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kelleemoye's review
4.0
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=9549
I love AJ. She is a perfect protagonist because she is just a real middle schooler. She is multi-faceted, funny, has quite a personality, has fears, makes mistakes, and is overall likeable. And she is not the only well-crafted character. Each of the characters, main, secondary, or supporting, are so fully developed that you feel like you know everyone in AJ’s life. I often am skeptical about first person POV because it is always tough to get a character/narrator’s voice perfect while also developing the characters, but Cherry does a great job of both. AJ is a normal middle school girl that is dealing with a quite terrible grandmother who happens to have an unexpected hobby.
Another thing that blew me away about this novel is that something happened that was completely unexpected! Usually when I am reading middle grade novels, I love them but am not often surprised because I can sense foreshadowing and predict; however, Cherry really caught me off guard in this one! You’ll have to let me know if you see it coming!
And finally, I loved the unique premise of the book! Who ever thought there’d be a book about a bunch of old ladies who “liberate” *cough* steal *cough* exotic birds and anything else that suits their fancy?!
I love AJ. She is a perfect protagonist because she is just a real middle schooler. She is multi-faceted, funny, has quite a personality, has fears, makes mistakes, and is overall likeable. And she is not the only well-crafted character. Each of the characters, main, secondary, or supporting, are so fully developed that you feel like you know everyone in AJ’s life. I often am skeptical about first person POV because it is always tough to get a character/narrator’s voice perfect while also developing the characters, but Cherry does a great job of both. AJ is a normal middle school girl that is dealing with a quite terrible grandmother who happens to have an unexpected hobby.
Another thing that blew me away about this novel is that something happened that was completely unexpected! Usually when I am reading middle grade novels, I love them but am not often surprised because I can sense foreshadowing and predict; however, Cherry really caught me off guard in this one! You’ll have to let me know if you see it coming!
And finally, I loved the unique premise of the book! Who ever thought there’d be a book about a bunch of old ladies who “liberate” *cough* steal *cough* exotic birds and anything else that suits their fancy?!
aylea's review
4.0
The last thing AJ wants to do is spend the summer with her strict, old-fashioned grandmother, but she doesn't have a choice. Things get more interesting for her when she realizes that her grandmother's bridge club is not an ordinary bridge club. Instead they are a heist club, and these ladies could use her smaller, younger self to help them accomplish their goals. At first the capers seem like fun, harmless adventures, but AJ soon realizes that what they are doing is simply thievery and she has to question her ethics and loyalty to family and friends as the stakes get higher and friendships and honesty are harder to maintain in her new life. When some of her choices put her in a dangerous situation she has to use her new skills to get herself out of trouble and move on to better things.
AJ's character is an admirable one, showing someone who is put in a difficult position and struggles to determine and choose what is right and to stand up for it. She's brave, smart, athletic, and not afraid to pick locks or try new things. The book has a great mix of hijinks, adventures, and relationships with friends when things are changing and new friendships are being developed. The unexpected grandmotherly criminals is a fresh, fun idea that will intrigue readers at the beginning, and the heart of the characters and story will keep readers invested. Even with the far-fetched premise, AJ still has to deal with common middle school problems. This eccentric story is silly, unique, and contains something for everyone.
AJ's character is an admirable one, showing someone who is put in a difficult position and struggles to determine and choose what is right and to stand up for it. She's brave, smart, athletic, and not afraid to pick locks or try new things. The book has a great mix of hijinks, adventures, and relationships with friends when things are changing and new friendships are being developed. The unexpected grandmotherly criminals is a fresh, fun idea that will intrigue readers at the beginning, and the heart of the characters and story will keep readers invested. Even with the far-fetched premise, AJ still has to deal with common middle school problems. This eccentric story is silly, unique, and contains something for everyone.
lmn9812's review
4.0
A fun, action packed read. Loved AJ and the whole heist set-up was SO cool. I thought this was written really well -- I definitely need to check out Alison's other books.
carolynaugustyn's review
4.0
I really had fun reading this book! The plot was fun and interesting, the characters were all great in their own ways, and I could never have predicted the ending! I do love a good story with some sassy old lady characters so this was a hit for me. I hope there will be another book with these characters!
tishreads's review against another edition
2.0
I was really enjoying this until the ending, which was oddly intense for the intended audience.
leedigesu's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really cute middle grade book. I really enjoyed the story!
greenldydragon's review against another edition
3.0
One sentence summary: Great premise, average execution.
Review: I may have had too high of hopes for this book. Grandmas in a heist club? I’m so IN. Pulling in a 12-year old and not telling her all the details about what she is doing or super important details about people she is trusting? I’m SUPER concerned. AJ is a realistic, soccer-loving, video game-playing 12-year old that kids will feel empathy for. Her reactions to the Grandmas and dramas with friends are really well drawn by the author. My concern is with the actual Grandmas. As the book is from AJ’s point of view, it’s understandable that there is some mystery about each of them, but they fail to tell her pertinent facts ALL THE TIME in this book – to the point where there's a big spoiler I can't share but is frustrating. Grandma Jo is shown as a horrible individual who hates her granddaughter until AJ shows she is worthy of respect. While AJ learns a great lesson that even “moral” stealing is wrong, we never learn why Grandma Jo treats her in this way. The ending makes it seem like they have come to respect one another, but Grandma Jo is still focused on her own concerns and shows little concern for her granddaughter. I’m rather torn if this is one that I will suggest to others to read.
Review: I may have had too high of hopes for this book. Grandmas in a heist club? I’m so IN. Pulling in a 12-year old and not telling her all the details about what she is doing or super important details about people she is trusting? I’m SUPER concerned. AJ is a realistic, soccer-loving, video game-playing 12-year old that kids will feel empathy for. Her reactions to the Grandmas and dramas with friends are really well drawn by the author. My concern is with the actual Grandmas. As the book is from AJ’s point of view, it’s understandable that there is some mystery about each of them, but they fail to tell her pertinent facts ALL THE TIME in this book – to the point where there's a big spoiler I can't share but is frustrating. Grandma Jo is shown as a horrible individual who hates her granddaughter until AJ shows she is worthy of respect. While AJ learns a great lesson that even “moral” stealing is wrong, we never learn why Grandma Jo treats her in this way. The ending makes it seem like they have come to respect one another, but Grandma Jo is still focused on her own concerns and shows little concern for her granddaughter. I’m rather torn if this is one that I will suggest to others to read.
snazel's review
4.0
Takes a silly premise (old lady heist club) and uses it for a surprisingly effective examination of friendship and empathy.
cgbart's review
3.0
Maybe 3.5? An enjoyable read, but while I definitely didn't see that last plot twist coming, it felt a bit... much for a novel of this scope. Still, fun and mostly light-hearted.