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Review: Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn

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Honestly Elliot by Gillian McDunn

Honestly Elliott
Gillian McDunn
Bloomsbury Children’s USA
Published March 1, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Honestly Elliott

Elliott has been struggling since his closest friend moved away, and he’s not too sure where he fits into his own family, especially since his newly remarried dad and stepmom are expecting a baby. His grades aren’t too great, he’s always forgetting things, and he doesn’t really like sports. All together, the result is someone the complete opposite of his dad–a fact they’re both very aware of. Elliott’s only solace is cooking, where he can control the outcome, testing exciting recipes and watching his favorite cooking shows.

When he’s paired with the super smart and popular Maribel for a school-wide project, Elliott worries they won’t see eye to eye. But Maribel is also looking for a new way to show others her true self and this project could be the chance they’ve both been waiting for. Sometimes the least likely friends help you see a new side to things . . . and sometimes you have to make a few mistakes before you figure out what’s right.

My Review

I’ve been a huge fan of Gillian McDunn’s books right from the first page of her debut, CATERPILLAR SUMMER, and that hasn’t changed a bit with HONESTLY ELLIOTT.

This book is a little different than her others. It focuses a lot more on the family dynamics in Elliott’s life, specifically his navigating divorce and a blended family. I loved that the story explored some of Elliott’s feelings about having a new half-brother as an older kid. When my family went through that change, it was really hard for me to find resources out there that looked at both a blended family situation and becoming a sibling for the first time as an older child.

I felt like HONESTLY ELLIOTT delved into a lot of big topics, but in a gentle way. Elliott learns a lot about himself in his role as a friend and in his role in his family. I also thought the way his views about cooking versus baking get challenged and the way that his project for school helped him connect to his community and community history.

All in all, I’m so glad I read HONESTLY ELLIOT. It’s so important to have great books out there that center on complex issues of adjusting to sibling-hood and blended families, and I’m really excited to be able to recommend this one.

Content Notes for Honestly Elliott

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Elliott has ADHD. Maribel has celiac disease. Elliott’s best friend Malcolm has two moms.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of HONESTLY ELLIOTT in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Ways to Grow Love by Renée Watson

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , ,

Ways to Grow Love
Renée Watson
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published April 27, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Ways to Grow Love

Ryan Hart and her family are back in another installment of stories about a Black girl finding her way and her voice as she grows through change and challenges. In this book, Ryan finds herself waiting on lots of things — like for her new sister to be born healthy, for her new recipes to turn out right, for that summer camp trip to go better than she fears! And of course Ryan is facing these new challenges and new experiences in her classic style — with a bright outlook and plenty of spirit!

Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson continues her charming young middle grade series starring Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit and sunshine.

My Review

I loved Ryan Hart’s debut, WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE, but I feel like Renée Watson really hit her stride with WAYS TO GROW LOVE. Every page is packed with energy, love, and summertime fun. Ryan navigates her changing role in her family from little sister to big sister with poise and pizzazz.

The story also explores changing friendships as one of Ryan’s two best friends brings a new girl into the mix at summer camp. When Ryan shares her worries about camp with her grandmother, her grandmother responds not only by encouraging her to show kindness and be open to allowing another girl into her friend group, but also empowering her to be strong and not let anyone else make her feel small or less valuable. I love that she brought that balance to her advice, and it made me wish my own parenting advice had been as solid and as validating in those moments. Honestly, I want to take that speech and frame it where every girl can read it, because it’s so exactly what we all need to hear at some point: encouragement to find the balance between being open and kind but not letting ourselves be trampled or made small.

Ryan’s growth in her relationships with her family and friends and her reflections at the end about the summer she had and how it was different than the one she expected wrapped up the story in a powerful, positive way. All in all, this is a fantastic book about resilience, friendship, and summertime fun.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Ryan and her family are Black.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Ryan attends a summer camp through her church. References to prayer before bedtime and Easter services.

Violent Content
Ryan’s older brother teases her about ghosts haunting the summer camp in an attempt to scare her. Ryan and her friends play a return prank that results in someone falling down a short set of stairs. (No serious injuries.)

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support running this blog. I received a free copy of WWAYS TO GROW LOVE in exchange for my honest review.