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booksonthecouch's review
4.0
“Mom always said that difficult conversations were like lemon drops- sour at first, but soon becoming sweet, easier to handle.”
Before her tragic death, Morgan’s mother’s last request to her was “keep them safe, Morgan. Be brave for them. Help them be happy.” Living in a state of perpetual “plan B”, Morgan tries her best to keep it together for her father and her siblings, while also navigating her own challenges related to friendships, impending puberty, and her own grief. When her father deviates from the plan Morgan developed to instead take the family on their annual camping trip, everything that Morgan has been trying to hold together begins to unravel. (Full synopsis on next slide)
Before her tragic death, Morgan’s mother’s last request to her was “keep them safe, Morgan. Be brave for them. Help them be happy.” Living in a state of perpetual “plan B”, Morgan tries her best to keep it together for her father and her siblings, while also navigating her own challenges related to friendships, impending puberty, and her own grief. When her father deviates from the plan Morgan developed to instead take the family on their annual camping trip, everything that Morgan has been trying to hold together begins to unravel. (Full synopsis on next slide)
zbrarian's review
4.0
A solid MG book about a girl coping with Plan B in life, after the sudden death of her mother. How Plan A doesn’t always pan out and that sometimes you need a NEW Plan A since the path you were originally heading down changes.
shelvesofstarlight's review
4.0
As the main character, Morgan was perfect. Her voice was something that I found myself relating to and wanting to read more of but at the same time the right age for the book. Something true for all the characters, they all felt that they were the age they were. Janie and Budge felt like annoying younger siblings while Morgan, Keilani, Mackelle, and Hrishi all felt like they were twelve. All the characters had wonderful depths to them and I might've gotten very emotional when I read the scene between Morgan and her Dad as it was jsut perfect. These characters were jsut wonderful and I really loved how they developed too.
The plot was well handled but the main driving force of this book was the characters and their reactions to the death of Eve, Morgan's mother. Reaching the height of Morgan's both physical and mental journey that happens in the latter half of the story. The dual timelines simply labeled before and after helped bring clarity to the narrative as well as providing a nice contrast up until they ultimately collided into now at the end of the book. It was emotional in all the right places whilst being fun in others and whilst I only cried once throughout, it did being me to tears on several other occasions. A beautiful story that I honestly think all ages could learn from.
The writing that tied it all together was brilliant. As I have already mentioned the characters were perfectly written and the story well crafted and emotional. If I was a bit unsure of this book at the beginning I was completely sold by the end of it. This book was simply wonderful.
I was sent a copy of this book as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
The plot was well handled but the main driving force of this book was the characters and their reactions to the death of Eve, Morgan's mother. Reaching the height of Morgan's both physical and mental journey that happens in the latter half of the story. The dual timelines simply labeled before and after helped bring clarity to the narrative as well as providing a nice contrast up until they ultimately collided into now at the end of the book. It was emotional in all the right places whilst being fun in others and whilst I only cried once throughout, it did being me to tears on several other occasions. A beautiful story that I honestly think all ages could learn from.
The writing that tied it all together was brilliant. As I have already mentioned the characters were perfectly written and the story well crafted and emotional. If I was a bit unsure of this book at the beginning I was completely sold by the end of it. This book was simply wonderful.
I was sent a copy of this book as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
princessdana36's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 stars. I loved the characters in this book except the mean girl Makelle. She completely pushed ever annoyance button in my body :p I loved the story. All too true the emotions of losing a parent and being the one to take sole responsibility of holding your family together. I see it in my students often. I loved the character development and the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Bullying
lorialdenholuta's review
5.0
Twelve-year-old Morgan's mom, a professional life-coach and creator of a life planning system, has unexpectedly died. Her last words to her oldest daughter were, "Keep them safe, Morgan. Be brave for them. Help them be happy."
Morgan's trying her best to fulfill her mom's last wish. In spite of her young age, she's taking care of her two younger siblings, a dad who's struggling with his own grief, the housework, keeping everyone fed, all while trying to hold onto her two best friends in spite of a rift that's come between them in the form of a bossy, troublesome new girl.
And if that's not enough to juggle, Dad suddenly decides that the family's annual camping trip is a go - even though mom's not around to organize it, and back-to-school plans urgently need to be take care of. Morgan's stretched to the limit trying to take care of everything for everyone, while keeping quiet about her own needs for fear her Dad will think she can't handle it all.
The chapters alternate between "Before", "After" and "Now". The transitions between timeframes are smooth and often very clever. As the camping trip progresses, the storylines grow more and more intense, until they finally reach a point where you will be unable to put down the book. The last chapters are achingly beautiful, sad, and triumphant. Morgan's journey is filled with lessons to be learned by anyone with an open mind and heart, whether you are twelve years old or twenty-and-twelve.
My thanks to author Heather Clark, Jolly Fish Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Morgan's trying her best to fulfill her mom's last wish. In spite of her young age, she's taking care of her two younger siblings, a dad who's struggling with his own grief, the housework, keeping everyone fed, all while trying to hold onto her two best friends in spite of a rift that's come between them in the form of a bossy, troublesome new girl.
And if that's not enough to juggle, Dad suddenly decides that the family's annual camping trip is a go - even though mom's not around to organize it, and back-to-school plans urgently need to be take care of. Morgan's stretched to the limit trying to take care of everything for everyone, while keeping quiet about her own needs for fear her Dad will think she can't handle it all.
The chapters alternate between "Before", "After" and "Now". The transitions between timeframes are smooth and often very clever. As the camping trip progresses, the storylines grow more and more intense, until they finally reach a point where you will be unable to put down the book. The last chapters are achingly beautiful, sad, and triumphant. Morgan's journey is filled with lessons to be learned by anyone with an open mind and heart, whether you are twelve years old or twenty-and-twelve.
My thanks to author Heather Clark, Jolly Fish Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
ems_rxlibrary's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I could not put this book down! I laughed and I cried through the whole thing. I think this is such a wonderful middle grade novel. It definitely deals with mature themes, but it does so in a way that is very real. I absolutely loved this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Miscarriage
z_brarian's review
4.0
A solid MG book about a girl coping with Plan B in life, after the sudden death of her mother. How Plan A doesn’t always pan out and that sometimes you need a NEW Plan A since the path you were originally heading down changes.
alice_raven's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
scoutabout's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0