student from Hungary, to be her research assistant, and as the two conduct outlandish experiments—such as creating laughing bowties using 3D printers—Maple and Lada grow closer, forcing Maple to consider whether she wants to join Sunny’s invention team or stick with Lada for the convention. Via Maple’s journal—rendered in prose bursting with personality—debut creators McMillan and Prillaman tenderly balance Maple’s fears of losing a friend with outrageously silly scenes, inventions, and dialogue. Simple b&w cartoon-style illustrations permeate a heartfelt series opener that accentuates the joy of experimentation as experienced by winning, memorable characters. Ages 8–12. Agent: Alex Weiss, Azantian Literary.

January 15, 2024
Sixth grade space enthusiast Maple McNutt spills all to her private journal. Maple struggles with anxiety, but in her view it could just as likely be the rare disease ankylosing spondylitis. She takes an exacting approach to her beloved science--even getting impatient with her mother, who works in public relations for NASA, for using unserious materials like glitter in the pursuit of fun outreach to kids. Nuanced, Maple is not, but her enthusiastic descriptions, annotated doodles, and occasional obliviousness are amusing. According to her friends and family, though, Maple doesn't understand fun. In a devastating turn of events, best friend Sunny Gwon pulls away from her, leaving her without a partner for her school's Invention Convention. Maple therefore embarks upon a new journey of scientific problem-solving: "To become fun," states her working theory (synthesized from 86 different websites), "one must: 1. Relax / 2. Have a sense of humor / 3. Open up / 4. Do something scary." These steps are not easy for Maple. She's stressed out by the presence of Juniper, her active older sister, and Jared, the boy Sunny's getting close to. She also worries about having to speak up at school. When Maple finds a "research assistant" in new classmate Lada, who recently moved from Hungary, their budding friendship brings her much-needed perspective and comfort. The chatty tone, inviting layout, and humorous voice will draw readers in and keep them entertained. Maple reads white; Sunny is cued Korean American. Likely to inspire fun and creativity. (Fiction. 8-12)

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