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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This was a whole lot deeper than I had expected it to be! I didn't read the synopsis before reading, so I had no idea what I was going in for. I just thought it would be a middle grade contemporary about a girl who loved mustaches, but it was so much more. I teared up multiple times while reading. Both aspects of the plot were touching and I loved seeing Maddie grow and stand up for herself and face all of her monsters. Her imagination was adorable as well.
I love that this was inspired by a true story. Maddy is super quirky and fun. Great book for middle grade readers.
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was provided at no cost to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Mustaches for Maddie is a sweet middle grade book that my kiddo and I just finished. It's based on a true story and follows Maddie, a 12 year old girl navigating middle school - boys, peer pressure, mean girls, the works. She struggles between conforming to the popular crowd or being herself and standing up for what's right. When she is diagnosed with a brain tumor, she learns how important it is to have real, true friends on your side. This was a quick, easy read. I found Maddie's imaginary conversations and daydreams to be a little distracting...however my kiddo loved it (he's says that's totally how he thinks! 😁)3/5 stars from me, 4.5/5 stars from my almost-11 year old. He recommends it for other 4th-6th graders. 😊 Thank you @shadowmtnpublishing for providing us with Mustaches For Maddie - on sale October 2017!
This is a read-a-like to Wonder. A young girl faces health issues and a bully. I love her genuine kindness and spunk. What a great message. Everyone is going or has gone through something hard so why not reach out to them, even if they have hurt you. These are the kinds of kids who will change the world.
Mark Twain Award nominee 2019-20. Enjoyable book about one girl's fight against cancer and other more commonplace problems.
First of all, thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for this ARC!
4.5 stars.
I've read a variety of books about kid struggling with illness, but I have to admit this one hit me with the most genuine mixture of joy-pain. Maybe just because I'm a sap who's in the middle of another diagnosis journey, 10 years from my first symptom. But there was something uniquely charming and touching in this book.
Maddie's kindness, honesty, and imagination throughout this story helped give a fresh voice to a story that's not always easy to read. I also liked that Maddie's adventures in school held equal importance next to her struggle with the brain tumor. The balance of these two threads of story was great, and helped ground her health struggles in a world any kid can recognize.
As someone who's 10 years into Ye Olde Health Crisis, I also have to say I deeply deeply appreciated how the book ended. Conclusions are hard in stories like this--stories that, in real life, sometimes don't come with conclusions--and I felt Mustaches for Maddie hit the note perfectly.
Thank you Chad Morris and Shelly Brown for sharing this story!
4.5 stars.
I've read a variety of books about kid struggling with illness, but I have to admit this one hit me with the most genuine mixture of joy-pain. Maybe just because I'm a sap who's in the middle of another diagnosis journey, 10 years from my first symptom. But there was something uniquely charming and touching in this book.
Maddie's kindness, honesty, and imagination throughout this story helped give a fresh voice to a story that's not always easy to read. I also liked that Maddie's adventures in school held equal importance next to her struggle with the brain tumor. The balance of these two threads of story was great, and helped ground her health struggles in a world any kid can recognize.
As someone who's 10 years into Ye Olde Health Crisis, I also have to say I deeply deeply appreciated how the book ended. Conclusions are hard in stories like this--stories that, in real life, sometimes don't come with conclusions--and I felt Mustaches for Maddie hit the note perfectly.
Thank you Chad Morris and Shelly Brown for sharing this story!
I am such a sucker for these types of books. I was sitting at the edge of my seat hoping and praying for the end. I read the synopsis but not the outcome, so I had no idea if my prayers would be answered.
This is a story about kindness, sickness, and finding happiness in all things.
I loved Maddie's attitude and imagination. For a sixth grader, what could be funnier than a mustache? Even when life throws you some curveballs, you need to find the funny in order to catch them and stay in the game.
Mustaches for Maddie is about just that. Maddie has a brain tumor. She doesn't understand why she's going through this but she tries to maintain her usual quirkiness to get her through surgery and recovery. Her imagination keeps her from thoughts that would bring her down. I loved her attitude. She may be in sixth grade, but having an illness of this magnitude brings about a new way of thinking. She looks at things differently and realizes that everyone needs a little funny in their lives.
I received an arc for an honest review.
This is a story about kindness, sickness, and finding happiness in all things.
I loved Maddie's attitude and imagination. For a sixth grader, what could be funnier than a mustache? Even when life throws you some curveballs, you need to find the funny in order to catch them and stay in the game.
Mustaches for Maddie is about just that. Maddie has a brain tumor. She doesn't understand why she's going through this but she tries to maintain her usual quirkiness to get her through surgery and recovery. Her imagination keeps her from thoughts that would bring her down. I loved her attitude. She may be in sixth grade, but having an illness of this magnitude brings about a new way of thinking. She looks at things differently and realizes that everyone needs a little funny in their lives.
I received an arc for an honest review.
This book is funny, and I think that's my favorite thing about it. I also really like Derek.
Previously posted on The Young Girl Who Loved Books
Oh how this book is so cute! I really haven't thought that in quite a while. This book is adorable, cute, quirky, and meaningful. This book is something that is needed in a world filled with so much turmoil and sadness lately. I didn't realize that Maddie in this book was real. Or at least that the character was based on her. I am glad to see this girls heart, soul and spirit are real. The world needs more Maddies. She has so many good character traits. She is strong, quite tough, with a huge heart, a grand imagination, and a wicked sense of humor. She loves mustaches, and let's all be honest who doesn't? She loves them because they make people laugh. Maddie loves to make people laugh.
The story follows Maddie who unfortunately is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Suddenly her world is changed and she is faced with an incredible life-threatening challenge. She never loses her sense of humor through everything. She realizes that she doesn't have to go through this alone and that so many people love her. Everyone is there for her and ready to help when she needs it. The know her love of mustaches they begin to send her pictures wearing these silly things. It really helps her cheer up.
This is one of the best middle-grade novels I have read in quite a while. I normally don't enjoy books that have a theater aspects in them. Normally I find them overdone and boring. This one is really interesting. The class is having several different plays. They all are auditioning and unfortunately, Maddie must deal with a mean girl. This girl doesn't want her to audition for a certain part. She must make a decision and deal with the aftermath. I believe she handles it in a very mature way.
These authors have such a way with words. The story is fast-paced and the book will make you laugh. It is also a tear-jerker, so keep a tissue box nearby. This book will warm your heart, and instantly become a favorite.
Disclaimer: I received this book in ARC format from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Oh how this book is so cute! I really haven't thought that in quite a while. This book is adorable, cute, quirky, and meaningful. This book is something that is needed in a world filled with so much turmoil and sadness lately. I didn't realize that Maddie in this book was real. Or at least that the character was based on her. I am glad to see this girls heart, soul and spirit are real. The world needs more Maddies. She has so many good character traits. She is strong, quite tough, with a huge heart, a grand imagination, and a wicked sense of humor. She loves mustaches, and let's all be honest who doesn't? She loves them because they make people laugh. Maddie loves to make people laugh.
The story follows Maddie who unfortunately is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Suddenly her world is changed and she is faced with an incredible life-threatening challenge. She never loses her sense of humor through everything. She realizes that she doesn't have to go through this alone and that so many people love her. Everyone is there for her and ready to help when she needs it. The know her love of mustaches they begin to send her pictures wearing these silly things. It really helps her cheer up.
This is one of the best middle-grade novels I have read in quite a while. I normally don't enjoy books that have a theater aspects in them. Normally I find them overdone and boring. This one is really interesting. The class is having several different plays. They all are auditioning and unfortunately, Maddie must deal with a mean girl. This girl doesn't want her to audition for a certain part. She must make a decision and deal with the aftermath. I believe she handles it in a very mature way.
These authors have such a way with words. The story is fast-paced and the book will make you laugh. It is also a tear-jerker, so keep a tissue box nearby. This book will warm your heart, and instantly become a favorite.
Disclaimer: I received this book in ARC format from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.