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Saturdays with Hitchcock
Twelve-year-old movie-loving Maisie is in need of a distraction from her current romantic dilemma when her Uncle Walt comes to stay with her family after being hurt on the set of the movie he's filming in Hollywood.
Maisie's best friend, Cyrus, has been hanging out a lot with Gary Hackett, whose last-name sounds to Maisie like a cat barfing up a hairball. When it seems as if Hackett might like Maisie romantically, she's none too pleased, and Cyrus is even less impressed.
Uncle Walt has a way of pointing Maisie in the right direction, and Maisie's love of movies also keeps her centered. Heading to the local independent theater on Saturdays to see old movies helps Maisie stay grounded as she struggles with growing up, family tensions, a grandma who seems to be losing her memory, and a love triangle she never expected.
Maisie's best friend, Cyrus, has been hanging out a lot with Gary Hackett, whose last-name sounds to Maisie like a cat barfing up a hairball. When it seems as if Hackett might like Maisie romantically, she's none too pleased, and Cyrus is even less impressed.
Uncle Walt has a way of pointing Maisie in the right direction, and Maisie's love of movies also keeps her centered. Heading to the local independent theater on Saturdays to see old movies helps Maisie stay grounded as she struggles with growing up, family tensions, a grandma who seems to be losing her memory, and a love triangle she never expected.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2017
About the author
Ellen Wittlinger
36 books270 followersEllen Wittlinger is the critically acclaimed author of 15 young adult novels including Parrotfish, Heart on My Sleeve, Love & Lies: Marisol's Story, Razzle, What's in a Name, and Hard Love (an American Library Association Michael L. Printz Honor Book, a Lambda Literary Award winner, and a Booklist Editors' Choice). She has a bachelor's degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop. A former children's librarian, she lives with her husband in western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 20, 2017
Richie’s Picks: SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK by Ellen Wittlinger, Charlesbridge, October 2017, 272p., ISBN: 978-1-58089-775-4
“Everybody’s a dreamer and everybody’s a star
And everybody’s in show biz, it doesn’t matter who you are
And those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard”
--The Kinks “Celluloid Heroes” (1972)
“Uncle Walt narrows his eyes and leans across the table. ‘Okay, Maisie, what’s going on? Are you still mad at me? I get it if you are, but--’
‘That’s not it,’ I tell him, although maybe a little part of me is still mad. Once somebody says something that hurts you, you can’t forget about it right away, even if you want to. Which is one reason I don’t want to talk to Cyrus until I know what to say to him. What if I say the wrong thing, and he never forgives me? And then maybe he gets mad and says something I can’t forget?
‘Well, what then? Did you have a fight with Cy or something?’
‘No! I mean sort of. It’s Gary’s fault. He’s always hanging around with us now and...making everything weird.’
Uncle Walt nods. ‘Because Gary likes you.’
I shrug. ‘I guess so.’
‘And Cyrus likes Gary,’ Uncle Walt says.
My head swivels and I stare at him, then spit out the bite of bagel I’m never going to be able to swallow now. ‘How did you…? I didn’t tell you that!’
‘I’ve got eyes, Hitch, and nothing else to do but sit around here and watch everybody. That’s an actor’s job, you know. To figure out why people do what they do.’
‘You can’t know! I promised Cyrus I wouldn’t tell anybody!’
‘You didn’t tell me, and I won’t tell anybody else. I’m just good at picking things up. The way Gary looks at you. The way Cyrus looks at Gary. It was kind of obvious.’
I push my plate away. ‘Well, it wasn’t obvious to me! Cy’s been my best friend my whole life, and I didn’t know this big thing about him. I feel like maybe I don’t really know him at all. I mean, what else hasn’t he told me?’
Uncle Walt reaches over and puts his hand on my head, which would annoy me if anybody else did it. ‘Maze, Cy probably didn’t know either until recently. I’m guessing Gary is the first boy he’s been attracted to. Or at least this is the first time Cy really understood what the attraction meant.’”
Maisie has had an idyllic childhood In the little town of New Aztec, Illinois, but as her sixth grade year winds down, she encounters unsettling changes. The list is topped off by Cy, her lifelong friend, neighbor, and fellow twelve year-old, coming out to her as gay before he tells anyone else in the world.
Perhaps the most critical change is that her maternal grandmother, who lives close by, is showing signs of dementia. For instance, she’s forgetting that her husband and her cat have both passed away. Maisie begins seeing signs of this just after her Uncle Walt, an actor still seeking his big break, comes back home from L.A. to convalesce after breaking his collarbone and two ribs while performing a movie stunt. To make matters worse, Maisie’s mom loses her job due to a budget cutback.
Maisie is working on an end-of-the-year school assignment, a filmed oral history of her grandmother. She discovers that, as a teenager, her grandmother worked with a young man and one enchanted evening, they shared a dance and a kiss. The young man was subsequently involved in a tragic incident before leaving town to serve in the Navy and later pursue a career in New York City. Meanwhile, her grandmother met Maisie’s now-deceased grandfather.
It turns out that her grandmother’s erstwhile suitor is now the curmudgeonly old guy who runs the downtown movie theater where Maisie and Cy go to watch Saturday matinees of classic films.
What will happen after Maisie reconnects her grandmother with her grandmother’s first love, Hank Schmitz? How will Maisie’s friendship with Cy be affected by the presence of Gary? What’s the secret at the root of the friction between Maisie’s mom and Uncle Walt?
In SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK, we see the foundations of Maisie’s idyllic childhood world being chipped away. Learning more about the stories of the people around her, she realises that adults make choices that often lead to unexpected consequences, and that they don’t necessarily end up with what they want.
As Maisie shares her feelings about getting attention from a boy for the first time, and as Cy recognizes that he’s gay, we see these issues addressed in an innocent, effective, and genuine manner. Middle grade readers will be fortunate to run across this book.
Full of references to Maisie and Cy’s oft-watched, beloved classic movies, SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK is a beautiful coming of age story.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Everybody’s a dreamer and everybody’s a star
And everybody’s in show biz, it doesn’t matter who you are
And those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard”
--The Kinks “Celluloid Heroes” (1972)
“Uncle Walt narrows his eyes and leans across the table. ‘Okay, Maisie, what’s going on? Are you still mad at me? I get it if you are, but--’
‘That’s not it,’ I tell him, although maybe a little part of me is still mad. Once somebody says something that hurts you, you can’t forget about it right away, even if you want to. Which is one reason I don’t want to talk to Cyrus until I know what to say to him. What if I say the wrong thing, and he never forgives me? And then maybe he gets mad and says something I can’t forget?
‘Well, what then? Did you have a fight with Cy or something?’
‘No! I mean sort of. It’s Gary’s fault. He’s always hanging around with us now and...making everything weird.’
Uncle Walt nods. ‘Because Gary likes you.’
I shrug. ‘I guess so.’
‘And Cyrus likes Gary,’ Uncle Walt says.
My head swivels and I stare at him, then spit out the bite of bagel I’m never going to be able to swallow now. ‘How did you…? I didn’t tell you that!’
‘I’ve got eyes, Hitch, and nothing else to do but sit around here and watch everybody. That’s an actor’s job, you know. To figure out why people do what they do.’
‘You can’t know! I promised Cyrus I wouldn’t tell anybody!’
‘You didn’t tell me, and I won’t tell anybody else. I’m just good at picking things up. The way Gary looks at you. The way Cyrus looks at Gary. It was kind of obvious.’
I push my plate away. ‘Well, it wasn’t obvious to me! Cy’s been my best friend my whole life, and I didn’t know this big thing about him. I feel like maybe I don’t really know him at all. I mean, what else hasn’t he told me?’
Uncle Walt reaches over and puts his hand on my head, which would annoy me if anybody else did it. ‘Maze, Cy probably didn’t know either until recently. I’m guessing Gary is the first boy he’s been attracted to. Or at least this is the first time Cy really understood what the attraction meant.’”
Maisie has had an idyllic childhood In the little town of New Aztec, Illinois, but as her sixth grade year winds down, she encounters unsettling changes. The list is topped off by Cy, her lifelong friend, neighbor, and fellow twelve year-old, coming out to her as gay before he tells anyone else in the world.
Perhaps the most critical change is that her maternal grandmother, who lives close by, is showing signs of dementia. For instance, she’s forgetting that her husband and her cat have both passed away. Maisie begins seeing signs of this just after her Uncle Walt, an actor still seeking his big break, comes back home from L.A. to convalesce after breaking his collarbone and two ribs while performing a movie stunt. To make matters worse, Maisie’s mom loses her job due to a budget cutback.
Maisie is working on an end-of-the-year school assignment, a filmed oral history of her grandmother. She discovers that, as a teenager, her grandmother worked with a young man and one enchanted evening, they shared a dance and a kiss. The young man was subsequently involved in a tragic incident before leaving town to serve in the Navy and later pursue a career in New York City. Meanwhile, her grandmother met Maisie’s now-deceased grandfather.
It turns out that her grandmother’s erstwhile suitor is now the curmudgeonly old guy who runs the downtown movie theater where Maisie and Cy go to watch Saturday matinees of classic films.
What will happen after Maisie reconnects her grandmother with her grandmother’s first love, Hank Schmitz? How will Maisie’s friendship with Cy be affected by the presence of Gary? What’s the secret at the root of the friction between Maisie’s mom and Uncle Walt?
In SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK, we see the foundations of Maisie’s idyllic childhood world being chipped away. Learning more about the stories of the people around her, she realises that adults make choices that often lead to unexpected consequences, and that they don’t necessarily end up with what they want.
As Maisie shares her feelings about getting attention from a boy for the first time, and as Cy recognizes that he’s gay, we see these issues addressed in an innocent, effective, and genuine manner. Middle grade readers will be fortunate to run across this book.
Full of references to Maisie and Cy’s oft-watched, beloved classic movies, SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK is a beautiful coming of age story.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
June 20, 2017
Sometimes a book just clicks with you, and this was absolutely one that did that for me. At first it seemed fairly basic, maybe a little ordinary - Maisie and her best friend Cyrus go to the movies every Saturday, but then Cyrus starts hanging out with Gary all the time. At first Maisie is afraid that Cyrus doesn't want to be her friend anymore. But it turns out that Gary actually has a crush on her, and she struggles with the feelings of a first crush. So in the beginning it felt a little young, maybe not super in-depth.
However, the book takes on a lot more themes and interesting situations. Maisie's grandmother starts showing signs of dementia and the family has to cope with that. Her Uncle Walt is in Hollywood trying to get his big break, which is frustrating to Maisie's mom, who is stuck taking care of Grandma. And on top of all that, Cyrus reveals that he is gay - and has a crush on Gary (I don't consider this a spoiler because it's in the description on the back of the book. Though I personally wouldn't have put it there because it makes the reveal a little less impactful).
It's a great story of what it's like to be 12 years old and the struggles of the world. Maisie struggles with things that adults are clearly having troubles with as well, and it just feels very relatable. It was an easy to reading writing style and it hooked me in. Because the characters are obsessed with movies, lots of references are sprinkled throughout. I loved the way that they tied in the themes of movies to the themes of this story.
There was also the sweetest romance in the story (not involving the Maisie/Cy/Gary love triangle!). I won't spoil it but it was both beautiful and a little sad.
Lots of great quotes in this one. When a book speaks to me I find myself writing down quotes from it, so here are a few of my favorites:
“He reminds me of Robin Williams at the end of Dead Poets Society - there's a little smile on his face, but you know he's actually as sad as he's ever been in his whole life.”
“I push my ice cream dish away. What's left in the bowl isn't cold and delicious anymore. Now it's just lukewarm, melted soup, because obviously nothing good lasts forever.”
“And I wonder why people can't understand each other better. Why do they hurt each other all the time, even when they don't mean to?”
“I like to believe the happy ending lasts forever.”
However, the book takes on a lot more themes and interesting situations. Maisie's grandmother starts showing signs of dementia and the family has to cope with that. Her Uncle Walt is in Hollywood trying to get his big break, which is frustrating to Maisie's mom, who is stuck taking care of Grandma. And on top of all that, Cyrus reveals that he is gay - and has a crush on Gary (I don't consider this a spoiler because it's in the description on the back of the book. Though I personally wouldn't have put it there because it makes the reveal a little less impactful).
It's a great story of what it's like to be 12 years old and the struggles of the world. Maisie struggles with things that adults are clearly having troubles with as well, and it just feels very relatable. It was an easy to reading writing style and it hooked me in. Because the characters are obsessed with movies, lots of references are sprinkled throughout. I loved the way that they tied in the themes of movies to the themes of this story.
There was also the sweetest romance in the story (not involving the Maisie/Cy/Gary love triangle!). I won't spoil it but it was both beautiful and a little sad.
Lots of great quotes in this one. When a book speaks to me I find myself writing down quotes from it, so here are a few of my favorites:
“He reminds me of Robin Williams at the end of Dead Poets Society - there's a little smile on his face, but you know he's actually as sad as he's ever been in his whole life.”
“I push my ice cream dish away. What's left in the bowl isn't cold and delicious anymore. Now it's just lukewarm, melted soup, because obviously nothing good lasts forever.”
“And I wonder why people can't understand each other better. Why do they hurt each other all the time, even when they don't mean to?”
“I like to believe the happy ending lasts forever.”
April 11, 2017
I don't read a lot of Middle Grade books, and usually when I do, I'm drawn to fantasy. But the title caught my eye, and I really enjoyed the plot. Maisie, aka Hitchcock, loves movies- especially old movies, her movie actor Uncle Walt, and her best friend Cyrus. At twelve she's more interested in making movies about talking dog. So she is not down when Gary starts to hang out with her and Cyrus, and definitely not okay with Gary's crush on her, especially since Cyrus likes Gary as more than just a friend. Then her grandmother's memory starts to go bad, her mother loses her job and money is tight, and her Uncle has to move in with them after a bad injury (well, that's the part Maisie likes). That's a lot for a 12 year old to handle, and Maisie makes some mistakes, and her friends and family do too. It was really heartfelt and charming, and Maisie has excellent taste in movies! It definitely made me wish we had an old movie theater here that showed the classics!
March 9, 2020
Maisie loves a lot of things: movies, her charismatic, unreliable actor uncle, her best friend and partner in film Cyrus, and her grandmother. But something is going wrong with so many of these parts of her life. As she films her grandmother, she sees growing signs of dementia. A new friend threatens to come between her and Cyrus, partly because Cyrus is beginning to understand himself better. Her uncle gets into an accident while filming a movie and has to come home. How can movies help Maisie make sense of it all? I enjoyed this book (which I selected mainly because it was available on Libby when I needed an insomnia read) though I have found children Maisie's age to be bored by the slow pace of classic films.
June 30, 2025
This one was just okay. Plot felt very scattered. I felt like I was intruding on a girl's diary more than reading a cohesive story. Writing itself is good, character development was decent. It just didn't flow for me in a way that could keep me invested.
August 21, 2017
SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK is probably my favorite MG read of 2017, and I'm kind of desperate for everyone else to check it out. Maisie is just the sort of heroine I adore--one with a strong, specific passion (in this case, movies); loyalty to her friends and family; and, most importantly, the ability to recognize when a bad first impression of someone merits reconsideration. On every page, I relished watching her interact with this book's stellar and complex supporting cast as she worked her way through a variety of personal and family challenges.
All of which may make this book sound a little dry or serious, when really, it's not. And I think that's Ellen Wittlinger's biggest accomplishment. There are plenty of books out there that deal with the types of issues that SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK tackles--dementia, family money issues, burgeoning crushes, and questions about sexuality--but few that do it with such a light touch and in such a compulsively readable way. So many different types of readers would connect strongly with this story, and I'm really excited for it to find its way in the world.
All of which may make this book sound a little dry or serious, when really, it's not. And I think that's Ellen Wittlinger's biggest accomplishment. There are plenty of books out there that deal with the types of issues that SATURDAYS WITH HITCHCOCK tackles--dementia, family money issues, burgeoning crushes, and questions about sexuality--but few that do it with such a light touch and in such a compulsively readable way. So many different types of readers would connect strongly with this story, and I'm really excited for it to find its way in the world.
September 19, 2017
I read #SaturdaysWithHitchcock by #EllenWittlinger during my experience with #HurricaneIrma and I was thankful I received this #ARC at #Bookcon cause it was entertaining enough and short enough to finish in one night. I thought I was not gonna enjoy as much since pretty much talks about a preteen girl problems but that's what made me love it so we have no saying on when we grow up age should be part of it but not necessarily goes hand by hand it haves different scenarios that help me see what this means. I give it 4 starts out of 5 I enjoy it a lot and I hope you too.
"Then I make an excuse and hand up so I can try to figure out what part of me is telling the truth-- my mouth or my brain or my heart"
"What if I say the wrong thing, and he never forgives me? And then maybe he gets mad and says something I can't forget"
"An hour ago we were having a great time, and now everybody's mad at everybody. I hate being twelve"
"Then I make an excuse and hand up so I can try to figure out what part of me is telling the truth-- my mouth or my brain or my heart"
"What if I say the wrong thing, and he never forgives me? And then maybe he gets mad and says something I can't forget"
"An hour ago we were having a great time, and now everybody's mad at everybody. I hate being twelve"
July 17, 2018
This was okay. It started out pretty good, but then started gradually going downhill.
The movie references felt a bit gratuitous. When everything is compared to a character, plot, or theme of a movie, not everyone is going to get those references. And I am not a classic movie fan, so a ton of them went over my head.
Maisie's self-centeredness made her unlikable. I am glad she changed some, but it took her a long time to get over herself. And her revolving thoughts about if she should like Gary or not got so tiring.
The movie references felt a bit gratuitous. When everything is compared to a character, plot, or theme of a movie, not everyone is going to get those references. And I am not a classic movie fan, so a ton of them went over my head.
Maisie's self-centeredness made her unlikable. I am glad she changed some, but it took her a long time to get over herself. And her revolving thoughts about if she should like Gary or not got so tiring.
December 13, 2017
Life is complicated for 12-year-old Maisie. Her uncle has moved in with her family after getting injured while filming a movie in Hollywood. Her grandma is showing signs of dementia. She finds out that a boy “like” likes her. And her best friend reveals a secret that she doesn’t know how to respond to. Changes are even afoot at the movie theater where she loves watching old films. Her own keen eye for details, combined with some wise advice from her uncle, just might help her navigate the uncertain times.
Saturdays With Hitchcock by Ellen Wittlinger delves into the pleasure and the pain of living through transitions. Maisie wishes everything could be simple and uncomplicated, the way it was before things started to change. But life isn’t static, and changes can be both good and bad. She discovers that having strong friendships and family ties are what’s most important when you need to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
Maisie is a strong character with keen observations about the people around her. She’s relatable because she often doesn’t know how to respond when new things come her way. She needs time alone and time talking things out before she decides what to do. In the end everything doesn’t end up neat and tidy, but she has a clear idea of how to move forward. I recommend Saturdays With Hitchcock for mother-daughter book clubs and readers aged 9 to 12.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Saturdays With Hitchcock by Ellen Wittlinger delves into the pleasure and the pain of living through transitions. Maisie wishes everything could be simple and uncomplicated, the way it was before things started to change. But life isn’t static, and changes can be both good and bad. She discovers that having strong friendships and family ties are what’s most important when you need to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
Maisie is a strong character with keen observations about the people around her. She’s relatable because she often doesn’t know how to respond when new things come her way. She needs time alone and time talking things out before she decides what to do. In the end everything doesn’t end up neat and tidy, but she has a clear idea of how to move forward. I recommend Saturdays With Hitchcock for mother-daughter book clubs and readers aged 9 to 12.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 7, 2023
Seeing this at the library, being intrigued by the title, I decided to check this out. And I’m glad I did, even if it turns out very bittersweet at the end.
I don’t typically read books like this but it’s not because I have anything against gay people, cuz I don’t. I love gay people even if their way of life isn’t up my alley; what’s more, they’ve never done anything to me (not even my gay cousin whom I don’t really know that well.) But sorry for going off a rabbit trail! I’m just saying that I’m not typically crazy about this genre.
But again, I’m glad I came across this book. Saturdays with Hitchcock has a sweet, moving storyline involving a girl on the edge of growing up and coming face to face with changes she’s not prepared for, especially a love she can never keep.
But I won’t give a whole lot more away. Besides, this novel isn’t just a story of a love triangle. It’s one about family, coming of age, and the need to hug life even when it doesn’t turn out as you want it to be.
Enough said. Even if you don’t usually read books with an LGBTQIA character, I strongly recommend you read it as it has very worthwhile messages of love, friendship, even sacrificial love.
I don’t typically read books like this but it’s not because I have anything against gay people, cuz I don’t. I love gay people even if their way of life isn’t up my alley; what’s more, they’ve never done anything to me (not even my gay cousin whom I don’t really know that well.) But sorry for going off a rabbit trail! I’m just saying that I’m not typically crazy about this genre.
But again, I’m glad I came across this book. Saturdays with Hitchcock has a sweet, moving storyline involving a girl on the edge of growing up and coming face to face with changes she’s not prepared for, especially a love she can never keep.
But I won’t give a whole lot more away. Besides, this novel isn’t just a story of a love triangle. It’s one about family, coming of age, and the need to hug life even when it doesn’t turn out as you want it to be.
Enough said. Even if you don’t usually read books with an LGBTQIA character, I strongly recommend you read it as it has very worthwhile messages of love, friendship, even sacrificial love.
October 1, 2017
The main character is Maisie, a 12-year-old movie buff. I was a little afraid I wouldn't be able to get into this book, because I'm honestly not much of a movie buff myself and I worried that the references might be over my head. What a wonderful surprise! This book will draw in just about any reader, no matter if they are movie aficionados or not. What I loved most about it is how real and honest it felt. Not only is Maisie dealing with several big, realistic issues at once, she's doing it in a very authentic 12-year-old way. She is forced to question several things that she has taken for granted her whole life, and several people she has known and loved her whole life, too. She muddles her way through it all in less-than-perfect but understandable ways, and eventually learns a great deal about herself and life. I really love how all of the characters, not just Maisie, grow and change and become better people throughout the course of the story. A lovely middle-grade story full of nostalgia as well as contemporary realism.
July 9, 2017
4 1/2 stars. A fun, upbeat read about 12 year old Maisie, her best friend Cy and a new friend who complicates everything. In addition to the nuanced friendships and incipient romance there are several other plot lines that reinforce the complexity of human relationships. Happily the story is never preachy and includes lots of great movie trivia. Perfect for 5th-7th grade.
I appreciate the richness of several of the current middle grade offerings: Saturdays with Hitchcock, The Stars beneath our Feet, (more to be added soon)...Not only do the books explore the typical tween issues: friendship in a shifting landscape, incipient romance, relationships with parents and siblings, nurturing individual passions, they also explore the complex world beyond the self: the layered relationships among older adults, the concerns of aging, parenting and financial responsibility, the need to forgive and appreciate good intentions. Also much appreciated is the inclusion of sexual, racial and socioeconomic diversity as part of the natural background of life, not the heavy-handed center of an after-school-special style problem novel.
Reviewed from and ARC
I appreciate the richness of several of the current middle grade offerings: Saturdays with Hitchcock, The Stars beneath our Feet, (more to be added soon)...Not only do the books explore the typical tween issues: friendship in a shifting landscape, incipient romance, relationships with parents and siblings, nurturing individual passions, they also explore the complex world beyond the self: the layered relationships among older adults, the concerns of aging, parenting and financial responsibility, the need to forgive and appreciate good intentions. Also much appreciated is the inclusion of sexual, racial and socioeconomic diversity as part of the natural background of life, not the heavy-handed center of an after-school-special style problem novel.
Reviewed from and ARC
August 28, 2018
Okay, so I liked it. But I didn't like it. I just hated the homosexuality part of it. Otherwise the story was fine, but I'm not up for okaying sins and sinful lifestyles. I know it's life, but I don't like to read about it. Just grosses me out. I read this book because it was on the Truman nominee list and my daughter was supposed to read it. I guess she can, but I gave her a warning, and this may be one that she's allowed to only read 50 pages of. In fact, the first 100 or so were fine. I liked it. But then I began to wonder, and yep, they went there. They always do these days, it seems. Just HAVE to put that in there for some reason. I wonder if people's editors are persuading them to do this or if it's the actual authors from the get-go.
November 27, 2018
A 2019-2020 Missouri Truman Readers Award preliminary nominee (grades 6-8).
Twelve-year-old film buff Maisie is having a rough summer. Her favorite uncle, a bit actor in Hollywood, has been staying with them, but he doesn't get along well with her mom. Money is tight. Grandma is acting strangely, and so is her best friend Cy and his new friend Gary.
This wasn't bad. I have trouble imagining 8th graders wanting to read about the relationship troubles of 12 year olds. I also have a 12 year old, and I couldn't picture him or his friends involved in this much angst. It felt like maybe the age was a little off. Otherwise I liked the rest of it and thought it dealt with its subject matter well.
Twelve-year-old film buff Maisie is having a rough summer. Her favorite uncle, a bit actor in Hollywood, has been staying with them, but he doesn't get along well with her mom. Money is tight. Grandma is acting strangely, and so is her best friend Cy and his new friend Gary.
This wasn't bad. I have trouble imagining 8th graders wanting to read about the relationship troubles of 12 year olds. I also have a 12 year old, and I couldn't picture him or his friends involved in this much angst. It felt like maybe the age was a little off. Otherwise I liked the rest of it and thought it dealt with its subject matter well.
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December 10, 2019Do you like movies ? If you do you will certainly like this book. The book Saturdays with Hitchcock by Ellen Witt linger is a book about Maisie and her best friend Cyrus that both love movies and its genre is realistic fiction. This book takes place in the 21 century. In the beginning of the story Maisie the main character hates Gary Hacket that is one of Cyrus's friends. In the end Cyrus doesn't like Maisie because Gary Hacket has a crush on her and he feels left out.
August 14, 2017
This book has so many wonderful elements--movie trivia, family dynamics, grappling with a friend's coming out, starting to date, and a grandmother's dementia. And it does it all in a way that doesn't feel heavy-handed, just very thoughtful. Highly recommended for middle-grade readers, but really for all ages!
June 28, 2018
A really solid middle-grade novel about complicated family and friends relationships. Definitely a coming-of-age story, and I'm impressed it encompasses a lot of different ways families and friends can be: with grandparents living at home, dealing with changes in a grandparent's memory, friends figuring out first crushes and what it all means. And the throughline about movies made me smile.
February 12, 2018
Lots of issues for this young character to deal with...a gay friend, a grandmother with early Alzheimer's, an underemployed movie star uncle, a parent who loses a job, and how to keep a friendship. Engaging characters and a good Saturday afternoon read.
May 2, 2018
Being a Hitchcock fan and lover of old movies I totally enjoyed all the movie references (most of which our kids won't get)...but underneath is a really lovely story of friends coming-of-age and in some cases coming out of the closet. Subtle and relevant.
May 8, 2018
This was not a heavy-weight book, but I found it enjoyable. In the age of everyone being a media producer, this just might open students' minds to the joy of old movies. There's also relationship drama at all age levels, making this an interesting and fun read.
November 17, 2021
Genre: realistic fiction, kidlit
1 LGBTQ main character: gay
Importance of identities to plot: 2/5
Romance: 1/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: a cute coming of age story. Gay character is a main character, but the story isn’t from his pov.
1 LGBTQ main character: gay
Importance of identities to plot: 2/5
Romance: 1/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: a cute coming of age story. Gay character is a main character, but the story isn’t from his pov.
October 19, 2017
An amazing story
November 8, 2017
I wanted to read the book because it was about a girl who loved movies. There was a lot more to the story, and I really appreciated how the author handled a variety of topics.
November 25, 2017
read this on the plane and thought it was super cute with some good themes. i especially loved the way it handled Maze's grandma devdloping Alzheimer's/dementia.
December 16, 2017
I wish I'd read this sooner. I loved it!
April 25, 2018
This was a cute book! I liked it a lot. The author has great taste in movies. :)
May 4, 2018
Good in the moment but kept wanting more. Some delicate subjects handled realistically.
June 18, 2023
Overall, good. But I felt like the topics the book was supposed to be focused on (Maisie's grandmother's dementia and Cyrus coming out) were covered a bit too superficially.
September 29, 2017
Originally posted at www.bickeringbookreviews.com
Summary: Twelve-year-old Maisie loves spending Saturdays at the old movie theater in her small town watching classic movies with her best friend, Cy. When Cy starts spending time with another boy, Gary Hackett, in their class Maisie feels like a third wheel however everything changes when she finds out that Gary Hackett likes likes her and making everything more complicated Cy may have hidden feelings for Gary. Adding, to Maisie's troubles are her grandmother's newly discovered health issues and the return of her Uncle from his not so illustrious Hollywood career.
Review: This is one of those middle grade books that is brand new but is still able to feel a little dated. Maisie, Cy and Gary never quite feel like they live in modern times and the adult around them interact in a way that feel like it could easily fit into a historical novel based in the 60s or 70s. But, there was something I liked about Maisie. As a movie buff who discovered classic movies by the age of ten I was able to relate with Maisie's movie obsession. However, I'm not sure how many readers would be able to see themselves in this young heroine. Nonetheless, I have to give at least a slight recommendation for any middle grade book that is able to broach LGBTQ themes in a way that young readers will be able to understand and Wittlinger does a good job introducing these themes for her intended audience.
Bottomline: "Saturdays with Hitchcock" will greatly appeal to middle grade readers who are also movies buffs however other readers may not enjoy the dated feeling of this one.
Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Summary: Twelve-year-old Maisie loves spending Saturdays at the old movie theater in her small town watching classic movies with her best friend, Cy. When Cy starts spending time with another boy, Gary Hackett, in their class Maisie feels like a third wheel however everything changes when she finds out that Gary Hackett likes likes her and making everything more complicated Cy may have hidden feelings for Gary. Adding, to Maisie's troubles are her grandmother's newly discovered health issues and the return of her Uncle from his not so illustrious Hollywood career.
Review: This is one of those middle grade books that is brand new but is still able to feel a little dated. Maisie, Cy and Gary never quite feel like they live in modern times and the adult around them interact in a way that feel like it could easily fit into a historical novel based in the 60s or 70s. But, there was something I liked about Maisie. As a movie buff who discovered classic movies by the age of ten I was able to relate with Maisie's movie obsession. However, I'm not sure how many readers would be able to see themselves in this young heroine. Nonetheless, I have to give at least a slight recommendation for any middle grade book that is able to broach LGBTQ themes in a way that young readers will be able to understand and Wittlinger does a good job introducing these themes for her intended audience.
Bottomline: "Saturdays with Hitchcock" will greatly appeal to middle grade readers who are also movies buffs however other readers may not enjoy the dated feeling of this one.
Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5
October 2, 2018
Awesome coming-of-age book.
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