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Swing Sideways: A Heartfelt Middle Grade Summer Tale of Bravery, Secrets, and Friendship on a Country Farm for Kids
Perfect for fans of Bridge to Terabithia and Walk Two Moons, this debut middle grade novel is the story of two girls and the unforgettable summer in which they learn about true friendship and loss.
Annie has been promised a summer of freedom in the country. Freedom from a difficult school year, freedom from her fake “friends” back in the city, and, most of all, freedom from her mom’s life-governing spreadsheets and rigid schedules.
When Annie meets California, who is visiting her grandfather’s farm, it seems she has found the perfect partner for the summer she’s always craved. Especially when California offers Annie a real-life if she and Annie can find the ponies her mom rode as a girl, surely it will remind her mom how wonderful the farm is—and fix what’s broken between her mom and her grandfather.
But Annie’s summer of freedom is sprinkled with secrets, and everything she has learned about bravery and love will be put to the test when the truth behind the ultimate secret changes her life forever.
Annie has been promised a summer of freedom in the country. Freedom from a difficult school year, freedom from her fake “friends” back in the city, and, most of all, freedom from her mom’s life-governing spreadsheets and rigid schedules.
When Annie meets California, who is visiting her grandfather’s farm, it seems she has found the perfect partner for the summer she’s always craved. Especially when California offers Annie a real-life if she and Annie can find the ponies her mom rode as a girl, surely it will remind her mom how wonderful the farm is—and fix what’s broken between her mom and her grandfather.
But Annie’s summer of freedom is sprinkled with secrets, and everything she has learned about bravery and love will be put to the test when the truth behind the ultimate secret changes her life forever.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2016
11 people are currently reading
989 people want to read
About the author
Nanci Turner Steveson
4 books105 followersNanci grew up in Connecticut, England and Texas, always with a book in one hand, the reins of a pony in the other. She wrote her first “novel” at the age of nine, which she uses to teach young writing students never to give up, no matter the odds. After raising her two sons in Maryland, Nanci made her dream come true by moving to a historic cabin in a meadow in Jackson Hole, WY. Aside from writing novels for young people, she is a professional theatre stage manager and the Teen Writing Instructor at her local library. She lives with her two horses, two dogs, and an abundance of wildlife in the national forest right outside her back door.
Nanci is a strong believer in the power of books and kids.
Nanci is a strong believer in the power of books and kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
December 31, 2015
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read Bridge to Terabithia every single year. And every single year I wonder if there will ever be a book that so flawlessly captures the energy and purity of young friendship. That bond between two complete strangers that pulls them together so mercilessly that they have no choice but to share their heart and soul with each other.
Every year I read it. And every year I wonder.
At least I did.
It didn't take me long to fall in love with Swing Sideways. We're first introduced to Annie, the girl from the city who begrudgingly lives her life by her mother's incessant need to plan every detail, and then to California, the girl from the country who seems to live her life without much of a plan at all. At first glance they seem to be polar opposites, but as soon as they're together, you feel it--that spark of friendship that burns a little brighter and warmer than most. And that's when you know you're reading something so brilliant and so special that you don't want it to end. Annie and California are as precious as they are precocious making it impossible not to love them. But these two are nothing if not flawed. Sometimes they rely on each other for help and other times it's the other that's causing the problem. Yet they always find their way back to being together. Because Annie and California are, in so many ways, soul mates--two of the unlikeliest of friends destined to become a pair.
And your heart.
Oh, your heart.
It will do so many things throughout their journey. Because you are gifted with a lifetime of feels on the pages of this book. Nanci Turner Steveson gives you a tiny glimpse into the lives of Annie and California, but it's enough to carve out a memory that will last a lifetime. Yes, your heart will do many things.
It will melt. It will swell with pride. It will break.
And it will most assuredly swing sideways.
I read Bridge to Terabithia every single year. And every single year I wonder if there will ever be a book that so flawlessly captures the energy and purity of young friendship. That bond between two complete strangers that pulls them together so mercilessly that they have no choice but to share their heart and soul with each other.
Every year I read it. And every year I wonder.
At least I did.
It didn't take me long to fall in love with Swing Sideways. We're first introduced to Annie, the girl from the city who begrudgingly lives her life by her mother's incessant need to plan every detail, and then to California, the girl from the country who seems to live her life without much of a plan at all. At first glance they seem to be polar opposites, but as soon as they're together, you feel it--that spark of friendship that burns a little brighter and warmer than most. And that's when you know you're reading something so brilliant and so special that you don't want it to end. Annie and California are as precious as they are precocious making it impossible not to love them. But these two are nothing if not flawed. Sometimes they rely on each other for help and other times it's the other that's causing the problem. Yet they always find their way back to being together. Because Annie and California are, in so many ways, soul mates--two of the unlikeliest of friends destined to become a pair.
And your heart.
Oh, your heart.
It will do so many things throughout their journey. Because you are gifted with a lifetime of feels on the pages of this book. Nanci Turner Steveson gives you a tiny glimpse into the lives of Annie and California, but it's enough to carve out a memory that will last a lifetime. Yes, your heart will do many things.
It will melt. It will swell with pride. It will break.
And it will most assuredly swing sideways.
July 23, 2017
My 11 YO daughter handed me this book after finishing it and said, "Mom, this is my absolute favorite book ever. You need to read it, but then I need it back so I can read it again right away." She fell in love with the city-girl-in-the-country storyline and was so excited that she, a born and bred country girl, could check off every single item on Annie's list of things she wanted to accomplish in her summer of freedom.
Naturally, when a child gives a book that kind of endorsement, this librarian mom immediately starts reading! And I LOVED it! I loved the sweet innocence of this story, but also the harder topics of cancer, eating disorders, and anxiety that were a large part of the story but not preached about.
I will be purchasing this title for both of my school libraries and can't wait to read Steveson's other book GEORGIA RULES next!
Naturally, when a child gives a book that kind of endorsement, this librarian mom immediately starts reading! And I LOVED it! I loved the sweet innocence of this story, but also the harder topics of cancer, eating disorders, and anxiety that were a large part of the story but not preached about.
I will be purchasing this title for both of my school libraries and can't wait to read Steveson's other book GEORGIA RULES next!
January 9, 2016
I had the privilege to read Swing Sideways via an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review of the novel. Steveson paints a realistic setting where two girls discover one another and become fast friends in rural New York state. Annie, the main character, from the Big Apple, meets California, from Oregon, whose grandfather owns a farm down the road from where her family stays for the summer. Together, throughout the novel, Annie and California are on a mission to investigate more about California's mother's past. Because of her skillful writing, the reader is just as eager to uncover more about the past as the girls are in this somewhat mysterious novel.
Annie is caught between her parents and California throughout the book- trading the usual sailing, instrument-playing WASPy summer, for an outdoor, animal-filled, tree-climbing one. When Annie is not with California, getting into shenanigans, she is eating dinner with her mother and father, attempting to placate them about how she spent her day; letting them in on as few details as possible. I especially love the relationship between Annie and her father. They understand one another and share a special bond. Annie and her mother, on the other hand, are not so lucky. Their dynamic relationship grows throughout the book, but not without some painful moments for Annie, her mother, and the reader.
I am a sixth grade teacher and found myself not being able to put the book down. I would long for a few spare moments in my day where I could continue to join Annie and California on one of their adventures, or see how Annie was fairing with her relationship with her mom that summer. This text, in the classroom, lends itself nicely to teach myriad literary skills to students: theme, figurative language, author's word choice, voice, power, direct vs. indirect characterization... the list could go on and on. My students would also benefit from reading this novel and then using it as a mentor text for writing their own personal narratives. Suffice it to say that Swing Sideways serves as an exciting literary experience and a beneficial teaching tool. This engaging novel will be well-liked by a variety of grade levels because the characters are flawed and the story is relatable. Now I simply long for another opportunity to spend time with these characters or read another novel by Steveson. I may have to pacify this need by reading Swing Sideways again- perhaps to my class! Thank you, Nanci Turner Steveson.
Annie is caught between her parents and California throughout the book- trading the usual sailing, instrument-playing WASPy summer, for an outdoor, animal-filled, tree-climbing one. When Annie is not with California, getting into shenanigans, she is eating dinner with her mother and father, attempting to placate them about how she spent her day; letting them in on as few details as possible. I especially love the relationship between Annie and her father. They understand one another and share a special bond. Annie and her mother, on the other hand, are not so lucky. Their dynamic relationship grows throughout the book, but not without some painful moments for Annie, her mother, and the reader.
I am a sixth grade teacher and found myself not being able to put the book down. I would long for a few spare moments in my day where I could continue to join Annie and California on one of their adventures, or see how Annie was fairing with her relationship with her mom that summer. This text, in the classroom, lends itself nicely to teach myriad literary skills to students: theme, figurative language, author's word choice, voice, power, direct vs. indirect characterization... the list could go on and on. My students would also benefit from reading this novel and then using it as a mentor text for writing their own personal narratives. Suffice it to say that Swing Sideways serves as an exciting literary experience and a beneficial teaching tool. This engaging novel will be well-liked by a variety of grade levels because the characters are flawed and the story is relatable. Now I simply long for another opportunity to spend time with these characters or read another novel by Steveson. I may have to pacify this need by reading Swing Sideways again- perhaps to my class! Thank you, Nanci Turner Steveson.
January 13, 2016
I received an advanced reader copy f this book in return for an honest review.
Annabelle needs a freedom summer - her mother's expectations have wound her so tight she's all but stopped eating - a summer without the spreadsheet. And the granddaughter of the hermit who lives near their summer house offers freedom in spades. This book, which focuses on how we must let go if we really want to love, is beautifully written. The characters are nuanced and I was impressed by the growth and changes of all of the characters. Nanci Steveson made me love these characters and I would definitely recommend it!
Annabelle needs a freedom summer - her mother's expectations have wound her so tight she's all but stopped eating - a summer without the spreadsheet. And the granddaughter of the hermit who lives near their summer house offers freedom in spades. This book, which focuses on how we must let go if we really want to love, is beautifully written. The characters are nuanced and I was impressed by the growth and changes of all of the characters. Nanci Steveson made me love these characters and I would definitely recommend it!
May 2, 2016
I love friendship stories, and Annie and California from SWING SIDEWAYS are a classic, wonderful middle grade example of a summer friendship. Annie has headed out to the country with her parents for the summer, and on their drive in she spots a girl in a field. The two girls watch each other...and at the very last second, the girl in the field beckons for Annie to return. It's the start of a beautiful, adventurous friendship that will change Annie forever, all wrapped up in a charming story with laugh out loud dialogue and heartfelt moments.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a sweet book! Described as WALK TWO MOONS meets BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, this book lives up to that. Annie, who struggles with panic attacks, is offered a summer of freedom at their summer cottage to help her heal. The first day out, she meets their neighbor's granddaughter, California, who represents everything Annie wants to be.
The characters are well-done. All of them are living-breathing, struggling-with-their-own-issues, full characters. I especially appreciated the portrayal of Annie's parents, who certainly aren't perfect parents, but who did their best despite their own struggles. I felt like I was right there with Annie, enjoying a summer of exploring the farm, having crazy adventures, and building new friendships.
What I loved most of all, was watching Annie grow and heal, as she discovered she was stronger and braver than she believed. And even more, realizing the importance and healing power of forgetting oneself and thinking more of others. This book was a joy to read!
What a sweet book! Described as WALK TWO MOONS meets BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, this book lives up to that. Annie, who struggles with panic attacks, is offered a summer of freedom at their summer cottage to help her heal. The first day out, she meets their neighbor's granddaughter, California, who represents everything Annie wants to be.
The characters are well-done. All of them are living-breathing, struggling-with-their-own-issues, full characters. I especially appreciated the portrayal of Annie's parents, who certainly aren't perfect parents, but who did their best despite their own struggles. I felt like I was right there with Annie, enjoying a summer of exploring the farm, having crazy adventures, and building new friendships.
What I loved most of all, was watching Annie grow and heal, as she discovered she was stronger and braver than she believed. And even more, realizing the importance and healing power of forgetting oneself and thinking more of others. This book was a joy to read!
May 31, 2016
I loved is book for many reasons, especially the complex relationships -- but I also really appreciated how though I, as an adult reader, got what might be going on, I still wanted to read further. And my daughter, who also read it, took longer to put the pieces together. But frankly, even without the various questions, this is such a strong and lovely story of friendship, the very best kind of friendship. Classic, perfect kid book, really.
Read
September 9, 2016Lovely middle grade. Really enjoyed this one.
March 30, 2016
SWING SIDEWAYS is a piercing and heartfelt story, starring two deeply loveable characters - city girl Annie and country girl California. While they are both wrestling with serious problems of their own, the two of them find new life and happiness when they come together for a magical summer.
This is a book that will remind you of the joy of adventure, the importance of friendship, the weight of loss. There are so many things that make the story beautiful, but one aspect I particularly loved is how Stevenson – through the character of California – expresses a love for the natural world, and does so with such deep authority. Whether California is corralling a snake, eating wild raspberries, or explaining the right way to hold a baby chick (“gentle but firm”), she is continually showing Annie the beauty of nature in a way that touches Annie’s heart and awakens her. As readers, we get to stand at Annie’s side and experience that same joyful rush.
While I always feel emotionally involved with my favorite books, I’m rarely moved to actual tears, but I cried straight through the last 20 pages. SWING SIDEWAYS grabs your heart and doesn’t let go.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book that will remind you of the joy of adventure, the importance of friendship, the weight of loss. There are so many things that make the story beautiful, but one aspect I particularly loved is how Stevenson – through the character of California – expresses a love for the natural world, and does so with such deep authority. Whether California is corralling a snake, eating wild raspberries, or explaining the right way to hold a baby chick (“gentle but firm”), she is continually showing Annie the beauty of nature in a way that touches Annie’s heart and awakens her. As readers, we get to stand at Annie’s side and experience that same joyful rush.
While I always feel emotionally involved with my favorite books, I’m rarely moved to actual tears, but I cried straight through the last 20 pages. SWING SIDEWAYS grabs your heart and doesn’t let go.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2016
I was lucky to read an advanced copy of Swing Sideways.
I fell in love with Annie and California from the start. Their sweet friendship and their search for California's mom's ponies felt authentic. The girls have very real problems--Annie's anxiety and the estrangement between California's mom and grandfather. And their solution--that finding the ponies will heal the rift between California's mom and grandfather and that the quest will heal Annie's anxiety, felt very real to me, too.
This story will resonate with young readers.
I fell in love with Annie and California from the start. Their sweet friendship and their search for California's mom's ponies felt authentic. The girls have very real problems--Annie's anxiety and the estrangement between California's mom and grandfather. And their solution--that finding the ponies will heal the rift between California's mom and grandfather and that the quest will heal Annie's anxiety, felt very real to me, too.
This story will resonate with young readers.
July 6, 2020
Every summer I like to throw a few middle readers into the reading mix. I don't know if it's because I want to go back and be a kid, or if I just like the light-hearted feeling of these books. This story feels so much like the end of childhood and entrance into young adult- running through the woods, adventuring, not telling your parents exactly where you are at all times, but also just being outside and having fun. It's something I wish was able to happen for kids more, and is happening even less because of Pandemics and social distancing this year.
I think I was looking for a playful summer book- and this was that, but like actual life, it has the hard stuff! Not going to lie- I absolutely cried at the end. It was beautiful, and true, and sad, and hopeful and I don't want to spoil a thing for you, so read this book wonderful people.
I will say- I'm not sure when I'll give it to my girls to read. I absolutely want them to read it- but Annie is struggling with an overly demanding mom who just loves her girl a little too much, to the point where eating food becomes a struggle. It's done is a kid-friendly way, and while it's there, her eating struggles are definitely not the center of the book- friendship, family, forgiveness are.
I worry this book will find a hard time with audience. Many parents would hesitate to give this one to their kids, because it's touching hard stuff... so the material puts it at a young adult level + but you know what... life is hard- and sometimes its hard for younger kids. Books can help with all of that and if you're high school or higher- get it! It's beautiful. If you know me- I'll lend it to you if you want :) I desperately want to chat this book up with some friends.
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CONTENT SPOILER ALERT for parents who don't want to read it but want to know content I won't give too much away but....
There's also Cancer.
I think I was looking for a playful summer book- and this was that, but like actual life, it has the hard stuff! Not going to lie- I absolutely cried at the end. It was beautiful, and true, and sad, and hopeful and I don't want to spoil a thing for you, so read this book wonderful people.
I will say- I'm not sure when I'll give it to my girls to read. I absolutely want them to read it- but Annie is struggling with an overly demanding mom who just loves her girl a little too much, to the point where eating food becomes a struggle. It's done is a kid-friendly way, and while it's there, her eating struggles are definitely not the center of the book- friendship, family, forgiveness are.
I worry this book will find a hard time with audience. Many parents would hesitate to give this one to their kids, because it's touching hard stuff... so the material puts it at a young adult level + but you know what... life is hard- and sometimes its hard for younger kids. Books can help with all of that and if you're high school or higher- get it! It's beautiful. If you know me- I'll lend it to you if you want :) I desperately want to chat this book up with some friends.
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CONTENT SPOILER ALERT for parents who don't want to read it but want to know content I won't give too much away but....
There's also Cancer.
Read
August 29, 2019This is a really fun story. It is everything you remember about the smells, tastes, and freedom of summer. I can totally see my 12-year-old self in Annie's shoes, wanting a friend just like California, and wishing for adventure. Although the friendship develops very quickly, it feels completely authentic. The girls care for each other, see past personality quirks, and want to be better for the other. One of the other things I love is how the story represents different family types.
Before sharing this with your child, you need to know about the ending.
Before sharing this with your child, you need to know about the ending.
June 27, 2017
Annie and California come from different worlds and have different stories. They come together for a summer of discovery and growth. Each one will add greatly to the other's lives!
September 28, 2017
http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...
17/20 - Une histoire toute douce mais qui cache énormément de choses... A découvrir !!
17/20 - Une histoire toute douce mais qui cache énormément de choses... A découvrir !!
June 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Annie and California's adventures did show the true meaning of friendship. Everything that they had gone through together was all Annie wanting to help California get her mother to come back to her childhood home with her grandfather. I thought that would be a tough thing to do because the only people working on this plan was California and Annie, who preteens, or teenagers. Together, they tried to bring California's mom back to the farm where California has spent the summer, while Annie is visiting from a nearby house. They did everything together to try to help California's family reunite. But there was a secret that California hadn't told Annie. It could've been the right thing to tell Annie since they were friends, but California wanted her family together so bad, she didn't tell Annie. Which now that I think about it, makes that a whole new level of love, since all California wanted to see was her mother and grandfather to get along.
April 14, 2020
I came close to shedding a couple of tears
June 8, 2016
Swing Sideways by Nanci Turner Steveson is a heartfelt and lovely middle-grade contemp. Annie is looking forward to a summer of freedom in the country. Freedom from her overly-scheduled and boring life. California (the girl, not the state) is anything but boring. California offers Annie two things she’s never had: real friendship and adventure. The two set out to find two missing ponies in hopes of convincing California’s mom to return to the farm and family she left long ago. But secrets and heartache threaten to ruin Annie’s blissful and free summer.
Swing Sideways has such a classic, timeless feel to it. Steveson weaves a beautiful and captivating story, so full of emotion, sweetness, and likable characters. The country, lake-side location and California’s grandfather’s farm in upstate NY, make for a refreshing and perfect summer setting. Young readers will love exploring the countryside and woods with Annie and California as they search for the ponies and clues about why California’s mother left home all those years ago.
The friendship between the two girls is so pure and genuine, and a delight to watch unfold. Sweet, thoughtful Annie is just trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life. And California has a personality as big as the state she was named after. They couldn’t be more different, but I just love the way these two girls connect and engage.
The poignancy, heartache, and tough lessons are deeply felt throughout Swing Sideways...have those tissues handy!...but there’s also so much love, joy, and happiness captured in Steveson’s wonderful words.
My final thoughts: Swing Sideways is an incredibly moving, heartwarming, and unforgettable book that will stay with readers for a long time.
Swing Sideways has such a classic, timeless feel to it. Steveson weaves a beautiful and captivating story, so full of emotion, sweetness, and likable characters. The country, lake-side location and California’s grandfather’s farm in upstate NY, make for a refreshing and perfect summer setting. Young readers will love exploring the countryside and woods with Annie and California as they search for the ponies and clues about why California’s mother left home all those years ago.
The friendship between the two girls is so pure and genuine, and a delight to watch unfold. Sweet, thoughtful Annie is just trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life. And California has a personality as big as the state she was named after. They couldn’t be more different, but I just love the way these two girls connect and engage.
The poignancy, heartache, and tough lessons are deeply felt throughout Swing Sideways...have those tissues handy!...but there’s also so much love, joy, and happiness captured in Steveson’s wonderful words.
My final thoughts: Swing Sideways is an incredibly moving, heartwarming, and unforgettable book that will stay with readers for a long time.
March 3, 2016
Annabelle needs a little freedom, a chance to get away from her mother’s smothering spreadsheets so she can breathe—and eat—again. So maybe spending long, lazy days unsupervised at their summer home in upstate New York is the answer. But no one counted on the free-spirited California showing up, swinging from a tree.
Thus begins the summer adventure of two unlikely comrades-in-arms. Part mystery, part coming-of-age, part friendship story, SWING SIDEWAYS will grab your heart on every page as the two girls race against the season to heal a long ago hurt. But to do that, they’ll need to find the ponies that California’s mother left behind on the farm. And the more they search, the more secrets they uncover.
Nanci Turner Steveson’s debut novel is an engaging tour de force that will truly make middle graders’ hearts swing sideways!
Thus begins the summer adventure of two unlikely comrades-in-arms. Part mystery, part coming-of-age, part friendship story, SWING SIDEWAYS will grab your heart on every page as the two girls race against the season to heal a long ago hurt. But to do that, they’ll need to find the ponies that California’s mother left behind on the farm. And the more they search, the more secrets they uncover.
Nanci Turner Steveson’s debut novel is an engaging tour de force that will truly make middle graders’ hearts swing sideways!
March 10, 2017
A very gripping drama with a heartbreaking, disappointing ending. Spoiler alert: adults who couldn't be bothered to listen to and fulfill a dying child's wish during her short lifetime are portrayed as sympathetic, redeemed characters because they finally stepped up right after she was too sick/dead to experience it. Just no. The poor kid worked her ass off and desperately longed to be with her mother and grandfather together all summer. She deserved better grown-ups.
November 22, 2015
I got to read an ARC of Swing Sideways. What a beautiful story! The characters are fantastic: approachable but realistic, with the kind of flaws and blind spots we all have. The story moves smoothly, with accelerating intensity to the touching climax. The messages are clear and moving. I hope many others enjoy the journey when this is released.
May 29, 2016
Amazing tale reminiscent of the classics
What a fantastic, moving debut novel. Annie and California's friendship made me long for childhood again, and I worried that the storyline was going to break my heart. A wonderful story for all ages.
What a fantastic, moving debut novel. Annie and California's friendship made me long for childhood again, and I worried that the storyline was going to break my heart. A wonderful story for all ages.
July 6, 2016
This book is so... Amazing, nostalgic, emotional, beautiful, real, raw, funny, heart wrenching, sweet, and relatable! I couldn't put it down! Perfect summer read! This book is perfect for anyone of any age! Can't say enough good things about it!! ❤️
February 14, 2018
Swing Sideways is a must read. The strong characters in this book keep the story moving quickly. This book has family and friend issues running throughout the book. It also allows us to recall the importance of one true friend.
June 26, 2016
Loved it!!! Review to come.
October 14, 2016
A warm, tender story of a summer friendship that provides healing to two families. Read my full review at:
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2016/1...
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2016/1...
May 14, 2017
What a story! Nanci knows to how capture the heart. This is a story about letting go and holding tight, loving and forgiving.
July 10, 2024
bawled my eyes out
highly recommend
highly recommend
June 25, 2017
This is a great book for middle schoolers. It touches on several themes that are really applicable to that age range: insecurity, anxiety, confusion, friendship. And it did it all without going inside a school! That was kind of nice. I'm tired of books about how much middle school sucks inside a middle school. Yuck.
Anyway, Annabel is an anxiety-riddled middle schooler. She's suffering from the classic pairings of not fitting in at school and being overwhelmed by her parents. Her anxiety makes it difficult for her to eat, so she's been losing weight. Fortunately, this is not a main theme, just something mildly addressed in the background, which is exactly how I feel it should be addressed in a book like this. This is not Wintergirls, her eating problem is just one of several that gets addressed. The book starts out with her and her family heading up to their summer home, presumably in upstate New York somewhere. The rule for the summer? No rules. Or, at least, really lax rules. Apparently, her mother has been super into micro-managing her time and picking activities for her that she feels will lead to Annabel being a well-brought up young lady. All Annabel wants to do is be Laura Ingalls Wilder. Then Annabel meets real-life farm girl, California, and begins living life outside her comfort zone. There's a lot more to this story that I can't really get into without spoilers, so I'll stop the plot summary here.
I identified with the narrator on several levels, and I think that that really helped this book for me. I, too, have always wanted to be a real-life farm girl. I, too, read allllllllll the Little House books and so many other romanticized versions of being a farm girl. Now that I'm a grown up, it's almost worse. All I want out of life is a little land, some chickens, and a vegetable patch. Oh, and a porch with a rocker. Oh, and to make most of my own food: jam, preserves, everything from scratch. Oh, and I want to be great at quilting and knitting and crocheting and embroidering. Oh, and I want to be able to build a chicken coop. Sigh. I'll get there!
I also identified with Annabel's stress level, to a certain extent. My parents had high expectations of me growing up, though not nearly to the insane level of Annabel's mom. They had definitive ideas of what constituted "good" activities and which activities I shouldn't do or were a waste of time. I had to study very hard and get great grades. And it took a long time for me to get freedom in my own life. Half the fun of going over to friends' houses was that my leash got just a little bit longer (not that I don't recognize the need for a leash when you're 8 and live in a big metropolitan area, but kids will be kids). I often go and do things on my own just because I can. So I got Annabel. I got where she was coming from.
The other reason this book was good was because of the spoiler plot line, so SPOILERS, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. Annabel's friend, California, secretly has cancer and she dies of it in the end. It's a tough subject, and it's rough in the book. I wasn't a huge fan of California as a character (v. bossy and capricious) but I was still really choked up at the ending. It was good for dealing with that kind of traumatizing situation and dealing with grief. It was upsetting but felt very genuine and gave the kind of answers I think we all need in those kinds of situations. How it's okay to be upset and how we all need to be forgiving when people say or do stupid things because they're upset. How everyone reacts differently. How we can't do some things but can do others.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book to middle schoolers, particularly ones going through a tough time.
Anyway, Annabel is an anxiety-riddled middle schooler. She's suffering from the classic pairings of not fitting in at school and being overwhelmed by her parents. Her anxiety makes it difficult for her to eat, so she's been losing weight. Fortunately, this is not a main theme, just something mildly addressed in the background, which is exactly how I feel it should be addressed in a book like this. This is not Wintergirls, her eating problem is just one of several that gets addressed. The book starts out with her and her family heading up to their summer home, presumably in upstate New York somewhere. The rule for the summer? No rules. Or, at least, really lax rules. Apparently, her mother has been super into micro-managing her time and picking activities for her that she feels will lead to Annabel being a well-brought up young lady. All Annabel wants to do is be Laura Ingalls Wilder. Then Annabel meets real-life farm girl, California, and begins living life outside her comfort zone. There's a lot more to this story that I can't really get into without spoilers, so I'll stop the plot summary here.
I identified with the narrator on several levels, and I think that that really helped this book for me. I, too, have always wanted to be a real-life farm girl. I, too, read allllllllll the Little House books and so many other romanticized versions of being a farm girl. Now that I'm a grown up, it's almost worse. All I want out of life is a little land, some chickens, and a vegetable patch. Oh, and a porch with a rocker. Oh, and to make most of my own food: jam, preserves, everything from scratch. Oh, and I want to be great at quilting and knitting and crocheting and embroidering. Oh, and I want to be able to build a chicken coop. Sigh. I'll get there!
I also identified with Annabel's stress level, to a certain extent. My parents had high expectations of me growing up, though not nearly to the insane level of Annabel's mom. They had definitive ideas of what constituted "good" activities and which activities I shouldn't do or were a waste of time. I had to study very hard and get great grades. And it took a long time for me to get freedom in my own life. Half the fun of going over to friends' houses was that my leash got just a little bit longer (not that I don't recognize the need for a leash when you're 8 and live in a big metropolitan area, but kids will be kids). I often go and do things on my own just because I can. So I got Annabel. I got where she was coming from.
The other reason this book was good was because of the spoiler plot line, so SPOILERS, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. Annabel's friend, California, secretly has cancer and she dies of it in the end. It's a tough subject, and it's rough in the book. I wasn't a huge fan of California as a character (v. bossy and capricious) but I was still really choked up at the ending. It was good for dealing with that kind of traumatizing situation and dealing with grief. It was upsetting but felt very genuine and gave the kind of answers I think we all need in those kinds of situations. How it's okay to be upset and how we all need to be forgiving when people say or do stupid things because they're upset. How everyone reacts differently. How we can't do some things but can do others.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book to middle schoolers, particularly ones going through a tough time.
May 31, 2018
Swing Sideways by Nanci Turner
This book was good.
This book can provide some very critical thinking opportunities and I would ask students questions to get them thinking. For example, do you think you would choose to keep an illness like cancer a secret from your best friend? What are your feelings about Annie and her mother's relationship? The characters in this book all seem to have relationship issues with someone. What are your thoughts about these issues and what do you think the author is trying to say by creating these characters this way? I love Annie’s father and how he seems to try so hard to see everyone’s point of view. Which character did you most identify with? These are all questions that would hopefully get my students thinking about the characters and their decisions throughout this book. I know I could think of a bunch more because this book has a lot of complicated issues that that characters are dealing with. This book would be easy to use to focus on critical reading.
The aesthetic purpose of reading would depend on the experiences of the readers. Many children have not had to deal with these types of issues and many children have faced these types of issues. It is because of this, I believe the aesthetic reaction depends fully on background. I was angry with California for keeping the secrets she kept. I was angry she lied so much. I felt compassion for her because of her reasons for doing and saying the things she said. I cried for Annie and her relationship with her mother. I love the lessons Annie learned by all of her experiences. I love the relationship Annie had with California because they both needed each other so much. I cried when Annie's relationship with California ended so abruptly. These are all reactions I had because of my background. Children reading this book would have different reactions and it would be our job to help them share their connections.
Thinking efferently and using this book to teach critical thinking for me would include using this to compare characters, to think about cancer and how it affects people, and even as a tool to evaluate character traits. If paired with another similar book students could use them for comparing and contrasting topics from the two books. Efferently, is a bit harder for me with this book because I do not have experience teaching middle school children and therefore I think more about 8-10 year olds when I think about using books for teaching.
This book was good.
This book can provide some very critical thinking opportunities and I would ask students questions to get them thinking. For example, do you think you would choose to keep an illness like cancer a secret from your best friend? What are your feelings about Annie and her mother's relationship? The characters in this book all seem to have relationship issues with someone. What are your thoughts about these issues and what do you think the author is trying to say by creating these characters this way? I love Annie’s father and how he seems to try so hard to see everyone’s point of view. Which character did you most identify with? These are all questions that would hopefully get my students thinking about the characters and their decisions throughout this book. I know I could think of a bunch more because this book has a lot of complicated issues that that characters are dealing with. This book would be easy to use to focus on critical reading.
The aesthetic purpose of reading would depend on the experiences of the readers. Many children have not had to deal with these types of issues and many children have faced these types of issues. It is because of this, I believe the aesthetic reaction depends fully on background. I was angry with California for keeping the secrets she kept. I was angry she lied so much. I felt compassion for her because of her reasons for doing and saying the things she said. I cried for Annie and her relationship with her mother. I love the lessons Annie learned by all of her experiences. I love the relationship Annie had with California because they both needed each other so much. I cried when Annie's relationship with California ended so abruptly. These are all reactions I had because of my background. Children reading this book would have different reactions and it would be our job to help them share their connections.
Thinking efferently and using this book to teach critical thinking for me would include using this to compare characters, to think about cancer and how it affects people, and even as a tool to evaluate character traits. If paired with another similar book students could use them for comparing and contrasting topics from the two books. Efferently, is a bit harder for me with this book because I do not have experience teaching middle school children and therefore I think more about 8-10 year olds when I think about using books for teaching.
December 24, 2019
One of my short read of the year was similary to a life Lesson - clearly I've the gift to see on everything a philosophical point. It was sensitive, make me in the same time happy and sad… Like a wave of emotional word, haha.
Sweet. A sensitive book who tell us a gullibility and carefreness world of two main character : Annie, and California.
I've never heard of this author before (but when I was on good read, I see that she wrote another book call Bridge to Terabithia).
The story takes place in the land, very far from the anxiety of the big city.
According to me, this story is full of emotion ; we travel with Annie. And, I don't only talk about traveling. Another way of the travel - those of new experience.
When I've reading this book, I believe that It was a Youth book because we follow a really Young girl, the writing style was clumsy, and was aim for a Young public.
But, not really. I've read this book by chance, and It was nice. The subject here is touch to our society, by the way, and taboo subject - Eating Disorder, and other serious illness.
With these character, the author talk with us through candid eyes. And these candid eyes, have two big secret…
the entire article here : https://lodestarlibrary.blogspot.com/...
Sweet. A sensitive book who tell us a gullibility and carefreness world of two main character : Annie, and California.
I've never heard of this author before (but when I was on good read, I see that she wrote another book call Bridge to Terabithia).
The story takes place in the land, very far from the anxiety of the big city.
According to me, this story is full of emotion ; we travel with Annie. And, I don't only talk about traveling. Another way of the travel - those of new experience.
When I've reading this book, I believe that It was a Youth book because we follow a really Young girl, the writing style was clumsy, and was aim for a Young public.
But, not really. I've read this book by chance, and It was nice. The subject here is touch to our society, by the way, and taboo subject - Eating Disorder, and other serious illness.
With these character, the author talk with us through candid eyes. And these candid eyes, have two big secret…
the entire article here : https://lodestarlibrary.blogspot.com/...
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