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A review by stacy_z
A Soft Place to Land by Janae Marks
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received an ARC courtesy of Netgalley.
If anyone enjoyed From the Desk of Zoe Washington, they will also enjoy A Soft Place to Land.
Janae Marks excels at writing strong female middle school protagonists with big dreams. This was a fun read that is great for upper elementary or 6th graders.
Joy’s father lost his job and consequently, Joy’s family had to sell their home and move into a much smaller apartment building. In addition to missing her old home, Joy now has to contend with a lot of things. She’s a passionate musician but her parents can no longer afford a piano or piano lessons, she keeps overhearing her parents arguing about finances, and she’s starting over as a new kid at a new school without any friends.
Thankfully, Joy is quickly befriended by a girl, Nora, in her building who turns out to be a classmate and her friendship circle welcomes Joy. Her new friends even show her the Hideout, a hidden and long-forgotten room in their apartment complex that acts as a secret clubhouse for all the kids. Joy soon starts exchanging messages to an anonymous kid in their building who also seems to be going through a rough patch, until they suddenly stop responding. Friendships fall apart when it’s discovered that secrets are kept from each other and Joy desperately tries to find a way to make things all right again for her family, neighbors, and her friends.
If anyone enjoyed From the Desk of Zoe Washington, they will also enjoy A Soft Place to Land.
Janae Marks excels at writing strong female middle school protagonists with big dreams. This was a fun read that is great for upper elementary or 6th graders.
Joy’s father lost his job and consequently, Joy’s family had to sell their home and move into a much smaller apartment building. In addition to missing her old home, Joy now has to contend with a lot of things. She’s a passionate musician but her parents can no longer afford a piano or piano lessons, she keeps overhearing her parents arguing about finances, and she’s starting over as a new kid at a new school without any friends.
Thankfully, Joy is quickly befriended by a girl, Nora, in her building who turns out to be a classmate and her friendship circle welcomes Joy. Her new friends even show her the Hideout, a hidden and long-forgotten room in their apartment complex that acts as a secret clubhouse for all the kids. Joy soon starts exchanging messages to an anonymous kid in their building who also seems to be going through a rough patch, until they suddenly stop responding. Friendships fall apart when it’s discovered that secrets are kept from each other and Joy desperately tries to find a way to make things all right again for her family, neighbors, and her friends.