MAC AND CHEESE AND THE PERSONAL SPACE INVADER

Personal-space invaders are not popular—as narrator Oliver soon finds out.

He can’t understand why what works so well for Mac and Cheese, the classroom guinea pigs, does not work at all for his classmates. Nina does not want him squeezing in close as she snacks. Pedro does not appreciate Oliver’s snuggling on his reading pillow, and Dustin definitely does not want Oliver’s face rubbing against his shoulder. Mrs. López helps the boy by suggesting he use a hula hoop to understand the concept of personal distancing. Oliver’s “space project” earns the class the essential point required for a field trip. Gutiérrez’s simple story, sprinkled with a few Spanish words from the teacher, lacks the context needed to explain why this young, apparent middle grader has no socialization skills, introducing his difficulty with the simple line “I’ve always wondered how to be a good friend.” The author’s note discusses how acceptable personal-space boundaries can vary culturally and individually but does not illuminate Oliver’s particular challenges further. Bell’s retro illustrations run the gamut from cute—a guinea pig sneaking almonds at snack time—to alarming: Mrs. López fails either to use the inside of her elbow when sneezing or to cover her mouth in time. The sketches in future-scientist Oliver’s notebook help to add some warmth to the proceedings. Oliver has glasses and beige skin; his classmates are diverse.

Insufficient context leaves the message obscure.