A review by kindred_reader
Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers

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4.0

 

A fantastic book about the weight of emotions and feelings you have when you're 10, and the struggle to express yourself and to be heard by the adults around you. 

 

The way Katie wrestled with her adoption and the guilt of her curiosity was beautifully done. The weight of her past paired with the unknowns of her future left her feeling overwhelmed, especially when she felt alone, isolated, and not needed. 

 

Ana’s desperate desire to piece her family back together—to make it her job to take care of Mikey, to make it her responsibility—explored what it is like exploring the world you are living in and have grown up in. When things change dramatically, Ana is forced to become extremely aware of her identity and what it is in. 

 

Ana’s and Katie’s love and care for Mikey was a great addition as well as just Mikey himself. 

 

The parental figures in books for this age bracket are typically not part of the story (a very broad generalization), so it was so nice to see that the parents and grandparent who stayed were part of the conversation, part of the growth, and part of the journey. 

 

The friendship between the girls was so simple but so beautiful. Friendships are always hard but even more so at that age. And with everything Katie and Ana had going on in their separate lives, their friendship was bound to take a toll. But friendship isn’t just sharing bracelets or secrets; it’s about not giving up on each other—about throwing rocks at your friend’s window just to tell her that you are sorry and that you need her. These two girls had a beautifully realistic friendship that was messy and frustrating but rock solid in the end.