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jademelody's review
3.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the opportunity to read The Becket List before the upcoming release of the sequel All Pets Allowed!
This was such a cute middle grade / children's story!
The main character was cheerful and upbeat (even when unpleasant things happened to her). I really enjoyed that she embraced what made her different and strived to be anything but ordinary. I think that is an important message to be received by those who are younger reading this book.
I also really enjoyed the writing style of the author! I thought it was good for the targeted audience but still resonated with those above it as well.
Something I thought was tastefully added, even though it was quite sad, was the ending of the book. When I was younger, I had to go through the same thing as the main character at a similar age. It was one of the hardest things I had to go through back then and it really shows strength in the main character. I applaud the author for making what could be a controversial move.
There was one comment about a size of a boy in the book that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Something along the lines of him being XXL from head to toe. I get that is a way to describe that he is a bigger kid, but I think this could be written in a more tasteful way that doesn't sound so crude.
Other than that, I did enjoy this book! And would recommend for the targeted audience!
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the opportunity to read The Becket List before the upcoming release of the sequel All Pets Allowed!
This was such a cute middle grade / children's story!
The main character was cheerful and upbeat (even when unpleasant things happened to her). I really enjoyed that she embraced what made her different and strived to be anything but ordinary. I think that is an important message to be received by those who are younger reading this book.
I also really enjoyed the writing style of the author! I thought it was good for the targeted audience but still resonated with those above it as well.
Something I thought was tastefully added, even though it was quite sad, was the ending of the book. When I was younger, I had to go through the same thing as the main character at a similar age. It was one of the hardest things I had to go through back then and it really shows strength in the main character. I applaud the author for making what could be a controversial move.
There was one comment about a size of a boy in the book that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Something along the lines of him being XXL from head to toe. I get that is a way to describe that he is a bigger kid, but I think this could be written in a more tasteful way that doesn't sound so crude.
Other than that, I did enjoy this book! And would recommend for the targeted audience!
saschadarlington's review
5.0
4 1/2
Rebecca Branch and her family are moving to the country, which calls for a new name so Rebecca becomes Becket. Becket is sure she will love living in the country even if her older sister, Caroline, and twin brother, Nicholas, aren’t so sure.
Becket discovers that in some ways the move is not what she expected and in other ways, it’s better. She’s resilient and goes with the flow.
read more: https://saschadarlington.me/2019/04/02/book-review-of-the-becket-list-with-an-interview-with-becket/
Rebecca Branch and her family are moving to the country, which calls for a new name so Rebecca becomes Becket. Becket is sure she will love living in the country even if her older sister, Caroline, and twin brother, Nicholas, aren’t so sure.
Becket discovers that in some ways the move is not what she expected and in other ways, it’s better. She’s resilient and goes with the flow.
read more: https://saschadarlington.me/2019/04/02/book-review-of-the-becket-list-with-an-interview-with-becket/
stephbookshine's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and Amanda Dissinger at Algonquin Young Readers. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
In this first Blackberry Farm story, the Branch family are moving from the city to the countryside, and lively, outgoing Becket Branch is coping far better with the change than her twin brother, Nicholas, and their older sister, Caroline. Or at least, she is until she discovers that not everyone is as enthusiastically all-in as she is, and that things don’t always go according to plan… even if you have a list!
Becket is an endearing main character and narrative voice. She is super positive and well-meaning, and has a sunny, bright attitude to life that is joyously infectious. It is also easy to see how she could get annoying at times… she is very LOUD!
This is a lovely middle-grade story about settling in, making new friends, and learning to appreciate the ones you already have. It is very easy to read and ideal for readers who enjoy stories like Enid Blyton’s, all about children having gentle, countryside adventures with little adult interference (although the Branch parents are far more responsible and involved than any in Blyton’s books!).
Minishine’s thoughts: This book is defo FIVE STARS! Caroline is my favourite character and I like how she acts, and how Nicholas acts, and I like how Becket is so loud and also that she loves animals. It’s about a girl who used to live in the city and then they all move to the country, like in my favourite Faraway Tree books! She finds it easy at first but then she has to be brave because change is HARD. Mr Fancypants is a funny name for a dog and I like how they describe him, even though he’s not like our dog, Murphy. I love all the pictures on every page, but I do wish they could all be in colour, like the front cover, because the book suits lots of bright colours… BEAUTIFUL ALERT!!!
Babybows’ thoughts: Ten thumbs up for the whole book! I mean, one hundred! Nobody is my favourite character because I like them all. I like all the pictures too and I like the story. I wish I had hammies and hamblings!
‘I hadn’t put “Find a New Best Friend” on my list—and now here she is, Frieda Franca, with her own alpacas and bouncy dog. I wish Mr Fancypants had a little more bounce for a play date with “Beautiful Alert” Oro. Then again, Frieda’s been a country kid for longer than me. Of course she’d already have the perfect dog. It doesn’t make sense to be jealous.
Except maybe I am, a little.’
– Adele Griffin, The Becket List
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2021/09/03/blog-tour-all-pets-allowed-the-becket-list-adele-griffin/
In this first Blackberry Farm story, the Branch family are moving from the city to the countryside, and lively, outgoing Becket Branch is coping far better with the change than her twin brother, Nicholas, and their older sister, Caroline. Or at least, she is until she discovers that not everyone is as enthusiastically all-in as she is, and that things don’t always go according to plan… even if you have a list!
Becket is an endearing main character and narrative voice. She is super positive and well-meaning, and has a sunny, bright attitude to life that is joyously infectious. It is also easy to see how she could get annoying at times… she is very LOUD!
This is a lovely middle-grade story about settling in, making new friends, and learning to appreciate the ones you already have. It is very easy to read and ideal for readers who enjoy stories like Enid Blyton’s, all about children having gentle, countryside adventures with little adult interference (although the Branch parents are far more responsible and involved than any in Blyton’s books!).
Minishine’s thoughts: This book is defo FIVE STARS! Caroline is my favourite character and I like how she acts, and how Nicholas acts, and I like how Becket is so loud and also that she loves animals. It’s about a girl who used to live in the city and then they all move to the country, like in my favourite Faraway Tree books! She finds it easy at first but then she has to be brave because change is HARD. Mr Fancypants is a funny name for a dog and I like how they describe him, even though he’s not like our dog, Murphy. I love all the pictures on every page, but I do wish they could all be in colour, like the front cover, because the book suits lots of bright colours… BEAUTIFUL ALERT!!!
Babybows’ thoughts: Ten thumbs up for the whole book! I mean, one hundred! Nobody is my favourite character because I like them all. I like all the pictures too and I like the story. I wish I had hammies and hamblings!
‘I hadn’t put “Find a New Best Friend” on my list—and now here she is, Frieda Franca, with her own alpacas and bouncy dog. I wish Mr Fancypants had a little more bounce for a play date with “Beautiful Alert” Oro. Then again, Frieda’s been a country kid for longer than me. Of course she’d already have the perfect dog. It doesn’t make sense to be jealous.
Except maybe I am, a little.’
– Adele Griffin, The Becket List
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2021/09/03/blog-tour-all-pets-allowed-the-becket-list-adele-griffin/
jilljemmett's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great story about growing up and life changes.
Becket goes through many changes in this book. At the beginning, her family moves to her grandmother’s farm. She has to adjust from city life in an apartment to country life on a farm. She also goes to a camp, but it is very different from the camp she used to go to in the city. She doesn’t make friends as easily as she did before. I loved that Becket had to deal with all of these changes in this book, because often kids books just focus on one kind of life change rather than many different ones.
I loved the pictures in the book. There were some at the beginning, but they tapered off towards the end. I had an ARC so this may have changed in the final edition, but I would have loved to have even more pictures because they were so great!
The one thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending. I won’t spoil it, but something happens to one of the animals. It was upsetting to me, because I could relate to it, which made it difficult to read. Things happen to animals as part of life on a farm, so I understand why it was in the story. However, I don’t like reading about things that happen to animals, so it is a personal preference.
I really liked this story. It’s great for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Becket goes through many changes in this book. At the beginning, her family moves to her grandmother’s farm. She has to adjust from city life in an apartment to country life on a farm. She also goes to a camp, but it is very different from the camp she used to go to in the city. She doesn’t make friends as easily as she did before. I loved that Becket had to deal with all of these changes in this book, because often kids books just focus on one kind of life change rather than many different ones.
I loved the pictures in the book. There were some at the beginning, but they tapered off towards the end. I had an ARC so this may have changed in the final edition, but I would have loved to have even more pictures because they were so great!
The one thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending. I won’t spoil it, but something happens to one of the animals. It was upsetting to me, because I could relate to it, which made it difficult to read. Things happen to animals as part of life on a farm, so I understand why it was in the story. However, I don’t like reading about things that happen to animals, so it is a personal preference.
I really liked this story. It’s great for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
rwims's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Story of becket who moves from the city to a farm with her twin brother, older sister, dog and parents. This is the story of their first summer settling in to county life. We see how each changes and adapts differently to this different way of life no one more so than becket.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
caitisbooked's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0
The Becket List is the first book in The Blackberry Farm series and it follows the lives of the Branch family, focusing on Rebecca, now known as Becket. The Branch family move from the city to the farm to help out their Gran look after the farm and it’s animals. As they are leaving the city, Becket says ‘Goodbye!’ to everything that she knows she will miss from the city, and loves to yell ‘Beautiful Alert’ about anything that she thinks is beautiful. However, her other siblings, Caroline (older sister) and Nicholas (twin brother) aren’t as ready to move to the country for farm life. Farm life throws unexpected events at Becket but she pushes back and learns how to fight for things that she wants and to stay positive no matter what.
Once moved into the farm, Becket takes on the role of looking after the farm animals to help out Gran. However, she comes in contact with some hostile hens that Becket has to learn how to deal with to retrieve their eggs and look after them. To make some extra pocket money, Becket comes up with the idea to use their lemons to make fresh lemonade. However, this idea majorly backfires and Becket learns a valuable lesson. Becket makes a list of activities and things she wants to do whilst she is new to the farm life, and one of these things is making a new best friend. She meets her neighbour Frieda who has the cutest little puppy and Becket decides that Frieda is going to be her new best friend.
Becket is such a wonderfully written character. She was so upbeat even when things weren’t going right for her – which is such an important thing for kids to read about, as it’s such an important life lesson. Becket learns that sometimes the things that worked for her in the city don’t always relate and end up working in the country, such as the way she acts and goes about making friends at camp. However, whenever she gets knocked down, she bounces back with even more enthusiasm, which I didn’t think it was possible because Becket is such an enthusiastic, joyful character.
Although there is a major difference between Becket and her siblings, I loved that there was that contrast. Both Nicholas and Caroline struggle with the transition from city life to country life, but Becket is always trying her best to help them adapt to this change. I truly loved the complete contrast between the twins and how polar opposites they were.
I think the way that this book was written is so upbeat and is so beautifully aimed at the younger audience, but in saying that, older audiences can definitely get enjoyment out of this book, as I sure did. The ending is definitely a harder and heavier topic, which was quite sad, but I think it’s also important in children’s books to a certain extent (for older children).
Thank you very much to the Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review and allowing me to participate in the blog tour.
ch6176's review against another edition
1.0
Becket is 10 years old and moving to the country! While she’s excited to be a country girl she decides she needs to make a list of ways to help her transition.
This is a sweet story- but the plot never really got going. It wasn’t until the last few pages you saw any real character development. And while Becket is 10 she is a young 10. This would be hard for some 4th or 5th graders to read because Becker acts more like she’s 7 or 8. It’s a sweet story and for the right person I think they’d like it. But I don’t think it’s for the vast majority of 10 or 11 year olds like it’s intended for.
This is a sweet story- but the plot never really got going. It wasn’t until the last few pages you saw any real character development. And while Becket is 10 she is a young 10. This would be hard for some 4th or 5th graders to read because Becker acts more like she’s 7 or 8. It’s a sweet story and for the right person I think they’d like it. But I don’t think it’s for the vast majority of 10 or 11 year olds like it’s intended for.
samwlabb's review
4.0
"Beautiful Alert!", Becket is going to steal your heart.
Becket was more than ready to start her new life in the country. She even had a list to help her become an official country kid. So, Becket was ready for the country, but was the country ready for Becket?
It was love at first page! Becket had such a wonderful voice, and I adore all her energy and enthusiasm. I swear, the kid should be a motivational speaker, because her zest for all things was contagious. Though Becket was excited about all the new things she was going to experience, her confidence waned a little, here and there, as she adjusted. But, I was rooting for her the whole time, because she was so fabulous, fantastic, and spunky.
Since Becket was (almost) 10, we spent a lot of time with her family. We got to peek in on their daily interactions, and what a lovely family they were. I especially loved Gram. She was warm and wonderful and filled that soft spot I have in my heart for grandma's.
When I was 13, my family moved from Brooklyn to a 1-square mile town in NJ. Though it wasn't as "country" as Becket's new home, it was a big change from my former home. I really related to the the adjustments Becket had to make, and also really loved the look into what it's like to live on a farm. We saw the awesome and ugly sides of it, but this all tied into the overall theme of this book, which was about embracing change and adapting when necessary.
I definitely smile a LOT as I read this book. I did wonder why so many people were trying to stifle Becket's enthusiasm by telling her to quiet down all the time, and I won't even mention what happened in the last chapter, because I have already cried a smile river about it, but overall this was fun and wonderful book, where I got to take an adventure with an enchanting character as she embraced and adjusted to her new normal.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Becket was more than ready to start her new life in the country. She even had a list to help her become an official country kid. So, Becket was ready for the country, but was the country ready for Becket?
It was love at first page! Becket had such a wonderful voice, and I adore all her energy and enthusiasm. I swear, the kid should be a motivational speaker, because her zest for all things was contagious. Though Becket was excited about all the new things she was going to experience, her confidence waned a little, here and there, as she adjusted. But, I was rooting for her the whole time, because she was so fabulous, fantastic, and spunky.
Since Becket was (almost) 10, we spent a lot of time with her family. We got to peek in on their daily interactions, and what a lovely family they were. I especially loved Gram. She was warm and wonderful and filled that soft spot I have in my heart for grandma's.
When I was 13, my family moved from Brooklyn to a 1-square mile town in NJ. Though it wasn't as "country" as Becket's new home, it was a big change from my former home. I really related to the the adjustments Becket had to make, and also really loved the look into what it's like to live on a farm. We saw the awesome and ugly sides of it, but this all tied into the overall theme of this book, which was about embracing change and adapting when necessary.
I definitely smile a LOT as I read this book. I did wonder why so many people were trying to stifle Becket's enthusiasm by telling her to quiet down all the time, and I won't even mention what happened in the last chapter, because I have already cried a smile river about it, but overall this was fun and wonderful book, where I got to take an adventure with an enchanting character as she embraced and adjusted to her new normal.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
pages_and_procrastination's review
3.0
I was given a digital copy of this title, free, in exchange for my honest review.
This was a cute story about a girl who moves from the city to the country with her family. While there are things that she enjoys about city like, she is really looking forward to life in the country. Things do not go the way that she imagines them going and she has some fun adventures in the process. It was a short and quick read, but the ending left me wanting just a little bit more of an ending.
This was a cute story about a girl who moves from the city to the country with her family. While there are things that she enjoys about city like, she is really looking forward to life in the country. Things do not go the way that she imagines them going and she has some fun adventures in the process. It was a short and quick read, but the ending left me wanting just a little bit more of an ending.
karolinetyne's review
5.0
I really loved this! It made me feel so nostalgic for the books I liked to read in my childhood. The ending even made me a little emotional lol!
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