sharonskinner's review against another edition
4.0
Difficult issues of divorce and mental illness deftly handled for young readers.
scorpi07's review against another edition
4.0
An Excellent read!
Somehow, this book remains lighthearted and heartwarming while it bravely addresses heavy topics like depression, divorce, and loneliness.
I picked it up from the library for my ten-year-old kiddo because it was on a recommended books list. She loved it and insisted more people read it, so she passed it on to my mother, who also loved it and returned it for me to take a turn. I’m glad I did.
Somehow, this book remains lighthearted and heartwarming while it bravely addresses heavy topics like depression, divorce, and loneliness.
I picked it up from the library for my ten-year-old kiddo because it was on a recommended books list. She loved it and insisted more people read it, so she passed it on to my mother, who also loved it and returned it for me to take a turn. I’m glad I did.
littleelfman's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful exploration of divorce and depression that's perfect for middle grade readers and older. There's so much truth in here that I identified with.
ennabananaz's review against another edition
5.0
If I would have had this as a middle grader it probably would have helped figuring out a life with a mother with depression & an absent father.
Really lovely
Really lovely
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Another MG book from Amy Sarig King that blends a lonely/unhappy child with something somewhat magical. Instead of an environmental crisis (as in Me and Marvin Gardens) we have astronomy and the creation of new constellations by Liberty. She's obsessed with stars and finds a meteorite that she begins talking to (yes, it answers back) partly in response to the stress she's feeling at home. There's a lot here about divorce and depression as well, and I wish the information and resources about that had been in the front, not back, of the book. As always, King's deft touch will resonate with readers who may either be dealing with similar issues or know those who are.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
emily_1215's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I love a hard-hitting middle-grade, and this one is amazing. A.S. King writes incredible YA fiction, and apparently, she can also do great things for younger genres.
Content warning for parental depression, teenage situational depression, and divorce
This book does something really unique. I've read a handful of books that tackle parental depression (both middle-grade and YA), and this one does something a lot different than the parent who won't get out of bed (which is absolutely an accurate and no less valid depiction of depression; it's just what I've seen most commonly), and Liberty's dad is pretty present throughout almost the entire story. Every single character in this book is a little messy in the way that real humans are. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect.
Although the characters do or say the "wrong" thing sometimes, there is amazing character growth that is believable and heart-warming. I wish this book had been around when I was twelve/thirteen. I would have been obsessed because I was having some of the same thoughts as Liberty and felt very isolated (I also used to think I was from a different planet sometimes too). This book will mean a lot to so many kids and adults, and I'm glad it exists now.
It took around fifty pages for me to buy into the story and start caring about it, and I wish Liberty had a close friend character, but overall, this book is amazing, thoughtful, and potentially life-changing. I seriously hope A.S. King does more middle-grade novels!
I love a hard-hitting middle-grade, and this one is amazing. A.S. King writes incredible YA fiction, and apparently, she can also do great things for younger genres.
Content warning for parental depression, teenage situational depression, and divorce
This book does something really unique. I've read a handful of books that tackle parental depression (both middle-grade and YA), and this one does something a lot different than the parent who won't get out of bed (which is absolutely an accurate and no less valid depiction of depression; it's just what I've seen most commonly), and Liberty's dad is pretty present throughout almost the entire story. Every single character in this book is a little messy in the way that real humans are. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect.
Although the characters do or say the "wrong" thing sometimes, there is amazing character growth that is believable and heart-warming. I wish this book had been around when I was twelve/thirteen. I would have been obsessed because I was having some of the same thoughts as Liberty and felt very isolated (I also used to think I was from a different planet sometimes too). This book will mean a lot to so many kids and adults, and I'm glad it exists now.
It took around fifty pages for me to buy into the story and start caring about it, and I wish Liberty had a close friend character, but overall, this book is amazing, thoughtful, and potentially life-changing. I seriously hope A.S. King does more middle-grade novels!
julieartz's review against another edition
5.0
With so many children suffering from the mental health fallout of coronavirus, this moving portrayal of a family going through mental health issues and divorce is perfectly timed. A must-read.