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Each of Us a Universe
A heartfelt middle grade from Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo about two girls who go on an adventure to the top of Mt. Meteorite, and learn about each other, themselves, and the magic friendship can bring, perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Barbara O'Connor.
What do you do when you're facing the impossible?
Ever since the day when everything changed, Cal Scott's answer has been to run--run from her mother who's fighting cancer, run from her father whom she can't forgive, and run from classmates who've never seemed to "get" her anyway. The only thing Cal runs toward is nearby Mt. Meteorite, named for the extraterrestrial object some claim crashed there fifty years ago. Cal spends her afternoons plotting to summit the mountain, so she can find the magic she believes will make possible the impossible: to heal her mother. But no one has successfully reached its peak--no one who's lived to tell about it, anyway.
Then Cal meets Rosine Kanambe, a girl who's faced more impossibles than anyone should have to. Rosine has her own secret plan for the mountain and its magic, and she convinces Cal they can summit its peak if they work together. As the girls climb high and dig deep to face the mountain's challenges, Cal learns from Rosine what real courage looks like. She begins to wonder if the magic she's been seeking all this time is really the kind she needs.
Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo's third novel is a glowing story of friendship, inner strength, and what happens when the impossible becomes possible.
What do you do when you're facing the impossible?
Ever since the day when everything changed, Cal Scott's answer has been to run--run from her mother who's fighting cancer, run from her father whom she can't forgive, and run from classmates who've never seemed to "get" her anyway. The only thing Cal runs toward is nearby Mt. Meteorite, named for the extraterrestrial object some claim crashed there fifty years ago. Cal spends her afternoons plotting to summit the mountain, so she can find the magic she believes will make possible the impossible: to heal her mother. But no one has successfully reached its peak--no one who's lived to tell about it, anyway.
Then Cal meets Rosine Kanambe, a girl who's faced more impossibles than anyone should have to. Rosine has her own secret plan for the mountain and its magic, and she convinces Cal they can summit its peak if they work together. As the girls climb high and dig deep to face the mountain's challenges, Cal learns from Rosine what real courage looks like. She begins to wonder if the magic she's been seeking all this time is really the kind she needs.
Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo's third novel is a glowing story of friendship, inner strength, and what happens when the impossible becomes possible.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
3 books116 followersJEANNE ZULICK FERRUOLO is the author of EACH OF US A UNIVERSE, A GALAXY OF SEA STARS, and RUBY IN THE SKY, which earned two starred reviews and which BOOKLIST called "quietly magical." She is also a volunteer with IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (irisct.org) in New Haven, Connecticut. She lives in Ellington, Connecticut with her family. Visit her at jzulferr.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 24, 2023
Yikes, I did not like this one. The moral felt extremely forced, Cal was hard to stomach throughout most of the book, and the writing overall left much to be desired. I will note that I listened on audio. Perhaps I would have liked it better if I’d read the print book but I doubt it.
February 12, 2022
In Each of Us a Universe, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo gives us a story that will resonate with many kids. Cal’s mom is sick, her dad isn’t at home right now and she must find ways to handle all of this. An unexpected friendship helps Cal face up to all that is happening in her life. This middle grade novel provides realistic characters who are doing their best, even if some of their choices aren’t great. Kids will enjoy the adventures Cal goes on and root for Cal as she makes her way. Thank you to Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing the eARC.
November 16, 2022
Once again, a stellar (HA!) book for battle of the books. A book about facing your fears head-on, with family and friends. A book about finding the magic in and around you. I cried pretty hard a couple times. A 7th graders has a mom with cancer and a dad dealing with alcohalism, she meets a refugee from Africa who has had to face hardships and fears. In the end, they climb the mountain and find their magic. Bonus for including some Neil deGrasse Tyson.
March 18, 2022
This one will pull at your heartstrings.
November 22, 2021
I enjoyed reading this touching story so much, and would love to see it in the hands of upper elementary schoolers and middle grade readers. The author, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, has taken some tough real life challenges that many kids face, and woven them into a realistic tale about believing in yourself and your friends.
Calliope Scott (Cal) is worried about her mom's health, and her dad who is in prison for unclear reasons at the start of the book. She doesn't have many friends at school, and would rather spend her time on Mt. Meterorite, climbing and trying to solve the mystery of what really landed on the mountain many years ago.
After nervously befriending new student Rosine (who has her own heartaches), the two girls plan to summit the mountain and find whatever magic could help them both.
The entire book is sweet, but not syrupy or patronizing to kids. An important side character passes away, and none of the characters' actions are perfect - so they are believable as real people. Ferruolo develops the characters and relationships well. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the twists as the story went on. I would definitely recommend this book for any kid ages 8-12.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Calliope Scott (Cal) is worried about her mom's health, and her dad who is in prison for unclear reasons at the start of the book. She doesn't have many friends at school, and would rather spend her time on Mt. Meterorite, climbing and trying to solve the mystery of what really landed on the mountain many years ago.
After nervously befriending new student Rosine (who has her own heartaches), the two girls plan to summit the mountain and find whatever magic could help them both.
The entire book is sweet, but not syrupy or patronizing to kids. An important side character passes away, and none of the characters' actions are perfect - so they are believable as real people. Ferruolo develops the characters and relationships well. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the twists as the story went on. I would definitely recommend this book for any kid ages 8-12.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
February 10, 2022
4.5*
I loved this so much
I loved this so much
October 12, 2022
I wanna give this book four stars bc it has some cool rock climbing, and some good emotional learning for kids, EXCEPT that it felt like to me that the dad driving drunk and crashing with his kid in the car just wasn’t that big of a deal… like it was “unfortunate, but in the past so oh well.” He went to jail and that was supposed to be enough for the girl to forgive him. Jail has nothing to do with forgiveness or emotional closure and safety. And I didn’t like that aspect of the story at all. So 3 stars
January 29, 2025
Memorable characters to cheer for, a mountain to climb, and a touch of magic combine in this unforgettable story of friendship, determination, and perseverance. Kids often live in the wake of the chaos caused by things beyond their control. This story will remind them that they are not alone, and that their voices (and choices) matter.
August 25, 2022
I really struggled to get into this book. I'm not entirely sure why. The main character was realistic and I liked the flow of the plot. I just couldn't get myself to care about the characters and what was happening to them.
February 8, 2022
2.5 stars
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July 10, 2025Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and links and everything.
I’ve been in a bit of a Mood when it comes to reading for the last little bit, but this cut right through that. I honestly adored Cal. She is a little mean sometimes. She’s also a really, really sweet kid. She’s trying so hard to take care of herself since her mom is so sick, and she’s not always doing a great job, because she’s a kid. She’s very, very sad and scared and she’s also incredibly angry. She’s a wonderfully real kid and I loved her.
I’ve also got a soft spot for wilderness survival books, which this is sort of adjacent to. The girls are more prepared and Cal is actually pretty experienced and knowledgeable about being outside, so you aren’t as worried for their actual survival odds, but those elements are really interesting to me. It’s also a lot of fun seeing how capable Cal is at certain things, but how they still run into problems because nature is unpredictable. I just really enjoyed the plot.
I didn’t even mind the mentions of the pandemic in this. I have a lot of mixed feelings about that in books, but I thought the author handled it very well. Some people still wear masks. Cal has to wear one when she goes to the hospital. She mentions people losing their jobs and how that affected her family, but also that she liked virtual school better than in-person school. I feel like for kids around this age, that’s going to feel very real and authentic, though it may end up dating the book a bit. Who knows, though.
And I really liked every adult in this book except for Cal’s parents, who infuriated me. Her mom is kind of a hypocrite. She says both that Cal “holds everything in” and then criticizes her for being angry. The girl has every right to be angry!
Other than that, this was lovely. I really enjoyed the friendship between Rosine and Callie and how they connected to each other and the messages in the book. Highly recommend.
Representation: Rosine, who is really the other protagonist in the book, is Black and a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is also Muslim. I thought the way she was represented in the book was incredibly respectful and well-handled.
Also, there are some very important Jewish characters and there was a funeral where people were sitting shiva, which was a nice touch in a MG book.
Content notes: Cancer, discussions of drunk driving, war, and death.
I’ve been in a bit of a Mood when it comes to reading for the last little bit, but this cut right through that. I honestly adored Cal. She is a little mean sometimes. She’s also a really, really sweet kid. She’s trying so hard to take care of herself since her mom is so sick, and she’s not always doing a great job, because she’s a kid. She’s very, very sad and scared and she’s also incredibly angry. She’s a wonderfully real kid and I loved her.
I’ve also got a soft spot for wilderness survival books, which this is sort of adjacent to. The girls are more prepared and Cal is actually pretty experienced and knowledgeable about being outside, so you aren’t as worried for their actual survival odds, but those elements are really interesting to me. It’s also a lot of fun seeing how capable Cal is at certain things, but how they still run into problems because nature is unpredictable. I just really enjoyed the plot.
I didn’t even mind the mentions of the pandemic in this. I have a lot of mixed feelings about that in books, but I thought the author handled it very well. Some people still wear masks. Cal has to wear one when she goes to the hospital. She mentions people losing their jobs and how that affected her family, but also that she liked virtual school better than in-person school. I feel like for kids around this age, that’s going to feel very real and authentic, though it may end up dating the book a bit. Who knows, though.
And I really liked every adult in this book except for Cal’s parents, who infuriated me. Her mom is kind of a hypocrite. She says both that Cal “holds everything in” and then criticizes her for being angry. The girl has every right to be angry!
Other than that, this was lovely. I really enjoyed the friendship between Rosine and Callie and how they connected to each other and the messages in the book. Highly recommend.
Representation: Rosine, who is really the other protagonist in the book, is Black and a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is also Muslim. I thought the way she was represented in the book was incredibly respectful and well-handled.
Also, there are some very important Jewish characters and there was a funeral where people were sitting shiva, which was a nice touch in a MG book.
Content notes: Cancer, discussions of drunk driving, war, and death.
March 1, 2023
Calliope Scott is fascinated by Meteorite Mountain. In fact, she’s making it her mission to reach the top in order to find out the answers to the secrets it holds especially the secret of the meteorite “the one that people say landed on the top of that spire…just because no one’s found it doesn’t mean it isn’t there, right? If it is, how do we know it isn’t magical?” ( page 45). You see, Cal is in need of magic, her mother has cancer and her father is in prison and although most of the community is supportive towards her and her mother, Cal still sneaks clothing from the lost anf found at school, and steals cans of food from the grocery store. Then one day a small change occurs in her world, there is a new girl at school named Rosine who becomes an ally and a friend. Rosine, having lost her parents to war in another country, has arrived with her sister. Rosine too wants to find magic in the mountain so that she can help her sister who is “sick with sadness and making bad decisions” (page 77). Bound by this common quest, the two girls find strength in each other to not only succeed in their quest but to forge a true friendship that serves to strengthen both during difficult times in their lives.
This is a lovely book about friendship, overcoming adversity, and perseverance. It also has a wonderful interview at the back with a real “stardust hunter” that explains how you can collect “stardust” (micrometeorites) yourself. A perfect novel for cross-curricular study linked to science.
This is a lovely book about friendship, overcoming adversity, and perseverance. It also has a wonderful interview at the back with a real “stardust hunter” that explains how you can collect “stardust” (micrometeorites) yourself. A perfect novel for cross-curricular study linked to science.
February 6, 2022
Each of Us a Universe is a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and the power of finding peace within yourself.
Calliope (Cal) has a lot of pent-up anger that she’s not dealing with very well. Her mother has cancer, her father is in prison, and she doesn’t have any friends at school. The only time she feels peace is when she’s spending time on Mount Meteorite.
One day, a new girl named Rosine moves in a couple of houses away from Cal. Rosine is also drawn to the magic of the mountain and the two girls become friends. They make plans to summit the spire, to look for the meteorite that is rumored to have landed at the top years ago. They each have their own reasons for needing the magic from the mountain and are determined to find it.
This novel is perfect for upper elementary and middle school students. The message for children is to work through anger and hardships by not facing their fears alone. It also touches on the topics of cancer, alcoholism, having a parent in jail, death, and immigration.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of #EachofUsaUniverse by #JeanneZulickFerruolo in exchange for an honest review.
Calliope (Cal) has a lot of pent-up anger that she’s not dealing with very well. Her mother has cancer, her father is in prison, and she doesn’t have any friends at school. The only time she feels peace is when she’s spending time on Mount Meteorite.
One day, a new girl named Rosine moves in a couple of houses away from Cal. Rosine is also drawn to the magic of the mountain and the two girls become friends. They make plans to summit the spire, to look for the meteorite that is rumored to have landed at the top years ago. They each have their own reasons for needing the magic from the mountain and are determined to find it.
This novel is perfect for upper elementary and middle school students. The message for children is to work through anger and hardships by not facing their fears alone. It also touches on the topics of cancer, alcoholism, having a parent in jail, death, and immigration.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of #EachofUsaUniverse by #JeanneZulickFerruolo in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2024
I like the premise of the story but the conclusion of the book when the moral of this story is laid out felt forced and like it was missing some of the magic the book touts as so important. Plus Cal, the main character is so unlikable. She grated on my nerves. Which, I know she is a kid dealing with trauma, but in the arc of the story she was never really redeemed for me.
The main characters don't have a ton of parental supervision because of life circumstances, and because of that they are enabled to make extremely unsafe decisions that could have easily killed them or gotten them seriously injured and they don't suffer any significant consequences. And for that matter, neither do the parents for allowing harmful situations. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to middle grade readers.
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This is a middle grade novel that deals with death of a parent, war and becoming refugees, parental cancer, an incarcerated parent, alcoholism, a car accident, and theft.
Thank you to Netgalley and FSG Young Readers for the ARC. I read it in conjunction with the library audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The main characters don't have a ton of parental supervision because of life circumstances, and because of that they are enabled to make extremely unsafe decisions that could have easily killed them or gotten them seriously injured and they don't suffer any significant consequences. And for that matter, neither do the parents for allowing harmful situations. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to middle grade readers.
_____
This is a middle grade novel that deals with death of a parent, war and becoming refugees, parental cancer, an incarcerated parent, alcoholism, a car accident, and theft.
Thank you to Netgalley and FSG Young Readers for the ARC. I read it in conjunction with the library audiobook. All opinions are my own.
December 27, 2021
4.5 ⭐️ Each of Us a Universe is about growing up, facing your fears, and learning what friends and family really mean. Cal lives by Mount Meteorite and loves to go exploring there. She has never climbed the spire, but her goal is to climb it and find the magic that is rumored to be there. She wants to find the magic to put her life back the way it was before. Before her mom’s cancer diagnosis and before her dad went to jail. Her fear of everything is too much for her to handle alone, and she doesn’t know where to turn or what to do. Until she meets Rosine. Rosine is a refugee from Africa that has moved to town with her sister. She knows what it’s like to lose people you love and how to begin to face your fears. Together she and Cal learn how to trust one another and that everything is easier when you have a friend by your side,
This was a really good book with a lot of heart. The characters were very likable and relatable. I will definitely be getting this for my library! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
This was a really good book with a lot of heart. The characters were very likable and relatable. I will definitely be getting this for my library! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
August 21, 2022
"If you want to see a rock, that's all you'll see. If you believe in magic, then that's what you'll find."
I actually took this book with me on a recent trip to Tennessee. It seemed fitting to read about the climb while surrounded by mountains, and boy was I right.
I don't have a habit of picking up middle-grade novels, but after reading this, I might have to. This book was far more intricate and raw than I ever expected it to be. I never in a million years expected a middle-grade novel about two girls climbing a mountain to move me to tears, but here I am. The author did an incredible job of portraying the complexities of her two main characters, Cal and Rosine. These characters' individual stories and backgrounds were brilliantly woven within the overall story in a way I cannot get enough of. Rosine's character was beautifully written and continuously made my heartache. This novel was gorgeous from beginning to end and was full of adventure and thoughtfulness perfect for any age!
I actually took this book with me on a recent trip to Tennessee. It seemed fitting to read about the climb while surrounded by mountains, and boy was I right.
I don't have a habit of picking up middle-grade novels, but after reading this, I might have to. This book was far more intricate and raw than I ever expected it to be. I never in a million years expected a middle-grade novel about two girls climbing a mountain to move me to tears, but here I am. The author did an incredible job of portraying the complexities of her two main characters, Cal and Rosine. These characters' individual stories and backgrounds were brilliantly woven within the overall story in a way I cannot get enough of. Rosine's character was beautifully written and continuously made my heartache. This novel was gorgeous from beginning to end and was full of adventure and thoughtfulness perfect for any age!
January 24, 2022
Calliope Scott runs. She is always on the move, trying to escape from all the things troubling her in the small town of Bleakerville. Mountain climbing is her passion, something she did with her dad...before he went to prison. Before her mom got cancer. When a new girl moves into town, a girl whose love of the mountain is as strong as Cal’s, they set out to conquer Mt. Meterorite and the magic they both hope will save their families.
Will Cal and Rosine climb all the way to the summit? Will they find the magic said to reside there from local legends? Young readers will keep turning pages to find out in this heartfelt and honest story of a girl’s love of the mountain that looms large literally and figuratively in her life.
Themes of believing in yourself, the power of friendship, and how love can help you through life’s difficult and scary moments resonate throughout. Magic happens when you believe.
Will Cal and Rosine climb all the way to the summit? Will they find the magic said to reside there from local legends? Young readers will keep turning pages to find out in this heartfelt and honest story of a girl’s love of the mountain that looms large literally and figuratively in her life.
Themes of believing in yourself, the power of friendship, and how love can help you through life’s difficult and scary moments resonate throughout. Magic happens when you believe.
February 2, 2022
"Each of Us is a Universe" is a heartbreaking, warm, and beautifully-written book that follows two middle-grade girls _who are each dealing with life's heavy burdens and sorrows_ as they grow, bond, and connect while working together to climb a mountain.
Both of the characters are relatable - great characters to show readers that they're not alone. It is a wonderful, touching story that follows on various topics such as a family affected by cancer, the refugee experience, alcoholism, etc. Plus, you may or may not have magic!
I do recommend this book. I'll be honest, I don't know much about rock climbing, but I thought the details were interesting!
Thank you so much NetGalley, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group ( Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)) for the ebook for an honest review!
I just reviewed Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo. #NetGalley
Both of the characters are relatable - great characters to show readers that they're not alone. It is a wonderful, touching story that follows on various topics such as a family affected by cancer, the refugee experience, alcoholism, etc. Plus, you may or may not have magic!
I do recommend this book. I'll be honest, I don't know much about rock climbing, but I thought the details were interesting!
Thank you so much NetGalley, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group ( Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)) for the ebook for an honest review!
I just reviewed Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo. #NetGalley
September 2, 2024
A beautiful book about Cal Scott, who sets out to find the magic on local Mount Meteorite, and who ends up discovering that the magic was inside her all along. At home, Cal's mother is ill with cancer and her father is incarcerated for reasons that would be a spoiler to share here, so the cave and wild cat she visits on the slopes of Mount Meteorite are her refuge.Though the message is a bit obvious and perhaps overdone in places, the friendship Cal develops with Rosine, who is a refugee from the DRC, is a moving one and the two girls help each other with significant challenges they face in their lives. The climbing scenes were exciting and fast-paced. I loved A Galaxy of Sea Stars bu Ferruolo, too. Would recommend either to MG readers who like realistic fiction that also helps you learn about the experiences of people from other cultures.
November 15, 2021
Cal's world is falling to pieces with her mom getting sicker day by day and her dad in jail following a drunk driving incident. She's ostracized at school by the mean girls and afraid to make friends with the new girl, Rosine, in case she turns out the same way.
However Rosine is obviously different from their peers. She has faced an overcome a number of adversities because, as she puts it, she had no other choice.
Her experience facing challenges and continuing to press forward encourages Cal to do the same.
Together they climb their town's famed mystical mountain, hoping to find magic, but instead find themselves.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the advances copy!
However Rosine is obviously different from their peers. She has faced an overcome a number of adversities because, as she puts it, she had no other choice.
Her experience facing challenges and continuing to press forward encourages Cal to do the same.
Together they climb their town's famed mystical mountain, hoping to find magic, but instead find themselves.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the advances copy!
February 2, 2022
Each of Us a Universe is a beautifully-written, heartbreaking book about a middle school girl dealing with a mom who has cancer, a dad in prison, bullies in school, and all of the feelings that come along with those hard issues. The numerous details about rock-climbing might turn some readers off, but I was curious to know what was at the top of the mountain, just like Cal.
I really appreciated the diverse group of people in Cal's life, from the neighborhood store owner to her science teacher. I would have liked more resolution about the "mean girls," but sometimes those issues don't have closure in real life.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
I really appreciated the diverse group of people in Cal's life, from the neighborhood store owner to her science teacher. I would have liked more resolution about the "mean girls," but sometimes those issues don't have closure in real life.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
April 30, 2022
Cal Scott’s mother is extremely ill from cancer and her father is in jail and she’s being bullied at school. Her only friend is a stray cat she feeds on the side of their town’s mountain while she hides away from all of these troubles in a secret cave. Along comes a new girl, Rosine, an African refugee with only a sister and they become friends. This book is fairly harrowing, but not totally hopeless, with a nice friendship overcoming all obstacles storyline in the midst of it all. Not my favorite kind of read these days, but if you need a book for a kid who has a parent dealing with cancer this might be a read for them. A two Kleenex rating.
July 1, 2023
At first, I really struggled to get into this book. There's a lot going on in the main character, Cal's, life that was required for the reader to know at the beginning of the story. However, she's just a normal kid making some not so great decisions and I find that it's very far and few between that you get a character like that. This one pulled at the heart strings a bit more as I read it since her mom is facing cancer and her dad is an alcoholic. Overall, I think this book really shows kids that their voices matter while hitting heavy subjects at an appropriate level for kids.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 25, 2024
Cal finds an escape from the things that are troubling her by going up on to her small town's mountain, where (back in the day) a meteorite is supposed to have landed. When a new kid in town intrudes into a place Cal considers hers, she tries to run from her, too. But Rosine, a refugee from Africa, is too tenacious. And confident that together, they can scale the Mt. Meteorite's peak.
Wildcats and wishes. Local legends and cancer treatments. Broken arms and shoplifting. Anger management and jail time. Pure science and believing in magic. **The story goes into some detail about the sport of rock-climbing!
Wildcats and wishes. Local legends and cancer treatments. Broken arms and shoplifting. Anger management and jail time. Pure science and believing in magic. **The story goes into some detail about the sport of rock-climbing!
January 17, 2022
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.
The author, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, did an excellent job writing a book about kids dealing with a parent's cancer diagnosis. Cal is facing a number of really difficult challenges and I think her anger, frustration, and confusion are an accurate portrayal of the number of emotions kids are feeling but aren't always sure how to articulate. The book leaves you feeling hopeful, but not in a sugary sweet way, which I really liked.
The author, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, did an excellent job writing a book about kids dealing with a parent's cancer diagnosis. Cal is facing a number of really difficult challenges and I think her anger, frustration, and confusion are an accurate portrayal of the number of emotions kids are feeling but aren't always sure how to articulate. The book leaves you feeling hopeful, but not in a sugary sweet way, which I really liked.
May 7, 2022
There are multiple themes and topics, and some magical elements in this book. Most work, but some felt clunky and unfinished. I really wanted the topic of a parent in jail to be fully developed and explored because there needs to be more books about that for middle grade readers. But it was incomplete and left me with far too many questions. The emotions experienced by Cal swung like a pendulum, but the how and why they transitioned was left unexplained. My fav aspect of the book was the information and story line about stardust.
November 2, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC of this middle grade novel.
This book will be an important addition to classroom libraries. In my own school, we have unfortunately had many students walk this path, and there is so little in the repertoire that reflects their experiences. Here too, we have had students whose parents have had some fairly serious consequences associated with driving while intoxicated.
Cal's journey is one many kids will be pulled into, and her friendship is a touching one. I look forward to seeing this on classroom shelves.
This book will be an important addition to classroom libraries. In my own school, we have unfortunately had many students walk this path, and there is so little in the repertoire that reflects their experiences. Here too, we have had students whose parents have had some fairly serious consequences associated with driving while intoxicated.
Cal's journey is one many kids will be pulled into, and her friendship is a touching one. I look forward to seeing this on classroom shelves.
July 9, 2022
This book was co authored by a former student of mine, Ndengo!! I was so excited to read it. There were so many things that stood out to me as an educator in New Haven. What a lovely story of overcoming hardships and resiliency. It is excellent for middle grade readers and up!
January 4, 2023
Amazing middle grade read!! I loved how Jeanne wove the location (where we raised our family in CT) into this story of friendship, sensitive topics like cancer, self discovery, and Faith. Bravo, Jeanne!!
March 10, 2023
So many issues are packed in this book: mom with cancer, dad in prison, no friends, fleeing from war, immigration, personal fear, hope of magic in a meteor, micrometer particles--stardust, a mountain to summit!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews