(4 / 5)This was such a lovely book. It was exactly what it set out to be (a young girl’s journey in coping with life after the loss of her parents) and nothing more-something I find I am more and more appreciating from middle grade fiction. Holly Sloan did a magnificent job of containing this novel and stripping it to the heart of the thing. As a result the novel was poignant, articulate, and satisfying.
Willow was a character I have rarely seen more honesty from. She is intelligent and quirky and I adored her immediately, I suspect few will not love her. The supporting cast is excellent in all their imperfect glory and you get the satisfaction of watching each person change and grow.
I admit the second half was stronger than the first, but both have their strong points. I loved watching Willow in her natural habitat during the first half and I missed her zest for medical conditions after tragedy struck. (Did you know 90% of daytime fatigue is due to dehydration?) I wish we had gotten a closer glimpse of her parents and how they nurtured such a gifted child and if I have one complaint about this book it is that this element was missing. We watch Willow wade through her grief but can’t get a complete picture because the beginning lacked a strong foundation of what her relationship with her parents was like “before”.
This book had a handful of very somber moments, but I wouldn’t say this is a sad book. Sloan did a magnificent job of exploring Willow’s grief but still maintaining a hopeful tone throughout.
Middle grade can be tough, especially for an adult. It is rarely challenging or poetic but when done right middle grade is beautiful in its simplicity. Consequently, I research my middle grade reads heavily before picking one up even if I don’t read very many, I rarely find one I don’t like. This was no exception.
Violence: Low Language: Low Adult Content: Low