The Meaning of Maggie

Title: The Meaning of Maggie

Author: Megan Jean Sovern

Summary: Maggie Mayfield is a girl growing up in the early 1990s (I think). She is very smart for her age and sees herself as the future president. She writes throughout the book on the year that changed her life. She has two sisters and life with them is NOT always easy. However, the biggest issue in her life is her dad who is now suffering from MS (multiple sclerosis), and how she goes through the scariness of her dad's body shutting down more and more. She deals with everything nicely and has such a funny wit about her that she is a character that you will all be sure to love!

Complaints: There was a bit of harsh language in the book, which I thought was completely unnecessary - I think the author's point could have been conveyed another way. It is very mild and only appears once in the book, so this could still be a read for an 11-12 year old (a girl around Maggie's age).

Comments: I loved this book! Maggie sounded a lot like me (Into studying and striving to get as smart as possible) and the book cover is relatable to me. (the candy corn, the pencils, the eraser, the fish, the student of the month, etc.) I really enjoyed this book and Maggie was such a relatable character and I felt myself truly seeing things the way she saw them throughout the book. I loved this book and I think those who would get the most enjoyment out of it would be around 11-12 (Maggie's age).

Rating: 5 stars 

 

 

Hope is a Ferris Wheel

Title: Hope is a Ferris Wheel

Author: Robin Herrera

Summary: Star Mackie lives in a trailer park with her mom, her older sister Winter. Her mom's friend Gloria, who also lives in the park, is often over. Star is her own person, with a layered hair cut (that the kids make fun of) colored blue with a dye. Star, in order to fit in starts her own club, but it doesn't work out, so she starts an Emily Dickinson poetry club instead. She has a few members and things are going somewhat alright. One day, Winter invites her on a secret trip to meet their father, who Star has never met. However, she is in for very surprising news upon seeing this man. Then, to top it off, something surprising happens to her sister. Things in the end do not turn out great, but they don't turn out bad either. The book ends with hope, relating to its title.
Comments: Star was a great character who every child should meet. It can teach empathy for others who may be in more difficult situations than yourself, and Star is inspirational in that she is her own person and I think that she is pretty comfortable in her own shoes. The book also has excerpts in it of her homework sentences which she never really ends up turning in when they are due. It is fun to read her sentences because it gives more "direct insight" to the character's feelings and thoughts.
Complaints: This was a really good book, but there were some "iffy" parts. There is some potty humor in the book (XD I feel so weird writing that :P) and not everyone will agree or like what happens to Winter in the end (I would tell you, but I'd hate to spoil the book!)
Really, I think that children should be over 10 to read this and be mature readers to handle somewhat mature topics. (Otherwise, besides a few minor mature topics, the book is a compelling read!
Rating: 5 stars