Jody J. Little

Funny how I'm getting to like the books that make me cry -- this one because of the good emotional connections, the bravery and moving forward and emphasis on community. Foster kid story -- one based in alcoholism and the terrible mistakes one makes when drunk -- but also about strong family bonds and a special community called 3 Boulders, that's a little off the beaten path. Jane is deeply endearing and the small mysteries throughout the book really keep it moving along.

Advanced Reader's show more copy provided by Edelweiss. show less

Loved Jane, she’s got a big bold personality. She doesn’t always choose the safe path you want her to, but her heart is always in the right place.

While I would have liked a few more scenes between Jane and her foster parent, the emotional connection between them still managed to be apparent when the reader most needed to feel it. I also really enjoyed Jane’s friendship with Gertie, there was so much warmth between those girls in addition to a good opposites attract vibe (in the show more platonic sense).

There’s a mystery building throughout this one as you don’t know what happened the night Jane was placed in foster care. When that reveal eventually comes, it’s with a wallop, it’s difficult to think about, but so well-written, and the tenderness shown towards Jane afterwards is as comforting for the reader as it is for her. show less

For Mac, this is the summer that she will get to go to computer coding camp, but standing in her way are her parents who make Mac call them by their first names, conduct goat yoga classes, and ride bicycles naked to protest oil mining. They believe that screen time will warp Mac's values, and she knows they will never give her $500 for camp. When she stumbles on a clue to a summer food truck contest, Mac thinks she may have come up with at way to pay for the camp herself. She teams with her show more best friends, who are both dealing with problems of their own and meets a boy that seems to suddenly appear and disappear at will.

Although this story is not great literature, it is a very enjoyable middle grade story. Several themes such as the importance of self acceptance and the value of helping others are clearly presented as part of the book. The characters in the story are very likable, even though they sometimes make poor choices, but they learn from them. Overall, this is a quick and fun MG story with characters that learn valuable life lessons. show less

As Jane’s Pop enters rehab for the third time, Officer Doris Dashell takes her to Three Boulders to live with her. Three Boulders is a 56-resident community in a remote and natural location, where all the residents dine together in the dining hall, live in cabins and schooling for the kids is hands-on exploration. Ninety-one-year-old Red Norton is the de facto head of the community and owner of the property. Jane doesn’t plan to stick around long; it’s always been her and Pop and she show more plans for them to get back together after his rehab. But the story of Jane’s hand injury complicates things, and Jane finds that she and Pop may need more than just each other—they need a community. Brings to light for young readers how addiction can impact a family, how children want to protect their parents no matter what. show less