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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
Queer middlegrade verse novels, you will always hit. This was so beautiful and I tabbed the hell out of it.
inspiring
reflective
Loveable characters:
Yes
Gender non-conforming kids, this one's for you
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
Murray has always loved the ocean, because it never expects her to be something she’s not. She also has a secret magic connection to the water that makes her feel at home. But when a hurricane destroys her home and forces her family to move inland, her magical connection is severed.
Now stuck in a house with her family, Murray can’t avoid the things she’s learning about herself. A new friendship with a boy named Dylan opens up a whole new world for her, especially when she learns he also has magic. Her new friendships show that family doesn’t always have to just be blood.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of Murray Out of Water by Taylor Tracy to review! I saw this book on NetGalley and was immediately drawn in by the cover. Since I’m trying to read more middle grade this year, I decided to give it a try!
This is a novel in verse, hitting a ton of strong emotional notes throughout. At the beginning, Murray’s parents are very conservative; contrasting strongly with her aunt and uncle she lives with most of the book. I loved the way Murray was able to reforge a connection with her estranged older brother, and also became closer with her other siblings.
In addition to the family relationships, Murray makes a lot of new friends along the way. She learns that a lot of queer community is based around found family because of people like her parents. She’s able to learn more about herself in these new relationships, and I loved that journey in a middle grade novel. There are so many middle grade readers that will resonate with her journey.
The magic aspect of the book is there, but it mostly reflects Murray’s emotional journey throughout the story. As she figures out more about herself, she is eventually able to find her way back to her magic. I loved the parallels between magic and queer identity throughout the story.
All in all, this is a wonderful middle grade novel you’ll definitely want to check out when it comes out in May!
Now stuck in a house with her family, Murray can’t avoid the things she’s learning about herself. A new friendship with a boy named Dylan opens up a whole new world for her, especially when she learns he also has magic. Her new friendships show that family doesn’t always have to just be blood.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of Murray Out of Water by Taylor Tracy to review! I saw this book on NetGalley and was immediately drawn in by the cover. Since I’m trying to read more middle grade this year, I decided to give it a try!
This is a novel in verse, hitting a ton of strong emotional notes throughout. At the beginning, Murray’s parents are very conservative; contrasting strongly with her aunt and uncle she lives with most of the book. I loved the way Murray was able to reforge a connection with her estranged older brother, and also became closer with her other siblings.
In addition to the family relationships, Murray makes a lot of new friends along the way. She learns that a lot of queer community is based around found family because of people like her parents. She’s able to learn more about herself in these new relationships, and I loved that journey in a middle grade novel. There are so many middle grade readers that will resonate with her journey.
The magic aspect of the book is there, but it mostly reflects Murray’s emotional journey throughout the story. As she figures out more about herself, she is eventually able to find her way back to her magic. I loved the parallels between magic and queer identity throughout the story.
All in all, this is a wonderful middle grade novel you’ll definitely want to check out when it comes out in May!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
I read an early version of this book, and it’s so sweet and heartfelt. ❤️
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel in verse is very emotional and complete. It explores many themes such as:
Murray's passion for the ocean where she feels at home and more like herself. The hurricane destroys her house, forcing her to live far from the ocean and face many changes, but some changes are good. Like finding new magic in a new place.
Murray spends less time under a strict, religious mother who always forces her daughter to act and dress like a lady. Murray stays with her uncle and aunt in a house where adults don't ban books and feels more relaxed. In her temporarily new school, she meets Dylan who, like the ocean, will help her understand who she is and with whom she can just be herself. There is also Patrick, her older brother, whom she misses a lot. He argued with his parents in the past and they didn't apologize, but we hope this will change because their actions kept Patrick away from Murray's life for a long time.
I relate a lot to her passion for the ocean, missing the ocean, and feeling the ocean as my home. The loss of the house, the changes, the confusion about identity, friendship, family, new friends, the relationship with the ocean, turning thirteen, liking girls, and standing up to the truth... make this novel a wonderful read that can always be reread with the same intensity.
Communication is key among friends and family.
Thank you, publisher and net galley for this e-arc.
Murray's passion for the ocean where she feels at home and more like herself. The hurricane destroys her house, forcing her to live far from the ocean and face many changes, but some changes are good. Like finding new magic in a new place.
Murray spends less time under a strict, religious mother who always forces her daughter to act and dress like a lady. Murray stays with her uncle and aunt in a house where adults don't ban books and feels more relaxed. In her temporarily new school, she meets Dylan who, like the ocean, will help her understand who she is and with whom she can just be herself. There is also Patrick, her older brother, whom she misses a lot. He argued with his parents in the past and they didn't apologize, but we hope this will change because their actions kept Patrick away from Murray's life for a long time.
I relate a lot to her passion for the ocean, missing the ocean, and feeling the ocean as my home. The loss of the house, the changes, the confusion about identity, friendship, family, new friends, the relationship with the ocean, turning thirteen, liking girls, and standing up to the truth... make this novel a wonderful read that can always be reread with the same intensity.
Communication is key among friends and family.
Thank you, publisher and net galley for this e-arc.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced