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parksidereads 's review for:
The Nest
by Kenneth Oppel, Jon Klassen
For most kids, summer is a carefree adventure. But for Steve, it’s a time of overwhelming fears. His baby brother is critically ill, his parents are barely managing, and a sinister wasp nest is growing larger under the eaves. Then, to make matters worse, a mysterious wasp queen starts visiting Steve in his dreams, offering to "fix" everything.
Holy dread, Batman! This is hands-down the most stress and fear-inducing middle-grade horror novel I've ever laid eyes on. I had to keep reminding myself, "This isn't an adult book, so stop imagining the absolute worst. Things have to turn out okay... right? Right?!" Kenneth Oppel didn’t just push the envelope; he flung it out the window with reckless abandon.
On the surface, it might seem like a simple parable about the dangers of seeking a perfect life or easy fixes. But dive a little deeper, and you'll find it’s really grappling with grief surrounding terminal illness and the toll it has on families, all through the eyes of a child who's utterly alone in processing it.
It's a brilliant piece of art and masterfully written, but here's my pro tip: parents, read this alongside or before your kids. Don’t let your child be like Steve—be there to help them navigate the emotional rollercoaster this book throws them on.
Holy dread, Batman! This is hands-down the most stress and fear-inducing middle-grade horror novel I've ever laid eyes on. I had to keep reminding myself, "This isn't an adult book, so stop imagining the absolute worst. Things have to turn out okay... right? Right?!" Kenneth Oppel didn’t just push the envelope; he flung it out the window with reckless abandon.
On the surface, it might seem like a simple parable about the dangers of seeking a perfect life or easy fixes. But dive a little deeper, and you'll find it’s really grappling with grief surrounding terminal illness and the toll it has on families, all through the eyes of a child who's utterly alone in processing it.
It's a brilliant piece of art and masterfully written, but here's my pro tip: parents, read this alongside or before your kids. Don’t let your child be like Steve—be there to help them navigate the emotional rollercoaster this book throws them on.