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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
Incredibly well written middle grade contemporary fiction with a unique premise. 12 year old Fern and her mother live in an off the grid community in New York run by a man named Dr. Ben. It's been their home for 6 years. One night, Fern's mother has them leave their home behind, and they drive all the way across the country to California. Fern is confused and wants nothing more than to return to her home, as she starts to the experience the real world and learns that maybe things weren't quite what she thought they were.
I couldn't put this down. I was caught up in Fern's story and rooting for her and her mother to find their way away from their past life. I adored the people they met in Driftwood Beach and the friendships they developed. I was frustrated with Fern trying so hard to get back in touch with Dr. Ben but found it to be so realistic given how she had been raised.
Also loved that the fictional town was based on Rockaway Beach in Pacifica which is an area I know very well. And that the beloved tea shop was based on a local darling, Lovey's Tea Shop which is one of my favorite places to get tea!
I couldn't put this down. I was caught up in Fern's story and rooting for her and her mother to find their way away from their past life. I adored the people they met in Driftwood Beach and the friendships they developed. I was frustrated with Fern trying so hard to get back in touch with Dr. Ben but found it to be so realistic given how she had been raised.
Also loved that the fictional town was based on Rockaway Beach in Pacifica which is an area I know very well. And that the beloved tea shop was based on a local darling, Lovey's Tea Shop which is one of my favorite places to get tea!
Never read a middle grade novel with cult themes before. It was done very well I think, and it demonstrated how difficult it can be to unlearn something that you're so sure is right. Almost got super harrowing at the end--cult leaders are crazy scary. Decent characters, good story.
adventurous
emotional
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Oh my heart, this was marvelous. Fern is such a sympathic character, and her evolution from true believer to skeptic to feeling able to make decisions and choices for herself is so well done and feels both age appropriate and true to the experience of unravelling deeply held controlled beliefs. Highly recommended for readers age 10+!
I read this story with my heart in my throat, worrying about Fern’s choices and what would happen if she achieved her goal. Books for middle-grade readers written in the first person have to cross a high threshold for me, and this one cleared the bar.
I do wonder about the age range for independent readers. Are these themes too complicated for fourth graders to grasp in their own? (I feel obligated to imagine a reader who doesn’t discuss their books with an adult.)
I do wonder about the age range for independent readers. Are these themes too complicated for fourth graders to grasp in their own? (I feel obligated to imagine a reader who doesn’t discuss their books with an adult.)
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the way that all the twists and turns happened. This book kept me hooked. Kate O'Shaughnessy is a great author and I recommend all of her books.