Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn

How I Heard About It:   The cover of this novel due out on 4/2/19, drew me in and lead to a conversation with a representative at Bloomsbury during #NCTE in Houston, Texas.  I was lucky to receive an ARC and added the title to my TBR list.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:  

1.  *Caterpillar (Cat) and her younger brother Chicken spend a lot of time together due to their mother working so much and the loss of their father.



2.  *After a summer vacation plan goes by the wayside, Cat and Chicken end up at their grandparent's home.  They don't really know their grandmother or grandfather and aren't quite why their mother would leave them here while she spends their vacation time working.  

3.  Caterpillar has spent her life watching and taking care of Chicken.  He has special needs and she wants to make sure he is always safe.  While getting use to living with her grandparents, Cat isn't sure she can let them help her care for her younger brother.  

4.  As their time on the island ticks by, Caterpillar creates new friendships, meets a boy that isn't so kind, and enters an important fishing contest that she hopes will please both her grandfather and mother.  

5.  Not only does Caterpillar change while on the island; but her relationships with Chicken, her mother, her grandparents, and even the mean kid change in a multiple array of ways.  


What I Thought Of It:  After finishing the story I felt such a sense of contentment.  I enjoy the story of Cat, Chicken, and the family that surrounded them.  Cat was such a special and dear young girl.  I loved the way she took care of Chicken and could feel how much she felt responsible for him.  The relationship between the two children and their grandparents was amazingly told.  I could feel the "conflicting" feelings that were being exchanged between the four of them.  Gillian's writing was insightful, precise, and put the reader smack dab in the middle of Cat's summer.  


Who Should Read It:   When the book comes out at the beginning of April, I would put it in the hands of fifth and sixth grade readers.  At almost 300 pages, I think this age group could handle the book the best.  Of course strong readers in grade four and/or three would also be appropriate for the story.  Adult readers that are fans of middle-grade stories definitely need to be this title on their TBR list.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars!