Matylda, Bright and Tender

Thanks to Librarything and Candlewick press for a free copy of this book.
Matylda, Bright & Tender is the story of 4th grader Sussy, who is learning how to cope after the death of her best friend, Guy. She now must take care of herself and their pet gecko, Matylda.
Right from the start, this middle-grade novel exceeded all my expectations. It is smart, funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming, informative and sensitive in dealing with issues of friendship, death, and responsibility. I loved how all the characters in this book are portrayed, especially Sussy. I found myself getting drawn into her problems and was rooting for her to overcome her difficulties. I also liked the way the parents were portrayed, supportive and helpful. As an added show more bonus, I learned a lot about leopard geckos. Facts were woven into the plot in an interesting manner that didn't distract. I was always looking for books like this when I was teaching elementary school and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Matylda, Bright & Tender to teachers and students alike. show less

I got this book as an advanced reading copy in exchange for a fair review.

I don't know why children's books focus so much on death but I feel like this happens a lot. Anyway, Matylda, Bright and Tender is indeed a bright and tender book. Sussy, the perspective character, is an upbeat and smart 10 year old girl. She loves nothing more than spending time with her best friend, Guy, and her parents. During a game of Monopoly with Guy and her author father, it's decided that Sussy and Guy can get a leopard gecko to share, as long as it lives in Sussy's bedroom.

They name her Matylda - spelled with a 'y' so it's unique to her. Guy gives their new gecko a history, spinning a tale about kings and gladiators for their pet. The sweet hum of show more friendship quickly ends when Sussy and Guy are involved in an altercation with a dog that leads to Guy being struck by a car and killed.

Though Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is never mentioned, it's clear to an older reader that Sussy is suffering from it. She relives certain aspects of Guy's death, struggling to do certain things because of it. Sometimes it's hard to read because the character is so young to be in so much pain but that added to the overall realism of the story. I lost my best friend in an accident a decade ago and though I was more than 10 years older than Sussy when it happened, I deeply related to the descriptions of the funeral, of Sussy's grief and weariness.

Throughout the story I was consistently touched by how warm and accepting Sussy's parents were. The ways they helped and encouraged their daughter, indulging her in her grief, letting her decide what she truly needed, was lovely to read.

Now, finally to Matylda, whom our book is named after. Because one of the last things that Guy and Sussy did together was purchase the leopard gecko, Sussy becomes obsessed with her, promising Guy that she will look after her like he did. Whether Matylda's interactions with Sussy are real or an aspect of her imagination doesn't matter so much as how the care she has for the gecko is all she has left of her friend. A physical thing for her young mind to fixate on. It provides a heartwarming and tender center to a story about a girl struggling with one of the hardest things in life.

I'm definitely going to pass this along to my 10 year old cousin. show less

McGhee, who has authored three picture-books under the pen name Hallie Durand, has written a sweet, endearing story of love, loss, grief and healing experienced from the point of view of a ten-year-old child. McGhee authentically captures the rollercoaster ride that grief is and the amazing, lasting power of friendship. The adults in the story are relegated to mere support roles, but even so, McGhee has crafted them to be nurturing, attentive and supportive and very much a support system for the personal grief the story focuses on. I found the information about leopard geckos and their care as pets to be really fascinating, and I am not really a lizard kind of gal. ;-) Aptly titled, McGhee has written a heartwarming story about the show more heavy emotions of grief and suffering with a bright and tender touch. show less

Matylda, Bright and Tender is a short juvenile fiction book with a huge emotional punch. Two best friends adopt a leopard gecko and name her Matylda. After an accident, one friend must go on, find a way to cope, and care for Matylda. The descriptions of handling grief are described so vividly that I wonder if the author actually lost a friend or child too. This is a well-crafted story that I will highly recommend.

This book is equal parts a sweet and informative look at geckos and a gutwrenching exploration of grief and loss. Highly recommended... but get ready to start bawling over a lizard tale. I definitely did.

This book is about coping. Sussy and Guy are best friends. He's always been there for her and they even share a pet leopard gecko. Life is good, they have fun goofing off and they have great parents. But then the impossible happens.

Candlewick Press shared an ARC of this book with me for review (thank you). It will be published March 14th.

On the way to the pet store to get some food for their gecko, an Airedale comes running after Sussy. Guy comes to her rescue, shooing off the dog. The problem was no one saw the car coming...

This story is about the grief process, nightmares, stealing, trying to find what's lost and then coming to terms with the fact that since you can't change it, you must accept it. She tries to love the gecko enough show more to make up for losing Guy but even the gecko misses him.

This book isn't funny but it does have humorous moments in it. It's about dealing with loss and trying to go on alone. Sussy learns a lot in this book and we do, too. show less

Matylda - with a "y" - Bright and Tender is a wonderful, poignant tale of a close friendship which ended tragically.
It is about developing love for someone, or something, difficult to love. Additionally, it is about the process of grief
each individual must go through in her/his own way and how others can allow them to work through it.

Finally, it us about unselfishness of caring individuals and of redemption.
The author has created a unique, captivating story which induces the reader too become very endeared to the characters,
The reader is "drawn into the story" to the point he/she will feel he/she is there.

The writing of the author, Holly M. McGhee was very effective, coupled with the most outstanding narration of amazing Jenna show more Lamia.
makes this a truly DYNAMIC Children's book on CD! Jenna Lamia is, by far, the most talented and entrancing "voice" i have ever listened to on tape. Her voice for each character is very concise. She never deviates. When she speaks of the background scenes its in a separate voice, also.

The Book content will explain the Title and the Cover is sinple but "fitting'. I feel it would have more appeal to the "Browser" if there had been a few more images on the cover.

If an educator wants a beak or if a audio story is needed for Summer Reading Programs, rest assured, this young voice will captivate children more than most anyone!
This is not only an entertaining book but has a multitude of lessons one can use for several discussions.
This is a very STRONG Five Stars rated book on tale, in this reviewer's opinion
*I Won this Book on Tape in an Early Reviewer Giveaway by the Library Thing. I am remorse, because of circumstances, I was unable to listen to and review this book sooner.

. I was not asked to offer a positive review. This is my honest Review. show less