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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
"In a sea of butterflies, I'd found a fellow crustacean"
This was a perfect read for me! As a chaste adult reader, it's books like this that continue to help me cultivate a love for reading. The world is a messy and ugly place, so when I wake up on a Sunday morning with my cup of coffee; I want to dive into a world of characters that I can root for and an ending that will wrap my little heart with a hug. Jane was smart and witty. She didn't whine about her trouble, and dug deep to be authentically herself. The children were actual children in this book. There was no language, sex or drugs. Do you know how refreshing it is to not see that among our youth? I enjoyed every common, every word and every plankton in this novel. Bravo K. L. Going!
"Fear is the opposite of love because when we're afraid, that's when we don't tell the truth. We try to be something we're not. And Jane," she said, very seriously, "writers must never lie."
This was a perfect read for me! As a chaste adult reader, it's books like this that continue to help me cultivate a love for reading. The world is a messy and ugly place, so when I wake up on a Sunday morning with my cup of coffee; I want to dive into a world of characters that I can root for and an ending that will wrap my little heart with a hug. Jane was smart and witty. She didn't whine about her trouble, and dug deep to be authentically herself. The children were actual children in this book. There was no language, sex or drugs. Do you know how refreshing it is to not see that among our youth? I enjoyed every common, every word and every plankton in this novel. Bravo K. L. Going!
"Fear is the opposite of love because when we're afraid, that's when we don't tell the truth. We try to be something we're not. And Jane," she said, very seriously, "writers must never lie."
One of those books that hit me closer than I expected.... I really loved Jane and her struggles with her parents and her writing craft. The small-town Maine setting was also great. The ending was very rushed, but overall it was still an enjoyable read. And I would have adored this as an earnest 12-year-old writer.
This lovely middle grade novel is great for young girls trying to find their voice. Our protagonist in the book is Jane, a young girl from coastal Maine who desires to become a great writer, like her idol Jane Austen. She wants to attend a library event with a famous writer but cannot because it is “adult only” so she decides to sneak in through the attic and listen in. Except there is someone already in the attic.
The story shows Jane gaining her voice, as she navigates her own relationship with her mother who has largely been estranged, and as she figures out what to do about the pompous new boy in town. The book also has some interesting scientific explanations about plankton, their role in the global food chain system,and their role in climate change. Enough to teach us a bit but not so much as to overwhelm the story. Top this off with some age-appropriate romance. Hitting all the right notes, The Next Great Jane was interesting and enjoyable even for this middle-aged reader.
The story shows Jane gaining her voice, as she navigates her own relationship with her mother who has largely been estranged, and as she figures out what to do about the pompous new boy in town. The book also has some interesting scientific explanations about plankton, their role in the global food chain system,and their role in climate change. Enough to teach us a bit but not so much as to overwhelm the story. Top this off with some age-appropriate romance. Hitting all the right notes, The Next Great Jane was interesting and enjoyable even for this middle-aged reader.
This middle grade novel is a love letter to Jane Austen and Maine, two things I can relate to. I loved everything about it. The characters were fantastically quirky and lovable, and the setting felt so true. I often feel that books set in Maine don’t feel like the Maine I know, but this one genuinely felt like I was spending time in one of my favorite Maine spots. (The fictional town is actually loosely based on my favorite place in the world, so I have an especially soft spot for it.) This is middle grade at its best with real issues to overcome, but with a wholesome satisfying ending. This is one I’ll be adding to our shelves.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No