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A review by smalltownbookmom
The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan
5.0
What a HEARTWARMING middle grade novel in verse about a magical bookshop that selects the perfect book for the people who need them.
Told from the POV of Annie, we experience her struggles with anxiety and worry for her two mothers who are concerned the store might need to close. Things get extra stressful when one book doesn't get picked up by the person it's been chosen for and the store starts 'acting out'.
Full of a great cast of queer characters (with an emphasis on a young non-binary child finding the courage to come out to their family), excellent mental health and disability rep (Annie has selective mutism, which manifests at times because of her anxiety) and a lovely magical realism element. I adored this book and know it will be a special one for young readers questioning their identities.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Meg Grehan and definitely won't be my last. I also really enjoyed the author interview included at the end, in which she discusses her own anxiety (particularly during the pandemic and her selective mutism experience).
Told from the POV of Annie, we experience her struggles with anxiety and worry for her two mothers who are concerned the store might need to close. Things get extra stressful when one book doesn't get picked up by the person it's been chosen for and the store starts 'acting out'.
Full of a great cast of queer characters (with an emphasis on a young non-binary child finding the courage to come out to their family), excellent mental health and disability rep (Annie has selective mutism, which manifests at times because of her anxiety) and a lovely magical realism element. I adored this book and know it will be a special one for young readers questioning their identities.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Meg Grehan and definitely won't be my last. I also really enjoyed the author interview included at the end, in which she discusses her own anxiety (particularly during the pandemic and her selective mutism experience).