The Bridge Battle (The Lemonade War, #6) by Jacqueline Davies
Series: Lemonade War #6
Published by HarperCollins US on March 8, 2023
ISBN: 0358692997
Pages: 240
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

The Bridge Battle is the sixth installment of the popular Lemonade War Series by Jacqueline Davies. Siblings Jessie and Evan each find themselves in new and uncomfortable situations. Jessie, a science nerd, is stuck in a summer day camp singing songs and making fairy houses when she’d rather be in the group building bridges. To make matters worse, her former bullies are part of her group. Evan, normally the popular leader in a group, is accidentally placed in a summer school class with older students. He witnesses bullying and feels guilty for not stopping it, and then feels even worse when he joins in the tormenting of a weaker student. Everything comes to a head when Evan and Jessie try to stop the bully from destroying the bridge Jessie plans to enter into a contest. Chapters alternate between the siblings, but the themes of right and wrong, bullying, and being yourself, are woven throughout this book.

This middle grade novel was well written. The main characters are well rounded and readers can feel their confusion and anguish as they are faced with difficult situations. The antagonists are appropriately cringeworthy and are authentic to the middle grade experience. Although this novel is part of a series, it definitely also works as a stand alone. It would be appropriate for middle grade readers who enjoy realistic fiction with a mostly happy ending or as a read aloud. This book explores some difficult topics such as bullying and learning challenges that could lay the foundation for some important discussions.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library