Georgia Rules: A Moving Middle Grade Novel about a Girl Finding Family and Belonging in a New Town for Kids

by Nanci Turner Steveson

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year

Perfect for fans of One for the Murphys and The Penderwicks, this poignant and moving middle grade novel tells the story of a girl who moves to a new town and meets an unforgettable family—one that will change her and her mother’s lives forever.

Magnolia Grace never wanted to leave Georgia. She never wanted to move with her mama to the farm her daddy owned before he died. But now here she is, in a tiny Vermont town where everybody sings the praises of the father Maggie never knew.

Then Maggie meets the Parker family—two moms, six kids, plus a pony. The Parkers are loud and wild, ask lots of questions, and don't follow any of the rules Maggie grew up with in Georgia. Suddenly Maggie has questions too—questions about her father, and why Mama kept him away for so long.

In her search for answers, Maggie will learn that families are like patchwork quilts, sewn together by love, and all the more beautiful for their different colors.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, LGBT, Grief, Juvenile, Family

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Nanci 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.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truth be told is that I do feel more than a trifle conflicted regarding Nanci Turner Steveson’s 2017 middle grade novel Georgia Rules. For while I have generally found main narrator (and protagonist) Magnolia Grace’s (Maggie’s) voice strong, personally relatable and also generally age appropriate in scope, I also do tend to consider that for especially Maggie’s mother, author Nanci Turner Steveson has at least in my opinion quite if not actually totally verbally over-exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness and focused almost exclusively on negatives of character and behaviour (and really to such an extent that when at the end of Georgia Rules Maggie’s mother then changes her mind, starts actually listening to her daughter and that Maggie indeed wants to stay in Vermont and get to know more about her deceased father, I for one and as an adult reader certainly have had some major trouble suspending my doubt and actually accepting that the mother has suddenly done a 180 degree turn and become loving, accepting and willing to make compromises, as yes, her almost miraculous transformation from ridiculous self centred harpy to almost textbook like maternal perfection so to speak really does make me more than shake my head and roll my eyes).

Combined with the fact that throughout Georgia Rules I do believe that we as readers are also almost constantly being hit over our proverbial heads with majorly heavy duty issues, tragedies and the like, I really cannot say that my reading experience with Georgia Rules has been all that enjoyable. As while I do think middle grade readers should of course and naturally be confronted with and by scenarios such as same sex relationships, PTSD, potentially tragic accidents etc., that at least in my humble opinion much too much of Nanci Turner Steveson’s presented text has actually rather read and seemed more like a huge and detailed laundry list of one problematic issue, of one disaster or possible disaster after another, this has most certainly seriously and lastingly lessened my reading pleasure to the point that my average star ranking for Georgia Rules will be but two stars, a high two stars indeed, but with the narrational and thematic shortcomings I have encountered absolutely and definitely not yet three stars by any stretch of my imagination.

[Nicole Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK! Really, everything about it. The characters are so real, so funny, each one with distinct personalities, all so touching, I feel as though I know them personally. There are some seriously funny moments, many surprises, gorgeous settings, and very real, contemporary problems. Magnolia Grace (Maggie) and her Mama move from a country club type lifestyle in Atlanta to a rural farm in Vermont after Maggie’s daddy dies and leaves her his farm. Mama wants to sell it, but they have to live there for one year to satisfy the terms of the will before they are allowed to sell. I read this author’s other book, Swing Sideways, and this one has the same beautiful and sensory descriptions in the settings, which are more like a character of their own. I love the country store, and the old maple sugaring place and the history Maggie learns about the ancestors she never knew existed. One thing I truly appreciate in this book is that Maggie and Mama meet the Parker family with same sex parents (two moms), but this isn’t the focus of the book. It just is. As an educator, I understand the need for kids to see themselves in literature, and not in a big, huge “look at them!” way. Not only that, but Maggie’s home life is on very shaky ground. Maggie adores the Parker family, with all their different shapes, sizes and colors, and wants desperately to be a part of their lives, but also to have the kind of family who loves each other the same way they do. To her, they are a meter for what she views as a normal family. This is especially important for kids in this age audience to experience. Aside from that, this was a fantastic read. Well written, colorful, tender, funny, a true depiction of “realistic” fiction, and a terrific companion to the author’s first book. I believe both will become classics in time.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sucked in immediately by Maggie's voice, and wanted to stay forever in the beautiful Vermont town where she hopes to find a fresh start. Young readers will connect easily with the lovingly drawn and diverse cast of kids in this unforgettable story.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I read a book cover to cover in one day. What a way to kick off summer vacation! I loved how Magnolia Grace came into her own by finding and accepting the love of the people surrounding her. A compelling read!

[Jenn Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender, lovely book about understanding your parents, finding yourself in a new place, and making new friends. Steveson excels at crafting adult protagonists that jump off the page (that mother!), almost demanding their own stories, as well as keenly capturing the inner conflicts of the middle school set. I felt completely transported to this charming rural Vermont town.

[Jill CD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenderly and beautifully written you will fall in love with Magnolia Grace and her ever so different southern mama. You become part of the Vermont family in this delightful story. I loved every minute of it. 4th grade and up

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! For those who love heartprint books, you'll want to make sure this is on your list!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnolia Grace's parents divorced when she was very young. Her memories of her father are few and faint. When he passes away he bequeaths the family farm, all 2,000 acres of it, to his daughter. The catch is that she and her southern belle of a mother must live there for at least one year before they can sell the property. Magnolia has no interest in a place like rural Vermont with its lack of internet access and several state's distance form her best friend. But, her feelings soon shift as memories of her father begin to surface and she discovers the joy of small town life. A large part of the change in attitude is due to the Parker family; two moms, six kids (several of whom are adopted or foster children) and their country store. Magnolia (Maggie) finally feels a part of something larger than herself and senses her connection to her deceased father. Her mother is less than enthused about rural life. Maggie makes it her mission to win over her mother and keep the farm.
A gem of a coming of age story, wholesome, full of charm, and a far better advertisement for Vermont than Bernie Sanders.

[Amanda Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Rules is a heartfelt story about family, loss & the power to preserve. Maggie is caught between her old "Georgia Rules" and her new life in Vermont - where everything is different. Finding out who she is & where she came from is at the heart of this beautiful story. Nanci Turner Stevenson has created characters that leap off the page right into readers' hearts. Loved this story & the hope it brings into the world.

[Cheryl Blackford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet coming-of-age story. After her father's sudden death in a car accident, Maggie inherits his farm in Vermont, on the stipulation that she must live there for a year before she can sell it. Maggie and her newly-divorced mother move to Vermont where Maggie struggles to fit in. The Parker family, a ragtag mix of kids and their two Moms who definitely don't follow the "Georgia rules" that Maggie is familiar with, help her adjust and she begins to learn just how much she doesn't know about her father.

The characters are engaging and Maggie's (Magnolia Grace) relationship with her mother is painted in realistic terms. Steveson's descriptions of Vermont, particularly the country store and the maple syrup factory, are beautiful - I felt I could step into the setting. There's enough tension and suspense to move the middle-grade reader through the story as Maggie learns to trust other people and make her own decisions. This should be a hit with the Penderwicks set.

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An advanced copy of this middle grade novel was shared with my #BookReads Twitter group, and I’m so excited that I finally had my turn to read it. I loved this book, because it creates such a beautiful portrait of what a family really is, and all the wonderful things that it can be. And I love that the definition doesn’t stop with the last page of the story, but it leaves it clear that the love of a family has no limits. The book shares with readers an inclusive and expansive notion of family and belonging, and it does so with heart and gusto!

The book also does this with great storytelling. The book opens on the day that everything changes for the main character, Maggie. Maggie, an adolescent girl from Georgia, finds out that she has inherited a farm in Vermont from her recently deceased father. Maggie’s mom has decided that the two of them are going to leave the big city of Atlanta and move to a small, rural community that is so far away from everything Maggie has ever known. The plan is that the two of them will live on the farm for one year, after which, they will be free to sell the place and move wherever they wish to go.

This book shows the development of the characters, plot, and theme through a study in contrasts. There is a world of difference between the big, Southern city of Atlanta and the small town where the farm is located. There is also a big difference in the conservative, judgmental attitude towards people that Maggie’s mother represents and the welcoming and accepting nature of the Parker family.

The Parker family consists of two moms and six kids. The family was built through adoptions and fostering kids. The family is loud, rambunctious, and not the least bit self-conscious. But there always seems to be plenty of room at the table and plenty of love to go around for anyone who stops by. It is through Maggie’s growing friendship with this family and others in the town that she comes to know who her father really was, and why this is exactly where she belongs. But she has a lot of work to do to convince her mother that this is the place to stay. This book would go along great with other inclusive family stories like The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser, The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy, and One For The Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

You were told to "not judge a book by its cover;” that universal platitude, true in its lesson to not judge people by appearances, does not always apply anymore in the world of new literature.

Cover art is everything-- and in this case a cover can lead a reader to a remarkable find.

For an author, choosing the image that represents a story’s face is complicated and nuanced and very,very subjective. I compare watching my artist sister unveil my Jeremy (from my as of yet unpublished novel Jubilee) to those early pregnancy ultrasound visits, when the unborn child reveals him or herself to the parents. It’s a singular moment of an abstract ideal taking concrete shape-- and it’s incredibly powerful. (Check out the video of Sarah Soule Webb’s unique use of rubber cement to allow my Jeremy to practically emerge from the bay we both love.)

"Jeremy" by Sarah Soule Webb @sswstudios from Jubilee by Laura Soule Boyles

One novel released this spring had a cover that just enchanted me. Reminiscent of the early American folk art or “primitive” schools of painting in the north east (yes, I love art history, too!), children run “free range” with a playful pony in front of a quaint New England style barn, and amidst a backdrop of rolling hills and rich foliage. Add to that the title, Georgia Rules, a classic motto in our family because the rules are different at our own family Georgia farm, and my personal attraction to the Georgia Rules, just based on the cover, was a strong one. It called to me with each post that popped up on Twitter, tantalizing and teasing leading up to its release. Yes, I loved it from its cover, and I was not disappointed by the story of Magnolia Grace.


Georgia Rules, despite its title, actually takes place primarily in Vermont, a place I myself have yet to visit. Steveson takes us there, delivering us to the downtown, touring us through the twisting roads of the hill country, and escorting us to the neighbors’ homes. Setting is incredibly important in this novel; Steveson touches on a concept tantamount to time travel--that when occupying the same space as someone from before us, from another time, the timeline sort of folds over on itself, and we connect to that person in that space in a remarkable way. I believe that concept is why we travel to monuments and stand in places of history; it’s why we sit in a lost loved one’s chair; it’s why we take the trip our grandparents took or recreate a photo we’ve seen when we finally see the place. In the place of her father’s life, Maggie feels connection to him and can finally mourn the loss of a father she barely knew.

The characters of Georgia Rules enchant the reader; there’s truly someone for everyone within the pages. I read middle grades lit to be able to make recommendations to my own students. I think sharing a book with someone can be a powerful and intimate connection with them, and in the classroom nothing is more important than the teacher student connection; books are how I foster this: knowing books and knowing my kids.

This past year, 2 of my ten year old students had lost parents: one suddenly in an accident two years prior, another due to cancer just days before school started. Everytime I come across death in middle grades literature, I think of these children and the many others like them. I’ve seen how reading about a problem can help them feel less alone; how following another character fighting something similar can show a child another path for his or her own grief; how seeing a happy ending can bring hope. And I also hope that seeing death as a common theme or at least a common obstacle in children’s literature illustrates for children that no one loss is the same, but that they are not alone in their experience of it. For children who haven’t experienced loss first hand yet, reading about it prepares them, places a foundation of resilience that lies dormant until they need to call upon it. And they will need to one day. Magnolia Grace’s loss is complicated and unique, but it is also universal. I know students who need this, and I’m grateful for books like Georgia Rules that offer me another chance at connection with children who need connection.

Steveson writes about the patchwork quilt of people that Maggie’s father created for her in Vermont. This includes a wildly loving large family blended with foster children amidst a marriage of two mamas. I love that this delightful, diverse family takes strong center stage in Georgia Rules, and that their backstory as a same sex couple works so naturally in the book that it is less important than the fact that they are critical individuals who shape our girl Maggie.

In order to grow into a community of empathetic and engaged young humans from every background, our children must encounter differences, and if not in their own lives, then books offer that opportunity. The more experience, in life or in story, that children connect to difference, the less confusing for them. I remember the time my son first met my husband’s newly married friends Nick and Tom. At age 5, his question to his father was “Do you have many other friends who are married to people of the same gender?” We laughed-- a five year old using such verbiage and asking a matter of fact question. In truth, son, only a few. But that doesn’t mean I want you to think it’s exceptional. Love comes in many forms, and I want to introduce you to even more diverse people and families. I can show you loving and supportive and intentional relationships of all kinds in the books I share with you. My desire is to share examples of healthy, meaningful relationships of all kinds, and I can do so through story, as well as in life.

I could write about themes in Georgia Rules for days. I love that Maggie’s mama is flawed. I’m a flawed mama. I love that she’s redeemed through her service to others. I need redeeming. Asking our children for forgiveness and understanding doesn’t belittle us, doesn’t break our position of authority. It models what humanity needs more of. When Maggie confronts her mother’s faults and her own deep disappointment, she paves a path for their deeper connection going forward. This is another example of showing our children the courage we want them to embody, in this case, naming injuries, addressing hurts, and rebuilding relationships.

It’s worth noting that Amazon pre-order is amazing-- a real game changer. When I think back to lines forming outside of brick and mortar bookstores for the next installment of Harry Potter, I’m a little sad that doesn’t really happen anymore; however, when it comes to my crazy life of juggling and scheduling, I can commit to buying a book I really want and know that it will be waiting on me on release day without a further thought. I excitedly took this photo of Georgia Rules on my way up my front steps as I tore open the package. Pre order sales help authors-- garnering them better standing in pre-orders helps a book get better visibility in-store and drums up the early talk, teasing up the book. I wish I could stand outside of a small book seller on release day of an awaited novel, but unfortunately my hometown is missing that beloved icon of American downtowns.

[Lisa K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnolia Grace will steal your heart as she navigates through many changes in her life. After losing the father she hadn't seen in years and inheriting a large farm in Vermont, Maggie and her mother (newly divorced) move to fulfill their one-year residence as stipulated by her father's will.

Readers will love getting glimpses into not only Maggie's family, but also the Parker's blended family. Readers will struggle at times trying to understand Maggie's mom, but they'll see her come through in big ways that also surprise Maggie.

In addition, Nanci's writing will have you yearning to travel to Vermont to experience firsthand some of the charm of the northeastern region of the U.S.

I agree with another reviewer who labeled this book as one of those "heartprint" books!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Rules is the second novel from Nanci Turner Stevenson and if you loved her first book Swing Sideways, you're going to love her this one as well!! Nanci's writing transports you to a beautiful scene in Vermont where Maggie has just moved after the unexpected death of her father who left her his farm. Georgia Rules tells the story of a girl who is discovering the type of man her father was while also trying to understand who she is. The friendship and family Maggie creates in Vermont along with the strained relationship that develops between her and her mother will be instantly relatable to readers of any age! This heartwarming story of love, loss, and personal discovery is wonderful for all ages and is a definite must read!!

[Laurie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this gentle, warmhearted story with its imperfect but goodhearted characters, their journeys through some very difficult situations and eventual triumphs over them, and even a bit of ongoing mystery that is tastefully revealed at the end to pack both a wallop and huge dose of understanding and compassion. I can honestly say I didn't see it coming, but when it came it fit so perfectly that everything suddenly made sense. It's a good reminder that things, and people, aren't always what they seem, and that most of us are struggling to do our best in a complicated world. A recommended, realistic read about both friendship and family, and about how sometimes they become one in the same.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An advance reading copy was given to me in exchange for an honest review. You will fall in love with this story! Magnolia Grace (Maggie) moves from Georgia to Vermont with her mother the summer after her father, who she barely knew, dies in an accident. They live on his farm and Maggie begins to unravel some of the mysteries of who her father was, while getting to know the quirky rural town in which he lived. Everyone seems to know more about her father than she does, including the Parker family, a lively, unlikely group who help teach Maggie what true family is all about. I can't wait to share this heartfelt story with middle grade readers in my school library.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not very exciting or intriguing, this is a sweet story about a girl who learns about her late father, her eccentric mother, and in turn- about herself. The characters are colorful with the exception of the protagonist- who I just couldn't get a grasp of who she is and I never really related to her. Though the descriptions of the landscape grew to irritate me, I did end up enjoying this book (and I think the ending has a lot to do with that change of heart). I do think the author is a little out of touch with how kids speak when they text each other, the overall book was well written. A good, clean read for an upper elementary/ early middle school reader.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judging from the other reviews, I seem to be in the minority that I did not love this book. I really enjoyed the book until last part. It got much too sappy for me. The character of Mama also did not ring true for me. She was 33 years old, but to me she came across as someone much older.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind on reviews...this week I finished these two great books set in VT!
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for GEORGIA RULES by #nanciturnersteveson is about a girl named Maggie who moves to VT from Georgia with her mother after her reclusive, artist father dies and leaves the house to her. She befriends an eclectic family with two moms, adoptive and foster kids and a pony named Sassy Pants. In her year there, she discovers that VT is the perfect place for her, but can she convince her southern mom? I don’t love the cover, but I did enjoy this book. I think it’s probably set close to where we are in VT so that made it extra special—secret swimming holes and small town vibes. ❤️
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[Lonna Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is good when it makes you laugh and cry. And truly understand the mind of a 12 yr.-old girl. Magnolia Grace (Maggie) never really knew her artist father, as she grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, but she gets an earful when Mama abruptly moves her to her dad's farm in Vermont. It's only been five years since he died in a an accident, but everyone speaks of him with reverence and awe. The unusual Parker family helps Maggie deal with her grief and her stormy relationship with her Southern Belle mama. Georgia Rules don't apply in Vermont; and James, Biz, Lucy, Sonnet, Kendra, Haily, and their two moms, Kori & Sue have much better in store for Maggie. Turns out she was born to live in maple syrup country and find her true family. "Like a rainbow quilt, this family had been brought together from the discarded scraps of other people's lives."

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in a day and it is definitely a heartprint book for me.

This is a story about love, family, loss, and finding that your home is where your heart feels at peace!

Magnolia Grace, also called Maggie, moves from Georgia to Vermont, when her mostly absent father dies and leaves her his family farm. As part of the will, Maggie and her mother must live there for one year before being allowed to sell it. With the intent of fulfilling the expectations of the will and moving on after the year is up, Maggie finds that as she gets to know the area and learns about the father she barely remembers, her heart begins to embrace the idea of staying in Vermont. But will she be able to convince her southern belle, fashionista, wanderlust filled, mother that this is where they belong?

A fantastic middle grade novel that is not to be missed!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl from Georgia moves to Vermont to live on her deceased Dad's farm with the understanding that her mom will sell it after a year.
I expected this to be the typical fish-out-of water story about a girl not liking a new place and dealing with her less than stellar parent. But turns out Georgia LOVES Vermont right off the bat. And her mom, while not very sympathetic or mature, turns out to have good reasons for some of the big choices she made and is a pretty impressive person in her own quirky way. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and the sweetness of the characters. Plus, the author made Vermont sound like a magical place, and I love escaping into books with rich description like this one has.

[Melinda Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The writing's smooth, the story warm. I admit that some of the characters blurred together for me, probably because they were introduced at the same time. The mother's character is really interesting and complex, sometimes unpredictable but in a believable way. I think some of Maggie's resurfacing memories are too clear and specific, considering she'd totally forgotten them for so long—but it enhanced the sort of ghost relationship between her and her daddy. I liked the setting and the message about how family is what you make it.

I would read more by Nanci Turner Steveson.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered "Swinging Sideways" at Dollar Tree of all places and was curious to see if this author had written any other books. I haven't read "Sideways" yet, but I loved "Georgia Rules " Such a sweet book and I loved all of the characters ; especially Maggie. Her mom was probably my least favorite but she wasn't bad. It was nice to read a book without any swear words in it and the only part I didn't really care for was the dramatic turn but it ended up adding a lot to the story. I have never been to Vermont and I've always wanted to go there. The author describes it so beautifully that I felt like I was already there. I am 52 and I really enjoyed reading it. Recommended for any age.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnolia (Maggie) Grace's mother is divorcing...again. Her stepfather left them for another man and now they are leaving Georgia to live on the farm in Vermont that Maggie's real father left for her after he was tragically killed. Devastated to leave, she soon finds out what it means to be "home" and what it means to be a family. Slowly she discovers the father she never got to know and the mother waiting to break free from "Georgia Rules". I found myself sucked right into this charming story and the rich characters Steveson has created as Modern Family meets the Waltons!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mama's needs were always requiring my sensitivity. I grew up understanding that her needs were first and foremost in our lives."

Magnolia Grace Austin (Maggie) doesn't remember much about her father, Johnny Austin. After Johnny and her mama separated, he lived in Vermont and Maggie lived in Georgia. Mama got remarried to Peter and Daddy rarely came to visit. Mama never wanted to answer any questions about her daddy, either. It was just something that Maggie knew not to bring up. But all that is about to change.

When Peter decides to divorce Mama and marry his boyfriend, suddenly Maggie and Mama are looking for a new place to live. It is then that Maggie finds out that her father has passed away and has left his entire farm to Maggie, with the stipulation that Mama and Maggie live on the farm for a year before they decide whether they're going to sell it or not. Maggie can not believe she's going to have to leave Atlanta, Georgia and live in some remote place far away. She's positive in a year she will want to move and so is her mother.

But when Maggie arrives, she is around people for the first time who actually knew her father well. Everyone has a story about Johnny Austin ... usually detailing what a wonderful person he was. When he visits the library for the first time, she discovers that her father donated it to the town. She also discovers the Parker family. She first meets James, literally runs into him at the library. The next thing she knows, the whole family is inviting her to go swimming in the river. There's the precocious Lucy and Biz, the two youngsters, who are immediately infatuated with Maggie. They immediately announce that they have two mothers, Kori and Sue. And that sister Haily has a bf, so she isn't around much. There's also Kendra and Sonnet, who are more reserved in their interaction with Maggie.

Maggie is immediately enchanted by this big, boisterous, loving family. They are far more accepting than her mother, who seems to be more reserved in her affections ... at least with Maggie. "Mama's judgment of other people always made me feel less than. Like I probably came up short in her eyes, too." And she loves hearing about her father from the Parkers, as well as Deacon the trustee in charge of the money. He was very good friends with Johnny. It isn't long before Maggie has decided that she wants to stay in Vermont. The problem will be convincing her mother.

A beautiful story about family and acceptance.

[J. Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What. A. Beautiful. Story.

Magnolia Grace--the history behind the name, her family, her place of birth, her ROOTS as a person...the perfect coming of age story! A young girl finds her heart and true self in a place and with people she least expects. There is also an ending that will be sure to melt your heart into a million ooey-gooey pieces. This is ideal for readers of the middle school age who are lovers of realistic fiction and crave a story for the soul.

[Megan]

Overall, I thought this was a good story about finding your community and returning to your roots. About midway through, I was having some doubts about some of the characters, especially Maggie's mother and stepfather, but I felt it wrapped up pretty well in the end, at least in terms of the mother. I still find it hard to believe that the stepfather Maggie lived with for 7 or so years would find it so easy to let her drop out of his life.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book and the characters we got to meet within it. The Parker family is such a goldmine of personalities! I think the only thing that put me off was the beginning with the mom, Delilah, being intolerant and close-minded. Her storyline cleaned up a little too easily but that follows the progression of many middle grade stories.