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Bringing Me Back
Noah is not having a good year.
His mom is in prison, he's living with his mom's boyfriend—who he's sure is just waiting until his mother's six month sentence is up to kick him out—and he's officially hated by everyone at his middle school, including his former best friend. It's Noah's fault that the entire football program got shut down after last year.
One day, Noah notices a young bear at the edge of the woods with her head stuck in a bucket. A bucket that was almost certainly left outside as part of a school fundraiser to bring back the football team. As days go by, the bear is still stuck—she's wasting away and clearly getting weaker, even as she runs from anyone who tries to help. And she's always alone.
Though Noah ignores the taunts at school and ignores his mother's phone calls from jail, he can't ignore the bear. Everyone else has written the bear off as a lost cause—just like they have with Noah. He makes it his mission to help her.
But rescuing the bear means tackling his past—and present—head-on. Could saving the bear ultimately save Noah, too?
His mom is in prison, he's living with his mom's boyfriend—who he's sure is just waiting until his mother's six month sentence is up to kick him out—and he's officially hated by everyone at his middle school, including his former best friend. It's Noah's fault that the entire football program got shut down after last year.
One day, Noah notices a young bear at the edge of the woods with her head stuck in a bucket. A bucket that was almost certainly left outside as part of a school fundraiser to bring back the football team. As days go by, the bear is still stuck—she's wasting away and clearly getting weaker, even as she runs from anyone who tries to help. And she's always alone.
Though Noah ignores the taunts at school and ignores his mother's phone calls from jail, he can't ignore the bear. Everyone else has written the bear off as a lost cause—just like they have with Noah. He makes it his mission to help her.
But rescuing the bear means tackling his past—and present—head-on. Could saving the bear ultimately save Noah, too?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
6 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Beth Vrabel
17 books154 followersBeth Vrabel is the author of Cyblis-nominated Caleb and Kit, ILA award-winning A Blind Guide to Stinkville, JLG-selection A Blind Guide to Normal, and The Reckless Club and Pack of Dorks series. She can't clap to the beat nor be trusted near Nutella. Beth loves traveling around the country to meet with young readers and writers, sharing a message of grit, resiliency and heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 7, 2018
Thank you to Edelweiss+ for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is, without a doubt, a book that NEEDS to be on your 2018 TBR list.
Noah's mother is in prison after she was charged with impaired driving following a pre-championship football game party. The coach quit, the Bruins were kicked out of the league for their behavior during the championship game, and the players and fans are directing their anger at one former player...Noah. His poor judgment continues his spiral out of control with a shoplifting incident during the summer, so when school returns, he is an outcast. He's lost his mom, his best friend, and he's living with his mom's boyfriend, Jeff, that he believes can't possibly want him.
When a bear appears near the school with a bucket stuck on its head (which Noah believes is from the bucket challenge fundraiser the school runs to raise funds to help reinstate the football team), Noah becomes obsessed with helping it. He befriends Rina, an opinionated young woman who wants to start a school newspaper, and together they take up the fight to find and save the bear. But tracking down the bear proves harder than it appears, as does moving past the destruction Noah has caused in the wake of dealing with his mom's incarceration, and repairing the damage might be more than Noah is capable of handling.
What I love best about this book is the wealth of discussion-worthy topics that are part of the story. Familial, social, and environmental factors are all at play, and life lessons are learned without being preachy. The relationships are complex; I personally liked Noah/Landon and clearly seeing how fine the line is between friendship and hate, but Noah and his stepdad, Jeff, and Noah and Rina, were both wonderfully written. I also thought the ending was just what it needed to be, and was the perfect way to wrap up a stellar read.
I strongly encourage you to read this book, and I hope you'll love it as much as I did.
This is, without a doubt, a book that NEEDS to be on your 2018 TBR list.
Noah's mother is in prison after she was charged with impaired driving following a pre-championship football game party. The coach quit, the Bruins were kicked out of the league for their behavior during the championship game, and the players and fans are directing their anger at one former player...Noah. His poor judgment continues his spiral out of control with a shoplifting incident during the summer, so when school returns, he is an outcast. He's lost his mom, his best friend, and he's living with his mom's boyfriend, Jeff, that he believes can't possibly want him.
When a bear appears near the school with a bucket stuck on its head (which Noah believes is from the bucket challenge fundraiser the school runs to raise funds to help reinstate the football team), Noah becomes obsessed with helping it. He befriends Rina, an opinionated young woman who wants to start a school newspaper, and together they take up the fight to find and save the bear. But tracking down the bear proves harder than it appears, as does moving past the destruction Noah has caused in the wake of dealing with his mom's incarceration, and repairing the damage might be more than Noah is capable of handling.
What I love best about this book is the wealth of discussion-worthy topics that are part of the story. Familial, social, and environmental factors are all at play, and life lessons are learned without being preachy. The relationships are complex; I personally liked Noah/Landon and clearly seeing how fine the line is between friendship and hate, but Noah and his stepdad, Jeff, and Noah and Rina, were both wonderfully written. I also thought the ending was just what it needed to be, and was the perfect way to wrap up a stellar read.
I strongly encourage you to read this book, and I hope you'll love it as much as I did.
December 28, 2017
Noah's story will grab you from the start. Beth Vrabel does an excellent job is presenting tough topics with enough humor to keep it from becoming too heavy. You will feel for this child and his struggles while also understanding the hurt of those around him. Bringing Me Back reminds us that we all have a story to tell and we must embrace the stories of others to gain understanding.
May 2, 2019
I wish I could give this book a 10 out of 5 star rating. That basically tells it all about how much I love this book. I was so into this book I finished it in one day!! Bringing Me Back is a powerful story about hardships and forgiveness, and proves that one person's actions can really change everything. This is totally a MUST read!!
March 3, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner —— All opinions are my own.
Beth Vrabel has done it again. Given us a middle grade story that is full of complex characters, intriguing storylines and touches on so many deep topics. Noah broke my heart. He was carrying around a ton of guilt, trying to sort through mixed feelings about his living situation, scared about facing his mom and just plain lonely. I constantly wanted to hug him tightly and scream at all of the people who were dwelling on the past and constantly making him relive a poor decision. I adored Rina, the one classmate who befriended him and was comfortable just being herself. She truly rocked!!! My favorite relationship in the book occurred between Noah and his guardian, Jeff. Bless that man. His whole storyline proved that a dad is the person who is there for you during your struggles. He might not be biologically related to you, but he cares, he worries and he truly enjoys raising you.
The pace of the book was perfect. You slowly pieced together information to discover what happened in the past. In this case, I liked seeing the actions and discussions between Noah and his former best friend Logan. When Logan finally admits why he is so angry at Noah, it’s pretty powerful. Love books that make you realize that there are different perspectives to the same situation. The “Bucket Bear” was a great background story that ended up offering some great metaphors too.
This book covers alcoholism, incarceration, bullying, and peer pressure, but ultimately focuses on forgiveness. I think many readers will be able to relate to these characters, their situations and will hopefully ponder on the great lessons that are subtly included. This would make a fantastic selection for any bookclub!!
Beth Vrabel has done it again. Given us a middle grade story that is full of complex characters, intriguing storylines and touches on so many deep topics. Noah broke my heart. He was carrying around a ton of guilt, trying to sort through mixed feelings about his living situation, scared about facing his mom and just plain lonely. I constantly wanted to hug him tightly and scream at all of the people who were dwelling on the past and constantly making him relive a poor decision. I adored Rina, the one classmate who befriended him and was comfortable just being herself. She truly rocked!!! My favorite relationship in the book occurred between Noah and his guardian, Jeff. Bless that man. His whole storyline proved that a dad is the person who is there for you during your struggles. He might not be biologically related to you, but he cares, he worries and he truly enjoys raising you.
The pace of the book was perfect. You slowly pieced together information to discover what happened in the past. In this case, I liked seeing the actions and discussions between Noah and his former best friend Logan. When Logan finally admits why he is so angry at Noah, it’s pretty powerful. Love books that make you realize that there are different perspectives to the same situation. The “Bucket Bear” was a great background story that ended up offering some great metaphors too.
This book covers alcoholism, incarceration, bullying, and peer pressure, but ultimately focuses on forgiveness. I think many readers will be able to relate to these characters, their situations and will hopefully ponder on the great lessons that are subtly included. This would make a fantastic selection for any bookclub!!
May 15, 2018
Noah begins 7th grade a complete outcast. Only last year he was star of the football team. Then, before the final game, Noah's mom relapsed into alcoholism and ends up in jail. After that, Noah made a few bad decisions which led to the team losing the championship game. So, Noah has lost his mom and his best friend. He's living with his mom's boyfriend who he feels doesn't want him. One day, Noah spies a small bear with a bucket stuck on its head. He is worried about the helpless bear and, with his new type-A friend Rina, launches an attempt to save it. This book deals realistically with bullying, incarceration, guilt. Though intense, the writing style has humor and will appeal to middle schoolers
November 25, 2018
Says for ages 8-12 but I didnt realize that when I read the reviews but it was a sweet little read.
November 29, 2018
Author Beth Vrabel has been creating a reputation for writing Middle-Grade message books about children facing adversity. I first read her work last year with her moving book
Caleb and Kit
about a young teen fighting cystic fibrosis and dealing with his parents' divorce and his growing friendship with an ungrounded girl suffering parental neglect and mental health issues. Her 2018 entry into the Middle-Grade fiction catalog, Bringing Me Back should be on summer reading lists. It's a story of second chances, true friendship, and redemption.
Noah is a 7th grader who has a lot on his plate. After a moment's bad judgment in a football game in which he injures a developmentally disabled child, Micah, in the last minutes of a game, Noah is instantly rendered a rough kid. The team coach quits due to the backlash, the team is disbanded and even his best friend is taking it out on him. But it's his mother's DUI conviction that has been the hardest thing for him to bear (the irony!) both personally and socially, due to the stigma in their small community. Then he goes and makes things worse with compulsive behavior at the beginning of the book, further branding himself as a "bad kid."
At the start of the new school year, Noah and his classmates see a young bear, wandering dangerously close to their school grounds. Hunting season starts soon and she's too small to be hunted but is seemingly unprotected by a mother bear. She faces many perils but the greatest is that a few weeks later she gets a bucket stuck on her head. The bucket blocks her vision and even after she's managed to poke a hole in it, it's not enough to let her eat or hunt. Noah feels responsible because a lot of buckets have been set out in their community, which is collecting funds to bring back their football team. But he also feels an odd kinship with this beleaguered young bear. Can he help save her? With the support of his legal guardian and de facto father figure Jeff and his good friend Rina, he mounts a campaign to do just that.
Bringing Me Back gives us a wounded child who has been through quite a few hard knocks due to his mother's substance abuse, battling his own rash choices and yet still possessing so much heart and conscience. That's such an important idea for both kids and parents to absorb. Noah has such a good heart and he shouldn't be written off as a troubled child. This is a heartwarming story about redemption that may make kids willing to give a peer branded as a "bad kid" a second chance, as well as making those who are labeled as "troubled kids" feel that they can still forge a new life and reputation for themselves with the right support and kindness in their hearts.
This is a quiet book with big goals. I hope teachers and librarians embrace it.
I received a Digital Review Copy from Edelweiss and a paper review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Noah is a 7th grader who has a lot on his plate. After a moment's bad judgment in a football game in which he injures a developmentally disabled child, Micah, in the last minutes of a game, Noah is instantly rendered a rough kid. The team coach quits due to the backlash, the team is disbanded and even his best friend is taking it out on him. But it's his mother's DUI conviction that has been the hardest thing for him to bear (the irony!) both personally and socially, due to the stigma in their small community. Then he goes and makes things worse with compulsive behavior at the beginning of the book, further branding himself as a "bad kid."
At the start of the new school year, Noah and his classmates see a young bear, wandering dangerously close to their school grounds. Hunting season starts soon and she's too small to be hunted but is seemingly unprotected by a mother bear. She faces many perils but the greatest is that a few weeks later she gets a bucket stuck on her head. The bucket blocks her vision and even after she's managed to poke a hole in it, it's not enough to let her eat or hunt. Noah feels responsible because a lot of buckets have been set out in their community, which is collecting funds to bring back their football team. But he also feels an odd kinship with this beleaguered young bear. Can he help save her? With the support of his legal guardian and de facto father figure Jeff and his good friend Rina, he mounts a campaign to do just that.
Bringing Me Back gives us a wounded child who has been through quite a few hard knocks due to his mother's substance abuse, battling his own rash choices and yet still possessing so much heart and conscience. That's such an important idea for both kids and parents to absorb. Noah has such a good heart and he shouldn't be written off as a troubled child. This is a heartwarming story about redemption that may make kids willing to give a peer branded as a "bad kid" a second chance, as well as making those who are labeled as "troubled kids" feel that they can still forge a new life and reputation for themselves with the right support and kindness in their hearts.
This is a quiet book with big goals. I hope teachers and librarians embrace it.
I received a Digital Review Copy from Edelweiss and a paper review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
Noah is not having a good year. His mom is in jail for drunk driving, which she did after a football team party, which caused the coach to quit and the football team to be disbanded. He is living with her boyfriend Jeff, who he doesn't think actually wants him. He also has no friends at school now that his mom ruined everything for this poor community. His old football friends bully him and the rest of the kids don't want anything to do with him. Even the teachers don't seem to like him. Then there is Rina. She should hate him since he hurt her cousin last year, but she keeps showing up. Rina is determined to get a school newspaper started and wants Noah to be part of it.
When the cheerleaders come up with a plan to bring football back to the school things get a bit crazy. They start a challenge like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge where kids pour buckets of sports drink over their heads. This results in buckets all over town. When Noah spots a bear with a bucket stuck on his head, he makes it his mission to find the bear and save her before winter. All the deadlines in Noah's life seem to be coming up on the same day. His mom will be released from jail, the district will decide if the football team will come back, Jeff will decided if he wants to keep Noah in his life, and the bear will either starve or survive.
I love Beth Vrabel's books and this might actually be my favorite of them. I heard her tell the story about the actual bear that inspired this book and I thought of that the entire time I was reading this. Noah's struggles are so real and realistic. Yes there is a difference! His bullying at school is not over the top like some books portray it, but very realistic. I was especially touched by his home life. There are not many middle grade books with incarcerated parents and especially not moms. Noah struggles with not wanting to talk to his mom. He doesn't read her letters or take her phone calls or visit her in jail. He knows she is an alcoholic and has witnessed the consequences of it his entire life, but he still loves her. He has to come to terms with that and his own guilt over his actions as well. I think Jeff however might be one of my favorite characters. He is just so good at being a parent and when you find out how he turned out the way he did it makes him even more special. He is not a perfect parent of course, but he is a good one and that is sometimes a rare trait in books. I appreciated the positive portrayal of a step/foster parent that Vrabel has created.
There is just so much to like about this book. I can't say enough positive things. Go read it!
When the cheerleaders come up with a plan to bring football back to the school things get a bit crazy. They start a challenge like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge where kids pour buckets of sports drink over their heads. This results in buckets all over town. When Noah spots a bear with a bucket stuck on his head, he makes it his mission to find the bear and save her before winter. All the deadlines in Noah's life seem to be coming up on the same day. His mom will be released from jail, the district will decide if the football team will come back, Jeff will decided if he wants to keep Noah in his life, and the bear will either starve or survive.
I love Beth Vrabel's books and this might actually be my favorite of them. I heard her tell the story about the actual bear that inspired this book and I thought of that the entire time I was reading this. Noah's struggles are so real and realistic. Yes there is a difference! His bullying at school is not over the top like some books portray it, but very realistic. I was especially touched by his home life. There are not many middle grade books with incarcerated parents and especially not moms. Noah struggles with not wanting to talk to his mom. He doesn't read her letters or take her phone calls or visit her in jail. He knows she is an alcoholic and has witnessed the consequences of it his entire life, but he still loves her. He has to come to terms with that and his own guilt over his actions as well. I think Jeff however might be one of my favorite characters. He is just so good at being a parent and when you find out how he turned out the way he did it makes him even more special. He is not a perfect parent of course, but he is a good one and that is sometimes a rare trait in books. I appreciated the positive portrayal of a step/foster parent that Vrabel has created.
There is just so much to like about this book. I can't say enough positive things. Go read it!
February 4, 2018
I received an advance reading copy of this book from Beth Vrabel. I absolutely loved the story of Noah, who is struggling with the consequences of his mother driving intoxicated after a championship football game at his school. While his mom spends time in jail, Noah stays with his mom’s boyfriend, Jeff, who acts as his guardian. I love the tender and humorous moments between Jeff and Noah, as they become closer. It was also so easy to fall in love with Rina, who defends Noah and soon becomes his good friend. Rina has an amazing spirit and humor that you will heartily enjoy as well.
When Noah spots a young bear on the outskirts of the school field, he quickly feels a connection with it. Later Noah sees the bear again but this time it has its head stuck in what appears to be a bucket. Noah and Rina set out to find a way to help save and rescue the bear. And as Noah awaits the release of his mom from jail, he wonders how things will change at home afterwards, and whether he’s ready to accept those changes.
I highly recommend Bringing Me Back by Beth Vrabel.
When Noah spots a young bear on the outskirts of the school field, he quickly feels a connection with it. Later Noah sees the bear again but this time it has its head stuck in what appears to be a bucket. Noah and Rina set out to find a way to help save and rescue the bear. And as Noah awaits the release of his mom from jail, he wonders how things will change at home afterwards, and whether he’s ready to accept those changes.
I highly recommend Bringing Me Back by Beth Vrabel.
May 12, 2018
This has READ ALOUD written all over it! One of my 2018 favourites thus far!
Twelve-year-old Noah is REAL. After his mother's drunk driving conviction and incarceration, Noah is unable to cope, losing friends, making bad decisions, and ultimately segregating himself from his peers. When he spots the bear with the bucket stuck on its head, Noah becomes overwhelmed with compassion and takes drastic action to save the bear. The ending will have your students standing in anticipation!!! What a great way to introduce embedded metaphors, family dynamics, and recognizing how negative actions are a cry for help.
Twelve-year-old Noah is REAL. After his mother's drunk driving conviction and incarceration, Noah is unable to cope, losing friends, making bad decisions, and ultimately segregating himself from his peers. When he spots the bear with the bucket stuck on its head, Noah becomes overwhelmed with compassion and takes drastic action to save the bear. The ending will have your students standing in anticipation!!! What a great way to introduce embedded metaphors, family dynamics, and recognizing how negative actions are a cry for help.
April 27, 2018
Noah is having a rough year. His mom is in prison, he’s the reason the football club has been disbanded so no one at school is talking to him. To top it all off, he’s living with his mom’s boyfriend who, Noah is sure, can’t wait to kick him out.
Then Noah spies a young bear with troubles of its own. Noah decides to make it his mission to help the bear. He feels if he can just solve the bear’s problems his will disappear too.
This is a great book about love and redemption. I’d never read one of Beth Vrabel’s books now I am anxious to read her others.
Then Noah spies a young bear with troubles of its own. Noah decides to make it his mission to help the bear. He feels if he can just solve the bear’s problems his will disappear too.
This is a great book about love and redemption. I’d never read one of Beth Vrabel’s books now I am anxious to read her others.
October 7, 2021
OH. MY. LORD.
I loved this book. I friggin loved this book.
Funny, when I read THE RECKLESS CLUB, (which was the first Beth Vrabel book I read) I was looking through all her other books, and this one didn’t seem to grab my attention.
But, after continuously thinking about it, I proceeded to read a sample of it, and add it to my TBR shelf.
I think it’s become my favorite Beth Vrabel book.
I also think that Beth Vrabel is hands down one of my favorite contemporary authors.
I loved this book. I friggin loved this book.
Funny, when I read THE RECKLESS CLUB, (which was the first Beth Vrabel book I read) I was looking through all her other books, and this one didn’t seem to grab my attention.
But, after continuously thinking about it, I proceeded to read a sample of it, and add it to my TBR shelf.
I think it’s become my favorite Beth Vrabel book.
I also think that Beth Vrabel is hands down one of my favorite contemporary authors.
March 12, 2024
E ARC from Edleweiss Plus
Noah's mother is arrested for drunk driving after a middle school football party, which has myriad consequences: she is arrested and sent to prison for several months, her boyfriend is made Noah's guardian, Noah reacts poorly and is caught shoplifting, and the school football team loses its coach and is disbanded because of lack of funds and the bad publicity. The loss of the team is difficult for the impoverished West Virginia town, and Noah is ostracized and ill treated by his classmates. When the former cheerleaders start a fundraising campaign to reinstate the team (which involves nominated students pouring expensive energy drinks over their heads-- not exactly cost effective!), things do not improve for Noah. One bright spot is Rina, who is bound and determined to start a school newspaper even if the administration is less than thrilled with her attempts. When a bear is spotted near the school with a bucket stuck to its head, Noah fixates on getting the bear help, and Rina takes advantage of his fixation to convince him to work on the paper with her. Another bright spot is Jeff, his guardian, who is struggling to do the right thing by Noah and steadfastly sticks by him. Noah also must deal with former football playing friends who have turned on him, not wanting to talk to his mother, and managing to get through his schoolwork while dealing with everything else on his plate. Noah and Rina manage to get more attention focused on the bear, and this activity helps Noah make peace with other things in his life.
Strengths: There's definitely a boatload of sad here, BUT the tone is generally upbeat and hopeful. This makes all the difference. The depiction of bullying is the most realistic and understandable that I have seen, and Jeff is a phenomenal character. His back story actually made me cry. The Appalachian setting, the struggles of an impoverished community are well done, and the intricacies of dealing with an incarcerated parent are portrayed in a no-nonsense but hopeful and productive way. Vrabel's writing gets better with every book. Very impressed with this.
Weaknesses: I wished I had seen Rina's mother! Rina is just a hair shy of being too over the top, but her support of Noah makes up for it.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. This will take a little bit of book talking, since the cover doesn't give away much, but that could also work to its advantage.
Noah's mother is arrested for drunk driving after a middle school football party, which has myriad consequences: she is arrested and sent to prison for several months, her boyfriend is made Noah's guardian, Noah reacts poorly and is caught shoplifting, and the school football team loses its coach and is disbanded because of lack of funds and the bad publicity. The loss of the team is difficult for the impoverished West Virginia town, and Noah is ostracized and ill treated by his classmates. When the former cheerleaders start a fundraising campaign to reinstate the team (which involves nominated students pouring expensive energy drinks over their heads-- not exactly cost effective!), things do not improve for Noah. One bright spot is Rina, who is bound and determined to start a school newspaper even if the administration is less than thrilled with her attempts. When a bear is spotted near the school with a bucket stuck to its head, Noah fixates on getting the bear help, and Rina takes advantage of his fixation to convince him to work on the paper with her. Another bright spot is Jeff, his guardian, who is struggling to do the right thing by Noah and steadfastly sticks by him. Noah also must deal with former football playing friends who have turned on him, not wanting to talk to his mother, and managing to get through his schoolwork while dealing with everything else on his plate. Noah and Rina manage to get more attention focused on the bear, and this activity helps Noah make peace with other things in his life.
Strengths: There's definitely a boatload of sad here, BUT the tone is generally upbeat and hopeful. This makes all the difference. The depiction of bullying is the most realistic and understandable that I have seen, and Jeff is a phenomenal character. His back story actually made me cry. The Appalachian setting, the struggles of an impoverished community are well done, and the intricacies of dealing with an incarcerated parent are portrayed in a no-nonsense but hopeful and productive way. Vrabel's writing gets better with every book. Very impressed with this.
Weaknesses: I wished I had seen Rina's mother! Rina is just a hair shy of being too over the top, but her support of Noah makes up for it.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing. This will take a little bit of book talking, since the cover doesn't give away much, but that could also work to its advantage.
January 29, 2018
Thank you to @kidlitexchange and #skyponypress for a review copy. All opinions are my own.
Sometimes and author just really gets how to write kids. @authorbethvrabel is one of those authors. In her newest #middlegrade novel, Bringing Me Back she touches on so many of the pressures that kids face and some we hope no one deals with.
Noah isn’t your average 7th grader. His mom is in prison for drunk driving, he is living with her boyfriend, the entire school blames him for getting their football team kicked out of the league, and he just wants to be left alone and allowed to shut down.
Noah has managed to ignore the world around him, even to ignore his mother’s daily phone calls and letters, but it is a bear that finally brings him back to the rest of the world. A bear that is hurting just as much as he is. A bear that tugs at Noah enough to make him realize that he needs to be present to make a difference and that he isn’t the only one hurting.
With all of Noah’s pain, it was hard at times to connect with him, but Rina and Jeff add the heart to this book. Rina is the one kid at school who isn’t taunting Noah and even stands up for him. Jeff is Noah’s mother’s boyfriend, who does everything in his power to give Noah stability, space, support, and understanding when he is going through such a trying period. Their roles are vital to making this story work.
I previously read Caleb & Kit by Beth Vrabel and was moved by how she dealt with a child’s chronic illness, overprotective parents, and their children that need help. In this book, she does just as important a job by exploring alcoholism, parental incarceration, reputations, peer pressure, and most importantly, forgiveness. This isn’t necessarily a book I see flying off the shelf, but there are kids who need to read this. Librarians and teachers should definitely take note.
Sometimes and author just really gets how to write kids. @authorbethvrabel is one of those authors. In her newest #middlegrade novel, Bringing Me Back she touches on so many of the pressures that kids face and some we hope no one deals with.
Noah isn’t your average 7th grader. His mom is in prison for drunk driving, he is living with her boyfriend, the entire school blames him for getting their football team kicked out of the league, and he just wants to be left alone and allowed to shut down.
Noah has managed to ignore the world around him, even to ignore his mother’s daily phone calls and letters, but it is a bear that finally brings him back to the rest of the world. A bear that is hurting just as much as he is. A bear that tugs at Noah enough to make him realize that he needs to be present to make a difference and that he isn’t the only one hurting.
With all of Noah’s pain, it was hard at times to connect with him, but Rina and Jeff add the heart to this book. Rina is the one kid at school who isn’t taunting Noah and even stands up for him. Jeff is Noah’s mother’s boyfriend, who does everything in his power to give Noah stability, space, support, and understanding when he is going through such a trying period. Their roles are vital to making this story work.
I previously read Caleb & Kit by Beth Vrabel and was moved by how she dealt with a child’s chronic illness, overprotective parents, and their children that need help. In this book, she does just as important a job by exploring alcoholism, parental incarceration, reputations, peer pressure, and most importantly, forgiveness. This isn’t necessarily a book I see flying off the shelf, but there are kids who need to read this. Librarians and teachers should definitely take note.
March 10, 2018
4.5 stars
Bringing Me Back is the latest contemporary middle grade title from children's author Beth Vrabel. Having read and enjoyed Vrabel's well-received and well-reviewed Pack of Dorks series, A Blind Guide to Stinkville and A Blind Guide to Normal , I was looking forward to Vrabel's newest children's title immensely.
In Bringing Me Back, we follow the first-person narrative of middle schooler Noah Brickle. Noah, as we learn, is going through a very difficult time. His mom is serving time in prison, he's become a social pariah at school- almost entirely without any friendly face- and is now under the guardianship of his mom's boyfriend Jeff. In just a short span of time, Noah's world has gone from pretty great- having a best friend, playing football at school, and having his mom and Jeff in a stable and good relationship- to just about everything being broken. Readers learn about Noah's mom's struggle with alcohol and how one night of relapse- and a dangerous football accident caused by Noah the day after- changed his world. On top of everything Noah is experiencing at home and at school, he also becomes fixated with a lone bear cub seen around the perimeters of the school. Soon Noah becomes determined to save the life of the young bear, especially when the bear is spotted with a bucket stuck on its head and looks to be growing frail. As the prison release date of Noah's mom grows closer, Noah finds himself at a head with emotions: his remorse for the accident he caused; complicated feelings for his mom and the damage she caused; his growing feelings for his new friend Rina; with how much Jeff really means to him; and for how far he's willing to go (and why) to save the life of a dying bear cub.
Noah is a terrifically written, interesting young narrator: complicated, open, hurting, and struggling to keep his head above water. The course of his relationships with two supporting characters- his one new and surprising school friend Rina and now-guardian Jeff- are so well-done and at different turns, emotional and heart-wrenching. Vrabel gets the voice of young protagonists spot on and writes them brilliantly; I think Bringing Me Back, with its well-drawn cast of main characters and excellent story, is the strongest of her novels so far. Overall, a strong, beautifully written, affecting middle grade title, with wonderfully drawn characters set in a unique story. Readers who have enjoyed Beth Vrabel's previous children's titles or readers who enjoy the work of authors such as Leslie Connor, Kate Messner, or Sarah Weeks might especially enjoy Vrabel's latest.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Sky Pony Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
February 13, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner 🐻 Thanks to #kidlitexchange for sharing the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Bringing Me Back by Beth Vrabel. After reading Caleb and Kit I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! And it did not disappoint! Noah's bad luck streak just has to end. The more I read, the more I hoped for Noah. His mom was incarcerated after a football game that would be the last for Noah's middle school and then when the school has a fundraiser Noah is positive that the bucket left behind has caused a near death experience for a bear Noah is determined to help. So much is going on Noah's bad choices, friends that should be enemies, and family issues that have so many places to be mended leaves you needing to know more. I was grateful the ending was written with closure but I was emotional through every page of this one. Noah is trapped by past decisions and comes head on with learning to forgive himself as well as others. What a great read! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻Review also posted on Instagram @jasonnstacie, Library Thing, Go Read, Amazon, and my blog at readsbystacie.com.
February 12, 2018
Bringing Me Back, by Dallas-based author Beth Vardel, pulls you in from page one and you just might find yourself looking up two hours later from a satisfying read.
For most students and schools the start of a new school year is about new beginnings - for Noah there is no excitement because the events of the last school year still overshadows his daily life as he starts the 7th grade.
Noah has lost his mom for nine months to rehab and jail, his football team is disbanded, his best friend leads the rest of the school in making his daily life miserable, and the list goes on.
When a young bear gets her head stuck in a bucket, Noah finally abandons his efforts to remain invisible in hopes of saving the young bear’s life.
Maybe his own future depends on it.
For most students and schools the start of a new school year is about new beginnings - for Noah there is no excitement because the events of the last school year still overshadows his daily life as he starts the 7th grade.
Noah has lost his mom for nine months to rehab and jail, his football team is disbanded, his best friend leads the rest of the school in making his daily life miserable, and the list goes on.
When a young bear gets her head stuck in a bucket, Noah finally abandons his efforts to remain invisible in hopes of saving the young bear’s life.
Maybe his own future depends on it.
February 24, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to the #KidLitExchange network for the review copy of Bringing Me Back. All opinions are my own.
Bringing Me Back was a great middle grades read! In it we meet Noah, who is having an awful year. Thanks to him the school no longer has a football team, which does not make him very popular. His mom is in jail for drunk driving and it seems like nothing is going right.
One day, Noah sees a bear near the school. This isn't unusual in the area, but what is unusual is the fact that the bear has a bucket stuck on its head! Noah feels a personal responsibility for this bear and does everything possible to try to save it.
This story was definitely a good read about a boy who begins to learn who he is and what he stands for. Noah changes a lot throughout the story and it's honestly kind of touching. This is perfect for the 3rd to 5th grade age range. 💜
#ARC #reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to the #KidLitExchange network for the review copy of Bringing Me Back. All opinions are my own.
Bringing Me Back was a great middle grades read! In it we meet Noah, who is having an awful year. Thanks to him the school no longer has a football team, which does not make him very popular. His mom is in jail for drunk driving and it seems like nothing is going right.
One day, Noah sees a bear near the school. This isn't unusual in the area, but what is unusual is the fact that the bear has a bucket stuck on its head! Noah feels a personal responsibility for this bear and does everything possible to try to save it.
This story was definitely a good read about a boy who begins to learn who he is and what he stands for. Noah changes a lot throughout the story and it's honestly kind of touching. This is perfect for the 3rd to 5th grade age range. 💜
#ARC #reviewer
April 24, 2018
Beth Vrabel knows how to put together a middle grade book. The plot unfolds carefully, giving the reader plenty of time to think and wonder. Why is Noah ostracized by his entire school? And what's so important about a bear with a bucket on her head? The characters are all a bit flawed and that adds to the realism. I'm looking forward to giving this book to my students.
(Thank you to the author for sending me a signed copy!)
(Thank you to the author for sending me a signed copy!)
July 24, 2018
Noah’s life spirals downward the day he violently tackles a teammate and his school gets banned from football. His mom ends up in jail and everyone views him as a looser. When Noah spots a bear cub with a bucket stuck to its head he is certain it was from a fundraiser to get the team back. He is then determined to do one thing right and save the bear. This emotional story of fitting in, remorse and friendship will appeal to readers aged ten to 14.
July 4, 2018
This was a good book for middle grade kids. I enjoyed getting to know Noah and felt an aching pain for him because of the way other kids treated him. The book was hard to follow at times because there were several typos throughout.
April 5, 2018
I was sent a copy of Bring Me Back by @kidlitexchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. A new school year begins as Noah is just trying to forget everything that happened last year. His school has lost their football team because of him, his Mom is serving a 6 month prison sentence because of a DWI, all the kids blame him for the loss of the football team, he lost his best friend, his popularity, he's living with his Mom's boyfriend, Jeff, feeling he is a burden and inconvenience on him...and yet there's more. Noah tackled a special ed kid, Micah, during the championship game only to go on and score a touchdown, leaving everyone in shock at his lack of compassion for Micah. In order to reinstate the football team, some of the kids do a Gatorade "bucket challenge" similar to the one for ALS years ago. Someone leaves a bucket out in their yard and a bear now has it stuck on her head. Noah and his friend make it their mission to help rescue the bear. Noah learns he isn't the only one hurting from his Mom's imprisonment, that Jeff really does care, his best friend misses him, and finds a little crush! This story has a cute storyline to it and one that teaches kids to care about someone other than themselves. I recommend this book for 5th grade and up.
January 3, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for Bringing me Back by @authorbethvrabel, which I received for @kidlitexchange. All opinions are my own. Bringing me Back is due out in March.
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"When we make a mess, we shouldn't expect others to clean it up." Go read the summary on Amazon or Goodreads (meant to take a pic of the back, but forgot before sending it on for #kidlitexchange)!
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Noah is one of the saddest, most desperate characters I've read about in a while. Everything is going wrong for him--no friends, a super mean science teacher (one of the meanest teachers I've seen in #mglit), separated from and angry with his mom, worried his mom's boyfriend doesn't really want him around...things are BAD. And yet he reaches out to help a bear (Bucket Bear) with Rina, the one student who still believes in him, and in doing so finds redemption himself. As would be normal in this type of situation, Noah is angry and acts out in unexpected, inappropriate ways. Vrabel deals with his anger and frustration realistically and sensitively. Must-buy for all middle school libraries; I highly recommend this book and can't wait for you meet Noah.
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#bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat
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"When we make a mess, we shouldn't expect others to clean it up." Go read the summary on Amazon or Goodreads (meant to take a pic of the back, but forgot before sending it on for #kidlitexchange)!
_*_*_*_*_*
Noah is one of the saddest, most desperate characters I've read about in a while. Everything is going wrong for him--no friends, a super mean science teacher (one of the meanest teachers I've seen in #mglit), separated from and angry with his mom, worried his mom's boyfriend doesn't really want him around...things are BAD. And yet he reaches out to help a bear (Bucket Bear) with Rina, the one student who still believes in him, and in doing so finds redemption himself. As would be normal in this type of situation, Noah is angry and acts out in unexpected, inappropriate ways. Vrabel deals with his anger and frustration realistically and sensitively. Must-buy for all middle school libraries; I highly recommend this book and can't wait for you meet Noah.
_*_*_*_*_*
#bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat
January 17, 2018
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Bringing me back started out slow and I thought it was going to be a miss for me. At first, I didn't believe the premise--that an entire town would turn on a young boy and make his life miserable. The mood of the book is morose, and I just didn't want to pick it back up.
But as I read, my thoughts on the plot shifted. Maybe there ARE towns like this, where everyone knows everyone's mistakes and hold them against people. As the main character Noah began to make a new friend in Rina, crack back into his former best friend's life, and bond with his mom's boyfriend, the redemptive aspects of the story shifted my mindset about the book. I really enjoyed the second half. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the bear yet.
Ultimately, the reason this is three stars for me is that the teachers and leadership at Noah's school, as well as many of Noah's peer's parents, are just so awful. It was hard for me to believe and accept that so many adults could behave so badly.
Bringing me back started out slow and I thought it was going to be a miss for me. At first, I didn't believe the premise--that an entire town would turn on a young boy and make his life miserable. The mood of the book is morose, and I just didn't want to pick it back up.
But as I read, my thoughts on the plot shifted. Maybe there ARE towns like this, where everyone knows everyone's mistakes and hold them against people. As the main character Noah began to make a new friend in Rina, crack back into his former best friend's life, and bond with his mom's boyfriend, the redemptive aspects of the story shifted my mindset about the book. I really enjoyed the second half. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the bear yet.
Ultimately, the reason this is three stars for me is that the teachers and leadership at Noah's school, as well as many of Noah's peer's parents, are just so awful. It was hard for me to believe and accept that so many adults could behave so badly.
January 26, 2019
Beth Vrabel, author of Caleb and Kit, a complicated story much more than the main character having cystic fibrosis, had done it again.
Bringing Me Back is also a complicated story. It's also much more than the main character, Noah, whose mom is in jail for a DUI.
It's about guilt. Wrongly placed. All encompassing.
It's about survival of the fittest, and how that trickles down to middle school life. The so-called pecking order of junior school can be more brutal than anything Mother Nature dreamed up.
And it's about family. After all, being a family means you don't give up, even when the going gets rough. It also means that you can swoop members up into your fold whose blood doesn't run from your own; family is what you make, not necessarily what is borne to you.
This is a complicated tale told by an unreliable narrator, and the best part? It's for middle grade readers. I love authors who don't dumb down their story just because a kid is reading it.
This is the kind of book that will help change a kid. Mold them. Help to make them a better person just for having turned the pages.
"That old man was the first person I've ever trusted. Only one who ever earned my trust. It's--tough, even now, to rely on anyone. And he taught me something I carry to my core, Noah. Don't budge. Don't give up on someone you love. And I never will. You're family, Noah. Family doesn't budge."
Bringing Me Back is also a complicated story. It's also much more than the main character, Noah, whose mom is in jail for a DUI.
It's about guilt. Wrongly placed. All encompassing.
It's about survival of the fittest, and how that trickles down to middle school life. The so-called pecking order of junior school can be more brutal than anything Mother Nature dreamed up.
And it's about family. After all, being a family means you don't give up, even when the going gets rough. It also means that you can swoop members up into your fold whose blood doesn't run from your own; family is what you make, not necessarily what is borne to you.
This is a complicated tale told by an unreliable narrator, and the best part? It's for middle grade readers. I love authors who don't dumb down their story just because a kid is reading it.
This is the kind of book that will help change a kid. Mold them. Help to make them a better person just for having turned the pages.
"That old man was the first person I've ever trusted. Only one who ever earned my trust. It's--tough, even now, to rely on anyone. And he taught me something I carry to my core, Noah. Don't budge. Don't give up on someone you love. And I never will. You're family, Noah. Family doesn't budge."
January 23, 2018
Disclaimer: Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book-all opinions are my own. The opinions in this review are solely my own and do not reflect the views of the author or KidLitExchange.
Overall, I liked this novel. I would have liked a bit more character development, especially when it came to the supporting characters of this novel. I am giving this book three stars because I can tell the author put the effort in to do her research regarding the issues in this novel. The life lesson is present, but I did not entirely like the delivery or fully understand the purpose of the bear.
You can view my full review on my blog, be aware there are a few spoilers.
Overall, I liked this novel. I would have liked a bit more character development, especially when it came to the supporting characters of this novel. I am giving this book three stars because I can tell the author put the effort in to do her research regarding the issues in this novel. The life lesson is present, but I did not entirely like the delivery or fully understand the purpose of the bear.
You can view my full review on my blog, be aware there are a few spoilers.
June 28, 2020
This was good. I liked the story of redemption, and it was interesting how it was based on some real citizens in Pennsylvania who saved a bear in a similar predicament. The characters are likable and the situation is mostly believable. The only issue I had is that there were typos all over this book. Missing words right and left. Someone really dropped the ball. Still a Beth Vrabel story is always good and this was no exception.
March 6, 2018
Read for professional Book Talks. Would recommend for grades 4-7.
March 18, 2018
review to come soon
July 16, 2019
I really like the story line and the main character but it seemed a little repetitive.
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