He may young, but Peter knows exactly what he's going to be when he grows up: a world-renowned paleontologist. He's been obsessed with dinosaurs and the science surrounding them his whole life, even convincing his accommodating grandparents to let him fashion an excavation pit in their backyard for digging practice. When he gets the chance to take part in a real dig for a day, Peter's extended family packs up and heads off on a road trip to make his dreams come true, but both the trip and the dig uncover more than Peter had bargained for. His grandmother is behaving oddly, but no one will discuss it, and his brush with paleontology leaves Peter questioning his own worth and aspirations. The story is cleverly told via Peter's frequently updated field notes, and what starts off as a seemingly lighthearted ode to scientific obsession transforms into a tender story about fierce familial love and friction and the process of learning to believe in yourself, sometimes with an assist from others believing in you, too. There's a funny and familiar sibling dynamic, and the details about the Korean Canadian family's culture and challenges are wonderfully rendered. It's a joy to join the entire Lee family on their meaningful journey.

Peter Lee can't wait for summer, but things don't go quite as expected for the aspiring paleontologist.On a road trip from British Columbia to Alberta with his parents, annoyingly energetic little sister, and loving grandparents Hammy and Haji, Peter gets to join a museum's Junior Scientist Dig and experience hands-on his unwavering obsession: paleontology. Structured as field-note entries taking place over the six months from the end of fifth through the beginning of sixth grades, the story captures a period of personal and familial change. Readers get a front-row seat to Peter's passions, anxieties, and worries-from reevaluating what he loves to trying new hobbies, and all the messy emotions involved. Home is similarly discombobulating with the everyday ups and downs of family life and a new challenge in the form of aging grandparents. The positivity of the resolution will comfort while being realistic and not too tidy. There are sweet, thoughtful moments among the relatable exasperating ones between siblings. Hammy and Haji offer emotional balance in contrast to parents who can be disparaging and too weighty in their expectations. With the focus primarily on the Korean Canadian Lee family, supporting characters, like Peter's nemesis at school, do not display the growth readers get to see from the Lees, but the fairly diverse cast has many engaging moments. Illustrations charmingly representing Peter's sketches are peppered throughout.A sweet, science-y story of struggles and discovery. (Fiction. 8-12)

Gr 4-6 Peter Lee has one dream in life, to become a paleontologist, and this summer he will finally have a chance to experience a real dinosaur dig. But when Peter's passion is not enough to create success in the field, he finds himself adrift amid a changing landscape in his family, friendships, and his own goals. Who is he if he's not enraptured with dinosaurs? Why does Hammy, his grandmother, seem so unlike herself at times? Told in short, journal-like entries and interspersed with glorious sketches, this is a relatable, rambling, realistic account of six months of Peter's life. A transition from childhood obsession to evolving preteen interests, a vibrant sibling relationship, deep multigenerational ties, a celebration of Korean Canadian culture, and a sweet ending are the strong points in these field notes. However, at times Peter's overbearing parents and the bully from school feel stereotypical and static even as Peter's relationship with his grandparents grows and changes. VERDICT A sweet coming-of-age story packed with dinosaurs, sibling drama, and Korean culture, this is a solid choice for larger collections. Emily Beasley, Omaha Public Sch., NE