Not really a cautionary tale but agenda-driven nonetheless, this second episode in Babymouse's rocky middle-school experience (Lights, Camera, Middle School!, 2017) shoots her up a steep learning curve when she finally gets the cell phone she craves. In a series of mortifying tutorials, presented in a mix of narrative and punchline-laced cartoon drawings, she gets schooled on the actual costs of "free" phones, the addictive nature of social apps, the special language of texting, the predictable results of letting her brother post private videos, the hazards of using voice-to-text software to write a Shakespeare report ("A Misnomer Right's Team, Bye Babymoose"), and the results of following GPS travel directions. Having Babymouse, in her thirst for notice, stalkerishly photobomb the selfies of snotty A-lister Felicia Furrypaws and her sycophants seems a bit tone deaf, as otherwise the Holms steer clear of depicting less safe or savory cyber practices. But even if it's hard to tell how much Babymouse learns from her mishaps, readers ce they finish ROFL ll be left with plenty of food for thought. SRSLY.

Babymouse has a lot to learn when she gets her first smartphone. Her forays into the quagmire of social media intensify her obsession with popularity and make her vulnerable to the middle schooler's nightmare: public humiliation. Babymouse's phone troubles are LOL funny, but her misguided attempts to reinvent herself will definitely resonate with fans. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations are integral to advancing the story, second in the spinoff series.