This contemporary story set in Black Butte Ranch, Oregon, provides a warm feeling of time well spent (along with hopes of a sequel).

The summer before sixth grade brings many traumatic changes to Nick’s life. His Great Gramp, the one person he could always get advice from and share their love of Superman comics, has died. Nick’s mom and dad, who is about to lose his job, have also decided to move from the only home Nick has ever known. This can’t happen, especially with unfinished business Nick has with the large stack of cash hidden under his bed that Gramps secretly left him.

“Click” refers to the superhero he and Gramp created, and Nick still draws new comics featuring the character. Unfortunately, no one else shares his enthusiasm.

His former friends have grown out of their passion for superheros. Nick’s dad wishes he’d give spend more time with kids his age and be more devoted to team sports. Finally, Nick’s mom wants him doing better in school and has him working on book reports over the summer. Nick can’t seem to make either of them proud.

What no one notices is that Nick is a great artist with skills beyond his years. He has also taken up a late night secret Superman type role by doing good deeds, ones that are getting a big notice from the town folk. Now if he could only find a way to keep his family from moving far away.

Nick is such a relatable and special character. His devotion to helping others is heartwarming and you will often feel the emotions Nick is experiencing through his first person narration. Double thumbs up to author Sandy Grubb for molding this boy into one we will always remember.

Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman holding his favorite book, JUST LIKE CLICK! One of my favorite contemporary MG reads this year.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: April 16, 2024 PAGE COUNT: 188

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: JUST LIKE CLICK by Sandy Grubb

1. Each of the 30 chapters begins with a comic featuring Click and many characters from Nick’s world. A clever way to provide a story within a story.
2. The secondary characters like twins Celia and Jacey, Patrick, and Trapper all have distinct personalities that bring even more life to the story. Their character arcs are wonderfully carried out.
3. Nick’s visit to his elderly friends is a brief but deep rooted part of the story. It will warm your heart what Nick does for these people.
4. Adult readers will for sure cringe at many of Nick’s midnight missions, but young readers will only smile and wish they were in his shoes. Nick’s secret life is full of excitement.
5. The world is full of hate and unkindness toward others. What better way to escape that reality by spending time with Nick and his focus on good deeds and friendship.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandy Grubb has been writing children’s stories since she was a child herself. Her debut novel, Just Like Click, won the esteemed Kraken Book Prize, recognizing finely crafted middle grade fiction. When not at home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Sandy and her family can often be found exploring nature trails and playing badminton at Black Butte Ranch, just like Click…and Nick! (Author Website)

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There’s MORE! I’m happy Sandy Grubb can join me today at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE to answer a few questions:

Where did the idea come from to write JUST LIKE CLICK?

My first agent had been submitting another manuscript of mine for about a year, and the feedback leaned toward the opinion that it was too serious for their lists. I still love that story but decided perhaps I should write something more light-hearted. In that first book, my protagonist and my main supporting character are both girls. As a mother of boys concerned about encouraging boys to read, I decided to write about an eleven-year-old boy in Just Like Click, but I also have two strong girls in supporting roles. Early on, I decided to set the story at Black Butte Ranch. Then the mystery of imagination kicked in and soon it was a boy who loves superheroes, then a boy who creates superhero comics, then a boy who decides to become a superhero. As he later tells his dad, “Just maybe you can learn something from superheroes!”

How long was the journey to get your story published? Anything you would do differently?

I find I can write productively for about two hours a day, and it took me about five years to write this story. Once I had a draft, I took it through nearly twenty rounds of revisions. During that period in my writing life, I was working hard to learn and improve my craft. I took many workshops, especially through the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I was lucky to already have an agent, until she changed agencies and didn’t take me with her. It took a couple years before I found my current agent, Stephanie Cardel at Lighthouse Literary in 2020. She took me through some significant revisions, and finally we signed a publishing contract with Fitzroy books in 2022. It has taken another two years for my publisher to put my book through their production process. I’ve learned so much! As for what I would do differently, in the beginning of my writing career, I was mostly what they call a pantser, writing without much of a plan in mind. I’ve been learning how to outline my stories early on while still leaving room for surprises. I also now do deep character development work before I begin. It speeds up the drafting stage significantly for me.

What appeals to you about writing middle grade?

Middle grade books are beautiful pieces of literature. I love books with quirky authentic characters, fast-paced action, universal life challenges, creative twists and plot surprises, all with the power to open the world to young readers in a way they can see themselves and life in new light. Reading did this for me when I was a kid, just when I needed it. Middle grade readers are ready and willing to suspend reality and go on epic adventures.

How did you decide on Black Butte Ranch for the setting of JUST LIKE CLICK?

Our family has been vacationing at Black Butte Ranch for forty years. In the summer, there are hundreds of new people each week on the bike paths and in the pools. I began wondering what it would be like for the few kids who live there year-round. They could remain quite anonymous with strangers around so much of the time. Story possibilities seemed endless, and the beautiful outdoor setting seemed perfect for adventures.

What projects you are working on now?

I admit launching Just Like Click has taken over much of my writing time this past year, but I’ve been working on a new contemporary middle grade story about a brilliant girl who has trouble fitting in with her peers, presumably because she’s so smart, but maybe there’s more going on. When her only friend dies from childhood cancer, she is definitely in trouble socially, as well as grieving. However, her friend left her instructions for survival, but can she carry out the plan? It has some serious themes of grief, but also many fun escapades and plot twists. I can’t wait to share it, but I guess that’s all I should say for now.

Greg, thank you for sharing my book and my story with your readers. It’s such a privilege to be invited into your digital space!

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And thank you Sandy for writing Just Like Click and for your thoughtful answers to my questions. Be sure to visit all the stops on the JUST LIKE CLICK BLOG TOUR: