Penguin Problems is a story about a seven year old named Ty. His life has been changed by a baby sister, and Ty is figuring it all out. This book must be written with the advanced but young reader in mind. It is realistic fiction, but, despite his best friend fighting leukemia (just touched on), the book is very clean and safe, with Ty going through adjustments relatable to most kids. Personally, I go back and forth between it's a nice safe book and it's just too clean, too perfect. And, it's definitely a series book, not very satisfying on it's own, kids will want to know more. There are definitely higher level 1st grade readers I would recommend it to as well as 2nd graders and some third graders. But there are a lot of kids I would not suggest it to because it's "safe" is not as relatable. It would be a good read aloud for first grade, with opportunities for discussion about relationships, school, and where "realistic" drops out of the book… read it, you'll see. The illustrations are a nice occasional break from the text. It's ending feels abrupt, although the intention is understood. Not a favorite read, but it certainly will be "the right book" for some kids. ( )

The Life of Ty: Penguin Problems by Lauren Myracle is a spin off from the Winnie Years series. Ty, who was introduced as a baby now has his own short chapter book series.

Ty is eagerly looking forward to the field-trip to the local aquarium to see the penguins. He knows he has to follow the rule and he knows that some of his classmates won't follow them.

A whole set of contrived circumstances prevent Ty from seeing the beloved penguins. Another set of equally contrived (and mind boggling) circumstances allow him to sneak away from his class and steal a penguin.

As this book appears to be aiming for realistic fiction with a moral bent, I'm gobsmacked at how much our so called perfect child gets away with. That his older siblings hide what he's done and despite the narratives assurances that his sisters are RESPONSIBLE, they don't involve the parents or make sure Ty understands the whole heap of trouble his idiotic behavior has caused. ( )

Ty is ignored these days; Mom is all wrapped up in caring for the new baby. Somehow Ty, usually a well-mannered little boy, wanders off while on his field trip and finds and takes home a baby penguin.

Lovely story, with lots of great aha moments. ( )

Lauren Myracle is following the Judy Moody/Stink model here with a new series about the younger brother of Winnie.

Ty is a fairly typical seven year old; he likes to play goofy games, gets into trouble without meaning to, and is having trouble adjusting to a new baby in the house. A series of minor crises lead to him making a very bad decision and he ends up with a serious penguin problem (yes, that's a REAL penguin). Fortunately, his sisters are there to help save the day and he works things out with his mom and realizes the new baby isn't so bad.

I'm a bit tired of so many beginning chapter books and middle grade chapter books featuring phobic little boys (yes, Alvin Ho, I'm looking at YOU) that get stressed out over everything. I'm not saying those kids don't exist, but most kids are more interested in reading about kids with a little more balance in their lives (the opposite gender parallel is the class clown or spunky little girl. I am really, really sick of "spunky" little girls). Lauren Myracle does a really good job of keeping Ty a realistic and balanced character. He's nice to the preschoolers and is uncomfortable when the wilder Lexie wants to play guns with rubber bands, but he's also not above chasing the cat with a Dustbuster or doing a little perilous climbing. Ty's feelings about the baby are spot-on, but the author shows a real understanding of kids when Ty gets distracted from his feelings by pretty much whatever else is going on. Although the text is limited, the supporting characters are nicely drawn as well and I loved seeing a "spunky" little girl, Lexie, from an outsiders' perspective. The art is cute, but not too cute and complements the story nicely.

Verdict: I did find the final penguin exhibit a little beyond belief (then again, I've never tried the door handles at the zoo exhibits, so...) and the ending seemed rather abrupt - what happens with the sisters and the penguin? but overall this is a great beginning to a new beginning chapter book series. I'm feeling more enthusiastic about my summer booktalks already!

ISBN: 9780525422648; Published May 2013 by Dutton; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter 2013; Purchased for the library