tarynosaurus's review against another edition
5.0
I love kid lit! So happy to have this one in my collection. The only thing I don’t recommend is reading it while pregnant! As a woman who suffers from depression, the story of Roona’s mother and how her depression affects her daughter WRECKED me. It was so real and I love how it brought the issues to light in a language that middle grade children could understand. I love that Roona’s mom isn’t vilified for getting help and leaving Roona in the care of someone else in order to do so. I loved that the end wasn’t happy rainbows and sunshine, but very realistic. Not everything was wrapped neatly in a bow. The characters were changed. They went through a lot and some things were never the same. It was such a good story! I imagine that children are gonna identify more with Gideon or Roona. But if you find yourself identifying with Roona’s mother, read at your own risk!
charireads's review against another edition
5.0
This is a lovely story of a boy and his family that moves to Nevada. He meets the only other child in his neighborhood across the street who dresses up with a swimsuit over her clothes, striped socks, roller skates, and an old baby blanket as a cape. As they become friends, he discovers that she believes that her mother's emotions transfer to the baked items she is constantly baking. If she's having a sad day, those who eat those baked items will also be sad, etc. But when her mom starts to slide into serious depression, secrets are revealed that make the boy concerned for her welfare. Very readable, great writing, engaging characters, and a story that you can empathize with. LOVED IT!
moj8668's review against another edition
5.0
I bought the book with the intention of reading it and then gifting it to a local classroom (the reading level is listed at 10-14 years of age). After reading I almost hate to give it away!
Grimes ever so gently - and in a way that is completely appropriate given the reading level - shares the story of Gideon Quinton, a boy who finds himself moved against his will from New Jersey to Nevada because of dad's new job, and his blossoming friendship with the neighbor girl Roona. Gideon hopes they can be friends because he's moved into his new house in the summer and he really doesn't want to wait for the beginning of 7th grade to start making friends!
As he and Roona get to know each other, Gideon finds himself on unexpected adventures that leave his parents - especially his mother - questioning the wisdom of allowing Gideon and Roona to spend time together. Roona finds out painful truths about her father and Gideon learns sad truths about Roona's other family members. She desperately needs help but will his mother be able to see past Gideon's adventures to help her?
Grimes ever so gently - and in a way that is completely appropriate given the reading level - shares the story of Gideon Quinton, a boy who finds himself moved against his will from New Jersey to Nevada because of dad's new job, and his blossoming friendship with the neighbor girl Roona. Gideon hopes they can be friends because he's moved into his new house in the summer and he really doesn't want to wait for the beginning of 7th grade to start making friends!
As he and Roona get to know each other, Gideon finds himself on unexpected adventures that leave his parents - especially his mother - questioning the wisdom of allowing Gideon and Roona to spend time together. Roona finds out painful truths about her father and Gideon learns sad truths about Roona's other family members. She desperately needs help but will his mother be able to see past Gideon's adventures to help her?
theybedax's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my heart! This poor sweet girl! This book if full of magic and the beauty of how we can craft tales about our lives creating magic every where...sometimes to our own detriment...and sometimes our loss of belief in the magical is the most dangerous of all.
ajacks's review against another edition
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notmorgan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
cheermio's review against another edition
2.0
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher on Netgalley.
I liked it, but out of the 3 middle grade books I read that day from Netgalley this was by far the lesser story. It was very short and no one seemed developed quite enough. It reminded me most of About a Boy except with a girl instead of a boy, but the same feelings of sort of manic mother-child relationship and energy due to mental illness, a previous suicide attempt, etc. A lot of plot is crammed into a very short text and it doesn't quite allow for the characters to breathe or develop. I also didn't really like or feel attached to any of the characters in the way that would have allowed me to root for them or care what happened.
So, it was okay, but not great. I would recommend from the other 2 upcoming reads I got that day Maybe a Mermaid or The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise over this one.
I liked it, but out of the 3 middle grade books I read that day from Netgalley this was by far the lesser story. It was very short and no one seemed developed quite enough. It reminded me most of About a Boy except with a girl instead of a boy, but the same feelings of sort of manic mother-child relationship and energy due to mental illness, a previous suicide attempt, etc. A lot of plot is crammed into a very short text and it doesn't quite allow for the characters to breathe or develop. I also didn't really like or feel attached to any of the characters in the way that would have allowed me to root for them or care what happened.
So, it was okay, but not great. I would recommend from the other 2 upcoming reads I got that day Maybe a Mermaid or The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise over this one.
illustrativepages's review against another edition
4.0
TW for attempted suicide (SC, off page), depression (SC), house fire (off page), abuse, incarcerated parent.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: Upper Middle Grade Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (slight language like one or two bad words, TW for mentions of suicide, TW for mentions of abuse and domestic violence, definitely an upper middle grade book)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 240
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Pitched as Pippi Longstocking meets My Girl and Waitress, the book tells the story of the unlikely friendship between 12-year-old Gideon, who has just moved across the country to Nevada, and Roona, the adventurous girl next door who rollerskates everywhere, isn't afraid of anything, and can transform herself into Wonder Roo, a superhero version of herself. The book will publish in 2019.
Review: I DEVOURED this cute book in like less than two hours. It was adorable and amazing. It was fantastical and wonderful. I felt so connected to Roo and Gideon. I felt that the book handled sensitive topics well and it showed how kids shouldn’t be afraid to confide in adults when things are going wrong. I feel that’s something that’s missed in a lot of middle grade and younger YA books. A lot of them revolve around what the kids can do, but adults are needed for certain things, especially if it involves abuse. I also felt that the book showed a realistic view of how a child reacts to trauma. I think this book would be a great family read and a great read for parents to discuss certain elements of the book with your growing middle graders.
My only concern is that the book might be a bit tough on some middle graders. The book is fairly discreet, but you can catch what’s going on behind the scenes. I’d say that if you know your kid can handle the tough stuff then this is for them.
Verdict: A great MG read!
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: Upper Middle Grade Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (slight language like one or two bad words, TW for mentions of suicide, TW for mentions of abuse and domestic violence, definitely an upper middle grade book)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 240
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Pitched as Pippi Longstocking meets My Girl and Waitress, the book tells the story of the unlikely friendship between 12-year-old Gideon, who has just moved across the country to Nevada, and Roona, the adventurous girl next door who rollerskates everywhere, isn't afraid of anything, and can transform herself into Wonder Roo, a superhero version of herself. The book will publish in 2019.
Review: I DEVOURED this cute book in like less than two hours. It was adorable and amazing. It was fantastical and wonderful. I felt so connected to Roo and Gideon. I felt that the book handled sensitive topics well and it showed how kids shouldn’t be afraid to confide in adults when things are going wrong. I feel that’s something that’s missed in a lot of middle grade and younger YA books. A lot of them revolve around what the kids can do, but adults are needed for certain things, especially if it involves abuse. I also felt that the book showed a realistic view of how a child reacts to trauma. I think this book would be a great family read and a great read for parents to discuss certain elements of the book with your growing middle graders.
My only concern is that the book might be a bit tough on some middle graders. The book is fairly discreet, but you can catch what’s going on behind the scenes. I’d say that if you know your kid can handle the tough stuff then this is for them.
Verdict: A great MG read!