Squashed in the Middle

I enjoyed this book because it was something many children may be able to relate to at home with there families. It gave a humorous twist on a little girl, the middle child, becoming frustrated on the fact that her parents were simply to occupied to listen to her, although they mean well. She feels as no one ever listens to her and what she likes or how she feels, so she decided to spend the night at her friend's house, even telling them she was going to, but no one listened. Finally, they realized Daisy had left home and come looking for her and she knew they actually did care and worried about her. Showing that they actually do get worried, she felt relieved that she doesn't exactly feel invisible anymore.

This is an excellent book which expresses the burdens of being the middle child. Sympathetic to the girl's point of view, it can be a good conversation starter for children who do feel "squashed in the middle" and their siblings and friends.

I loved the bright illustrations that overflowed the pages. I loved the fact that none of the characters were Caucasian - but it didn't matter 7 was very natural. I loved Daisy's solution to get her family to pay more attention to her.

I chose the book because I'd just enjoyed the author's [b:The Castle in the Attic|816752|The Castle in the Attic (The Castle in the Attic, #1)|Elizabeth Winthrop|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1178654581s/816752.jpg|164744] and its sequel and was not disappointed. Like those books, this is both sensitive & wise, *and* adventurous and fun. I will continue to seek out more works by Winthrop, no matter the age of the intended audience.

I liked this book for multiple reasons. First, the main character, Daisy, was very relatable. She was a middle child and her family never seemed to listen or pay attention to her. For example, she tried telling them she was sleeping at her friends house but no one listened. I feel like many children with sibling feel this way and can relate to Daisy's character. Second, I like how the writing also had a lot of dialogue through out the book. For example, there's conversations that Daisy's family is having and she tries to talk over them but no one hears her. This book pushed the reader to think about how others feel. The reader can see how Daisy's family talks over her and doesn't pay attention to her when she tries to speak. I think the show more message that came at the end of the story is that even though it seemed like Daisy's family didn't pay attention to her, they noticed she left the house and rushed over to her friends house worried sick about her. show less

This book follows our young heroine Dasy whos only wish is to be listened to by her loud, busy and big family. Daisy has to learn how to overcome the challenges of being a middle child and find her voice so, that she can have a sleepover with her friend. This book shows that every child deserves to be heard and how to stand up for yourself.

3-6
Pierce College Library

The message of this story is that its best to speak up and tell others when you're upset or don't like something because if you don't say anything it will keep happening. I think the message of this story makes it a good book to have at home because a parent could help summarize the theme.

Squashed in the Middle is about, a girl named Daisy, who endures the difficulties, that accompany being the soft-spoken middle-child of a family. Although Daisy often has something to say, her father and mother and sister are too busy speaking for her,doing things around the house, or paying attention to her younger brother to notice that she can speak for herself. When they finally find her after they discover that she has left to sleep over her neighbor Rosa's house, she refuses to go home with them shouting at them for the first time. Her family realizes that she has had to resort to doing this because they never listen to her when she is being her usual, soft-spoken self. They finally seem to realize that although she may be quiet show more Daisy does have her own voice and they need to listen to it and respect it. show less