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Shouting at the Rain
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2019)From the author of the New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree comes a compelling story about perspective and learning to love the family you have.
Delsie loves tracking the weather--lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She's always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she's looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a "regular family." Delsie observes other changes in the air, too--the most painful being a friend who's outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he's endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm.
Delsie loves tracking the weather--lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She's always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she's looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a "regular family." Delsie observes other changes in the air, too--the most painful being a friend who's outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he's endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2019
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December 6, 2021
It's not what you look at that counts, but what you see.
It is summertime on the Cape and Delsie's friend Aimee has been cast as Annie in the summer musical. For Delsie, that show is another reminder that she has had "a hard knock life." She lives with her Grammy, but her beloved Papa (her grandfather) is no longer alive. Her mother is AWOL and she has never even known who her dad is. Add in some friend problems, a persnickety neighbor named Olive, and a strange new boy who just seems angry and life is complicated. Why can't relationships be like the weather? Something that can be somewhat predicted? What Delsie learns during this important summer is something her Papa once told her -- if we all put our problems on the table, we would be likely to take all of our own back again. Delsie learns to live with gratitude and in a way that helps others respond in positive ways. There is a kitten named Boots, whale watching, clam raking, and more. Lynda Mullaly Hunt also hid some anagrams in the text for puzzle lovers. One is related to the title SHOUTING AT THE RAIN = THAT NOURISHING TEA. This one really grew on me (like a barnacle?). Highly recommended!
It is summertime on the Cape and Delsie's friend Aimee has been cast as Annie in the summer musical. For Delsie, that show is another reminder that she has had "a hard knock life." She lives with her Grammy, but her beloved Papa (her grandfather) is no longer alive. Her mother is AWOL and she has never even known who her dad is. Add in some friend problems, a persnickety neighbor named Olive, and a strange new boy who just seems angry and life is complicated. Why can't relationships be like the weather? Something that can be somewhat predicted? What Delsie learns during this important summer is something her Papa once told her -- if we all put our problems on the table, we would be likely to take all of our own back again. Delsie learns to live with gratitude and in a way that helps others respond in positive ways. There is a kitten named Boots, whale watching, clam raking, and more. Lynda Mullaly Hunt also hid some anagrams in the text for puzzle lovers. One is related to the title SHOUTING AT THE RAIN = THAT NOURISHING TEA. This one really grew on me (like a barnacle?). Highly recommended!
May 6, 2021
من یاد گرفتم که توفانها تغییرمان میدهند، نه روزهای آبی و آفتابی!
🌧☔️
📝کتاب خواندن برای بچهها همان پرورش مهارتهای لازم برای زندگی از دل قصههاست. چون محتوای داستانها به قدری متنوع هستند که هر رشته علمی و موضوعی را میتوان در قالب داستانها یافت. با کتاب علاوه بر تقویت چهار مهارت زبانی( گوش کردن، صحبت کردن، نوشتن، خواندن) مهارتهای زندگی مانند جرأتورزی، مسئولیتپذیری، ادب و استفاده از واژههای مناسب هم در کودکان تقویت میشود.
🌧☔️
با خواندن دو کتاب «تقصیر باران نیست» و « ماهی روی درخت» از لیندا موللی هانت متوجه شدم که او هم به توانایی و قدرت درک بالای کودکان در تجزیه و تحلیل مسائل موجود در زندگی و دنیای اطراف اعتقاد و ایمان داره. این کتاب روایتی از دختری به نام دلسی بود که کنار مادربزرگش زندگی میکنه. مادرش از زمان کودکی اون رو ترک میکنه؛ چرا که توانایی بزرگ کردنش را نداشته و دلسی را با یک عالمه سوال بیجواب تنها میگذاره. البته تا آخر کتاب هم علتش مشخص نمیشه! دلسی، دوستان و همسایگان خوبی داره و روابط آدمهای داستان با هم جالب و خواندنی است. نویسنده تلاش میکنه نکات ریزی از درسهای زندگی را لابه لای همین روابط بین شخصیتهای داستان و در خلال قصه به بچهها آموزش بده. حس خوب ارتباط با مادربزرگ و صمیمیت بین این دو و حس دگردوستی، ارتباط متقابل، کنار هم بودن در دوران سختی ... همه از نقاط روشن و درخشان کتاب بودند. از میان کتابهای رئال نوجوان کتاب خوبی بود.🌧☔️
🌧☔️
📝کتاب خواندن برای بچهها همان پرورش مهارتهای لازم برای زندگی از دل قصههاست. چون محتوای داستانها به قدری متنوع هستند که هر رشته علمی و موضوعی را میتوان در قالب داستانها یافت. با کتاب علاوه بر تقویت چهار مهارت زبانی( گوش کردن، صحبت کردن، نوشتن، خواندن) مهارتهای زندگی مانند جرأتورزی، مسئولیتپذیری، ادب و استفاده از واژههای مناسب هم در کودکان تقویت میشود.
🌧☔️
با خواندن دو کتاب «تقصیر باران نیست» و « ماهی روی درخت» از لیندا موللی هانت متوجه شدم که او هم به توانایی و قدرت درک بالای کودکان در تجزیه و تحلیل مسائل موجود در زندگی و دنیای اطراف اعتقاد و ایمان داره. این کتاب روایتی از دختری به نام دلسی بود که کنار مادربزرگش زندگی میکنه. مادرش از زمان کودکی اون رو ترک میکنه؛ چرا که توانایی بزرگ کردنش را نداشته و دلسی را با یک عالمه سوال بیجواب تنها میگذاره. البته تا آخر کتاب هم علتش مشخص نمیشه! دلسی، دوستان و همسایگان خوبی داره و روابط آدمهای داستان با هم جالب و خواندنی است. نویسنده تلاش میکنه نکات ریزی از درسهای زندگی را لابه لای همین روابط بین شخصیتهای داستان و در خلال قصه به بچهها آموزش بده. حس خوب ارتباط با مادربزرگ و صمیمیت بین این دو و حس دگردوستی، ارتباط متقابل، کنار هم بودن در دوران سختی ... همه از نقاط روشن و درخشان کتاب بودند. از میان کتابهای رئال نوجوان کتاب خوبی بود.🌧☔️
January 25, 2020
Shouting at the Rain
Delsie is different on so many levels. And she’s growing. And her friends are changing. And making fun of her.
From the very beginning as I read this book as a grandmother, I judged. Not Delsie, but her mother. To a certain extent her caretaking grandmother, too. My hackles were up and I was outraged. Motherless Delsie deserved more. I was set up - because by the end of the book while things were not wand-resolved, Delsie and her friend Ronan (who had troubles of his own) were helped by the grownups in their lives to face the challenging aspects of their lives. I sat in a corner considering all this. . . we all have issues. Not all are resolved prettily, with the wrinkles smoothed out. I appreciated the tools of resiliency that were given to these growing, awkward people, and me by association as a reader. . .still a growing, awkward person – forever one, I suspect.
I wish this book had been around when I was twelve, awkward and doing all the wrong things according to my friends from just a year before. BFFs were more like BFFAWOT (Best Friends For A Week Or Two) the older I got. There would have been less pouting, manipulation and drama in the kingdom if I’d had this book. It’s a toolkit for understanding that love comes in all shapes and sizes, all kinds of family members and friends have it. Love is present and sticks around, but sometimes it leaves, too – but that doesn’t erase it, just creates distance and that’s ok. Keeping an eye out for what fills the gaps is the juice of this tale. Every coin has its other side – every tale has its beginning and end – and so often they overlap. Abandonment provides an opportunity for rescue and service; loyalty is valued and recognized most when one has been betrayed. Doesn't make it better, just presents a different aspect of overcoming challenges.
A lovely book. I also recommend a Fish in a Tree by the same author. Both are books written for ages 10+.
Delsie is different on so many levels. And she’s growing. And her friends are changing. And making fun of her.
From the very beginning as I read this book as a grandmother, I judged. Not Delsie, but her mother. To a certain extent her caretaking grandmother, too. My hackles were up and I was outraged. Motherless Delsie deserved more. I was set up - because by the end of the book while things were not wand-resolved, Delsie and her friend Ronan (who had troubles of his own) were helped by the grownups in their lives to face the challenging aspects of their lives. I sat in a corner considering all this. . . we all have issues. Not all are resolved prettily, with the wrinkles smoothed out. I appreciated the tools of resiliency that were given to these growing, awkward people, and me by association as a reader. . .still a growing, awkward person – forever one, I suspect.
I wish this book had been around when I was twelve, awkward and doing all the wrong things according to my friends from just a year before. BFFs were more like BFFAWOT (Best Friends For A Week Or Two) the older I got. There would have been less pouting, manipulation and drama in the kingdom if I’d had this book. It’s a toolkit for understanding that love comes in all shapes and sizes, all kinds of family members and friends have it. Love is present and sticks around, but sometimes it leaves, too – but that doesn’t erase it, just creates distance and that’s ok. Keeping an eye out for what fills the gaps is the juice of this tale. Every coin has its other side – every tale has its beginning and end – and so often they overlap. Abandonment provides an opportunity for rescue and service; loyalty is valued and recognized most when one has been betrayed. Doesn't make it better, just presents a different aspect of overcoming challenges.
A lovely book. I also recommend a Fish in a Tree by the same author. Both are books written for ages 10+.
January 13, 2019
A book that makes us think about families and our traditional views of them and friends and glitter and glue.
This book is my glue.
Love it.
This book is my glue.
Love it.
November 20, 2018
There is something magical about the team of Nancy Paulsen and Lynda Mullaly Hunt!
Shouting at the Rain is the story of Delsie who lives with her grandma while trying to navigate feelings of being abandoned...by her mother when she was a baby and now by her best friend. Delsie has always felt energized by the storms that brew off the Cape, but now that her entire life feels like a storm is on the horizon, Delsie is feeling fragile and insecure about her family and its missing pieces, as well as how she fits with her friend Brandy and Tressa, the new girl on the scene. This is a true heartprint book about love, loss, friendship and moving forward. I can’t wait to get this in the hands of my students!
Shouting at the Rain is the story of Delsie who lives with her grandma while trying to navigate feelings of being abandoned...by her mother when she was a baby and now by her best friend. Delsie has always felt energized by the storms that brew off the Cape, but now that her entire life feels like a storm is on the horizon, Delsie is feeling fragile and insecure about her family and its missing pieces, as well as how she fits with her friend Brandy and Tressa, the new girl on the scene. This is a true heartprint book about love, loss, friendship and moving forward. I can’t wait to get this in the hands of my students!
November 18, 2018
I'm giving this book eight out of five stars.
I always say that if it from Nancy Paulsen Books, it will be amazing....this book, from one of my favorite authors, is the absolute best. Delsie, Grammy, Ronin and a cast of mostly lovable characters have stolen my heart. I love a lot of books, this is my new favorite middle grade book. There are so many quotable parts that gently teach lessons we all need.
Available everywhere in May, I highly recommend this book.
I always say that if it from Nancy Paulsen Books, it will be amazing....this book, from one of my favorite authors, is the absolute best. Delsie, Grammy, Ronin and a cast of mostly lovable characters have stolen my heart. I love a lot of books, this is my new favorite middle grade book. There are so many quotable parts that gently teach lessons we all need.
Available everywhere in May, I highly recommend this book.
January 13, 2020
A few years ago a friend gave me a mug that said...
"I don't want to just read books....I want to climb inside them and live there."
If I could climb inside this book and live there with the characters, I would. Living in an area with some pretty violent storms isn't exactly high on my list, but to be part of that group of friends and neighbors that all live in those four houses at the end of that dirt road, who love each other truly and fiercely, who are always there for each other no matter what, that have a bond that can never be broken, those people who are more family than blood relations, yeah, I would gladly live with all those Nor 'easters to be a part of that family.
I didn't know that it was possible for Lynda Mullaly Hunt to write a book more special and heartwarming than Fish in a Tree, but she certainly has done it with this one. It's one of my absolute favorite middle grade books of 2019.
"I don't want to just read books....I want to climb inside them and live there."
If I could climb inside this book and live there with the characters, I would. Living in an area with some pretty violent storms isn't exactly high on my list, but to be part of that group of friends and neighbors that all live in those four houses at the end of that dirt road, who love each other truly and fiercely, who are always there for each other no matter what, that have a bond that can never be broken, those people who are more family than blood relations, yeah, I would gladly live with all those Nor 'easters to be a part of that family.
I didn't know that it was possible for Lynda Mullaly Hunt to write a book more special and heartwarming than Fish in a Tree, but she certainly has done it with this one. It's one of my absolute favorite middle grade books of 2019.
May 4, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Penguin. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
I have to say that for a book that brought on the weather references hot and heavy in the summary, it definitely didn’t provide much weather references in the book. To be honest, I forgot most of the time that Delsie was supposed to be into weather. It kind of would pop up randomly, and I was pretty ready for all the drops in pressure…or weather names.
And this was CLEARLY the most important thing to start off this review with, lol
From the summary, this book definitely seems like it will bring on the feels – and for the most part, it does a pretty decent job. Delsie is trying to figure her way through a summer at her home in Cape Cod. Her best friend for the summer isn’t what she was used to; she’s dealing with a best friend stealer/girl that constantly makes fun of her; making new friends; dealing with who she is and where she fits in the world/her makeshift family; and more about her absent mother.
There were a few things that I really enjoyed about this book. The most emotional part for me about this book was Delsie dealing with her crumbling friendship with Brandy once Brandy meets a shinier new friend, and the pain she deals with. The new friendships she makes and renews really was such a highlight of this book, and I loved reading her struggle since it was so real. The friendships in this book were total goals, and Delsie and Ronan were gems. Other things I loved was there was just a general feeling of hope and lightness and happy feels; the huge aspect of family; and it was super easy to read (I legit read it in two sittings).
There were a few things I was not a fan of. The writing was a bit odd in parts. Not the writing itself but like the lingo? I couldn’t quite tell when/where I was. I thought I was in the South for a long time before I realized it was Cape Cod. And it also felt a little old timey? They would use words that I don’t see modern kids saying or knowing. It was just a bit odd. I also didn’t feel much as I wanted to? Like, I was ready to be dissolving in feels, and like, everything kind of felt like I never got in super deep. I mean, I connected and rooted a bit, but I never fully invested. Also, this is definitely a very character driven novel, so it can feel like it wanders around for most of it.
Overall, it was a nice easy breezy read, and it definitely did bring a great summer feel. It shows fantastic moments of friendship and family, but I didn’t fully connect as much as I wanted to, for sure.
rating: 3 crowns and a Belle rating
representation: n/a
content warnings: absentee parents (one dealing with substance abuse issues that is only discussed briefly but not shown)
I have to say that for a book that brought on the weather references hot and heavy in the summary, it definitely didn’t provide much weather references in the book. To be honest, I forgot most of the time that Delsie was supposed to be into weather. It kind of would pop up randomly, and I was pretty ready for all the drops in pressure…or weather names.
And this was CLEARLY the most important thing to start off this review with, lol
From the summary, this book definitely seems like it will bring on the feels – and for the most part, it does a pretty decent job. Delsie is trying to figure her way through a summer at her home in Cape Cod. Her best friend for the summer isn’t what she was used to; she’s dealing with a best friend stealer/girl that constantly makes fun of her; making new friends; dealing with who she is and where she fits in the world/her makeshift family; and more about her absent mother.
There were a few things that I really enjoyed about this book. The most emotional part for me about this book was Delsie dealing with her crumbling friendship with Brandy once Brandy meets a shinier new friend, and the pain she deals with. The new friendships she makes and renews really was such a highlight of this book, and I loved reading her struggle since it was so real. The friendships in this book were total goals, and Delsie and Ronan were gems. Other things I loved was there was just a general feeling of hope and lightness and happy feels; the huge aspect of family; and it was super easy to read (I legit read it in two sittings).
There were a few things I was not a fan of. The writing was a bit odd in parts. Not the writing itself but like the lingo? I couldn’t quite tell when/where I was. I thought I was in the South for a long time before I realized it was Cape Cod. And it also felt a little old timey? They would use words that I don’t see modern kids saying or knowing. It was just a bit odd. I also didn’t feel much as I wanted to? Like, I was ready to be dissolving in feels, and like, everything kind of felt like I never got in super deep. I mean, I connected and rooted a bit, but I never fully invested. Also, this is definitely a very character driven novel, so it can feel like it wanders around for most of it.
Overall, it was a nice easy breezy read, and it definitely did bring a great summer feel. It shows fantastic moments of friendship and family, but I didn’t fully connect as much as I wanted to, for sure.
rating: 3 crowns and a Belle rating
representation: n/a
content warnings: absentee parents (one dealing with substance abuse issues that is only discussed briefly but not shown)
April 26, 2022
To me, this was kind of like a "quiet book". While dealing with so many important issues and themes, it wasn't in your face like so many other Middle Grade Books I have read before (love those also).
I really enjoyed the setting of this story, Cape Code, and Delsie was a great character. I usually LOVE books where one of the other main characters is a much older person. Delsie's mother is gone, and she is taken care of by her Grammy. Delsie is very much at a coming-of-age time in her life - she is seeing so many changes within her life and her surroundings. She is growing out of an old friendship and finding a new one in the boy who is new on the Cape, who has many problems of his own. There is quite a bit about bullying, and how Delsie learns to deal with and overcome it. She also spends some time longing for her absent mother and a regular family, and I love how she realizes that so many others love and accept her as if she was their own. She often felt abandoned by her mother but comes to know that she is never really alone. Family is so much more than blood and having the same name!
(LOVED the Author's note at the end!)
I really enjoyed the setting of this story, Cape Code, and Delsie was a great character. I usually LOVE books where one of the other main characters is a much older person. Delsie's mother is gone, and she is taken care of by her Grammy. Delsie is very much at a coming-of-age time in her life - she is seeing so many changes within her life and her surroundings. She is growing out of an old friendship and finding a new one in the boy who is new on the Cape, who has many problems of his own. There is quite a bit about bullying, and how Delsie learns to deal with and overcome it. She also spends some time longing for her absent mother and a regular family, and I love how she realizes that so many others love and accept her as if she was their own. She often felt abandoned by her mother but comes to know that she is never really alone. Family is so much more than blood and having the same name!
(LOVED the Author's note at the end!)
June 6, 2019
"It's not what you look at that counts, but what you see."
This is the story of two kids (a girl named Delsie and a boy named Ronin), both of whom are unhappy because one is missing both parents and one is missing a mother. Each is lonely, especially Delsie when one of her summer friends has become chummy with a mean girl named Tressa. Happily, they find each other and discover that they have love and support from their remaining relatives and neighbors. Hunt has cloaked important life advise throughout the book too.
This is the story of two kids (a girl named Delsie and a boy named Ronin), both of whom are unhappy because one is missing both parents and one is missing a mother. Each is lonely, especially Delsie when one of her summer friends has become chummy with a mean girl named Tressa. Happily, they find each other and discover that they have love and support from their remaining relatives and neighbors. Hunt has cloaked important life advise throughout the book too.
September 21, 2025
—(••÷ 🎀 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 🎀 ÷••(—
Delsie loves the weather, and when she was younger her father gave her weather books and even helped her make her own "weather station". But now, her father is gone, and her mother couldn't keep her due to drug/alcohol addiction. Her grandmother is all she has left.
Delsie also has a friend, Brandy, who used to love and care about her so much. Then Brandy becomes friends with a snobby girl named Tressa who is always being mean to Delsie. Brandy chooses Tressa over Delsie, so she moves on eventually. She still has some of other good friends who will never leave her side.
Her friend Ronan has some problems of his own, and he begins to become friends with Delsie. She teaches him how to go clam hunting and helps him deal with his problems when he's hurting.
But good things are in store for both of them, and soon both Delsie and Ronan learn how to heal the broken parts and move on.
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Quotes ♥
A good cup of tea can make us feel so much better."
"A friend who changes as much as the weather is no friend at all."
"I feel silly for having shouted at the rain, complaining about living under a cloud. Thing is the sun is always in the sky- it just gets hidden sometimes."
🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
Delsie loves the weather, and when she was younger her father gave her weather books and even helped her make her own "weather station". But now, her father is gone, and her mother couldn't keep her due to drug/alcohol addiction. Her grandmother is all she has left.
Delsie also has a friend, Brandy, who used to love and care about her so much. Then Brandy becomes friends with a snobby girl named Tressa who is always being mean to Delsie. Brandy chooses Tressa over Delsie, so she moves on eventually. She still has some of other good friends who will never leave her side.
Her friend Ronan has some problems of his own, and he begins to become friends with Delsie. She teaches him how to go clam hunting and helps him deal with his problems when he's hurting.
But good things are in store for both of them, and soon both Delsie and Ronan learn how to heal the broken parts and move on.
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Quotes ♥
A good cup of tea can make us feel so much better."
"A friend who changes as much as the weather is no friend at all."
"I feel silly for having shouted at the rain, complaining about living under a cloud. Thing is the sun is always in the sky- it just gets hidden sometimes."
🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
April 22, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for Shouting at the Rain by @lyndamullalyhunt; thanks to @penguinkids for the ARC to share with #kidlitexchange! .
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Lynda Mullaly Hunt is one of the most popular authors in my middle school library. I have multiple copies of both Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys and they are frequently all checked out (see pic). For that reason and because I love both books myself, I was VERY eager to get my hands on Shouting at the Rain and see if Hunt could do it again. And by "do it" I mean tug at my heartstrings, make me fall in love with characters and cause me to ignore my family and camp out on the couch all day on Easter Sunday. (Spoiler alert: she did it!!)
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Scrappy and resourceful Delsie lives with her Grammy on the Cape (that's Cape Cod for the non-locals). Delsie doesn't know her mother or even her father's name and for the first time, but her Grammy is unwilling to talk about her daughter. Delsie is also dealing with friendship drama, as well; one of her closest friends is in the summer play and busy and her other summer friend seems to be outgrowing Delsie and has befriended a new girl who is mean to Delsie. When a new boy, Ronan, comes to town, he seems like trouble at first, but he and Delsie increasingly find that they have important things in common: an interest in running, a love of science, abandonment issues and more. .
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The greatest strength of this book are the characters and the strongly depicted setting of the Cape (not touristy Cape Cod, but the Cape of the locals). From Grammy who loves game shows to their crabby neighbor Olive to Saucepan Lynn, there is plenty of color and flavor to help bring the Cape to life. Anyone who's spent time in a summer place like Cape Cod will appreciate the way Delsie tries to get away with not wearing shoes all summer or how the locals keep a snow shovel on the porch to remind them of the winter. Shouting at the Rain is a beautifully written coming of age book about accepting what life has dealt you and discovering that family can have a broader definition. .
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#shoutingattherain #bookreview #mglit #ilovemg #mgbooks #librariansofinstagram #librariesofinstagram #lyndamullalyhunt
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Lynda Mullaly Hunt is one of the most popular authors in my middle school library. I have multiple copies of both Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys and they are frequently all checked out (see pic). For that reason and because I love both books myself, I was VERY eager to get my hands on Shouting at the Rain and see if Hunt could do it again. And by "do it" I mean tug at my heartstrings, make me fall in love with characters and cause me to ignore my family and camp out on the couch all day on Easter Sunday. (Spoiler alert: she did it!!)
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Scrappy and resourceful Delsie lives with her Grammy on the Cape (that's Cape Cod for the non-locals). Delsie doesn't know her mother or even her father's name and for the first time, but her Grammy is unwilling to talk about her daughter. Delsie is also dealing with friendship drama, as well; one of her closest friends is in the summer play and busy and her other summer friend seems to be outgrowing Delsie and has befriended a new girl who is mean to Delsie. When a new boy, Ronan, comes to town, he seems like trouble at first, but he and Delsie increasingly find that they have important things in common: an interest in running, a love of science, abandonment issues and more. .
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The greatest strength of this book are the characters and the strongly depicted setting of the Cape (not touristy Cape Cod, but the Cape of the locals). From Grammy who loves game shows to their crabby neighbor Olive to Saucepan Lynn, there is plenty of color and flavor to help bring the Cape to life. Anyone who's spent time in a summer place like Cape Cod will appreciate the way Delsie tries to get away with not wearing shoes all summer or how the locals keep a snow shovel on the porch to remind them of the winter. Shouting at the Rain is a beautifully written coming of age book about accepting what life has dealt you and discovering that family can have a broader definition. .
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#shoutingattherain #bookreview #mglit #ilovemg #mgbooks #librariansofinstagram #librariesofinstagram #lyndamullalyhunt
January 1, 2019
Blah blah blah, friends are the family you choose for yourself, blah blah. REALLY cheesy dialogue and /so/ many /words/ were /emphasized/ that they /dang/ lost their /impact/! (Seriously, the dialogue was insufferable and even Delsie's inner monologue was stilted and awkward and weird. Pg. 176: "I see Henry laugh, and I am grateful that I can't hear it. And yet I long to..." -- what the hell kinda middle-schooler even THINKS like that?) I liked "Fish in a Tree" because I hadn't had the dyslexic perspective before, but this book brings nothing new to the genre. The various friends fade in and out in lazy ways -- Aimee and what's-his-name at the Annie play are just there to move plot points along. "Annie's an orphan...and I'M an orphan! Gasp! Realization! Plot point! The play itself will never be relevant again!" And Madame Schonfeld or whatever? UGHHH NO.
Gripe: It makes no sense for Tressa to have kittens. She's a summer person. Did she bring her unspayed cat on vacation and it got knocked up (which is so irresponsible)? Or did they bring their pregnant cat on vacation (which seems very weird)? Or was there a neighborhood stray and they've somehow taken on the responsibility of adopting out the kittens vs just taking them to the humane society (which doesn't make sense)?
Gripe: It makes no sense for Tressa to have kittens. She's a summer person. Did she bring her unspayed cat on vacation and it got knocked up (which is so irresponsible)? Or did they bring their pregnant cat on vacation (which seems very weird)? Or was there a neighborhood stray and they've somehow taken on the responsibility of adopting out the kittens vs just taking them to the humane society (which doesn't make sense)?
March 4, 2019
“Family isn’t really about blood and having the same last name. It’s made by the people who love you.” I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially for students who are being raised by grandparents and single parents. Delsie is my hero. I enjoyed watching her grow into a strong friend. “ Some friends are glitter and some friends are glue.” A great book to share with a friend over a tall shoulder-strong jar of tea.
June 26, 2023
v heartwarming and comforting <3
June 22, 2019
When I was in college, I loved the Vietnam War movie Full Metal Jacket. In that movie the main character, Joker, wore a helmet that had “born to kill” on it and a peace symbol button. When asked about that he said he was speaking to the duality of man. What Shouting at the Rain does best is shows that truth. Every character in the story is flawed just like we all are. We see two sides of many different characters in the book.
It reminded me of Because of Winn Dixie. I don’t say that in a bad way at all. I wonder if other people will make that same connection.
I teach fifth grade reading and many of my students have read Fish in a Tree. I haven’t read it cover to cover, but from the parts students have read to me and their reactions I know that the voice is genuine. With Shouting at the Rain, it is based a lot on Mrs. Hunt’s life. When you combine her writing ability with that personal connection, it rings true. I don’t know how kids are going to like it, but I think that it is going to be in the running for the Newbery.
It reminded me of Because of Winn Dixie. I don’t say that in a bad way at all. I wonder if other people will make that same connection.
I teach fifth grade reading and many of my students have read Fish in a Tree. I haven’t read it cover to cover, but from the parts students have read to me and their reactions I know that the voice is genuine. With Shouting at the Rain, it is based a lot on Mrs. Hunt’s life. When you combine her writing ability with that personal connection, it rings true. I don’t know how kids are going to like it, but I think that it is going to be in the running for the Newbery.
December 20, 2018
Without reiterating the plot as well described by others, it's Lynda's ability to write very complete characters that's always impressive. You always feel you really know these people and have a view into their hearts and minds. Readers are in for a treat when the book releases in May 2019.
May 23, 2021
4 and 1/2 stars. Lynda Mullally Hunt is the author of my favorite book of all time, A Fish in a Tree, so when I saw that she had other books, I had to get it, and it was definitely worth the 2 week wait from the library. this book was so enjoyable. the characters were so relatable and I think LM Hunt wrote the book so beautifully. there were multiple quotes that were so beautiful that I literally wrote them down and tapped them to my wall. if you like contemporary books, this is definitely one for u
July 8, 2022
Oh my goodness. This book is pure joy and warmed my heart so much. Delsie and her family will make you laugh, cry, and smile and show you how we should all treat each other.
I really needed this book right now and it opened my eyes so much while bringing such a bright perspective of life into the world. Highly, highly recommend this!
I really needed this book right now and it opened my eyes so much while bringing such a bright perspective of life into the world. Highly, highly recommend this!
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January 10, 2020 Delsie is a young girl, who loves the weather, but now the weather disasters are entering her life. Soon, her best friend drops her like a hot potato and Delsie asks herself multiple times; why is this my life?
This book was very good. Well formatted but not as moving as I would have liked for it to be. My favorite character was Ronan. One of typical people who put up mean fronts but are very nice and sweet underneath. My least favorite character was Grandma. Sometimes she wasn't brave at all. I wouldn't know but I don't think it is that hard to talk about someone who isn't dead. I just felt that Grandma wasn't a brave person but more of a comforting personality.
This book was very good. Well formatted but not as moving as I would have liked for it to be. My favorite character was Ronan. One of typical people who put up mean fronts but are very nice and sweet underneath. My least favorite character was Grandma. Sometimes she wasn't brave at all. I wouldn't know but I don't think it is that hard to talk about someone who isn't dead. I just felt that Grandma wasn't a brave person but more of a comforting personality.
February 5, 2021
Okay, so I've read and loved Lynda Mullaly Hunt's other books, but at first I didn't think I would enjoy this one. It just didn't seem like my type of book. But somehow, her writing and characterization hooked me in, and I have to say, I loved it! It's so easy to connect with Delsie and her experiences. And I even actually ended up liking Olive!
April 30, 2020
For Kaska-boom: Another winner from Lynda Mullaly Hunt. What a wonderful story for young people trying to figure out who they are and how to look at the world. Recommended for my two granddaughters.
January 16, 2020
Hunt's books are popular and well-done, and this one is no different. Fits in perfectly in the middle grade age range, and I thought the friendship issues between Brandy and Delsie rang very true.
November 29, 2018
Delsie is being raised by her offbeat-yet-caring grandmother on Cape Cod. It's fine, but she can't help wondering why she doesn't have typical parents. Her unease grows as her friend group starts changing and shifting, until her life feels like one of the storms she likes to track. Enter Ronan, an unexpected and unconventional ally who has been through the wringer himself. Their tenuous friendship grows as they connect over shared experiences of loss and feeling like you don't belong...anywhere. These young people feel real- when Delsie is rejected by her former best friend, it stings, and her sadness and anger is palpable. When Ronan acts out, you understand where he's coming from. These characters are windows into young people's minds, and readers will connect with them as they learn resilience, and rediscover the love and support that already exists in their lives. It's a beautiful and meaningful story that resonates, especially in today's stressful world.
February 16, 2019
Move over Carley and Ally, Delsie and Ronan need a little room to grow in my heart as well. Lynda Mullaly Hunt once again brings her characters to life through honesty, heartbreak, love, tears, laughter, and friendship. Delsie and Ronan handle their similar situations in different ways, but in the end they both learn that they are loved and together they can handle whatever is thrown their way. They discover that they their own strong shoulders as they support the ones they love. I am in love with Shouting at the Rain. Delsie and Ronan will live within the heart of the readers for a very long time.
October 29, 2019
I appreciated all of the experiences Delsie goes through in her summer at her home on Cape Cod. Seems she has a new lesson to learn in each chapter though. This is a warm-hearted book but a touch too pedantic for wide recommendation.
May 6, 2019
Powerful, moving and beautifully written story of how loss and love.
April 24, 2020
Liked this book almost as much as Fish in a Tree, but not quite as much. I loved how Delsie realized through many experiences that so many people loved her and would do anything for her, even though she didn't have a mother (living with her). I loved Grammy, and thought that she was a perfect mix of my two grandmothers, which made me love her all the more. After reading this book, I decided that I would like to move to a beach town like Cape Cod, because... who wouldn't? I loved how, like Fish in a Tree, this book was full of thoughts on friendship, love, and how important family is. Definitely a favorite.
November 6, 2019
I did really like this book. Compared to Lynda Mullaly Hunt's other books though, I felt as though it was kind of unoriginal, and typical for a middle grade novel. I really liked the setting and how the reader can really get a good insight into how Delsie feels, I also thought that the themes were current and relatable. I recommend this book to middle grade readers who enjoy a somewhat complex story, but want an original middle grade plot line.
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