Once for Yes

by Allie Millington

From the author of the national bestseller, Olivetti, this heartfelt novel celebrates the healing power of community and the endurance of love.

The Odenburgh is an old red brick apartment building, the last of its kind in a swiftly gentrifying neighborhood. One of its tenants, the Laroe family, has suffered an unspeakable tragedy; the youngest sister, 11-year-old Prue, struggles to come to terms with the loss of her sister, Lina.

But when the Odenburgh is sold and slated for demolition, Prue can’t bear the idea of losing the place where her sister remains such a presence. Prue launches a campaign to save the building, throwing herself into drawing up a petition and gathering signatures from the other tenants. In the process, she meets Lewis, an eccentric boy who lives directly across the street – and the only person who can help Prue discover the missing elements of her sister’s story. The building itself, as well as Lewis and the other tenants, help Prue to accept that she can move on without leaving her sister behind.

Genres: Middle Grade, Magical Realism, Audiobook, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Family, Fiction

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Allie first wrote her debut novel, OLIVETTI, on her own antique typewriter--who turned out to have an awful lot to say. She lives with her husband, their dog Crumpet, and a collection of clacking machines. You can find her on instagram (@allieinink) or possibly in her pillow fort.

Allie's second Middle Grade novel, ONCE FOR YES, releases with Macmillan Publishers in 2025. She has two picture books that will quickly follow, WHEN YOU FIND A HOPE and WHEN YOU FIND A QUESTION (Hachette Book Group).

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“But moving forward is not the same thing as giving up. No matter what comes of this place, we take our memories with us.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ If Goodreads and Edelweiss would have included the Magical Realism tag, I definitely would have been less inclined to check it out. Heck, if I had done a little research of my own beforehand and found out that it was written by the same author of that magical talking typewriter middle grade read, which I avoided last year, I would have been more prepared for what's to come. 😮‍💨

Oh well, what's done is done, no use crying over spilled milk. 😣

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It's not that I don't mind that a building is finding ways to communicate in order to channel their own vibes & intentions to help them cope with their own grief and loss, whilst also gaining something from them in turn. 'Sometimes, the idea that no one can hear you is all you need to hear for an idea.' 🧱💭 It just detracts me from actually feeling something real, when something surreal is aiding in that aspect. It's a cynical approach, but it's what helps me face the reality that is life. 😔

“I felt it in my foundation. A feeling I didn’t know I had.
Or how long it’d been buried.
Loneliness.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Prue's grief over her older sister's death was tangible; the coping methods she went through to deal with that pain was painful. The struggles and efforts and outcry of defiance to save Lina's presence - believable. 💔😢 To cling onto the memory of her in the form of a building that has been the only home she knows, the one that houses the memories of her - the good and the bad - and fighting to protect it from being victim to Downtown Syndrome was a believable struggle that I empathized with a lot - '...sometimes it’s the things you lose that are heaviest to hold.' For the Odenburgh is home to a community of people who have built their lives and cherished memories and how they all come together to preserve that was a heartwarming moment. 🫶🏻🫶🏻

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I struggled with the various perspectives that appeared quite abruptly and suddenly, but I understand how it was an effort to depict how the reasoning behind giving up something that has weathered its storm long enough can be seen through different ways and how we have to come to terms to accept it. 🫂 Prue believing that the building that she was fighting to protect from demolition was communicating with her, convinced it was Lina's spirit that if a light flickered it was Once for Yes was convincingly done. It was a difficult and challenging time for some, and Prue and the Odenburgh had to realize the hard way in order to move on, knowing that even though something is lost, it is not gone forever. 🥺 That connection with Lina's tragedy and the Odenburgh's presence was captured well.

“You’re doing what you have to do. Taking care of someone you love. And maybe then parts of me could start to heal, too. Forgive. Accept.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ However, as much as I did appreciate that aspect, it's the Lewis plot-line that peeved me greatly. The sudden, if not ulterior aspect of his and Prue's friendship was undoubtedly going to blow up; and, well, it did. The author balanced their thoughts and feelings well to show how their desire to save Prue's home was for different reasons. I did feel his pain and guilt; the mystery, albeit not quite surprising, was still built upon well. 👍🏻 It's the way that it was revealed that really irked me - '...coincidence was just too big to ignore.'

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Yes, I know he's a kid, but so is Prue. And her anger and sadness, not to mention loneliness and shock was glazed over - nay, glossed over. I felt angry - for her. I don't think she was given the right amount of time to be upset by what she learned, despite how the author made it seem like it was not all for naught. It hurts more knowing that she'll never really get the answers she wants, nor that she was able to share in something so meaningful. That whole plot-line just left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. 😒

I am not saying that Lewis did not have his own share of pain or heartbreak; I just did not like how Prue had to be the bigger person for forgiveness. 🤷🏻‍♀️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There is still the overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for cherishing and protecting the parts of us that may no longer be with us, but will always be a part of us. A part of our hearts that heals when we know that we're not alone in our sadness, but finding ways to keep the happiness strong and alive. The Odenburgh's strong foundation of giving its tenants a feeling of and warmth and comfort, showing them that feeling can even transcend beyond the scope of just the bricks that housed them is a precious and heartwarming message one that should be embraced and what made this middle grade read, despite my own petty annoyances, worth my while. ❤️‍🩹

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a interesting concept for a middle grade book!

2025 middle grade has been the year of the exploration of grief. Though it leads to more heavy reads, I'm not disappointed by authors exploring themes that impact this particular age group. Once for Yes does the same, but through the various perspectives of characters including an apartment building. The story is slow moving at first, but readers eventually understand the complexity of the lives of each character including the way in which Prue painstakingly goes through the process of acknowledging the pain of the loss of her sister. Unfortunately, it felt as though there were too many characters at times. Though they were all interconnected, I didn't feel like we spent enough time with each character to get to know them. Incorporating the conversation of gentrification into the story was a wonderful idea especially because it tied well into Prue's difficulty in letting her sister go. Overall, this was a solid story. It isn't a new favorite of the year, but I'll definitely check out Allie Millington's other works.

[Brend · Rating 5 out of 5]

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

freaking hate crying 😭😭 never thought i'd shed tears about a story about a building

[Megan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once For Yes is a heartwarming and emotional book that will keep you engaged till the very last page! I laughed, I cried, and I had a fantastic time reading this beautifully articulated story. Allie Millington knocks it out of the park yet again!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prue lives in an old apartment building, the Odenburgh, with her sister and parents. The family is grieving Lina while navigating finding a new place to live since the owner sold the building.

Like Olivetti, an inanimate object tells part of the story. In this case, we get the Odenburgh's thoughts on its occupants and their behaviors. Prue is of particular interest as her apartment has an old landline. Prue uses this landline as a gateway talking to her sister Lina who has been lost to the family for a year.

This is an exploration of loss and moving on. This is particularly painful for Prue who is the youngest of three girls and can't figure out why her sister is gone.

I loved this one. I believe I will read everything Millington writes. She is becoming a favorite in this genre.

[Alex Kondratev · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really loved Once for Yes! I read it in one sitting—it’s one of those books that pulls you in right away. It’s heartfelt and honest, touching on big topics like family, friendship, and grief in a really thoughtful way. I think it’d be a great book to read with your kids (middle grades), especially if you’re looking for something that can spark good conversations while still being a really enjoyable story for everyone.

[Renee Godding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars

"Surprisingly, it was the pigeons that ditched me first. It was the people that stayed..."

Told through the kaleidoscopic view of a apartmentbuilding and its inhabitants comes a warm and heartfelt middle-grade novel about grief, community and the meaning of home. Highly recommended for both adults and kids alike.

The Story:
Welcome to the Odenburg; an authentic New York apartment building with all the character and quirk of a building that has housed its residents for decades. Despite the protests of some of its people, the Odenburg is scheduled for demolition in just over a month, to make room for a newer and more modern apartment building.
No one is more troubled by the news than eleven-year-old Prue from 3B, who refuses to leave her family’s apartment. Not when it was the last place she lived with her sister Lina, before she lost Lina forever. When Prue launches a plan to save their home, the Odenburgh joins in—flickering lights, jamming elevators, triggering fire alarms—all to try and bring a building full of bickering residents together. In the process, Prue meets Lewis, an eccentric boy from across the street—and the only one who can help her discover the missing elements of her sister’s story.

What I loved:
I absolutely love a good middle-grade novel that covers the topic of grief in a way that doesn’t feel patronizing or downplaying it for the audience. Some kids unfortunately have to deal with big events that come with big emotions, and Once for Yes is one of those books that understands that, and reaches out a hand to them.
Prue is such a wonderful and authentic character, that drew me into the story from page one. Her grief over her sister and her attempts to keep the physical space of her home the exact same to honor her memory were portrayed so incredibly well. I deeply felt for this girl, who is confronted with having to leave behind the house that holds so many tangible memories, when she doubts whether she’s even ready move her sister’s things around the room they used to share. It’s through the small moments that her grief speaks the loudest and it makes the experience so deeply relatable to both kids and adults alike. We are shown that the Odenburg didn’t just hold sad or bittersweet memories for the family either. Seeing Prue play her “radio-host” games with the landline for example, made for some great moments of levity and joy to balance out the heavier themes.
Lastly, I think adding the voice of the actual Odenburg building as one of the voices in this choir of a cast was a brilliant move. It helped us as the reader connect to this place that felt like a protector and friend to our characters, by literally portraying it as such. Some of the moments where the Odenburg attempts to subtly interfere in the events within itself, by halting an elevator or offering comfort to Prue by answering her questions to her sister with knocks and growns were my favourites in the story. Bonuspoints for the narrator of the audiobook for providing the perfect (thickly NY-accented) voice to this character in particular.
Then there’s the ending… I think the emotional impact would’ve been great enough if we’d only seen Prue’s side of things, but adding in the perspectives of her neighbours and the Odenburg itself elevated it to a whole new level tear-jerking goodness.

What I didn’t love:
Although I loved almost our full cast of Odenburg-neighbours, Lewis was a bit of an odd-one out. I had a difficult time warming up to his character, and felt his storyline to be dragging a bit. It becomes clear early on that Lewis is hiding the fact that he had a connection to her sister before her death from Prue. To the reader, it’s very obvious what was going on here, but it takes Prue just a little too long to catch on. Once she does learn the truth, I don’t think she’s given enough room to process this, before she’s expected to “forgive and forget” in order for the story to move on. As an adult, this might make sense, but I felt 11-year old Prue needed a little more grace here.
Overall, I’m overjoyed to have discovered this book and add it to my ever-expanding library of grief-recommendations for readers of all ages.


Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and RB-media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once For Yes is a heartfelt Middle Grade novel with themes of loss, grief, and healing. The story follows 11-year-old Prue, who refuses to leave her family’s apartment, The Odenburgh, when the building is slated for demolition, as it’s the last place she lived with her sister Lina, before she died. When Prue launches a plan to save their home, the Odenburgh joins in—flickering lights, jamming elevators, triggering fire alarms—all to bring the residents together. In the process, Prue meets Lewis, a boy across the street, who helps her discover the missing elements of her sister’s story.

The story features multiple POVs, including Prue, Lewis, and the Odenburg, that create a multi-layered narrative with emotional depth and humor. Protagonist Prue is a lovable and intelligent character that readers will empathize with as she grapples with grief and the stress of losing a home where previous memories are still alive. The POV of the Odenburg is extremely unique and adds an element of magical realism—it’s a kind building that loves its residents and puts in great effort to help Prue, not only to keep the building standing but also to help her heal and move on.

The narration is superbly executed by Sophie Amoss and Johnny Heller. Amoss gives an emotional performance of Prue that perfectly captures the character’s childlike grief and tenacity over not wanting to move. Her narration also brings Prue’s family members vividly to life, along with their heartbreaking struggle to keep Lena’s memories alive. Narrator Johnny Heller portrays the Odenburg building with an authentic-sounding New York accent. He brings an enormous amount of character/charm to the performance—so much so that readers will fall in love with the old structure and be rooting for it to be saved!

Overall, Once For Yes is a beautifully crafted story suitable for all ages. Readers who enjoy uplifting reads about family & community bonds, healing, and moving on will love this book!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes, the idea that no one can hear you is all you need to bear for an idea.”

After Olivetti, Allie Millington did it again with Once For Yes. This is a middle-grade story, yet like the previous one, it can be read by people of all ages, with several layers of language and comprehension.
This time, it’s an old building, the Odenburgh, who takes the floor and becomes a character. This author has a special thing to bring inanimate objects to life, to give them a consciousness. That kind of magical realism is something that speaks deeply to me, and enhances how much “objects” can count in our life, be the vector of our memories and connect us to our roots or even bring a community together. And that is what Once For Yes is about (IMO); loss, grief and memory are sprinkled all around the building, lingering between the walls.
I discovered this story through this audio version and I can’t enlight enough how amazing the actors’ performances are. I especially ADORED the actor chosen to personify the Odenburgh, his accent was fabulous, and both performers brough just enough emotion to make the words even more unforgettable.
The inhabitants’ dreams, hopes, sorrow and griefs travel through the old and agonizing pipelines and a community –finally– blooms. They say it takes a village… and that’s exactly how this short book made me feel. Once again, Allie Millington’s words make me –deeply– feel and think, my eyes remain watery… I might have spent too much time listening to Prue’s show… who knows?

Thank you to RB Media and to the author for the ALC sent via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Millington's wonderful first book, Olivetti, a typewriter, plays a big role in helping to resolve a family crisis. In Once for Yes, a major character is an old apartment building, The Odenburgh, that is scheduled for demolition. The Odenburgh plays a big part in a family's recovery from a loved one's death.
It's been a year since Lina died, but her family, especially Prue, has not processed their grief. The main reason they can't move forward is because they don't understand why Lina was outside of their apartment building in the middle of the night. Then the tenants get the news that they will all have to move because the building has been sold. Prue's family are not the only ones at an emotional crossroads and are not ready to move. It's at this point that The Odenburgh, a silent witness, decides to help effect change.
Millington may be using the same device for her storytelling, but this is still a fresh and clever perspective that says a lot about grief and healing, neighborhood and community. A compelling story filled with humor and heartfelt wisdom that will be hard to put down!

"Downtown Disease, I call it.
Where everything old is demolished. And everything new is built in its place.
Where people have to find a new place to live. Animals, too. Because even the trees didn't stand a chance."

"It might not change anything for us. But what about the next group of people this happens to? What if we could start changing things for them? Before they even know they need it.?"

"Now, I'm no quitter, and I know you aren't , either. But moving forward is not the same thing as giving up."

[Grace Tomasweetie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the loveliest middle grade book I’ve ever read. What an absolute joy & a testament to the best parts of humanity? & also the most devastating, grief stricken & most heartbreaking, too? I am truly caught off guard by this, an ALC I randomly picked cause i thought it sounded promising. It was more than promising, it truly gave what it said it would & more. If you are looking for a book told with gentleness & humor (that can be only accessed through books meant for kids, c’mon), but also a story about loss, nostalgia & moving forward (that rivals any sad novel on the market): literally look no further. When an 11 year old tries to fight the powers that be to keep their old apartment building from being sold & torn down, you already have a story. BUT when said girl is fighting to keep a hold on the last place that her sister was alive in, that their memories of her were in, you have my heart & soul. Beautiful. Breathtaking. I am utterly destroyed.

This was an easy 5 stars. Incredible, incredible narration, too!! The Odenburgh’s chapters told by a man with a heavy New York Italian accent??!! I’m literally sat. For anyone who loves middle grade, novels about hope & goodness, or just needs something quick to read—pick this up!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & RBmedia for this ALC!!

[Thamira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, heart-warming yet gut-wrenching book

[Joscelynn Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story exploring themes of grief, community, and second chances with honesty and courage. This book was hard to put down while reading, and now that I've finished, hard to stop thinking about.

[Heather Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio book with my boys. We all laughed, cried and loved this book. I thought it was neat to have a point of view being written from the perspective of the building. ❤️

[Nora Winterton · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD AAH I loved this book a lot. I loved all the different perspectives and characters and how everything was kind of vague at the beginning and it just made me so happy at the end

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, warm hug of a book! If you liked Olivetti, you will certainly love this one as well. A great cast of characters and a tightly plotted story all make for one wonderful reading experience! Would also recommend for fans of Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus!

[Katherine Szerdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONCE FOR YES
By Allie Millington
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heartwarming, Endearing, Emotionally intelligent!
After reading Olivetti by this up and coming rockstar author of magical realism YA lit, I had to read Once For Yes. In Olivetti, the Olivetti typewriter was itself a character. The unusual character in this story is the Oldenburg, a four-story red brick apartment building with an eclectic mix of occupants who really don’t know each other until the building is sold, bought by a developer whose plan is to kick out the residents and tear down the building to make way for a slick glass and steel high rise. To find out if the Oldenburg succeeds at saving himself from demolition and to prevent his quirky occupants from having to vacate, you will have to read the story. The ending will surprise you❣️

[Krystl Koester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one caught me off guard! I needed a short listen while waiting for one of my hold books on Libby. It was only 5 hours and seemed really predictable but I ended up really liking it. Slow at first but it got better! Even made me tear up a little at the end.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[lexactuallyreads [surviving off vibes ftm] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Odenburgh, I love you and your proclivity to mention your beloved pigeons. I'm very glad that you exist because you've warmed my heart in a way you could never truly know.

"Friendships are like water leaks, who knows how they start?"

Once for Yes by Allie Millington

The biggest, heartwarming, bear-hug type of thank you Netgalley and RBmedia for the ALC copy of this audiobook. It is something I didn't know I needed, and am inherently grateful for the opportunity and experience. This warmed my whole body and left me feeling happy and tearful. I knew it was going to be tearjerker from the get-go, but it is so much more than just being heartfelt, warming and a downright delight. It is a testament to community and a sister's love.

"Sisters don't just keep each other's secrets, they keep each other's promises."

The POV of the building, itself, is probably the most perfect idea I've encountered in a long time. This is the reason I love kids/middle grade books - there is so much creativity packed in such a small package. I always find myself leaving a kids book with a new or freshened perspective on life, and its why I come back to it all the time. Allie Millington gives a very New York voice and a full personality to The Odenburgh (Odie to me) and Johnny Heller brings him to life. The emotion, the kinship... I mean... I am not even sure how well I am able to convey how well these narrators did. I'm almost glad I found the audiobook before the physical because I miss out on the literal experience the narrators provide. Sophie Amoss brings the almost childlike sadness and hope to Prue and is a master of voices, it all feels so real.

"People didn't usually touch my walls. They hit them with hammers, jammed them with screws, drowned them in paint, pounded them to silence noisy neighbors. Never a touch, never so softly."

Once for Yes is perfect for any ages. It has themes of loss, feeling lost, finding community, hope, friendships and shows how even if things change, some other things are for forever. It is a tearjerker for us older folks, though, so bring a tissue or two (maybe a box.)

"Turns out, you can stand a lot stronger when you have something you're standing for. Or someone. Fine, I'll admit it, falling in love with the tenants wasn't so bad. It held me together as the rest of me was falling. Brick by brick by brick."



Blurbs:

"Its not like I could just ignore her, now, I might be horribly insulated but I wasn't that cold."

"When it comes to liars and lice, you have to be thorough."

"Lina filled up more in a single afternoon than most people do in a lifetime. She gave me something to do with my stories, a place to put them."

"A fresh start meant something else had ended. They couldn't just make a new home, because Lina would never be a part of it. She was a part of this one. The memories of her were all over the place... If they left their home, they'd be leaving these memories of Lina. They'd be leaving her."

"Change isn't always bad. Some of the best plays come from calling an audible."

"People packed, made plans, ate pizza, said goodbye. One by one, the tenants left me, but not one of them left me the same... Maybe my job wasn't just to give them a home, maybe it was to give them each other. To show them they're not alone."

"Then again, a lot could happen in an 'almost'."

[Cathlina Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will take me a while to recover from this book. SO good! Funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, and sad, all at the same time.

So well written! Plants details in advance (ex. Prue crumbles a cookie over a waffle) that pay off in big ways later. The very gently unfolded mystery of what happened to Lina and how Lewis and Khal and Gertrude are all part of it somehow.


The Odenburgh is an old apartment building, full of interesting characters, and it watches over them all in grumpy tolerance. However, its time has come; plans are announced to tear down the Odenburgh and replace it with a shiny new apartment complex. One tenant--11-year-old Prue--is more devastated than most, still grieving the loss of her sister, and plots to stop the construction plans by any means necessary. She is joined by the boy across the street, Lewis, who may know more than he is saying about that night that Prue’s sister was lost forever. With humor, quirkiness, heartbreak, and hope, this mystery unfolds gently and poignantly. Read this one with a box of tissues!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hold a really special place in my heart for literature like this. I love a good funny middle grade story, or an epic adventure like the Percy Jackson series, but there are also really tender, heart-felt, grief-filled middle grade books out there that just sit with you once you’ve finished. And Once For Yes is one of those.

I read Millington’s Olivetti last year and adored it. I’ve told so many people about it (yes, even adults) as it was so clever to have one of the narrators be a typewriter. Once For Yes is much like Olivetti, as the apartment building the family lives in also narrates part of the story. I wonder if this will always be part of Millington’s repertoire, to have inanimate objects be narrators. I adore it, so if she does stop, I won’t be surprised, but I will be a little heart-broken.

Anyway, the family is grieving for their middle child and sister. And when they are told the building (The Odenburgh) is getting sold, Prue, the youngest daughter, teams up with Lewis from across the street. But Lewis is harboring his own secret…one that would damage his new found friendship with Prue and the entire family. Because the secret is about Lina, the sister who died, the sister everyone is grieving.

Millington writes in a palpable way….you end up feeling the emotions of all the characters…the mother’s heartache, the father’s attempts to make everything seem okay, the oldest daughter’s need to always be somewhere else because the memories are sometimes too much. You feel Lewis’s heartbreak and you just want to gently wrap him in a hug and hold him for as long as you can. And Prue…sweet and stingy Prue. You empathize with her all the way to the end. You want things to be different for her. You want to bring her sister back to her.

And all along the way, you get the perspective of The Odenburgh. It’s weird, but also right. The building feels like a friend you’ve never had. And it sort of is, always watching, always waiting. Always giving comfort when needed and trying its best to hang on to everyone.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

The Odenburgh is an apartment building at the edge of an urban area that has "Downtown Disease" and is the only older building left on the block. Since the original builder is portrayed as still owning the building, I would guess that the no nonsense, flat-roofed, red brick structure is from the late 1960s. All around are larger, more expensive apartment buildings devoid of style and soul, and the building is concerned about its future. It's put up with having residents, but doesn't really enjoy them, since they are loud and always have problems. One of these residents, Prue, has her share, and uses a defunct landline to perform her bathtub podcast and to talk to herself. She used to do the podcasts with her older sisters, Fifi and Lina, but Lina has passed away in an accident, and Fifi is not longer interested. When the news arrive that the building is going to be torn down, Prue is devastated, since it was where she has lived her whole life, and where she feels connected to Lina. Fifi is glad to move, and the parents, who don't discuss Lina, are practical and locate a new home. There is some mystery surrounding what happened to Lina, and when Prue meets Lewis, a boy who lives across the street, some of the questions are answered. We hear frequently from the building itself, and when Prue decides to mount a campaign to try to save it, the Odenburgh attempts to help by playing tricks with the lighting. Prue's best resource is Niko, who is taking pictures of both the demolition and rebuilding, and the residents do band together to paint the building and to record what the building meant to them. It is to no avail; the Odenburgh comes down, but the stone with the name on it survives, and is included in a park where the memorial bench to Lina is also placed.
Strengths: Millington does a great job at creating a sense of close knit if dysfunctional family, and her portrayals of urban neighborhoods are exceptionally rich. The use of a landline that is still connected but largely inoperable was interesting. This follows the current zeitgeist about land use in cities; I've even seen 1960s era houses in neighborhoods in Cincinnati being torn down so that larger, newer ones can be built. Prue's relationship with Fifi is realistic, since siblings often grow apart when age differences become apparent. I appreciated that this didn't end with the building being saved, which would have been somewhat unlikely given its condition and the problem with rodents.
Weaknesses: If inanimate objects speak, wouldn't it be more interesting if they were under happier and more adventurous circumstances? Like this author's Olivetti, there is a wealth of family trauma in this book, and my students just don't ask for this sort of book.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are interested in the topic of gentrification and who enjoyed Dilloway's Five Thing About Ava Andrews, Nelson's The Umbrella House, Giles' Take Back the Block, Watson's This Side of Home, or Broaddus' Unfadeable.

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Millington's Once For Yes is a heartfelt middle-grade novel that will captivate readers with its truly unique storyline. The book is mainly told from two distinct perspectives. The first is eleven-year-old Prue, who lives with her family in an old apartment building named The Odenburgh. The second, and perhaps most intriguing, perspective is that of the building itself. This dual narration immediately hooks the reader, offering a fresh and compelling insight into the unfolding events.

The Odenburgh was an old building on a street filled with new modern apartment buildings. Prue loved the Odenburgh for all of its quirks, even more so because her most cherished memories of her sister, Lina, are rooted within its walls. When the residents of The Odenburgh learn that the building has been sold and will be demolished they are understandably upset, but Prue is devastated. The thought of leaving the place where Lina last lived is unbearable, fueling her determination to save the building. She finds an unlikely ally in Lewis, a boy from across the street, who joins her endeavor. Through this quest, Prue not only learns more about her neighbors but also begins to uncover the truth about Lina's life before her tragic death.

What I Liked: The multiple perspectives are what truly make this story shine, especially hearing the thoughts and observations directly from the Odenburgh building. At first, it seems this book will be about Prue and her crusade to save the building, but in reality, this is a book about grief and the profound struggle to move forward while clinging to the memories of a loved one. It is told so beautifully and with such authenticity. There's also an undercurrent of mystery surrounding Lina and her "secret" life, which compels the reader to keep turning pages, eager to uncover what truly happened. Without giving away any spoilers I enjoyed that the story had a realistic ending that wrapped up the storyline for many of the characters we met throughout the book.

What Left Me Wanting More: While Lewis and his friendship with Prue are important to the storyline, especially since he also has a secret connection to Lina, I found it challenging to connect with him as a character as quickly as I did with Prue. Despite his struggles with grief and guilt, it was difficult to fully empathize with Lewis, especially when his actions involved hurting Prue through his lies.

Overall, Once For Yes is a heartfelt book about grief and the challenging process of moving on that will undoubtedly touch middle-grade readers.

This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here: https://yabookscentral.com/once-for-yes/

[Maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm one of the few people (seemingly) who thoroughly disliked Millington's middle grade debut, OLIVETTI, but I thought I should give her second novel a chance since I do at least appreciate the novelty of the debut's use of a sentient typewriter as a character. ONCE FOR YES similarly has a sentient object as a main character: the Odenburgh, an aging New York apartment building that is slated for demolition. Unfortunately, similar to OLIVETTI, ONCE FOR YES fell flat for me.

ONCE FOR YES centers its story around Prue, an 11 year old whose older sister has recently died. When Prue hears that their apartment building has been sold and will be demolished, Prue's grief intensifies because she fears that losing the building in which she made all of her memories with her sister will be a further loss, and her oldest sister and parents are barely able to talk about her sister's death as it is. Losing their home feels like losing her only connection to her dead sister.

When the Odenburg decides to communicate to Prue through flashing lights and other physical phenomena in the building, this connection to her dead sister feels even more tangible and important, as Prue assumes it is her sister's spirit, rather than an entity representing the spirt of the house itself, that is talking. I usually have a deep appreciation for books for children about grief and loss, but this one just didn't register for me on an emotional level. And just as I love old typewriters and thought I'd love the Olivetti character (but did not), I similarly love old houses and even ascribe personalities to them, but the Odenburgh character - even with a fairly decent middle aged New Yorker accent on the audiobook - just didn't connect for me on an emotional level.

My 12 year old son listened with me briefly on a road trip, and his main beef with the book (and reason he was disinterested in continuing) is that he felt Prue's character, nearly turning his age, was presented as far too immature for the age she is meant to be. Maybe if she was 7 or 8, he mused, it might be credible for her to be hosting a pretend talk show with a corded land line in her bathtub each night, but he felt almost insulted that the author would think an 11 year old would be routinely in pretend-land, even with the trauma of her sister's loss taken into account.

The end was heartwarming on some level, with Prue coming to understand that memories stay alive through connection to others, but it was still disturbing that, as in Olivetti, the sentient object main character was systematically disassembled.

All in all, not a win for me, but I do appreciate the novelty of the concept.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Odenburgh is an apartment building. In this book, it is a sentient/anthropomorphic building so many of the chapters are told from its perspective. It is an older building in a neighborhood that is slowly being gentrified. Other chapters in the book are devoted to residents of the building and one person who lives across the street. Prue lives in apartment 4C and readers quickly realize that she is dealing with grief over her sister Lina. Across the street is a boy named Lewis who observes the residents of the Odenburgh through is binoculars. And he is carrying a heavy burden of guilt.

The owner of the building has decided to sell the Odenburgh. He has a good reason but that is not fully explained to the residents. They are merely told they will need to leave in just one month. Prue cannot bear to leave the place filled with memories of Lina so she comes up with a plan to save the building. The Odenburgh, of course, is more than willing to help. And initially it manipulates Prue into believing that Lina is communicating with her. Not maliciously - it is trying to help Prue and Lewis resolve their issues. But there is a hint of selfishness because the building really would prefer not being demolished.

It's all a bit of a mystery - readers will want to know what happened to Lina and how Lewis is involved. And there are other smaller mysteries in the book also. Lewis has other major issues in his life which are not fully explained so maybe there will be another story that talks more about Lewis and his family?

The chapters are short so it reads quickly. Lots of things to take away - Strangers become friends and form a community of their own even as they face upheaval in their own lives. And demolition doesn't mean finality. I also liked that the residents of the building came to realize that even if they might not be able to save the Odenburgh, they could raise awareness that might help others.

[Andrew Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with my review for Olivetti, I have to admit my bias in that Allie is my wonderful wife, and I believe she writes lovely stories. However, Once for Yes struck a chord with me. A deep one at that. I read this book prior to its release date, but I’m still thinking about it today. I ache for The Odenburgh, for Prue and for Lewis. The Odenburgh, like all of us at some point, feels like an afterthought. Discarded. Good for a season and then taken for granted. But there’s more to all of us. Sometimes we lose sight of it and embrace the lie that we’re good for nothing. But there are others who recognize our beauty and our worth as individuals, just as Prue does for The Odenburgh. I believe we each have a Prue in our life that knows we are worth fighting for. Knowing Allie, I felt her personality and her belief in the impossible lived out in Prue’s journey in this story. And the pain of saying goodbye to someone you love so dearly, whether temporarily or for forever, was tangible throughout each of Prue’s chapters. And then there’s Lewis. As a man reading about this boy’s pain and guilt and all of the things he does on a daily basis to avoid ever making the same mistakes again, I wanted to wrap him up in the world’s biggest hug and say, “It’s okay, buddy.” He felt so real to me, and I think there are many boys out there who will connect with him too.

This book is for everyone. We all have had to say goodbye to people, places and things in our life. And those times are so hard. We feel as though life can’t go on. But it does. And it’s okay to move forward. Moving forward is not the same as moving on. And I think Allie does such a beautiful job in showing how that’s not only possible, but it’s vital for the healing process.

I loved this book more than I ever imagined.

Thank you, Allie, for writing this beautiful story ❤️

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Millington's breakout debut last year, Olivetti, featured an unconventional narrator - a typewriter. With this book, she does it again, this time the narrator is an old brick building, the Odenburgh, the last of its kind left on its street. All the other older buildings have been demolished in favor of new, modern buildings. The Odenburgh and its tenants, especially 12 year old Prue in apartment 4C, don't want to lose their home.

For Prue, it's personal. The building holds memories, ones that she doesn't want to lose, especially after the death of her older sister Lina, who Prue shared a room with. She is worried that she'll lose even more of Lina, especially since Lina had started to pull away the last few months before she died.

So Prue decides to save the building. And what do you know? The Odenburgh joins in on the plan! Also joining Prue is Lewis, a boy who lives across the street in one of the new developments. Lewis has his own secrets, and his own reasons for wanting to save the Odenburgh. So he teams up with Prue, and with the help of the building itself, they get to work.

Along the way they meet the other tenants of the building. Who at first were un-neighborly and rude to one another, they suddenly find that they have one thing in common. And the thing they have in common is wanting to save their home.

It's a story about loss, grief, friendship, sisters, and community. Original and inventive, I can't wait to see what Millington writes next!

Recommended for ages 9+.