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A review by msgabbythelibrarian
Chirp by Kate Messner
3.0
When this book showed up on my desk as a hold fulfillment, I was shocked. What was it about? I didn't even recall ordering it. However, when I saw who had endorsed it (Laurie Halse Anderson in particular) I knew I had to try it.
Admittedly, I skimmed elements I didn't care about too much. The story was about a girl named Mia whose family has moved--and now she lives really close to her grandmother and her cricket farm. Yes, a cricket farm. I have never read a book that takes place in a cricket farm. So that was intriguing. As was the plot line of Mia meeting a girl named Clover who helps her come up with all sorts of culinary creations involving crickets--hoping the publicity will save her grandmother's cricket farm. Granted, the part of the book involving sabotage of the farm I skimmed; it just didn't jump out at me.
However, this book tackles tough topics. We discover that Mia wants nothing to do with gymnastics anymore. And we find out why: she had been abused by a coach. For it being a middle grade novel, references to "feeling icky" were as far as it went. So some readers might not make the abuse insinuation. Clover also shares about her own dealings with harassment. It's appreciative to see books handling this all too current event in a delicate, yet strengthening, way. The message of sharing with someone is addressed as is the reminder to not let it consume one's life.
So the reason I only gave it a three is due to the parts I skimmed. Honestly, one storyline could have been left out and the novel would have been stronger for it.
Admittedly, I skimmed elements I didn't care about too much. The story was about a girl named Mia whose family has moved--and now she lives really close to her grandmother and her cricket farm. Yes, a cricket farm. I have never read a book that takes place in a cricket farm. So that was intriguing. As was the plot line of Mia meeting a girl named Clover who helps her come up with all sorts of culinary creations involving crickets--hoping the publicity will save her grandmother's cricket farm. Granted, the part of the book involving sabotage of the farm I skimmed; it just didn't jump out at me.
However, this book tackles tough topics. We discover that Mia wants nothing to do with gymnastics anymore. And we find out why: she had been abused by a coach. For it being a middle grade novel, references to "feeling icky" were as far as it went. So some readers might not make the abuse insinuation. Clover also shares about her own dealings with harassment. It's appreciative to see books handling this all too current event in a delicate, yet strengthening, way. The message of sharing with someone is addressed as is the reminder to not let it consume one's life.
So the reason I only gave it a three is due to the parts I skimmed. Honestly, one storyline could have been left out and the novel would have been stronger for it.