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darkdiamond8989's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s cute. If you like to go to Farmer’s Market or own a farm, then you or your kid might enjoy reading ‘Stepping Stones’. It’s about a girl and her mom who move to a farm where the mom’s boyfriend lives and they sell their produce and other items that they make at a Farmer’s Market. It brings nostalgia to me because I shop at Farmer’s Markets during the Summer and Fall and each product that they have is locally made. ‘Stepping Stones’ brings me back. It’s a cute read. A young kid (around 6-12 years old) would probably enjoy it.
zabcia's review against another edition
3.0
72%
Damn, Walter (the step-dad) was a massive dick and the mom was totally unsupportive of her kid. I couldn't get past how much of a disservice the mom was doing to her daughter's mental health and well-being. At least the step-sisters were kind. The setting made me miss upstate NY
Damn, Walter (the step-dad) was a massive dick and the mom was totally unsupportive of her kid. I couldn't get past how much of a disservice the mom was doing to her daughter's mental health and well-being. At least the step-sisters were kind. The setting made me miss upstate NY
toebean5's review against another edition
4.0
This... may be one of my favorites from Lucy Knisley. (Although I'm holding out and have high hopes for a Linney/cat-themed book!) The characters are very relatable (which they should be, since they are so very autobiographical), and since I've always loved farms and farmers markets, etc, that was a nice environment to find myself in within this book.
Also welcome was that while I kind of (really) didn't like the way her mom's boyfriend talked to her or how dismissive the adults were of her unhappiness, it felt very real. At first I was like, "Your mom needs to ditch this dbag and appreciate that you didn't ask to live on a farm." But... that's not what happens in real life. In most middle grade books like this, there's a "Oh wow, I didn't realize I was hurting your feelings, young one- I'm just learning and trying my best and we're going to be great friends now" sort of moment. Which is so unrealistic. This book frames it more like, "Yeah, he's annoying. You're not imagining it." Which is very validating for a kid.
Adults are sometimes snarky and annoying but your mom is dating them. It sucks. And your mom's dream of being a farmer may end up being great and fulfilling (which I believe it was) or she could fizzle out and you move back to the city in a couple of years. But you really do not have control over those things. The validation of her emotions came from her peers- and sometimes that's what happens. The adults don't listen or appreciate the feelings of young people, and you have to find support from others your age. I think that's an important lesson for kids. She writes in the afterword, "One of the worst things about being a kid is finding yourself in these situations where you have no control over the decisions the adults are making that affect you." And I think that's so true- and why kids need books where they can see other kids doing well despite that.
Also welcome was that while I kind of (really) didn't like the way her mom's boyfriend talked to her or how dismissive the adults were of her unhappiness, it felt very real. At first I was like, "Your mom needs to ditch this dbag and appreciate that you didn't ask to live on a farm." But... that's not what happens in real life. In most middle grade books like this, there's a "Oh wow, I didn't realize I was hurting your feelings, young one- I'm just learning and trying my best and we're going to be great friends now" sort of moment. Which is so unrealistic. This book frames it more like, "Yeah, he's annoying. You're not imagining it." Which is very validating for a kid.
Adults are sometimes snarky and annoying but your mom is dating them. It sucks. And your mom's dream of being a farmer may end up being great and fulfilling (which I believe it was) or she could fizzle out and you move back to the city in a couple of years. But you really do not have control over those things. The validation of her emotions came from her peers- and sometimes that's what happens. The adults don't listen or appreciate the feelings of young people, and you have to find support from others your age. I think that's an important lesson for kids. She writes in the afterword, "One of the worst things about being a kid is finding yourself in these situations where you have no control over the decisions the adults are making that affect you." And I think that's so true- and why kids need books where they can see other kids doing well despite that.
cailinslibrary's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
erine's review against another edition
4.0
A charming story of an almost blended family. Jen and her mom move out to the country with mom’s “friend” Walter. His two daughters come out on weekends. Jen struggles with her mother’s decision to move, with Walter’s dismissive nature, and with the introduction of two sisters.
Over the course of the book, though, Jen bonds with the sisters and they all end up standing up to Walter. He seems like one of those unselfaware folks who are always “joking” (and don’t understand why you’re irritated), and who manage to put you down in conversation (but just think they’re being “honest” and don’t understand why you’re irritated).
I thought this was very successful at showing how new experiences can turn out okay, and how everyone has different strengths. It’s also important to listen to each other.
Over the course of the book, though, Jen bonds with the sisters and they all end up standing up to Walter. He seems like one of those unselfaware folks who are always “joking” (and don’t understand why you’re irritated), and who manage to put you down in conversation (but just think they’re being “honest” and don’t understand why you’re irritated).
I thought this was very successful at showing how new experiences can turn out okay, and how everyone has different strengths. It’s also important to listen to each other.
ageorges's review against another edition
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I like how it shows Jen processing her emotions about moving, her parents' divorce, and her new (maybe?) stepsisters. On the other hand, the two main adults in this book are both kind of horrible. Part of that was probably to show how unfair Jen feels the situation is, but it went way to far in the opinion. It's possible I'm misinterpreting this, but based on the flashbacks we get it seems like the mom left Jen's dad because the dad didn't like nature enough? I get that what we're seeing might be skewed by Jen's perspective and there's probably a lot more to it than this, but that seems like a really weird reason to divorce someone you have a child with. Then there's the mom's boyfriend. He is repeatedly disrespectful to Jen. More than once he calls her "Jenny," a name she doesn't like. He strongly implies he thinks she's stupid. This is not okay. Both the mom and Andy talk about how much a jerk he can be, but no one really does anything about it. Why is the mom not advocating for her child? I expected there to be a scene where the mom called him out or he apologized or something but it never happened. The way the book ends makes it seem like we're supposed to be happy about this family coming together, but I really hope mom dumps the boyfriend Jen is headed for a life of emotional abuse.
ballerinawhoreads11's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Cute book and fun read!!
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this, except for the character of Walter who was so horrible and never gets called on it. Ugh.
owllyreads's review
1.5
While I recognize it's a thinly veiled biographical piece, I still did not enjoy the mom having no regards for her child's wishes at any point, or the boyfriend being a royal dick to Jen literally from start to finish. Will not read again.
westhebookworm's review
4.0
super cute quick read might have gotten a little more out of it if I was the target age range for it.