*One of the most rewarding reading experiences is when I receive a book that I know nothing about, read it, and find it one of the best stories I've read. Penguin Workshop (Penguin Random House) sent me an ARC and I'm so thankful they did. This was an incredible read!
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Jude and Katie are siblings, but not your typical siblings.
*They are close, connected, and display support for each other that not all young siblings are able to achieve.
*Jude's world is disrupted, crushed, and torn apart when Katie dies and he is left behind.
*Having to deal with the loss of his sister is unimaginable, but what makes it worse for Jude is he blames himself for her death.
*Through a grief group, counseling, and an emerging new friendship, Jude tries to get to a place where he can carry on and honor his sister's legacy and memory.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*One of the best middle-grade stories I've read in a long time.
*I could not stop reading the book and kept thinking about Jude even when I wasn't reading.
*Ann Hood has created one of the best stories about grief, loss, and family.
*Because Ann and her own family have experienced life similar to Jude, she was able to dig in, explore, and share an authentic journey one young boy encountered.
*Jude was the center point, hero, of the story, and everything he did was for Katie and all she stood for.
Who Should Read It:
*If you know of a young reader who has experienced the loss of a sibling and/or family member, then this is definitely the novel for them. The book could be used as a class read aloud which would lead to deep and wonderful discussions or the book can be put in the hands of any fourth, fifth, or sixth grade reader. Middle-school readers would also be ideal for the new story coming from Ann Hood. I also believe adult readers would find themselves deeply touched by Jude and all that he endures. Happy Reading!
Rating: 5 STARS out of 5 Stars
No comments:
Post a Comment