Cassidy’s Guide to Everyday Etiquette (and Obsfuction) –the title practically begs one to read the book.  The publisher’s note indicates that Cassidy, tomboy extraordinaire, is doomed to etiquette school for the summer.  However, the reader needs to adjust expectations a bit, because this isn’t a “boarding school” book; Cassidy is really just attending etiquette classes a few times a week during the summer.  The classes are sprinkled in among her other typical, life activities; this give the book a different feel and pacing than the book blurb suggests.

This middle grade novel is filled with a plethora of eccentric characters who are all quite likeable, but who often feel more like caricatures than authentic people.  

The novel is a gentle read appropriate for young ages, but it would probably be of most interest to readers that are close to Cassidy’s age (eleven years old) and are starting to go through that awkward stage of transitioning from a kid to a teen.  Cassidy is an infectious character who grows on the reader and middle grade readers will be able to relate to her struggles with “growing up”.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Random House Children’s Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Report of animal with blood on tail (no description); report of bite from an animal; report/mention of how the Incas sacrificed babies (statement, no description); character briefly fantasizes about using fork, wrestling moves to thwart an imaginary assassin; story about the sinking of the Titanic and reference to drownings.

Sex/Nudity:  Implied crushes; characters hold hands.

Mature Subject Matter:

Puberty/Tween Issues.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adults drink socially or are reported to drink socially; story told in which an adult drinks alcohol; adult smells of pipe smoke.