Opinions and Opossums

by Ann Braden

Agnes has been raised to keep her opinions to herself, but how do you keep silent when you’re full of burning questions?

Agnes has been encouraged not to question authority by her mom—but that’s especially hard in religion class, where it bugs her that so much gets blamed on Eve and that God’s always pictured one way. Fortunately, Agnes’ anthropologist neighbor, Gracy, gets Agnes thinking after they rescue an opossum together. Playing dead didn’t serve the opossum well, so maybe it’s time for Agnes to start thinking for herself. And when Agnes learns that some cultures picture God as a female, she feels freed to think—and write—about things from new perspectives. As she and her best friend, Mo, encourage each other to get out of their comfort zone at school as the quiet kids, they quickly find it’s sorta cool seeing people react when they learn you are very much full of thought-provoking opinions. Ann Braden has written a fast-paced, funny novel that will resonate with anyone who’s ever been afraid to say what they think or question the status quo.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Religion, Contemporary, Animals, Feminism

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

Ann Braden writes books about kids learning to stand up for themselves even when it’s hard. Her debut middle grade novel, THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS, was called one of “the essential middle school reads from the last decade” by Edutopia, and FLIGHT OF THE PUFFIN sparked a coast-to-coast read aloud with tens of thousands of students taking part. Her newest book, OPINIONS AND OPOSSUMS, was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Ann founded the Local Love Brigade, which sends love postcards to those who are facing hate. She also founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group which helped pass landmark common ground gun safety legislation. Previously a middle school teacher, Ann lives in southern Vermont with her husband, two kids, and two insatiable cats.
Find out more on her website.

Reviews

[Jennifer Bertman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a wonderful combination of memorable characters, a thought-provoking plot, and funny bits that don't undermine the deft handling of serious topics. This would be a great choice for a book club or group discussion.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Libby app, Overdrive was better *
-----

3.5 stars 🌟

Loved this one :) Some of the characters and attitudes I wanted smack and others pleasantly surprised me.

I'm more spiritual than religious, and don't care for some stuff people say in organized religion (not trashing all religious people, just some stuff I've heard over the years).. I remember liking Sunday school when was younger but not Big Church (as we called it then but I did like sitting with my favorite people) so much when I was older.
(I believe in something but didn't like being told how to...which is how my brain interpreted it)

Side note: I was good at trivia games in church ⛪️. People always wanted me on their team 😄 🤣. Wish my brain 🧠 was that good now. I always liked learning new facts.

Plus,some of the attitudes of the "regulars" irked me.. if people couldn't come in on every Sunday for various reasons, they would get dirty looks (not very Christian in my opinion).

Bit off track but my point is,it's good to think for yourself and question things. You can have your own opinion but that doesn't mean can force it on others and make them feel bad about theirs, or insist they are wrong.

Loved how Agnes gained more confidence as she went along learning different things.

The author handles it all in a way where it isn't shoved down your throat and feels.. preachy I guess would the word.

It also makes you think of some stuff in a different way too. Putting biblical topics in a historical type way is very interesting.

I think this would be a good book for kids and adults as well... also would be a good one for discussions/debates.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A liberal look at God and religion, four girls bond during Confirmation class as they question, "What does God look like? If you worry that this story may be sacrilegious, author Braden presents a story that is respectful to multiple points of view.

[Rachel McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved so many of the themes in this book. I think this will be a life changing book for many of our elementary kiddos starting to wonder why expectations differ for men and women- especially in a religious context. The characters are heartwarming and so are the shopping cart stories! I highly recommend reading this book when it comes out.

Disclaimer- I was given an ARC of this book to read.

[Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal! Anyone wanting their young people to think critically and to imagine life outside the box should have them read this!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly fabulous!! I’ll come back and add more but suffice it to say, I adore this book, its wonderfully persistent MC, and it’s talented, brilliant, brave author!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had had this book when I was Agnes's age--and almost every year since. I had parents who never forced beliefs, but living in the buckle of the conservative Bible Belt, it's nice to be reminded that there are so many ways of thinking that are perfectly okay to think. I love the emphasis on the role of women throughout history--a subject of which I am sorely lacking in knowledge other than getting tired of reading articles by old dead Germans in my graduate classes.
And as a aside, whenever people would ask how to pronounce or spell my maiden name, the answer was always "Like possum with a W." How could I not love this book?
(And, of course, it was on this summer's course reading list for Seminar in Trends and Issues and Children's and Young Adult Literature: Magnificent Middle Grade Books--The New Frontier.)

[Gary Anderson]

Stray shopping carts, opossums playing dead, a confirmation class where questions about God are not always welcome, and Maya Angelou–Ann Braden sure throws a lot of fun bits in the air to juggle in her new middle grade novel Opinions and Opossums (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023).

Agnes and her friend Mo are young writers. Like most young writers, they have a lot of questions, and they explore them in their writing, as well as in their friendship. Agnes has a lot of questions about God, the Bible, Christian attitudes toward women, and exactly what she believes about all of this. Her questions are not encouraged because of the conservative perspective of her confirmation classmates, and her mother’s tenuous employment situation.

Much of Opinions and Opossums involves the problems arising when questions are stifled. The book presents Agnes’s ponderings, but it doesn’t really arrive at universal answers for them, which is fine. Instead, it shows the importance of finding a way to process honest intellectual and philosophical questions.

To be honest, I’m not sure there is enough action and character-to-character conflict in Opinions and Opossums to satisfy all but the most cerebral middle-grade readers who will read it on their own, but the book definitely provides many points of discussion for book club, whole-class, or group readings.

Thanks to Nancy Paulsen Books and Penguin Kids for an early copy of Opinions and Opossums.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book.

I have a hard time believing I will enjoy another 2023 middle grade release as much as I did this book – it’s that good! It’s the story I needed in my early 20s when asking similar questions as Agnes about religion and feminism, and I’m so thrilled to know that young readers grappling with these issues will find a story that makes them feel less alone.

Agnes is forced to take confirmation classes but struggles with the stereotype of the traditional “white-bearded man in the sky.” While Agnes’s next-door neighbour helps widen her perspective about the place of women in religion, Agnes runs into resistance to her ideas from a classmate who can threaten her mom’s job. Agnes and her best friend, Mo, have to learn to challenge the status quo if they want to be true to themselves and their freedom to explore their thought-provoking opinions.

This story is funny and has so many layers and topics to discuss, and it’s written in a voice that captures the middle-grade experience so well. It’s my favourite book by the author, and I will be recommending it as a must-read to encourage empathy, understanding, and tolerance of ideas that differs from one’s own.

[Jenna Gail Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow — I loved this book SO much! The connections to sociology, anthropology, and famous poets like Maya Angelou were so sweet. The theme was captivating. One of my new favorites. So excited to read more of this author’s work!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited to get this ARC from one of my absolutely favorite MG writers! And it didn’t disappoint. Another amazing story of kids thinking for themselves, questioning things and tackling big issues like religion and women’s equality. As always written with a strong voice about important topics but in a way that young readers can relate to and understand. Absolutely love how Ann Braden takes the tough topics and doesn’t shy away from them!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But still, like dust, I'll rise.” —Maya Angelou
🐑
Agnes is being told by her mom that she needs to attend confirmation classes because her mom’s religious boss is expecting it. His own daughter will also be in the confirmation class as well and Agnes needs to be on her best behavior, but what will she do when the church’s idea of God doesn’t match her own. Talking with her best friend, her mom, her neighbor and girls from church help Agnes grow and solidify her beliefs, even when they differ from those of the church. When Agnes starts thinking and writing for herself, a whole new light fills up in her life.
🗣️
Where was this MG book when I was growing up? I would have connected with it so much! @annbradenbooks has the amazing gift to take tough topics and make them understandable and thought-provoking for young readers. Topics such as questioning one’s religion, feminism, racial issues, dress code and more are all covered age-appropriately & with care. She is definitely in my top 5 of all time favorite middle grade authors. There isn’t one book she’s written that hasn’t been a 5 ⭐️ review for me. I cannot wait until this novel is out in the world on May 2.

CW: death of a parent (mentioned), misogyny

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, my friends, is an awesome book. It will blow your mind. It will make you think - in a good way. And you'll learn a lot about opossums. And how women have been cut out of history - or relegated to roles of guilt. And maybe look at God in a new way! Like Maya Angelou. It's a short book but it packs a lot into a few pages.
I even found a few new books to read like "Who Cooked the Last Supper: The Women's History of the World" by Rosalind Miles.
Our hero Agnes has lots of questions! About writing, opossums, God, friendship, and where she fits into everything. Her dad died several years ago so it is just her and her mom. Her mom works at a bank for a very misogynistic boss. But it's a job. And she's a single mom and needs the insurance. So she wears her skirt and panty hose every day and doesn't question his authoritarian despotism because she desperately needs a promotion. Until Agnes starts to question... everything. It starts with a dead opossum in the middle of the road. Her neighbor, Grace, is bringing her home from an orthodontist appointment and slams on her brakes before running over the aforementioned furry marsupial. Turns out, she's not dead. She's just playing dead because she is scared. So Grace and Agnes manage to move her to the side of the road and save both the opossum and her pouch full of babies. This small act of kindness starts Agnes down a road of self-discovery that no one could have anticipated. It impacts her relationship with her best friend, Mo. It leads her to uncover the story behind her namesake - St. Agnes. And at the very center of everything is the confirmation class she is taking at church because her mom's boss is big on church and if Agnes isn't confirmed, then it could impact her mom's job. Messed up, right? Don't be too down on Agnes' mom. She comes around pretty quickly once Agnes starts asking her multitude of questions.
I loved the way poetry stirs Agnes' soul. And the support she has from her mom, her neighbor, and Mo - and eventually the other girls in her confirmation class. I think anyone who reads this will learn new things! Be sure to read the author's note, also.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had books like this growing up. Books that pushed against convention and allowed me to feel safe with my thoughts, and beliefs, even if they were different from my family's and friends. Stories where the characters realized that a central theme in history, especially religious history, was founded on the idea that women (among other marginalized groups), were lesser than men.
If I did, then maybe I would have discovered that I was not alone, and that many others, also held various different beliefs, and that it was ok and perfectly normal. Questioning ideas and beliefs should be encouraged, especially if those ideas and beliefs are outdated and were misquided from their inception. I think the author best captures this sentiment in this quote from Agnes;
"when we don’t step back and see the larger picture and understand that no creature treated as gross or less important will be able to thrive if we don’t band together and stand up for what’s right!”
The characters, setting, and storyline are relatable to the intended audience. It is a great book to recommend to middle graders, to help build empathy, understanding, self acceptance and awareness. It is the perfect book for those needing to know that it is more than ok to ask questions and have your own thoughts.

[Kasey McSwain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow I can’t wait for this book to come out! Braden’s own personal struggles with the image of God and experiences in youth group influence where she takes this story.

I feel like every young girl from this type of community has this experience where they realize they’ve been holding themselves back because they’ve been instructed to by male authority figures, but they’ve never questioned why they think or act a certain way simply because they’ve never thought about it. Using anthropology as a way to explore women throughout history and as a means to explain freethinking is perfect! Teaching that history is a series of opinions and different accounts of the same event exist is so important to an individual’s development of critical thinking skills and ability to understand the ‘other’. Exposure to anthropology as a field at an early age is so important to creating a well-rounded, humanistic person capable of original and critical thought.

I think this is going to help a lot of kids realize they’re allowed to think for themselves and ask the big, scary questions without fear of direct repercussions. When I was a part of AWANA and different church groups we’d be separated by gender and given different lessons and books. I didn’t meet people different than myself until going to college to study anthropology. Teaching children about their autonomy and free will earlier is so good! I wish I had this growing up!

I see a cool librarian sharing this with their curious patrons and I can’t wait to see the response to the official release of this book!

[Aliza Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this upcoming 2023 middle grade from Ann Braden! Tackling a topic I haven’t seen much of before: how to navigate questions of faith, religion, spirituality, gender, doctrine, tradition, and more…as a middle schooler. The pressures to accept and conform are often placed above the encouragement to question and wrestle with the dogma that guides us. What happens when a child dares to question who or what “God” is or is not? Especially when that can have personal and devastating impacts on an entire family. An empowered MC with the audacity to think for herself.

[Amayi Esterl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t sure I liked it. As a Christian mom and a middle school teacher, I know this age group of kids has questions. My worry was what if a child struggling with their own beliefs hears the first part of the story then quits reading feeling they have validation in their own thoughts? Now I will say the book came together nicely and the messages were good and thought provoking. This would be a book I would want to have some dialogue with my own child about.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really got me thinking. About so many things!
I highly recommend! :D

[Lisa Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, female strong, Are You There God-esque, friendly story that questions conventional thinking about gender. On point for middle school readers.
Recommend.

[Amanda Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot praise this book enough!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book yet of Ann Braden's--and that's saying something. How to begin to describe a story so full of heart, and so adept at taking on the big questions of a middle-schooler's life? I can't wait for readers young and old to join Agnes on her journey in understanding the world around her, and becoming her whole self in it. This is a special book whose themes, questions, and revelations will stick with readers for years to come.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was 18 years old I happen to drive by an opossum whose back half had been flattened by a car. I called 911 and then waited in my car in the middle of the road until help arrived with my brights trained on the poor guy. I cried the whole time. Needless to say, I connected with this story immediately.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review of the book. This book would be one I would hand to either of my daughters in middle school. Ann Braden crafts a beautiful story of women and the stories that are written about them throughout history. That includes the idea of God and how we choose to see God’s identity. Fabulous story that fits a specific niche that’s missing in many middle school libraries.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Agnes is being raised by a single mother who works hard at a local bank for Mr. Adams, who is very concerned not only that her mother dress in a professional manner, but that she AND Agnes attend church. Since Agnes is in 7th grade, this means an 8 week confirmation class also attended by his daughter, Miranda. Agnes is undergoing a lot of orthodontic work, and on her way to an appointment with the older neighbor who drives her, Gracy, the two stop and help an injured opossum. Gracy was an anthropologist who has many interests, and she shares her knowledge with Agnes. Previously, Agnes and her best friend Mo would get together and write amusing stories about abandoned shopping carts, but Agnes wants to concentrate instead on thoughts about the opossums, leading to a slight rift. The biggest issue is confirmation class, where Miranda wants the members, who include Tya and Jaclyn, to sign a statement saying they believe in God. Agnes isn't sure she does, at least not the old, white bearded guy mainline religion describes. She sees God as someone who looks more like Maya Angelou, which Miranda and her father think is blasphemy, which in turn causes Agnes' mother to be worried about her chances of promotion at the bank. Agnes wants to feel empowered about her own beliefs, and to wear the cool tank take that Mo gets her that says "God is a Woman", but as her mother points out "sometimes what you want isn't as important as what you need". Will Agnes find a way to be true to herself and to speak out with her own truth?
Strengths: This was under 200 pages, which is something I haven't been seeing much in middle grade, even though 30 years ago even YA books were about 150 pages. As someone who had to spend an entire year in confirmation class, eight weeks seems like a short time, but it was good to see this representation of tweens going to church. The small size of the class, however, also made sense. Agnes' questions about religion are reasonable and balanced nicely with the friend and family drama, as well as her anthropological dive into the world of opossums. It was good to see that things were on the upswing for Agnes and her mother at the end of the book. I wouldn't have minded a little bit more of the story; I was kind of curious about the grandmother's views of religion and how those affected the family.
Weaknesses: Dressing professionally is not a bad thing. Hose aren't evil. My school's dress code is basically "Cover your private bits, if you don't mind," so I would love to see a return to more formal school outfits-- are jeans and t shirts really that much to ask? No, Agnes' shoulders shouldn't be seen as a distraction, and a tank top with wide straps is fine, but students are casual enough without them getting the message from books that even when they grow up they should be irritated with professional dress and that bosses who demand it are narrow minded and horrible.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like girl power titles with a philosophical bent like Firestone's Dress Coded or Dee's Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet.

Fun fact: The church I took my children to for years before my daughter's Sunday school teacher told her I was going to hell required a THREE YEAR confirmation class in middle school but a six week one to join the church as adults. This book really spoke to me, because middle school confirmation class was definitely the start of my life long atheism.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to the author and Penguin Kids for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition.

I honestly don’t know where to start. My pre-teen heart needed this book as much as my adult heart does. I have BIG feelings over this one.

Twelve year old Agnes has grown up in a world where she’s been taught to keep her opinions to herself and where questioning authority, especially in confirmation class, is frowned upon. But when Agnes is asked to sign a pledge form proving her faith and dedication to serving God, she must decide if she wants to play opossum or stand up and think for herself.

I absolutely loved the message in this one, and it’s a message I want my own teen daughters to hear: Avoid the pressure you feel to accept and conform.
ASK THE QUESTIONS! It does not mean you lack faith, but rather that you’re willing to explore and learn things from new perspectives.

Throw in Agnes’s anthropologist neighbor Gracy and her creative writing friend Mo, and this cast of characters will have you laughing and questioning all sorts of things, from the evolution of opossums to the lives of shopping carts.

Pre-order now! This must-have middle grade novel publishes in May 2023.

Some of my favorite quotes/lines from the book:

“Always remember,” she says, “we can never understand the truth about something if we don’t wonder what we are missing.” page 44 (Gracy)

“People always say that it’s hard to change someone’s mind, but it’s even harder to change someone’s habits.” page 45 (Gracy)

….Ms. Sawyer suggested I take, saying, “ Picture books are for everyone.” page 54 (Agnes)

“Because they’re (stories, ideas, words) reminders that the world is bigger than the one she is living in. That her body might be trapped, but her head and heart don’t have to be.” page 55 (Agnes re: Maya Angelou)

“History is a story,” she says. “The story based on facts if the writer’s done their research and weighed all the evidence, but a story nonetheless. So you always need to be thinking about who’s telling the story. “ page 59 (Gracy)

“The longer you go without saying what you think, the harder it is to remember your thoughts don’t have to be the same as those around you.” page 108 (Agnes’s mom)

“Culture shapes us and we shape culture. It’s just a matter of which one is stronger. “ page 126 (Gracy)

“Because sometimes you need to let yourself feel anger to remind yourself that things shouldn’t stay the way they are.” page 146 (Agnes)

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read the ARC of this book, and I am so glad I did! I didn't think I would like any book as much as Flight of the Puffin, but this rivals it for sure.

It is full of themes so important to its readers. Agnes has so many questions that others her age have as well. It's funny, but serious at the same time.

The healthy relationships between Agnes and her single working mother, her best friend Mo, and her elderly, wise neighbor, Gracy are so well described that the reader feels like they're part of the family.

This book is perfect for book clubs, giving kids a chance to discuss religion, feminism, empathy for others and the freedom to explore the many questions that they encounter as they grow up.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love this book! Ann Braden is one of my favorite authors, and this is my favorite of her books. Agnes asks so many important questions about religion and spirituality and life, and then she goes out and finds her answers in such an authentic and empowering way. Will absolutely be giving this to my (church-going) kids, and I can't wait to see what discussions it sparks--but it would be great for kids regardless of where or whether they worship.

[Erin Varley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Braden does it again with Opinions and Opossums! This book has big heart and you’ll be glad to join Agnes on her journey of asking questions, learning there’s no one right way, and having courage.

This is the book I wish I had when I was 11. ❤️

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to raising my kid, I’m a big believer in “just because I believe something doesn’t mean you need to, too.” I feel like my job as a parent is to give my kid the tools to make informed decisions, but that those choices need to be theirs and not mine. This obviously isn’t an absolute — we do have rules and boundaries — but the goal is to help her become an independent adult.

And that’s one of the big reasons I love Opinions and Opossums, by Ann Braden. She takes a big topic like God and breaks it down into thought-provoking questions and observations.

Some people will see this book as an attack on religion, but in truth, it’s a celebration of faith. And Braden begins with a simple, but profound, quote from Maya Angelou, “Tell the truth. To yourself first.”

Through Gracy, Agnes discovers, “we can never understand the truth about something if we don’t wonder what we’re missing.”

When Agnes sees her classmate being chastised for dancing to a song, she wonders why this classmate doesn’t look like she feels God’s love.

“Why can’t God be someone who encourages us to be who we are? Who listens to our most secret dreams and then gives us a fist bump and tells us to go for it? Who has our back, not because it’s required, but because God knows what doubt feels like and isn’t going to let us doubt ourselves? Why can’t we picture God that way?”

Agnes wonders if faith comes from within yourself rather than what people are told to believe.

As Agnes discovers her own beliefs, she encourages others to do the same. She realizes that everyone struggles with things, even when they appear the opposite. And she realizes that it’s OK for everyone to think of God and have a relationship with God in different ways. For one friend, God is in your heart. For another he’s light. For another, he’s a man with a beard. And for Gracy, it’s imagining “an enormous, invisible fabric connecting everyone.”

Opinions and Opossums is a book that makes you think. It’s the kind of book that would have changed the world for me as a youth. So much so that I bought a copy for my 9-year-old to read.

Braden’s prose is warm and inviting and Agnes is a character that will challenge and excite you. This is an excellent read.

[Sally Kruger]

Agnes has been getting to know her neighbor, a woman named Gracy. Gracy volunteered to drive Agnes to her orthodontist appointments since Agnes's mother is busy working at the bank. There isn't much to talk about on the drive there until the day they see an opossum in the road. Agnes assumes it is dead and will soon be squished by a passing car. Gracy gives Agnes a quick lesson on opossum behavior as they stop the car and move the animal off to a protected spot beside the road. Who knew this would open Agnes's mind to questions and thoughts she never had before.

When Agnes's mother announces she must start attending a confirmation class at their church, Agnes is furious. She doesn't mind church and knows that her mother's boss seems to believe it is necessary, but Agnes isn't even sure she believes in God so how is she supposed to take this class seriously.

As she listens to Pastor Paul and reads the required workbook assignments, she is getting even more frustrated. Why does Eve get blamed for everything? Why do stories in the Bible put the men in charge? And, why is God always portrayed as an old man with a white beard? None of it seems fair.

When Agnes stumbles across the poet Maya Angelou and learns she was a favorite of her mother's, she begins to visualize God in the image of the poet. She mentions this at church and is criticized for not thinking of God the way the church dictates.

As she reads more poetry and chats with Gracy about her thoughts and feelings, Agnes is encouraged to love herself and believe what she thinks is right. Could this cause her mother to lose her job? Will standing up and discussing her beliefs help win her friends or turn them against her?

Author Ann Braden explores friendship, religion, and speaking up for oneself in OPINIONS AND OPOSSUMS. This fast-paced read with the colorful cover is sure to entertain as well as open minds and stimulate discussion.