*While at #NCTE19 in Baltimore, I saw advanced copies of the middle-grade novel that is due to release in August of 2020. I heard conversations about the upcoming story. I even ran into Kimberly Brubaker Bradley at the Starbucks across the street from the convention center. I did not come home with an ARC. I did however receive a copy of the novel in the mail from Penguin Publishers. Lucky me!!!
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1. *First of all, this is not an easy story to summarize. It is raw. It is real. It is powerful. It is emotional.
2. *The story centers around sisters Della and Suki. To say they haven't had the easiest of times, it a major understatement. The pages begin with the two moving into a foster home.
3. *They have just escaped a horrifying situation with their mother's boyfriend who she has "abandoned" them with.
4. *Suki had learned that Della was in danger and made it her mission to protect her younger sister. This protection may come at the price of her own existence.
5. *Suki, Della, a foster mother, a school and legal system, along with several young friends/enemies surround these two sisters who are trying to escape their past and make some sense of an unknown future.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1. *As soon as I began the book, I knew it was going to be a special kind of reading experience and what an experience it was.
2. *The writing of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley was so exceptional that I found myself taking in every word, sentence, and paragraph. I'm not a huge re-reader, but I did many times during the story.
3. *I've never read a middle-grade novel centered around the theme of sexual abuse. This story took me to places that were uncomfortable, scary, and horrific; but I know is a story that is needed out in the real world.
4. *My heart broke, repaired itself, and broke again and again as I read about Della, Suki, and all they endured.
5. *There are so many important and incredible themes woven among the pages of the book; but I think the most important one is that girls have the right to say to EVERYONE - "You can't touch me and I don't give you permission."
Who Should Read It:
*There is going to be a certain reader out there in the world who will be SAVED by this story. These type of life-altering narratives are needed and our young readers need to see themselves represented on the pages. Because of the content, subject matter, and situations; I would be most comfortable putting the novel in the hands of a reader in grade five and/or above. Be sure to read the novel before you do share it with a young reader in your own life. Happy Reading!
Rating: 5 STARS out of 5 Stars
I need to write this down on my calendar now! I'll order it when August comes!
ReplyDeleteWould you recommend it as a middle school read aloud? Why, or why not?