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keeneam's review
4.0
Maya is a spunky, athletic and creative middle school student. Maya has always loved fortune cookie fortunes and uses them as her daily mantra. She is very excited for the summer and soccer with her dad. Maya also has a secret love of music, but hides it away. However, her parents "surprise" her with a trial separation. Maya has a very authentic reaction as she struggles with change and growing up, She discovers she needs to follow her own heart and passions while finding out sometimes the future is not as easy as a fortune cookie.
sara_hudson's review
4.0
Maya is a talented soccer player (her father's sport), but has a secret (or so she thinks) love for the flute. Her parents' trial separation makes her question soccer, her mom's loss of sparkle, her friendships.
Collier does some really nice things in here and the book will speak to kids facing parents separating as well as kids feeling trapped in a sport or other activity that isn't their own love. The friendship challenges feel real too.
As an adult reader, I don't love when authors loop back to the BIG question to end each chapter, which Collier does here. It is a standard technique in middle grade books, and it probably helps some new-to-novels readers. Just not something I enjoy.
Collier does some really nice things in here and the book will speak to kids facing parents separating as well as kids feeling trapped in a sport or other activity that isn't their own love. The friendship challenges feel real too.
As an adult reader, I don't love when authors loop back to the BIG question to end each chapter, which Collier does here. It is a standard technique in middle grade books, and it probably helps some new-to-novels readers. Just not something I enjoy.
z_brarian's review
5.0
I loved this book. It hits all the feels. Not only does Maya have to figure out which activity she wants to keep participating in: Flute or Soccer, she also has to deal with her parents' separation & trying to earn her green bracelet so she can swim in the deep end of the new community pool. Not easy for a 12 year old; so many decisions to make! Each morning she spins her wheel of fortune (aka fortune cookie fortunes) to see what the day will bring. Will her fortunes answer the questions for her or will she need to dig deep down and figure out things for herself? I loved how the author used the fortunes for the chapter titles and how they fit into story. Definitely another to add to the collection!
mrs_bookdragon's review
5.0
There are so many things I loved about this book, but my favorite part was all of the fortunes sprinkled in. These would make great affirmations for all readers. A great book with a great message and real character change.
zbrarian's review
5.0
I loved this book. It hits all the feels. Not only does Maya have to figure out which activity she wants to keep participating in: Flute or Soccer, she also has to deal with her parents' separation & trying to earn her green bracelet so she can swim in the deep end of the new community pool. Not easy for a 12 year old; so many decisions to make! Each morning she spins her wheel of fortune (aka fortune cookie fortunes) to see what the day will bring. Will her fortunes answer the questions for her or will she need to dig deep down and figure out things for herself? I loved how the author used the fortunes for the chapter titles and how they fit into story. Definitely another to add to the collection!
lattelibrarian's review
4.0
Maya loves a lot of things. Like soccer, which her dad loves. And flute, which she plays in secret. She also loves fortunes, and spins a wheel every day to see what her day might bring. She also loves her best friend, and her mom and dad. But one summer, everything seems to change. She didn't get MVP on her soccer team, which means the Chargers might not notice her. Her best friend doesn't seem to be talking to her anymore. And worst of all, her dad is moving out for the summer, and it's all her mom's fault.
Nicole Collier brings forward in just 8 short weeks so many topics of frustration and despair. The possibility of your parents separating. Losing your best friend. Realizing you're not as good at some activities as you thought you were. But Collier also offers Maya plenty of room for growth: she must learn to not only listen but to understand. Her uncle has her listen to jazz (her least favorite genre) to show her how so many moving parts come together to create something unexpected and beautiful. Maya learns more about her mother's past and together she learns how to swim in the deep end. She takes the time to learn why her best friend has been so distant and realizes that in the end, it really had nothing to do with her at all.
The Many Fortunes of Maya was a fantastic read, equal parts heart-wrenching and loving. Growing pains are, well, painful. But they're necessary to be a better person, to continue to strive to be a better person.
Nicole Collier brings forward in just 8 short weeks so many topics of frustration and despair. The possibility of your parents separating. Losing your best friend. Realizing you're not as good at some activities as you thought you were. But Collier also offers Maya plenty of room for growth: she must learn to not only listen but to understand. Her uncle has her listen to jazz (her least favorite genre) to show her how so many moving parts come together to create something unexpected and beautiful. Maya learns more about her mother's past and together she learns how to swim in the deep end. She takes the time to learn why her best friend has been so distant and realizes that in the end, it really had nothing to do with her at all.
The Many Fortunes of Maya was a fantastic read, equal parts heart-wrenching and loving. Growing pains are, well, painful. But they're necessary to be a better person, to continue to strive to be a better person.
miszjeanie's review
5.0
The Many Fortunes of Maya is a sweet, realistic, and heartwarming book about facing your fears and listening to your inner voice. This is a great addition to stories about families experiencing parental separation, kids trying to find their passions, and separating one’s goals from external validation. It also highlights how to deal with tough emotions like insecurity and jealousy in friendships. All in all, very well done.
https://readingmiddlegrade.com/the-many-fortunes-of-maya-book-review/
https://readingmiddlegrade.com/the-many-fortunes-of-maya-book-review/
km_loves_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
thespinedown's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0