Reviews

Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley

Only show reviews with written explanations

_lovebug_'s review against another edition

5.0

I love this book so much my heart oh my god I cried so many times. Ziggy and june bug are truly gems (uncle toby and nana jean too). Their friendship is just I do not have the words to describe how much love I have for them. The way this book showed how healing make believe can be I kinda forgot abt that aspect of childhood. Being able to fully escape that way it's nice. I think the book captured that v v well.

ANYWAYS PLS READ THIS BOOK GUYS

chickchick22's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Great characters that are filled with love, compassion, and fun.

nonna's review against another edition

Go to review page

This is not an easy, light read. So many issues. Mental illness and the effect it may have on a family - especially children dealing with the fall out is the central theme. Abuse, alcoholism, the way AIDS was viewed in the 80's, homosexuality, and bullying are all deftly woven into the threads of family life and growing up. The writing presents situations in a matter of fact tone, at once adding to the impact while allowing the witness to be almost bearable.
I will need to let the reading of this settle a bit before being able to rate or recommend to young readers - knowing that I don't want children to know anything about these issues, but also knowing that many are living them.

rkiladitis's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Set in the summer of 1983 in the suburbs of Boston, Trowbridge Road is a heartaching look at dysfunctional families. June Bug is a girl who's just lost her father to AIDS, and her mother is terrified of the germs that are just waiting to infect them. June Bug escapes her home every day and sits in the tree outside Nana Jean's house to watch Nana and Ziggy, a boy about her age, left by his mother as she works out her own troubles. June Bug imagines life with Nana Jean's love and comfort, and heads home every day to be subjected to her mother's dangerous germ phobia. Ziggy discovers June Bug in the tree, and the two become friends, imagining themselves imbued with magic. The two bond and escape reality together every day, and eventually, Nana Jean cares for June Bug like she's one of her own. Families deal with secrets, pain, and loss in this gorgeously written book, which brilliantly and frankly shines a light on trauma, mental illness, and AIDS: particularly the misinformation about the disease in its earliest days. The characters have incredible depth and pathos, and themes of family, addiction, sickness, and bullying are all deeply explored. Magical storytelling and characters you want to see be happy make this essential reading. Back matter includes an author's note about AIDS and HIV and mental health. Publisher Candlewick has a discussion guide, note from the author, and a sample chapter available for download.

Trowbridge Road is on the longlist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. It has a starred review from Kirkus.