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katykelly's review
5.0
Heart-warming family story about wishing, family and following your dreams.
It gets you 'right in the feels' from the start. Marty and his mum don't have much money, his uniform is second-hand, his quilt cover is an old Mickey Mouse one.. but worse than all that is the fact that his mum is a hoarder. Their house is full of 'stuff' that she won't throw away. He's drowning in it.
So much so that his granddad won't even come round anymore. A bit of an eccentric inventor, Marty visits his granddad at his allotment for air and space. It's when Granddad is only able to give Marty a seed for his birthday that things start to happen though...
It's not Jack and the Beanstalk. It's not James and the Giant Peach. But it is fantastical and rather lovely.
Not only does the book give us a focus on mental health issues, but Marty also meets a girl with a cochlear implant who keeps people at bay with her sharp wit and sarcasm, but just might be hiding a soft core of her own.
There are some lovely characters here, from a Granddad who refuses to accept reality and ordinary life as it is, to a school guidance counsellor with some slightly wacky ways of advising his students. Marty has bullies to overcome, Gracie has ambitions to fulfil - it's a rather full novel for KS2/KS3 readers.
And the denouement and climax of the story almost feels rushed, as there's so much that comes before it. It had me smiling, and I think this would make a lovely mini-series for children's television.
There are some great relationships here, and some good storylines for PSHE discussions.
Marty is definitely a contemporary protagonist that many will identify with, and it's lovely to have the wish-fulfilment/dreams idea used so well without moving outside the broad boundaries of real-world possibilities.
A great read. For ages 9-13.
It gets you 'right in the feels' from the start. Marty and his mum don't have much money, his uniform is second-hand, his quilt cover is an old Mickey Mouse one.. but worse than all that is the fact that his mum is a hoarder. Their house is full of 'stuff' that she won't throw away. He's drowning in it.
So much so that his granddad won't even come round anymore. A bit of an eccentric inventor, Marty visits his granddad at his allotment for air and space. It's when Granddad is only able to give Marty a seed for his birthday that things start to happen though...
It's not Jack and the Beanstalk. It's not James and the Giant Peach. But it is fantastical and rather lovely.
Not only does the book give us a focus on mental health issues, but Marty also meets a girl with a cochlear implant who keeps people at bay with her sharp wit and sarcasm, but just might be hiding a soft core of her own.
There are some lovely characters here, from a Granddad who refuses to accept reality and ordinary life as it is, to a school guidance counsellor with some slightly wacky ways of advising his students. Marty has bullies to overcome, Gracie has ambitions to fulfil - it's a rather full novel for KS2/KS3 readers.
And the denouement and climax of the story almost feels rushed, as there's so much that comes before it. It had me smiling, and I think this would make a lovely mini-series for children's television.
There are some great relationships here, and some good storylines for PSHE discussions.
Marty is definitely a contemporary protagonist that many will identify with, and it's lovely to have the wish-fulfilment/dreams idea used so well without moving outside the broad boundaries of real-world possibilities.
A great read. For ages 9-13.
c_loves_books's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was excellent. It is definitely inspiring for anyone who has a messy house. If you don't know what I mean read the book and you'll see!
emilyjmasters's review against another edition
4.5
this was a whimsical delight that also covered difficult topics with grace and authenticity. I enjoyed it very much.
jhocutt's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
esabetta's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was so well done. The way the author described everything Marty interacted with seemed so in character for a young boy. This book was equal parts silly and serious. You had to suspend a lot of disbelief but also there were moments in this book that were very very real. I think this is a wonderful example of childhood. There are hard things that children encounter but there is a sense of whimsy that comes along with other things they go through in their life. Marty had a lot of big problems, and a lot of big emotions. I think this was represented in an age-appropriate manner for readers and for the character himself.
neverpixie's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sriracha824's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
melbev's review against another edition
4.0
Marty is holding onto a lot of secrets. He doesn't know his father, he hasn't any cool sneakers, and his mother can't leave the house. Though he often feels suffocated by his mother's mountains of stuff, his grandfather's community garden plot provides some fresh air.
On his birthday, Marty's grandfather gifts him a seed, encouraging him to nurture it and observe what it becomes. With the help of a classmate, Gracie, Marty learns that wishes are not just painful secrets - they carry the power to bring people together.
Seed is whimsically told, emphasizing on the importance of hope. Marty learns expression and communication from Gracie, and Grandad is a rock standing firm in the tide of familial instability.
There are so many serious elements in the first half of the book that I was taken aback by the magic of the second half. Overall it was lovely and compassionate and uplifting.
On his birthday, Marty's grandfather gifts him a seed, encouraging him to nurture it and observe what it becomes. With the help of a classmate, Gracie, Marty learns that wishes are not just painful secrets - they carry the power to bring people together.
Seed is whimsically told, emphasizing on the importance of hope. Marty learns expression and communication from Gracie, and Grandad is a rock standing firm in the tide of familial instability.
There are so many serious elements in the first half of the book that I was taken aback by the magic of the second half. Overall it was lovely and compassionate and uplifting.
shanaal's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored the imagination of this book while it took on some hard topics. My heart went out to the main character who was was essentially raising himself and seemed to lack hope. His mother is a hoarder and I don't feel like that is often brought up in literature. He makes a friend and, with the help of his grandad, they grow a pumpkin of wishes to sail to Paris. I think any child who likes Roald Dahl or Willy Wonka could really appreciate this book.