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Just Under the Clouds
Can you still have a home if you don't have a house?
Always think in threes and you'll never fall, Cora's father told her when she was a little girl. Two feet, one hand. Two hands, one foot. That was all Cora needed to know to climb the trees of Brooklyn.
But now Cora is a middle schooler, a big sister, and homeless. Her mother is trying to hold the family together after her father's death, and Cora must look after her sister, Adare, who's just different, their mother insists. Quick to smile, Adare hates wearing shoes, rarely speaks, and appears untroubled by the question Cora can't help but ask: How will she find a place to call home?
After their room at the shelter is ransacked, Cora's mother looks to an old friend for help, and Cora finally finds what she has been looking for: Ailanthus altissima, the "tree of heaven," which can grow in even the worst conditions. It sets her on a path to discover a deeper truth about where she really belongs.
Always think in threes and you'll never fall, Cora's father told her when she was a little girl. Two feet, one hand. Two hands, one foot. That was all Cora needed to know to climb the trees of Brooklyn.
But now Cora is a middle schooler, a big sister, and homeless. Her mother is trying to hold the family together after her father's death, and Cora must look after her sister, Adare, who's just different, their mother insists. Quick to smile, Adare hates wearing shoes, rarely speaks, and appears untroubled by the question Cora can't help but ask: How will she find a place to call home?
After their room at the shelter is ransacked, Cora's mother looks to an old friend for help, and Cora finally finds what she has been looking for: Ailanthus altissima, the "tree of heaven," which can grow in even the worst conditions. It sets her on a path to discover a deeper truth about where she really belongs.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2018
49 people are currently reading
1559 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Sarno
3 books67 followersMelissa Sarno is the author of middle grade novels Just Under the Clouds, a Bank Street best book of the year, and A Swirl of Ocean. She is based in the lower Hudson Valley where she lives with her husband and two children.
The only thing she loves more than writing books is reading them. She also loves to hike, run, bake cakes, and take photos.
The only thing she loves more than writing books is reading them. She also loves to hike, run, bake cakes, and take photos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
January 22, 2018
I just finished reading @melissasarno's debut, JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS. It was such a sweet middle-grade contemporary, filled with a luscious sense of place and a narrator whose wistful, compelling voice will stay with me for a while. I particularly love the details in this book—of the trees that Cora catalogs, the passage of the seasons in Brooklyn, the crows that follow Cora and her sister across the city as they move from place to place. In a lot of ways, this was a difficult book to read, dealing with some intense and unusual subject matter. (Ironically, I'm currently listening to the audio book of Katherine Applegate's CRENSHAW, which has to be one of the only other middle grade novels that deals with child homelessness!) But in so many ways, it was also a sweet, uplifting read, musing gently on the true meaning of home, family, and belonging. Keep your eye out for this one this June!
July 23, 2018
As a children's librarian, when I talk to children about books, especially realistic fiction, I am always bringing up the images of books as windows. These windows open and we see how things might be, how things are, or how things were. Based on our experiences, as we look through those windows we learn, experience, empathize, or simply identify. The book Just Under the Clouds is the perfect example.
The family in the story is going through tough times, we see this clearly as we read the story, but there is so much more. There is some grieving, some growing, some understanding; there is change in the main character, but more than that, there is beauty in the main character's connection with nature. And it is all told (and shown) with a clear language that my students (fourth grade and up) can access and I can appreciate.
I must thank NetGalley for a preview copy of this title, but more than that, I must thank Melissa Sarno for writing this book.
The family in the story is going through tough times, we see this clearly as we read the story, but there is so much more. There is some grieving, some growing, some understanding; there is change in the main character, but more than that, there is beauty in the main character's connection with nature. And it is all told (and shown) with a clear language that my students (fourth grade and up) can access and I can appreciate.
I must thank NetGalley for a preview copy of this title, but more than that, I must thank Melissa Sarno for writing this book.
September 3, 2020
Great middle-grade read about the plight of a homeless family trying to survive in the Bronx. Cora, her mom, and disabled younger sister Adare manage to stick together through transitions to homeless shelters and housing projects, often facing unexpected dangers.
This reminded me of the book “Stay”, another middle-grade read about homelessness. “Sleeping In My Jeans”, a Y.A. book, also focuses on this subject. I think books like these are great for classrooms, and could lead to some really in-depth discussions.
This reminded me of the book “Stay”, another middle-grade read about homelessness. “Sleeping In My Jeans”, a Y.A. book, also focuses on this subject. I think books like these are great for classrooms, and could lead to some really in-depth discussions.
September 23, 2018
Just Under the Clouds is all about belonging. Unfortunately, I felt the narrative was lost itself.
At first, the prose gets you: its windiness, its chime and ting. Lovely. And the story is designed to pull you in as well. Seventh-grader Cora, her sister Adare (who was denied oxygen at birth), and their mother are homeless following the father's death. The realities of homelessness are somewhat touched on, but not in a gritty way. And from there, it's an aimless journey toward an end that was forced, instead of logically built up to throughout the novel.
For me, there were a few too many speed bumps. Adare's condition referred to as "special" in today's age. The homeschooling family living on a houseboat in a canal. The former homeschooled girl not "knowing how" to be around other kids at school. Cora skipping multiple days of school and administration not seeming to notice. A school letting Adare, who has diminished brain function, to sit on the steps and wait for her sister to pick her up. School safety, or any kind of safety, was not the focus of this story.
I realize I'm an adult (and a teacher), but I think the intended audience of middle-grade readers would struggle to connect as well.
At first, the prose gets you: its windiness, its chime and ting. Lovely. And the story is designed to pull you in as well. Seventh-grader Cora, her sister Adare (who was denied oxygen at birth), and their mother are homeless following the father's death. The realities of homelessness are somewhat touched on, but not in a gritty way. And from there, it's an aimless journey toward an end that was forced, instead of logically built up to throughout the novel.
For me, there were a few too many speed bumps. Adare's condition referred to as "special" in today's age. The homeschooling family living on a houseboat in a canal. The former homeschooled girl not "knowing how" to be around other kids at school. Cora skipping multiple days of school and administration not seeming to notice. A school letting Adare, who has diminished brain function, to sit on the steps and wait for her sister to pick her up. School safety, or any kind of safety, was not the focus of this story.
I realize I'm an adult (and a teacher), but I think the intended audience of middle-grade readers would struggle to connect as well.
May 29, 2018
A big thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for making a digital ARC available of this book.
The cover itself says much about the book. Cora is the older sister and the narrator. She often mentions trying to match hands and feet with younger sister Adare. This middle grade novel deals with both homelessness and disabilites. Readers in this age group will learn about Cora's life of uncertainty as she moves from one living situation to another and also helps care for her younger and special sister. Her love of trees and living things gives her life variety and beauty as well as a connection to her dead father. I especially loved having the Tree of Heaven figure heavily in the plot as that reminds me of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Would make a wonderful read aloud for this age group so they could discuss concepts like home, friends, family and more.
The cover itself says much about the book. Cora is the older sister and the narrator. She often mentions trying to match hands and feet with younger sister Adare. This middle grade novel deals with both homelessness and disabilites. Readers in this age group will learn about Cora's life of uncertainty as she moves from one living situation to another and also helps care for her younger and special sister. Her love of trees and living things gives her life variety and beauty as well as a connection to her dead father. I especially loved having the Tree of Heaven figure heavily in the plot as that reminds me of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Would make a wonderful read aloud for this age group so they could discuss concepts like home, friends, family and more.
February 9, 2018
I loved this sweet story about what home means and loving the people you're given.
May 13, 2019
To be honest, this was a pretty good book, but I just don't know why I had a two-month gap in between reading the book LOL.
February 19, 2018
Thank you to Melissa Sarno for providing an ARC of Just Under the Clouds to #collabookation for review. Publication set for June 2018.
What is home? Since Cora’s father died, her mother hasn't been able to find it. So Cora, her mother, and her sister Adare hop from place to place, couch to couch, in search of home. Cora has lived this way for a while when we meet her in Just Under the Clouds. She is used to being moved from place to place, pulled from school to school, and she doesn't seem to ask much of the world. But this is what I love most about middle grade literature: the realization by kids that they are their own beings. With this realization, Cora begins to move away from blindly accepting the way her life has been going. My favorite passage in this novel is when she disagrees with her mom (and I say this having raised two young women who said no to me plenty, and it wasn't my favorite part then!).
Cora is a caretaker to her sister, but her sister needs more. Their relationship is beautiful, but unfair. She is patient with her mother when she should be screaming, ‘Enough!’ When Cora finds a true friend, she doesn't know how to accept the friendship, knowing it, too, may be pulled from her grasp. And when Cora finds the stability she craves and deserves it means making the choice between that stability and her family.
Just Under the Clouds could have ended seven different ways, and I would probably still have loved it as much as I do. Cora has so many promising qualities that in this book all the bad that happens to her really does make her stronger. She's a strong, smart, loving girl who learns too young that life won't be easy. And are we ever too young to learn that nothing worth having comes easily?
What is home? Since Cora’s father died, her mother hasn't been able to find it. So Cora, her mother, and her sister Adare hop from place to place, couch to couch, in search of home. Cora has lived this way for a while when we meet her in Just Under the Clouds. She is used to being moved from place to place, pulled from school to school, and she doesn't seem to ask much of the world. But this is what I love most about middle grade literature: the realization by kids that they are their own beings. With this realization, Cora begins to move away from blindly accepting the way her life has been going. My favorite passage in this novel is when she disagrees with her mom (and I say this having raised two young women who said no to me plenty, and it wasn't my favorite part then!).
Cora is a caretaker to her sister, but her sister needs more. Their relationship is beautiful, but unfair. She is patient with her mother when she should be screaming, ‘Enough!’ When Cora finds a true friend, she doesn't know how to accept the friendship, knowing it, too, may be pulled from her grasp. And when Cora finds the stability she craves and deserves it means making the choice between that stability and her family.
Just Under the Clouds could have ended seven different ways, and I would probably still have loved it as much as I do. Cora has so many promising qualities that in this book all the bad that happens to her really does make her stronger. She's a strong, smart, loving girl who learns too young that life won't be easy. And are we ever too young to learn that nothing worth having comes easily?
March 14, 2018
4.5/5 for JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS by @MelissaSarno; thanks to the author and @kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book (#partner). All opinions are my own.
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Swipe for the back!
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This slim middle grade novel packs a serious punch. Cora is trying to hold it all together for her family, but she's struggling in school and she just wants security and stability. I appreciate how realistic JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS is -- don't expect a neat, perfect ending here. Cora's family will continue to face challenges despite being on the upswing by the end of the book. JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS would be a quick read aloud and would be excellent for promoting empathy and starting rich discussions with students. This poignant and heartbreaking portrayal of a family facing the huge problem of housing insecurity should find a home in every elementary and middle school library.
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Swipe for the back!
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This slim middle grade novel packs a serious punch. Cora is trying to hold it all together for her family, but she's struggling in school and she just wants security and stability. I appreciate how realistic JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS is -- don't expect a neat, perfect ending here. Cora's family will continue to face challenges despite being on the upswing by the end of the book. JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS would be a quick read aloud and would be excellent for promoting empathy and starting rich discussions with students. This poignant and heartbreaking portrayal of a family facing the huge problem of housing insecurity should find a home in every elementary and middle school library.
June 5, 2018
While contemporary is not generally my cup of tea, there need to be more books like this. There are very few books, especially MG books, that deal with the issues of homelessness despite the fact that many, many, many children are homeless. Cora is a very real character, and her struggles and triumphs felt authentic. Her relationship with her sister, Adare, who was deprived of oxygen at birth, was at time sweet and frustrating as Cora became frustrated with her and with how people perceived her sister. However, the pacing was a little slow for me. This is good book for anyone who enjoys contemporary novels and for fans of Crenshaw.
June 10, 2018
I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC from NetGalley of this middle grade novel. This book gives readers so much to think about. Cora, her special-needs sister, and her mother are homeless after the sudden death of her father. They have to move to different shelters all the time, many of them not very safe or pleasant. Cora struggles academically, socially, and emotionally as she has to deal with bullying, moving around so often, and missing her father. All she has left to remember her father is his Tree Book, which he used to identify trees in the community.
Sadly, many kids in our communities and schools experience homelessness. I think this book and others like it help young readers develop empathy and respect for their neighbors that are affected by poverty. This book could help start some great discussions about what makes a home, ways to respond to bullying, and ways to support friends that might be experiencing the things that Cora experiences. This book would be appropriate for middle grade kids in grades 4 – 8.
Sadly, many kids in our communities and schools experience homelessness. I think this book and others like it help young readers develop empathy and respect for their neighbors that are affected by poverty. This book could help start some great discussions about what makes a home, ways to respond to bullying, and ways to support friends that might be experiencing the things that Cora experiences. This book would be appropriate for middle grade kids in grades 4 – 8.
November 28, 2017
This book made me happy! I got a free ARC at the NCTE convention, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with my students. Cora is a middle schooler who is trying to figure out how she fits into the world, trying to navigate the difficulties of being homeless, trying to take care of her sister, who needs special care. She's a great character, and I think middle school students will like her and hope for the best for her as much as I did.
July 11, 2018
This book is important, and it is good. It is full of grief, and loss, of small hopes, new friendship, and whimsy. Also trees. And crows.
Sitting here, looking up at the huge sky, I want to tell her what I know: that the world is too big and you have to find your piece of it if you want to survive.
Cora is 12, and since shortly after her father died, she, her mama, and her sister Adare have been homeless. She feels like her life is upheaval-- like she doesn't have a place in the world. She's still grieving her daddy, she struggles to understand Adare, who suffered brain damage at birth, and who she cares for her while her mama works. She has two nemesis at school-- Algebra, and a girl named Meredith. She also has her tree book, bequeathed to her by her father, where she maps out all the pieces of her world, and records observations about all the plants in her life, and a new friend, Sabina, who lives in a houseboat with her family. And she has the heaven tree-- a special tree her father studied. Throughout, Adare grows-- through grief, in understanding, in friendship.
Cora's internal monologue carries this story, and it is beautifully and believably done. The themes of growth and home, Cora's rituals with her mama, her relationship with words and numbers, and Adare's love of elusive cats and crows hold the narrative together cohesively, and provide a lot of depth to what may seem a simple narrative on the surface.
This book is interesting and engaging. It's important for children to see themselves reflected in the literature they read, and there are so many ways to connect with Cora. It also offers a window into what a homeless or grieving child experiences, for those who haven't lived through those things. I highly recommend this book for its targeted age group.
I walk up close and run my fingers across the faded numbers on our place. I trace it. A number 7 and an A are smacked together. The answer to Ms. Alice's equation. 7A. Found.
Sitting here, looking up at the huge sky, I want to tell her what I know: that the world is too big and you have to find your piece of it if you want to survive.
Cora is 12, and since shortly after her father died, she, her mama, and her sister Adare have been homeless. She feels like her life is upheaval-- like she doesn't have a place in the world. She's still grieving her daddy, she struggles to understand Adare, who suffered brain damage at birth, and who she cares for her while her mama works. She has two nemesis at school-- Algebra, and a girl named Meredith. She also has her tree book, bequeathed to her by her father, where she maps out all the pieces of her world, and records observations about all the plants in her life, and a new friend, Sabina, who lives in a houseboat with her family. And she has the heaven tree-- a special tree her father studied. Throughout, Adare grows-- through grief, in understanding, in friendship.
Cora's internal monologue carries this story, and it is beautifully and believably done. The themes of growth and home, Cora's rituals with her mama, her relationship with words and numbers, and Adare's love of elusive cats and crows hold the narrative together cohesively, and provide a lot of depth to what may seem a simple narrative on the surface.
This book is interesting and engaging. It's important for children to see themselves reflected in the literature they read, and there are so many ways to connect with Cora. It also offers a window into what a homeless or grieving child experiences, for those who haven't lived through those things. I highly recommend this book for its targeted age group.
I walk up close and run my fingers across the faded numbers on our place. I trace it. A number 7 and an A are smacked together. The answer to Ms. Alice's equation. 7A. Found.
July 25, 2018
Cora lives in Brooklyn and loves to climb trees. She was taught by the best, her father. Now with her father gone, her family is struggling and basically homeless, shuttling from one unsafe shelter to another. A middle schooler, Cora is responsible for looking after her younger sister, Adare, while her mother works. Adare is “special:" she was deprived of oxygen when she was born and communicates and sees the world differently. When they discover that their room at the current shelter was vandalized while they were away, Cora’s mother asks her childhood best friend, Willa, if they can temporarily stay with her. Willa is a lawyer and her place is unlike any other they have known with a full refrigerator, and best of all, it’s safe. Willa is kind and wants the best for all of them, but she clashes with Cora’s mother who wants to live life on her own terms and do things her own way. When Cora discovers the very high "Tree of Heaven" which grows even in the worst of places and conditions, she obsesses about climbing it, even though it seems impossible. This beautiful, heartfelt story of love, home and belonging will strike a chord with every reader that will not easily be forgotten. I highly recommend it!
Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
December 24, 2025
Not recommended for its intended audience.
I read this book thinking if it was good I would pass it along to my 10-year-old granddaughter. However, it has zero kid appeal.
Cora is a young girl with a mentaily challenged sister, Adare, who sometimes becomes an embarrassment. However, since she is failing math, she has to go to a remedial class and is teased. Since their father died they have been homeless and moving from one crappy shelter to another. Their mother works hard and is looking for a permanent location for the family but it is just not panning out.
Cora is a bit odd as well and is obsessed with trees: learning about them, and climbing them. She has a book of trees that is a journal started by her father and she continues to take notes. Her father always talked about a "tree of life" and she looks to find it. Cora is supposed to pick up Adare from school and wait at a designated location for their mother to bring them "home" One day, Cora fails to arrive in time (she is busy climbing a tree) and Adare is lost.
So this is a book about special education children and what it may be like to be homeless and very poor. Although this family is not living on the streets, many of the places they stay are pretty bad.They only have a few clothes and air mattresses for sleep. One day, their mother takes them to live with her old friend, Willa, who has a nice apartment, but she is insistent that she won't stay and that she will find a place for her family
I read this book thinking if it was good I would pass it along to my 10-year-old granddaughter. However, it has zero kid appeal.
Cora is a young girl with a mentaily challenged sister, Adare, who sometimes becomes an embarrassment. However, since she is failing math, she has to go to a remedial class and is teased. Since their father died they have been homeless and moving from one crappy shelter to another. Their mother works hard and is looking for a permanent location for the family but it is just not panning out.
Cora is a bit odd as well and is obsessed with trees: learning about them, and climbing them. She has a book of trees that is a journal started by her father and she continues to take notes. Her father always talked about a "tree of life" and she looks to find it. Cora is supposed to pick up Adare from school and wait at a designated location for their mother to bring them "home" One day, Cora fails to arrive in time (she is busy climbing a tree) and Adare is lost.
So this is a book about special education children and what it may be like to be homeless and very poor. Although this family is not living on the streets, many of the places they stay are pretty bad.They only have a few clothes and air mattresses for sleep. One day, their mother takes them to live with her old friend, Willa, who has a nice apartment, but she is insistent that she won't stay and that she will find a place for her family
September 2, 2024
2.5*
Loved the diversity with the little sister who’s different since she lacked oxygen when she was a baby. Loved the important subject : homelessness. But the book wasn’t that interresting in his whole.
It was nice to see how close the three women were in the adversity of being homeless since the father died. The mom doing everything she can, the oldest trying her best to help. And it had a lovely end.
But, really, it was too much on the surface. I wish they talked more about the effect of being homeless. The fear, the vulnerability. Also, since the plot is character-driven, the whole story around them was just serving as a background that didn’t really moved. Which was sad, since it could have added much more to the story.
It wasn’t awful, but it was average, a big « okay, meh ».
Loved the diversity with the little sister who’s different since she lacked oxygen when she was a baby. Loved the important subject : homelessness. But the book wasn’t that interresting in his whole.
It was nice to see how close the three women were in the adversity of being homeless since the father died. The mom doing everything she can, the oldest trying her best to help. And it had a lovely end.
But, really, it was too much on the surface. I wish they talked more about the effect of being homeless. The fear, the vulnerability. Also, since the plot is character-driven, the whole story around them was just serving as a background that didn’t really moved. Which was sad, since it could have added much more to the story.
It wasn’t awful, but it was average, a big « okay, meh ».
September 13, 2021
I found this book in a bargain bin at my grocery store and without even knowing what it was about or what genre it was I had a feeling I needed to buy it, and I'm so glad I did!!!
This was such a wholesome, heartwarming story, I even teared up at the end! This book made me feel so much and I know that middle school me would have loved this book in her own way if I had read it then! As a parent I read this book from a different perspective than I young teen would but I think it is a great book for young and older readers to read!
This book was a completely different style from what I usually read but I absolutely loved it and definitely want to read Ms.Sarno's other book as well!💜
This was such a wholesome, heartwarming story, I even teared up at the end! This book made me feel so much and I know that middle school me would have loved this book in her own way if I had read it then! As a parent I read this book from a different perspective than I young teen would but I think it is a great book for young and older readers to read!
This book was a completely different style from what I usually read but I absolutely loved it and definitely want to read Ms.Sarno's other book as well!💜
June 6, 2018
Not many middle grade novels talk about homelessness. Still fewer take the perspective of a child experiencing homelessness. Here, Cora and her family shuffle from one questionable shelter to another, or between friends' couches. She watches her sister, Adare, and she waits for her mother. There's no long-term stability--only a daily life of right-now. Right now, her mother is working. Right now, Adare wants to take off her shoes and run. Right now, they have a teapot and windowsill treasures. There's no way to think about what will happen later.
Cora manages by mapping trees, which connects her to her late father. And then there's the budding hope of friendship, and maybe even a glimmer of stability. This story is quietly realistic, giving readers either a window into a different life or a much-needed mirror of their own.
Cora manages by mapping trees, which connects her to her late father. And then there's the budding hope of friendship, and maybe even a glimmer of stability. This story is quietly realistic, giving readers either a window into a different life or a much-needed mirror of their own.
June 20, 2018
Full disclosure: I’m friends with the author.
It’s gorgeously written. Sweet. I loved their family unit together. I loved the sisterly bond between Cora and Adare. I am also amazed at the level of detail captured — not only in the trees, but also about living as a homeless family in NYC. I haven’t ever read that before in children’s literature, and I think it’s a much deserved perspective. It also made me miss Brooklyn.
It’s gorgeously written. Sweet. I loved their family unit together. I loved the sisterly bond between Cora and Adare. I am also amazed at the level of detail captured — not only in the trees, but also about living as a homeless family in NYC. I haven’t ever read that before in children’s literature, and I think it’s a much deserved perspective. It also made me miss Brooklyn.
September 11, 2018
Not my usual read but I know the author so I was definitely going to read it. Clouds is beautifully written and a wonderful slice of life about a widow and her two daughters just trying to get by in the world. Full of love and hope, this novel should be read by the young people of today. It’s honest and full of feeling and grit and humour, sadness, friendship and real life. A wonderful debut novel by a wonderful author.
July 2, 2019
This book broke and healed my heart. The real life issue of homeless families, often for the same reason as what happens to Cora and her family, is handled with so much honesty, tenderness, and beautiful writing. Cora is a true hero, as is her sister Adare who sees the world in a different way. The book also speaks to how invisible homeless women and children can be - in schools, at work, with family. I pulled for their family from the moment the book started.
January 22, 2021
3.5 stars. Catelin book club. From an adult perspective, this book is jarring in its first paragraph, kinda just slamming you into the storyline with no set up. It also is simply structured and has a hopeful ending - when we all know life is a bit messier than that. From the 8-12 yo perspective, this is a wonderful novel to introduce the hard concepts of homelessness, disabled siblings and all the general preteen angst of trying to fit in. Highly recommend for this age set.
August 20, 2018
Where can a 12 year old girl who loves climbing trees and lives in a shelter in Brooklyn NY find home? A sweet story of belonging. 3 plus
September 2, 2018
Listened to this on audio, but now I can't really remember much about it.
December 7, 2018
Not what I was expecting.
March 20, 2019
Sweet, but not for the advanced young reader. I was underwhelmed and bored for most of this story.
September 5, 2019
Heartfelt, touching story with beautiful writing. I enjoyed every second!
March 27, 2020
I enjoyed this book a ton! It was a great choice for me and taught me an amazing lesson.
May 6, 2020
This book was fine. I wouldn't say awesome because the beginning was very confusing. But the rest of the book was very good. I rate this book 4 stars. I would recommend this book to readers who like plants and like hearing about how people find a place in the world.
March 5, 2018
Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an early review copy of Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno, which will publish June 5, 2018. All thoughts are my own.
#young readers (ages 8-12)
Writing: 4.5 Characters: 5 Plot: 4.5
This is one of those books that opens your eyes to a completely fresh perspective. Cora is a 12-year-old girl who is technically homeless. Along with her mother and sister, she moves from placement to placement in South Brooklyn. Some placements are better than others, and some almost begin to feel like home, but all are temporary and none is truly theirs. They began this sojourn 6 years before, when her father died suddenly of a too large heart.
Cora is a budding naturalist. She carefully documents all the plants and trees she finds in each of the places they live, keeping note in her father’s field journal which she calls her “Tree Book.” Through her observations and records, we are exposed to aspects of nature that I wouldn’t have known existed in these urban settings. Frankly, I had never heard of the Red Hook and Gowanus sections of Brooklyn and I was fascinated reading about them from within Cora’s story.
We also see a panoply of different people through her eyes: a new friend who lives on a houseboat and was home schooled for most of her life; an artist building a giant, slightly jagged, heart in an old warehouse; an old friend of her mother’s who lives a life of relative luxury near by; and her sister, Adare, who is “special.” Cora hates that word because “when it comes to Adare, nobody can get enough of the word special.” Adare was deprived of oxygen as a baby and is certainly different, but there is more to Adare than the label implies — she has a magical way of interacting with the world.
This is a real gem — one of the best young reader books I’ve read in a long time. An honest and absorbing story about a young girl seeking to belong. As a fun aside, in the acknowledgements I found out that Sarno’s agent is none other than Rebecca Stead, one of my favorite children’s literature authors. An excellent recommendation!
#young readers (ages 8-12)
Writing: 4.5 Characters: 5 Plot: 4.5
This is one of those books that opens your eyes to a completely fresh perspective. Cora is a 12-year-old girl who is technically homeless. Along with her mother and sister, she moves from placement to placement in South Brooklyn. Some placements are better than others, and some almost begin to feel like home, but all are temporary and none is truly theirs. They began this sojourn 6 years before, when her father died suddenly of a too large heart.
Cora is a budding naturalist. She carefully documents all the plants and trees she finds in each of the places they live, keeping note in her father’s field journal which she calls her “Tree Book.” Through her observations and records, we are exposed to aspects of nature that I wouldn’t have known existed in these urban settings. Frankly, I had never heard of the Red Hook and Gowanus sections of Brooklyn and I was fascinated reading about them from within Cora’s story.
We also see a panoply of different people through her eyes: a new friend who lives on a houseboat and was home schooled for most of her life; an artist building a giant, slightly jagged, heart in an old warehouse; an old friend of her mother’s who lives a life of relative luxury near by; and her sister, Adare, who is “special.” Cora hates that word because “when it comes to Adare, nobody can get enough of the word special.” Adare was deprived of oxygen as a baby and is certainly different, but there is more to Adare than the label implies — she has a magical way of interacting with the world.
This is a real gem — one of the best young reader books I’ve read in a long time. An honest and absorbing story about a young girl seeking to belong. As a fun aside, in the acknowledgements I found out that Sarno’s agent is none other than Rebecca Stead, one of my favorite children’s literature authors. An excellent recommendation!
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