Today's WHAT'S THE BUZZ features a Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction title coming to you TOMORROW via Knopf Books for Young Readers. It's penned by author Gennifer Choldenko, whom you may already know from her previous works, and shares the story of a brave and resilient young boy just trying to do the best he can in the worst of times. No, we're not talking apocalyptic times, but it might as well have been for all the tragedy, hardship, and challenges faced. Ladies and gents, make room on your bookshelf for today's BUZZ worthy title...
By
Gennifer Choldenko
9781524718923
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Jun 11, 2024
About the book...
When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.
But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything.
Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.
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When I say this book had me in tears, I mean it quite literally, frequently, and without apology. The author held my heart in their hands completely. The depth of Hank's character, the connection between him and Boo, the heartbreak that was his family life, his resourcefulness though born of necessity, the challenges faced because what else was there to do, and triumphs celebrated because gosh darn it, he more than earned those moments. It was everything, and yet still he deserved so much more... every kid does.
The ending, oh that ending...it was bittersweet and yet PERFECTION for the story as written. The sad part, things like this happen. It may be a fictitious story, but there are lives affected in ways exactly or very similar, and there are those that overcome, and those that fall short. I hope this heartbreaking, yet beautiful story finds a home with readers that want to delve into intense stories that pull you in and won't let go, but also for those that NEED it to see that the cloud's silver lining isn't a myth...it's just really hard to find sometimes.
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About the author...
Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period; and Al Capone Shines My Shoes.
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Special thanks to Tracey at Media Masters Publicity, and the Knopf Books for Young Readers team, for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY tomorrow, June 11th 2024, so mark your calendar to snag your copy ASAP!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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