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A review by melissa_withthelonglastname
Second Chance Summer by Sarah Kapit
3.0
As a former middle school girl, this book rang true in a lot of ways. I had a lot of friendships dissolve during those years. I can only imagine being stuck at the same camp (in the same cabin!) with some of those girls -- yikes.
This was my first Sarah Kapit book, and there were times in the story that the adult author's voice seemed to come through her tween characters in a very strong manner. In the final third of the book, there were a lot of heavy-handed messages about forgiveness and acceptance. Good messages that I totally agree with, but it seemed more "tell" than "show."
As the mom of two girls, I struggle when middle-grade books have nothing but hands-off adults. The director-counselor Audrey helps Maddie at times, but no girl should have to feel like they have to handle their real problems on their own. I worry that the overall message of this book is just a version of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" when I want my kids to learn to advocate for themselves and reach out to trusted adults when they are struggling.
Note: there are 20 uses of fat/fatter in this book. As a plus-size woman, I am all for body positivity and reclaiming the word fat, but this just seemed like Maddie talking bad about herself...over and over again. I worry that some girls will internalize this negative self-talk and miss the "lesson" of self-acceptance that is trying to be passed on.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
This was my first Sarah Kapit book, and there were times in the story that the adult author's voice seemed to come through her tween characters in a very strong manner. In the final third of the book, there were a lot of heavy-handed messages about forgiveness and acceptance. Good messages that I totally agree with, but it seemed more "tell" than "show."
As the mom of two girls, I struggle when middle-grade books have nothing but hands-off adults. The director-counselor Audrey helps Maddie at times, but no girl should have to feel like they have to handle their real problems on their own. I worry that the overall message of this book is just a version of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" when I want my kids to learn to advocate for themselves and reach out to trusted adults when they are struggling.
Note: there are 20 uses of fat/fatter in this book. As a plus-size woman, I am all for body positivity and reclaiming the word fat, but this just seemed like Maddie talking bad about herself...over and over again. I worry that some girls will internalize this negative self-talk and miss the "lesson" of self-acceptance that is trying to be passed on.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)