Finding Home

Baxter Family Children #2

by Karen Kingsbury, Tyler Russell

At one point, maybe even soon, Michigan would be a beautiful memory. Part of the past. And then Ashley would see Bloomington not only as a place where they lived. But as the most wonderful home ever.

Much-loved storyteller Karen Kingsbury’s Baxter Family books have captured the hearts of tens of millions of readers who have come to think of the Baxter family as their own. Now Karen Kingsbury and her son Tyler Russell inspire and entertain young readers by going back in time to tell the childhood stories of the beloved Baxter children—Brooke, Kari, Ashley, Erin, and Luke.

In Finding Home, Dad begins his important position at an Indiana hospital, and like it or not, Bloomington is the Baxter Family’s new home. As school starts, everyone finds reasons to be excited about the move. Everyone, that is, except Ashley. Brooke joins the middle-school orchestra, Kari finds adventurous friends on the swim team, and Erin and Luke spend hours exploring a stream behind their new house. The Baxter children even discover a new meeting place in their backyard-a hidden giant rock.

Still, Ashley struggles. But then she realizes her siblings have their struggles too. Finally, the Baxter children share their feelings at the rock, and something unexpected happens, something that shocks Ashley. At the same time, Ashley wonders if unlikely friends can be the best friends of all. And could time and love from her family be enough to make a house feel like home?

The second book in the Baxter Family Children series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell tells the funny and poignant tale of the Baxter children finding home!

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Family, Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2020

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixth grader Kari and fifth grader Ashley are sisters adjusting to a new home and school after moving from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Bloomington, Indiana with their older sister Brooke, younger siblings; Erin & Luke and parents. Even when things seem at their worst (Kari cheats on a test and keeps it a secret. Ashley must get a haircut after she ends up with gum in her hair), the sisters know they can rely on their family and their faith in God.
Give this ones to fans of stories about families like The Penderwicks or The Happy Hollisters (which is an old series from the 1950s and 1960s) or stories about kids who rely on their faith like Hometown Hunters.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Home by Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell
Baxter Family Children #2
304-page Hardback

Genre: Christian Fiction, Children's > Middle Grade; Juvenile > Young Adult

Featuring: Mother-Son Duo, Author's Letter, Bloomington, Indiana; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Traveling, Large Family, Multiple POVs, Siblings, Graphics, New Town Trope, Wholesome Characters, Coping With Move, School Setting, God's Plan, Boating, Drama, Moving, Hallmark Moments, Prayers, 🎨Art, Sports, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Growth

Rating as a movie: PG

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts: 📖 Page 110 of 304 Ch. 9 The Cheater • Kari - For some reason, I liked this one a lot better than the last one so maybe there's a chance for 5 stars or at least a solid 4. This is most definitely a single-sitting book, but my eyes are tired.

I liked this one more than the last one. There weren't any crazy affirmations or advice, and the cheating in this book was handled much better than the lying in the first book. Ashley had a good vocabulary in the last book but made a lot of immature word mistakes, now she makes more mistakes including with her vocabulary words, not a fan of that, and the vocabulary words are still above her grade level. The oddest thing is soccer season occurs in the spring in the first book, but they are upset to discover soccer season is in the spring at their new school. Overall lots of love, this was less bad Disney sitcom and more Full House, I appreciate it. Starting the next one immediately.

Recommend to others?: Yes. I'm glad I stuck with it, most of the kinks have been ironed out.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Kingsbury's Baxter Family series even though I have not nearly read enough of them. It is definitely a series I like to savor and take my time to read. I was very excited last year to read about the creation of a new series centering around the Baxter children. I am happy to say that book two was just as good as the first.

I find it refreshing to read a children's book that highlights kids using their imagination during playtime. Being a teacher, I am saddened how many children cannot free-write stories using their imagination because they do not know how to imagine. I constantly hear stories from my littles telling me that they go home and watch hours of endless TV, Youtube or play video games that are far too adult for them. So many rarely go outside and pretend they are on an island made of lava and find ways to escape.

I love how Finding Home teaches right from wrong and being humble. No matter the age of the reader (child or adult) I think we all could learn from it. Even a gentle reminder. Being humble is a wonderful trait but one of the hardest in today's society.

Finding Home is a great read-aloud for families.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[𐬺☼.☆彡sᥲrᥲ ☆彡.☼𐬻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still GOOD!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more than the previous book. This one takes place in Indiana. There is swimming, drawing, animals, gymnastics, friendship, faith, and family. Home is a big part of the story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the series. Good for a middle schooler. Sweet story about adjusting to a move.

[Sarah Carper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading about the Baxter family. Karen Kingsbury's writing is some of my favorites, and her stories about this family are incredible. They began with a number of separate series on the Baxters, and now she has moved to writing a series for children about the Baxter children...as children. It's so refreshing to find a story for children that is wholesome and faith based. The lessons that some of the children learn in this story are great lessons for kids today. As I have read about the Baxter family for years, I'm enjoying reading about their lives as the Baxter children. I highly recommend this series.

I received an advance reader's copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second children’s book in the Baxter family series. If you’re a Karen Kingsbury fan, you’ll enjoy reading about the childhood of the characters that appear in so many of her books, and it’s a great read for adults too! I love all her books that are filled with hope, family values and friendship and this was a fun, quick read. 4/5 stars.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading the Baxter family novels for years and although this is in the kids series and written differently, it’s beautiful. I love the story line, the writing style, and the connections to the Baxter’s as adults. Karen Kingsbury does it again.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book about this family. I did not feel like there was any giant climax, but it didn’t need one with the engaging steady pace of the book. Not to mention that it didn’t even matter that I hadn’t read the 1st book before this one.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable tale about the Baxter children when they moved to
Bloomington,Indiana. This tale tells of their adjustments to the new house
and town. Ashley struggles with the move, house,school and making
friends. It goes back in time and is well written. This is a fast read.

[simone ☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book and me, the Penderwicks lover, said, "It looks like one about siblings. I'll try this."
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
This is, in fact, my least favorite book! I barely got through it! You cannot compare this at all to books about families, like the Penderwicks or the Vanderbeekers. The siblings acted like toddlers the whole time and were not realistic to their ages at all. This book was a waste and too cutesy-lootsey. Everything was SUCH a big deal--oh, the DRAMA in this book about spilling paint all over the porch! And magic! It turns out to be a blessing in disguise! The people were all dated and acting as if the internet had not been invented.
If you have been waiting for a book that would be pitch perfect for 5-year-olds, go ahead and read this. But otherwise:
Do not read this book!
Seriously, the essence of writing a book is to capture your readers' attention and make them care about the characters. I would not have cared if these siblings had moved to a house in South Korea or in Bloom-whatever in whatever state it was.
I ended up looking up the second book, got a preview, and found that a 13-year-old girl did not know what an asteroid was . When I was 8 I knew that an asteroid is not going to crash into your town and kill everybody! The author must have not been around kids for a while now, or was trying to go for some historical fiction back in the 20th century.
Definitely do not read this!

[Rebecca]

I couldn't finish this--I was not the right reader for it. I hadn't realized that it was Christian fiction when I picked it up, and it felt too overt for me. It also seemed too Pleasantville-perfect; white nuclear family, father works, mom stays home, other neighborhood moms stay home too, lots of commenting on the wonders of family togetherness. Taylor Dosie's idea of a perfect community! I was trying to figure out why this one didn't work for me (apart from the overt religion) when I've loved other family stories of a similar ilk, like Elizabeth Enright's books. It might be the time period? Anyway, I can see why a lot of people would love this, but I think now I prefer my family stories to be a little more Vanderbeeker.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 Stars ⭐️⭐️

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Great story!! I didn't like Ashley at first but she grew on me!! Hope she writes more books to this series!! Love this author's books!!

[Kimberly Bonner · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s just so cheesy and not realistic.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book ! I love this series and can't wait to read the next one !

[Laurie Verwey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatable story about how big changes in life can be unwanted and challenging, but then they end up bringing growth, new experiences, and surprising friendships along the way.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have not read all of the Baxter Family books I have read and enjoyed many of them. Last year I was able to introduce some of the students at my school to the Baxter Family as children in the book Best Family Ever. I enjoyed seeing Kingsbury’s take on what these beloved characters were like as children. This year I was able to introduce a new group of students to the continuing story in Finding Home.
There is much in this children’s fiction for kiddos to relate to - moving to a new town, making friends, and having embarrassing moments. Children will laugh and cry with the characters as they see themselves in the actions of Ashley and the other characters
Authors Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell know how to appeal to the older elementary age group. They really do seem to understand children at that age.
While this is a series and there would be obvious benefit from reading the books in order, I do not think it is necessary (although I think you will want to).
I would not hesitate to add Finding Home and other titles in the Baxter Family Children series to a k-12 Christian school library. It is a great opportunity to introduce elementary children to characters who will grow with them as they age and approach adulthood. Finding Home would be a good classroom or family read aloud as well as an enjoyable read alone for an elementary student.
I received a complimentary copy of Finding Home as a member of Karen Kingsbury’s Street Team. This is my honest review.

[Ettak · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Best Family Ever, the first book in the Baxter Family Children series, and not enjoying it as much as I thought I would, I decided to give the series a second chance.
I did enjoy this second book in the series, Finding Home, a bit more.
Maybe it was because I knew what values to expect from the family, especially from Ashley.

This book is also very Ashley-centric, but second oldest child, Kari, is given a large chunk of the narrative and allowed to make her own (once again) lingering mistakes with redemption at the end.

Ashley is less of a drama queen in this one and much more of a sympathetic character.
I *might* just try #3:-) I might also give one of the adult Baxter books a try, just to see how these children progressed into their adult lives:-)

[Amy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. This book is the 2nd in the Baxter Kids Series. The Baxter family moves to Bloomington, Indiana and this book is about the transition that the kids go through. It focuses mostly on the 2 middle girls and their trials. I would have liked a bit more from the perspectives of the other kids as they had to adjust too but maybe that will be in another book or it might have taken the book out of the intended age range of 5th-6th grade. I think this is a great book for anywhere from 4th grade-7th grade.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I’ve been an avid reader of Karen Kingsbury for years, I would have probably read this book anyway. However I found the release of this book timely considering the events in my own life over the past year. In addition to the connection the story shared with my personal life, I also loved the fact that there’s a military family in this story! I’d recommend this story to all families but especially to military families. It’s a perfect chapter book for children ages 7 to 12 or as a read aloud for the entire family. Of course older adults like myself might enjoy it too.

[Addie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like 4.5*

Also an amazing younger readers book or read aloud. This one had some AMAZING themes about so many things that I want my sister to know about life. The growth of Ashley throughout the story, is amazing. I find myself, even in my teenage years, relating to Ashley Baxter. There are so many good things I could say about this book. I only docked half a point off because there are some overreactions that now my sister uses, that I don't love. Still a wholesome Christian book though. Many themes of Love,Jesus, God and of course Family.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It is full of action and has some amazing lessons we can learn. I’m glad that with the Lord Jesus in our hearts, we can be at home wherever we are because He is with us. It may be very hard to adjust and fit into the new place, but He is there, which helps immensely. Also, I was reminded about the importance of choosing joy - choosing to have a good attitude no matter what is going wrong. Very well done!

[Carol]

This would be a great book for older grade schools to junior hign youth. This is the 2nd book in her Baxter Family Children series and explains how each of the 5 children find their place when the family has to move from Michigan to Indiana. The 3 oldest have the hardest time. The book is a series of incidents in the kid's lives in their new home and school. There's a little humor and a lot of mention of prayer and God - so nice!

[Novel Destination · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Kingsbury remains a popular Christian fiction author in our area. I was unaware that she has teamed up with Tyler Russell to write young reader novels describing the lives of the Baxter Family Children from her popular Baxter Family series. "Finding Home" is the second book. It is an engaging, contemporary story, detailing how the children manage after their father accepts a new job which necessitates moving to another state, home, and schools.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this series is fun to read as an adult and I can see it’ll be so useful for my kids when they’re a little older. This book is all about the hard life experience of moving to a new place - new people, new house, new school and experiences. I really loved how it was handled and it’s definitely my number one go to book for kids who experience a move. It also touched on things like cheating and other issues. I loved having Landon in the book too!

[Rochelle Tindall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun reading about the Baxter family’s first weeks/months in Bloomington. I actually decided to get these Baxter Family Children books because of a scene in the latest Baxter family book where they’re reminiscing about an incident with ice cream ... I hoped that story was included in the Baxter Family Children books and, sure enough, it was.
Reading these books has made me want to read the Baxter books all over again.

[Carol Deegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never gone wrong with a book written by Karen Kingsbury. This book is actually written for a younger person, but there is no reason an adult can’t enjoy it. It is more about the younger versions of the people we meet in the Baxter Family Series. The book is about change, and how to deal with it with a good attitude. There are references to praying to God, and a Christian foundation. It’s nice to read a book like this for a change of pace.

[Emelia Roesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that takes you back into the dreams of a family that seems to be only imaginable in your head, then this is the book for you. It reminds me to stay myself and stay true to what I believe in. It reminds me that as HUMANS we have the power to turn any bad thing into a good one. It gives me a hope that in many many years I will be able to have a family like the Baxters, they aren’t perfect, but they’re family, and they love and support each other.