This was a curious combination of fantasy (talking fish who grant wishes), fun realistic elements (ice fishing & Irish dancing), along with very real reality (heroin addiction). As I write that, it seems even more strange than I first thought.
Despite the interesting little mix of genre elements – I really enjoyed this new novel by Kate Messner. It was actually a perfect combination. The talking, wish-granting fish provided the necessary lightness to offset the very serious, somber, and terrifying topic of addiction. This is a topic we don’t often experience in young adult fiction, yet one that continues to become more necessary. Providing students the opportunity to grow in their understanding and compassion for what others may be going through in a safe way during reading this novel is such an amazing way for us to raise awareness and compassion.
This novel is a stretch from my “normal” reading list – but I am super thankful I picked it up. Started and finished within 36 hours while being locked in our house due to the Polar Vortex that hit Iowa this week.
This book came HIGHLY recommended by many of my students – starting with some of them from last spring! So this book has been on my To-Read list for quite some time. I don’t know what took me so long to pick it up – I LOVED IT. The main character, Molly, was absolutely incredible.
The second novel I read in January was The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden. This book is about a young girl who has to face some struggles in life that many students would never even think of. This novel pulled at my heart strings in SO many ways. As a parent, it made me sad that children have to worry about adult problems. As a teacher, it re-affirmed my desire to ensure each student sitting in my room knows I am here for them – for whatever they need.
This book has been on my To-Read list for a few years. My class was fortunate to Skype with an author who recommended this novel to my 5th graders. It reminds me a little of Little House on the Prairie in the sense that it takes place in the early 1900s when a young Hattie moves across the country by herself to settle a homestead in Montana. Being only 16, she has quite a lot to learn in order to prove herself.