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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
I don't give out 5 stars easily, but this is the best middle grade I've read in a long time. It's about a girl who's mom breaks her out of a cult and she's devastated but slowly deprograms. Somehow this very heavy topic is always age appropriate and ultimately underlines the need to question things and choose your own path. HEY NEWBERY 2025 COMMITTEE! YOU READING THIS SHIT?
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
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:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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:
No
Fern and her mother have lived at the Ranch since Fern was six years old now Fern is twelve, and her mother takes her away from the Ranch in the middle of the night. Fern doesn't understand that they are escaping from a cult, from her perspective they are leaving their home and family. The place where they are safe and where Dr. Ben leads them with his wisdom. Dr. Ben keeps them safe from the dangers of chemicals, unhealthy food, TV, and cell phones, and other harmful things. Fern wants to return to the Ranch more than anything. Life outside the Ranch is strange, and Fern hasn't really attended school since first grade. She wants to convince her mother to go back, but in the meantime she has to go to school and live in the outside world, which is difficult.
This book combines the fascination that I feel about cults, the frustration of knowing that someone has been brainwashed, and the difficulty of helping them realize it, with a great character. You can understand the things Fern loved about living on the Ranch, and feel how hard it is for her to adjust to life outside it. It's understandable that she wants to return, but also she is tempted by things she discovers in her new life: books, and hot chocolate, and learning new things.
This is a lovely novel about coming of age, and learning to understand the world, about finding friendship and family, and working for what you believe is right.
This book combines the fascination that I feel about cults, the frustration of knowing that someone has been brainwashed, and the difficulty of helping them realize it, with a great character. You can understand the things Fern loved about living on the Ranch, and feel how hard it is for her to adjust to life outside it. It's understandable that she wants to return, but also she is tempted by things she discovers in her new life: books, and hot chocolate, and learning new things.
This is a lovely novel about coming of age, and learning to understand the world, about finding friendship and family, and working for what you believe is right.
hopeful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Welp. @colbysharp never steers me wrong. Gwen and her mother live on a ranch, cut off from society. Their leader, Dr. Ben, pores he’s the dangers of the outside world. When he announces that it is almost time for Fern’s rite - something usually for members at age 15, when she is not quite 12 - her mom leaves the community and takes her daughter to the opposite coast. There, Fern is introduced to mainstream society and attends school for the first time since she was in the first grade. As she grapples with all the newness, she yearns to find her way to what she thinks is of as her home. But what if she finally is home? Despite the young age of the protagonist, I think middle school students will enjoy this. The young main character dealing with bigger issues reminded me of Fighting Words. Will be recommending.