Missing Okalee

by Laura Ojeda Melchor

When compared to her nearly perfect little sister, Phoebe Paz Petersen feels she doesn’t measure up in her parents’ eyes. Okalee is smart and beloved for her sunny disposition, but if Phoebe can get picked for the coveted solo in the school choir, she’ll stop being a middle-school nobody and finally get her chance to shine.

The sisters have one very special, secret tradition: River Day—when they hold hands and make their way across the cold, rushing Grayling River to celebrate the first hint of spring. This year’s River Day crossing, however, goes horribly wrong, and Phoebe’s world is suddenly turned upside down.

Heartbroken and facing life without Okalee, Phoebe is more determined than ever to sing the solo in the school concert as a way of speaking to her sister one last time. But Phoebe’s so traumatized by what happened, she’s lost her beautiful singing voice.

Kat Waters wants the solo for herself and is spreading a terrible rumor about what really happened to Okalee on River Day. If Phoebe tells the truth, she fears her family will never forgive her and she may never get to sing her goodbye to Okalee

Missing Okalee is an empathy-building novel about the unbreakable bond between sisters and finding the courage to do what’s right amid heartbreak and tragedy.

Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Family, Juvenile

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Laura Ojeda Melchor is a Cuban-American writer who grew up in Montana, where a spruce tree in her front yard was her most frequented reading nook. She now lives in her beloved, adopted home state of Alaska with her son, partner, and puppy. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut middle grade novel, Missing Okalee, comes out from Shadow Mountain Publishing in the fall of 2021.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Phoebe and her little sister try to cross the river near their home a terrible tragedy ensues. Phoebe lies about the event although it appears someone else knows what happened that day. Phoebe grapples with her guilt while her Mamá and Dad try to move through their sorrow to find a new normal. Thanks to NetGalley And The Publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review..

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

When twelve-year-old Phoebe's sister, Okalee, drowns during 'River Day,' a spring river-crossing ritual that the sisters have observed in secret for years, Phoebe blames herself and lies about what actually happened. Her gut-wrenching guilt over her sister's death is only made worse when friends start rumors suggesting that Phoebe really is responsible, and even her mama seems to believe them. What follows is a harrowing story about the immediate aftermath of traumatic loss. Laura Ojeda Melchor's prose often reads like poetry. Her descriptions of scent and of nature bring Phoebe's world to startling life. MISSING OKALEE is a heartbreaking exploration of the ways raw grief can impact a community, a family, and an individual. My thanks to the author, to Shadow Mountain, and to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Laura Melchor]

IT'S REALLY HAPPENING. Fellow writers, take heart: dreams do come true.

EDIT TO ADD CW :

Readers, I hope you enjoy this book! I also want you to know that this book contains a depiction of the death of a child toward the beginning. As a mother I know how hard this can be to read. I don't want to blindside readers, so after much thought, I've decided to add this CW. ❤️

[Savannah (forest_reader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I extremely disliked this book. I knew it was going to be sad—it says right in the description that the whole book is about a sister grieving for her sister's death. But I didn't know it would feel so hopeless and so disheartening. It had cruel bullying, an unforgiving and heartless parent, and unrealistic dialogue and circumstances. Poor Phoebe just couldn't catch a break. I just can't get over how awful her mom is and the school bullying (that the adults just let slide by without consequences, unless it was Phoebe reacting to it? Ugh). Maybe all of this is realistic in some awful circumstances, but I do not want to read about it. I would never give this book to a middle grader. It needed a lot more hope before I would even consider it. Definitely not a heart-warming book for me.

2 stars instead of 1 because I still wanted to read through the end to see what would happen.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC. All opinions are my own, and you don't have to agree with me on this one! <3

Content/trigger Warnings: child drowning, child bullying, attempted suicide by drowning

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is aimed at middle-grade readers but as a warning, the book deals with death, guilt, grief, bullying, and other heavy topics.

Phoebe and Okalee are close sisters and while they might fight or argue on occasion, they are a strong support system for each other. That is until River Day and Okalee dies in the river. What follows is Phoebe's attempt to deal with what happened that day and the guilt she feels about the situation.

The story is heavy and my heart breaks for Phoebe and everything she has to deal with including a bully that spreads rumors and has Phoebe questioning what really happened that day. Did the events occur as she remembered? Did someone see what happened? We also see how the death of her sister impacts her parents, especially her mother who spirals down into depression.

I like how Phoebe does realize that she needs to talk to someone about the situation and talks to the school counselor. It reminds us that we cannot bottle all of our emotions up and sometimes talking to someone else helps us through a tragedy or to sort things out in our head. The guilt has also impacted Phoebe's ability to sing which only delights the bully since she wants to sing the solo in the school pageant that Phoebe rightfully earned. I was disappointed that the school didn't intervene more regarding the bullying but I am not sure how much they really knew since Phoebe doesn't report the acts.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it brings to mind that life can be hard and that it is ok to ask for help and to grieve a loss. This may not be for everyone but would be a great book to discuss with younger children and how they might handle certain situations. We give this 5 paws up.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Okalee is a middle grade novel exploring a sister bond and grief. After losing Okalee in an unimaginable way, her sister must come to terms with her death. While navigating her all encompassing grief, she is also navigating the perplexities of middle school. This was an emotional coming of age story that shattered my heart!

Nature has a predominant feature in this book and I loved that aspect. The writing is geared for middle grade but is almost lyrical in its presentation. I loved the book Bridge to Terabithia as a child and Missing Okalee was very reminiscent of that. The writing is fantastic and brings the emotions to life. The sorrow of this family was palpable and my heart broke for them. This was a heavy read, and my role as a mother added another layer to the story for me. The characters were full of depth and their raw grief showcases the many ways that people grieve after a traumatic loss. I would recommend this book for older readers because of the subject matter but I enjoyed it! 4⭐️ My thanks to @shadowmountainpub for sending me a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the strong bond that Phoebe shared with her sister, Okalee. From the little bits of information that I learned about Okalee, she sounded like a ray of sunshine and someone that I would have liked to have gotten to know better but sadly was not able to.

For being a middle school geared book; I would not have expected the tone of this book to be as dark. What I mean is and as several other readers pointed out is the bullying towards Phoebe. She was just trying to process the lose of her sister and best friend and instead she was getting bullied for a school solo and for not telling the whole truth.

This is not the right way to approach showcasing the grieving process. Yet, I do think it does at least open the doors to communication about the grieving process.

[A.L. Sowards]

This was a well-written, emotional novel about a child dealing with the grief of losing her sister in a traumatic way.

I liked that Phoebe, the main character, had a lot of good relationships in her life—her dad, her neighbors, the school counselor, and other friends. Her struggle with grief and in dealing with the consequences of her lies felt true-to-life. Over the course of the book, Phoebe was able to grow and eventually do the right thing (though in a realistic way, she made several missteps on her journey).

There’s a place on the bookshelves for this book, but readers should be aware that it contains a lot of sadness, and the hope offered doesn’t quite balance it out. (Your preferences on the sadness/hope balance may vary. I don’t mind sadness in books, I just like to feel other emotions too.)

I read it with my daughters and one of them summed it up: “That was a sad book, but it had a good message.” Laura Ojeda Melchor is a talented author and I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary advance reader copy.

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book to read. It is filled with the pain of a child losing their sibling, of parents losing their child, of a small community losing a piece of themselves.

It's also full of extremely cruel bullying, which was harder for me to read about than the grief of losing a loved one at times. It was beyond normal bullying. It was disgusting and, I think, not necessary for this book. If that wasn't enough, it goes unpunished. In fact, the grieving child who is being bullied is the one who ends up being punished. The bully ends up getting the reward she wanted. There was enough going on without this plot line.

There is also an attempted suicide near the end of the book that I'm not sure was necessary either. It added a very dark layer to an already depressing story. And this is supposed to be for children. I just think there was enough heaviness going on before adding another huge scoop onto the pile.

That being said, even though it was very sad and hard to read, I feel like this book was a good look into the grieving process. Of how people handle trauma in such different ways.

I would be incredibly careful before recommending it to a child. In fact, I would be hesitant to do so at all. It is not a happy book. I'd also be careful even recommending to adults, because of the difficult situations in this book. It could potentially trigger some people in an awful way.

*Thank you to Shadow Mountain for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When you feel afraid, remember;
Where one tree falls, more can grow."

Well that just broke my heart into a million pieces. That's what I expected, though, so I'm not mad. "Missing Okalee" is a story about grief and trauma, and the guilt that we carry through that grief. It's also a story of sisterhood and friendship, and the courage it takes to come out on the other side of hard times.

Phoebe was a wonderful protagonist to follow, I was rooting for her to succeed from the first page. Okalee was a sweetheart, but I loved how she was shown to be flawed, too. Wardie is the best friend in existence, oh my word.

The thing that made me knock off the half star is the bullying that's going on? and no one is saying anything? like, Kat is a nightmare and none of the adults are at least a little curious as to why when Phoebe lashes out, it's only at Kat? I get that punching a girl in the face is not great behavior, but no one's asking why? (I will admit that I cheered a little when that finally happened, oops xD)
((also wow does Phoebe's mom need to stop being awful to her daughter, I get that you've lost the one but that does not excuse the way she treats Phoebe.))

Overall, this made me tear up several times, and I definitely feel like it's going to be an important book for kids going through rough stuff. I really enjoyed the writing style, the setting, and the characters. So yeah, I'd recommend, but cautiously, because there's definitely a lot of triggers for grief (specifically loss of a child or a sibling).

4.5 stars from me!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book by Laura Ojeda Melchor really touched me. This was one book I did not want to put down. I loved the way the story drew me in. It was almost like I was there by the river, in Montana with Phoebe and Okalee.

Phoebe was a great character. I loved seeing the story through her eyes. The reader almost felt like they were right there, not only when Okalee went into the water, but when everything else happened to Phoebe. It felt so real to me, that I cried. I could imagine the weight of guilt that Phoebe felt. So much guilt that she couldn’t sing.

This book had such a great plot. I didn’t want to stop reading it. Honestly, I read this one in an afternoon. It was perfect. It is a middle grade book. But, I, as an adult thought it was well written and interesting. I’m interested to see what our kids think of it.

I loved this book. You need to read it!

I was sent a copy of Missing Okalee as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Georgie]

i am 23 years old and i actually cannot stop crying. i know this book is for middle-grade readers.

it captures the grief and panic of a middle schooler so well it is visceral and I mean that as high praise.

[Anita Ojeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoebe Paz Petersen might not have the bubbly personality of her little sister, Okalee, but she harbors a talent most people don’t know about. She doesn’t gravitate towards math or science or homework, but she does have a powerful voice. Phoebe’s best friend, Helena, and Okalee give her confidence to audition for the school’s annual spring concert. Phoebe knows if she wins the audition, she’ll gain the respect and notice of her small Montana community—and her parents.

Phoebe feels all the responsibilities of big sisterhood and struggles at times to follow their parents’ request to take care of her little sister. Okalee wants to spread her own wings and doesn’t take kindly to Phoebe’s cautious, older sisterly ways. Like sisters everywhere, Phoebe and Okalee share a secret, not even their parents know about—River Day.

But this year, their River Day goes horribly wrong. What happens will forever change the lives of the Petersen family and will ripple out to change other lives in the close-knit community. The trauma of the day takes away the one thing Phoebe felt made her special—her singing voice.

As Phoebe struggles to regain her voice, her vocal rival starts a cruel rumor. A mysterious witness to River Day leaves notes demanding the truth about what really happened on the fateful day. Phoebe feels desperate to sign and honor Okalee, but the cauldron of emotions conspires to keep her silent.

Why I Loved This Book

Phoebe, acting as the story’s narrator, transports readers to the heart of her multicultural family with her beautiful, lyrical words and descriptions. As Phoebe and her family process the events of the day, readers learn how everyone reacts differently to grief.

When a tragedy happens at a school, or within a school community, newspapers always proclaim, “counselors are standing by to help the children process the event.” I’ve always wondered what the phrase means.

As an educator, I understand the importance of allowing children and young adults to ‘try on’ life experiences vicariously through fiction. Missing Okalee gives readers insight into what trauma counseling might look like for the individuals most closely associated with a tragedy. Students (as well as parents and teachers) need the valuable insights the book offers to understand how they, too, could find help if something tragic happens in their family.

Crushing guilt clouds Phoebe’s journey with grief. She struggles to deal with small-town rumors, the consequences of telling the whole truth, and the complicated relationships between family members.

Missing Okalee has a Jacob Have I Loved meets Bridge to Terabithia vibe with a fresh, own voices feel. Book lovers from 8-108, teachers, and librarians, will want to snag a copy of the book. And a box of tissue. I won’t lie. You’ll need tissue.

Disclaimer

You’ll find me listed in the author’s credits at the back of the book. I sat next to Georgeline Morsette, the Chippewa-Cree poet, back before she knew how to write her name (we attended the same church). I’d smile as Georgeline wiggled, because I could remember the days before my daughter, Laura, could sit still during church. Reading took care of that problem.

[Wanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fresh after reading this book, I am unsure how to describe exactly how I feel towards it. At times, the story was extremely touching and powerful. I loved the climax where Phoebe finally admits the truth. However, I was frustrated by the accelerated pace of the plot. Everything happened in a matter of weeks, with the ending scene happening about a month after the initial incident. Grief and healing doesn't happen so quickly. I understand that Phoebe may have been laser-focused on her solo as a way to pretend the trauma had never occurred, but if that was the case it was never explained or elaborated upon. Instead the idea of the solo was exaggerated like the penultimate moment where everything would be solved nice and neatly. I mean, the book even ends with the line "And I am at peace." I know grief is different for everyone; I just couldn't suspend my belief enough at certain parts.

Another issue is the altercations between Phoebe and Kat. Kat is never properly disciplined for any of the horrible things she says to Phoebe. I know these things happen all the time. But this a book targeted at kids, and there is never a moment where it is explained that Kat is the one in the wrong. Kat is frequently retraumatizing Phoebe, but Phoebe is one who gets detention and gets in trouble! That's not okay.

I also disliked the repeated and frequent use of metaphors. One of the most memorable is "I take a sip of the sweet chocolate and close my eyes as it slides over my tongue like a bolt of silk unspooling." This was a little much for me.

All in all, the story was enjoyable, but missed the mark.

#netgalley

[NaDell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The inside of this cover says it's for 2-3 grade, but I wouldn't recommend that due to the traumatic death of a child, lying, and bullying, as well as dealing with depression and grieving responses.
The story was surprising and so, so sad. I kept hoping it would get better, but it took way too long and was not satisfying when things were sort of resolved.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Missing Okalee

Author: Laura Ojeda Melchor

Book Series: Standalone

Diversity: Cuban MC, Chippewa cree side characters, Lantinx side characters

Rating: 4/5

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, drama

Genre: MG Contemporary

Publication Date: September 7, 2021

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Pages: 256

Recommended Age: 12+ (Religion, Drowning, Grief, Bullying, Blackmail, Attempted suicide mentioned, Slight violence)

Explanation of CWs: Drowning is shown and talked about in detail. Bullying is shown throughout the book. Religion is sparsely mentioned. There is an attempted suicide mentioned in passing. There is also one punch thrown and aggressive shaking.

Synopsis: When compared to her nearly perfect little sister, Phoebe Paz Petersen feels she doesn’t measure up in her parents’ eyes. Okalee is smart and beloved for her sunny disposition, but if Phoebe can get picked for the coveted solo in the school choir, she’ll stop being a middle-school nobody and finally get her chance to shine.

The sisters have one very special, secret tradition: River Day—when they hold hands and make their way across the cold, rushing Grayling River to celebrate the first hint of spring. This year’s River Day crossing, however, goes horribly wrong, and Phoebe’s world is suddenly turned upside down.

Heartbroken and facing life without Okalee, Phoebe is more determined than ever to sing the solo in the school concert as a way of speaking to her sister one last time. But Phoebe’s so traumatized by what happened, she’s lost her beautiful singing voice.

Kat Waters wants the solo for herself and is spreading a terrible rumor about what really happened to Okalee on River Day. If Phoebe tells the truth, she fears her family will never forgive her and she may never get to sing her goodbye to Okalee

Review: For the most part I really liked this book. I thought that the book was beautifully well written with well developed characters and incredible World building. I feel like if you have a child that is looking for a contemporary book or one that's filled with a slight bit of drama in it, then this is the best book that they can start off with.

However, I did get mad throughout the book with the main character's mother and with the bullying situation. I feel like she was emotionally abusive and I did not like how it made it so her behavior was acceptable given that she was going through grief. I know that in times of grief people act way differently than what they would normally, but when you're a parent that is no excuse to say the things that this character said to her daughter. I also didn't like how the bullying situation was centered on it being the main characters problems to resolve. There are two big instances where the bullying pushed the main character over the cliff so to speak and she retaliated in an aggressive manner. Well acting out violently is not something that kids should be doing on a regular basis, I feel like the whole of the circumstance wasn't considered and I did not feel like the other students were given punishments for their part in the action.

Verdict: It's good!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though families are never supposed to have a favorite child, twelve-year-old Phoebe Peterson believes without a doubt that her younger sister Okalee holds that place in their parents’ hearts. Growing up in a small town in Montana, the sisters are close despite their differences, and every year they commemorate River Day, a celebration of their own creation. This year, Okalee is determined to cross the Grayling River by herself, despite the great danger involved in traversing a river through snowmelt. Pride and fear affect the decisions the girls make, resulting in a swirling tangle of emotions as dynamic as the river itself.

This middle grade coming-of-age story features Phoebe, a sixth grader whose grades have never been stellar and who dreams of becoming a professional singer one day. Okalee is two years younger and a standout student, wholeheartedly supporting Phoebe’s efforts especially when it comes to singing. However, Okalee is beginning to emerge into her own independence, a reality that is the precursor to the moment that changes both of their lives forever. As Phoebe gets lost in her own emotions, she sometimes fails to recognize that others around her are struggling, too.

Heart-wrenching plot points add to the intensity of this novel. While the primary event is somewhat expected because of the title and allusions early on in the story, the unfolding of the narrative is cathartic for young and older readers alike. Well-suited to middle grade readers, this story explores feelings of guilt, disappointment, and inadequacy on many levels. Greatly flawed, Phoebe makes mistakes like everyone does, and working through the consequences of her actions is a painful, albeit necessary growth experience.

Due to the general predictability of the plot, Phoebe’s emotional development becomes the central focus of the narrative. Challenging interpersonal dynamics are familiar to readers of all ages, and observing Phoebe’s reaction to an unthinkably tragic experience helps connect readers to grief in their own lives. Unique characters and an easily accessible narrative make this a good fit for confident middle grade readers who appreciate an emotionally complex story.

[Emma Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Okalee tells the story of Phoebe, a young Latina girl whose passion is singing, but who feels constantly overshadowed by her younger sister, Okalee. The two sisters have a tradition: At the beginning of every spring, they hold hands and cross the wide river that runs through their town. But this spring, Okalee doesn’t make the river crossing. Phoebe’s guilt and grief become so strong that she loses her singing voice, and she has to process her grief and trauma in order to find it again.

I loved this book. It deals with seriously heavy topics in a way that’s understandable for kids, but it also never feels trite or dumbed down. It examines the complex messiness of loss and the search for closure. I think a big part of what makes this book work so well for me is Melchor’s writing style, which stays tightly focused on Phoebe’s emotional experiences.

This book is also an #OwnVoices novel! Like the author, Phoebe is Latina and lives in a small town. And Melchor did a wonderful job creating a town that felt real—as I was reading, I really felt like I was there in Phoebe’s town, or like it was a place I could visit someday.

Honestly, the only thing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love was a couple of the side characters, who didn’t feel as fleshed out as the rest. But Phoebe herself is so wonderfully realized that the more two-dimensional side characters didn’t take much away from the story. I would totally recommend this book to young middle grade readers who want a character-driven story that examines grief and loss.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books about grief for MG and YA readers (especially those narrated by someone who blames themselves for the death) are a dime a dozen. Seriously, I've read a TON of them! While MISSING OKALEE doesn't bring anything new or particularly outstanding to the genre, it's still a strong, impactful novel. It's a quick read with a plot that moves swiftly, so much so that it sometimes feels a little unrealistic and frenetic. Holding a middle-grader's attention can be a tough gig, so I get the fast pacing, even if the story does feel rushed at times. Despite that, the tale has a rawness to it that feels authentic. I didn't love Phoebe, but I did sympathize with her as she worked through feelings of grief, guilt, anger, disbelief, and so on. What I like best about MISSING OKALEE is its depiction of a warm, vibrant Latinx community (Phoebe, like Melchor, is Cuban-American), where you would least expect it (very small-town Montana). I also like the book's emphasis on healing through reaching out, getting help, feeling one's feelings, and allowing people time to work through their grief. Although MISSING OKALEE tells a very sad story, it does end on a hopeful, encouraging note.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore middle grade fiction and this book has a coveted spot on my overflowing shelf. The story of Phoebe and her sister Okalee is highly emotional, somewhat heavy, and yet full of poignant thoughts and experiences. I would categorize it as upper middle grade fiction/family drama.

After tragedy, Phoebe struggles with a range of emotions that would be difficult for anyone, but for a teenager they seem insurmountable. Add to that a bully, grieving parents, and confused friends, and Phoebe is barely keeping her head above water.

I enjoyed the deeply moving emotions that Phoebe experiences and felt drawn into her character and the supporting characters. The tension builds through the story as Phoebe combats rumors and struggles with finding her singing voice. The backdrop of her singing while dealing with her grief/guilt creates a situation where I was rooting for Phoebe as well as hoping she could figure out what she needed to do to heal and trust others with the truth.

I recommend this story with the caveat that it might be a little too sad for highly sensitive readers. The story comes full circle and I loved the ending, but wow, it was hard to get to that point.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s difficult to know what to say about this book. It deals with hard situations, death and grief and guilt. It will definitely not be for everyone, but I could see myself recommending this to those who like this sort of thing or someone whose circumstances may be similar. It’s a well-crafted story.

Pheobe and Okalee are sisters. There’s a little rivalry there, but for the most part they get along well and have a good relationship. When a fatal accident occurs, Pheobe gets scared and lies about what really happened. So she’s not only dealing with grief but with guilt.

There are great lessons learned. This story would certainly warrant discussion about how lies make a hard situation even worse and how truth helps in healing. There are some incredibly unlikeable characters and unfair situations that are hard to read about. This could aide in a discussion about what to do when life isn’t fair.

[Emily Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely an emotional journey. The story told from the eyes of a young girl, hits all the emotional notes. The story felt like something from Katherine Patterson, Bridge to Terebithia or Jacob Have I loved. It showed the journey of guilt and of forgiveness in a way that was definitely experienced rather than read, The emotions were real, the relationships genuine, and the healing was authentic. Phoebe's relationships with her friends and her rivals grew throughout the story as they all fought their grief in this book. The light in this is the healing journey Phoebe and her family experience.

I received an early copy on NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the tough topic that this book dealt with on a caring and appropriate level for middle-grade readers. I found though that it seemed to be a bit wordy for me in some places and my interest waned as I was reading it. I think the components are wonderful and certainly other readers might enjoy all the thoughts and lamenting that that main character does. The actual tragic event itself and the help that Phoebe receives are handled beautifully and I applaud the author for showing that seeking help from a professional can really be a wonderful way to work through the aftermath of tragic events. Overall a good book that has some great parts to it but just wasn't quite for me.

[Sari Fordham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two sisters--both named after birds--have a secret tradition that they call River Day. And thus begins an unforgettable novel of grief and resilience. Laura is tender with her characters, even as she is attentive to all the ways people are complicated and don't do things the way we wished they would. The location is stunning and the story is one that will stay with me.

[Hilda Burgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about loss, family, forgiveness, and the power of truth. Highly recommended!

[Teenage Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot:
Despite being bigger and older, Phoebe always found herself in her little sister, Okalee’s shadow. Parents are not supposed to have favorites, but for her immigrant mother, she loved ten-year-old Okalee more than Phoebe, constantly telling her to act like her little sisters, especially in terms of grades. The only thing that makes Phoebe stand out is her singing voice, and after beating Kate at their audience, Phoebe is ready to shine by singing the solo at their elementary school’s spring concert. Despite Okalee being perfect, Phoebe loved her little sister and felt pride as Okalee along with her friends clapped in the front row during Phoebe’s audition. With their parents leaving early the next day to visit the nursing home, Phoebe and Okalee decided to celebrate their tradition of River Day.
In their small town, everyone knew that the river was not safe to swim in until June, yet Phoebe and Okalee went out just when it began to melt, and holding hands, crossed the river in celebration of spring. Going into the third year of river day, Okalee does not want to hold Phoebe’s hand insisting that she's old enough to cross the river by herself. Fighting near the edge, Okalee goes in by herself and gets caught in the current, and drowned. Now facing life without Okalee, Phoebe gives in the way she knows how: by continuing on knowing Okalee wants her to sing at their spring concert. With someone out there knowing the truth of what happened between Phoebe and Okalee moments before her death, Phoebe must find her voice to honor her little sister, as she deals with one of the hardest things life has to offer.

Thoughts:
Laura Melchor debuts her career with the heart-wrenching, empathy-building story of Phoebe who watches her ten-year-old little sister Okalee drown. Starting off with the character, Melchor gives us diversity, with Phoebe, her family (minus Dad), and her neighbors being Latinx characters within a small town, and gives them traditional dishes throughout the story, and their trust in each other. For the plot, knowing that Okalee dies, the book gives you a little lead-up, as Phoebe wins her singing audition, the sisters walk home together, the planning of River Day condenses, building the relationship between the sisters, featuring their sibling rivalry, and their deep love for each other. When Okalee dies, an honestly heart-wrenching chapter, Melchor has the remainder of the story consisting of Okalee’s funeral, and the two weeks leading up to the spring concert in which Phoebe is singing her solo. Knowing everyone grieves differently, Melchor gives Phoebe the “right back into it” mentality, as she immediately goes back to school and prep for the concert, despite Okalee’s death. It was unnerving how focused Melchor had Phoebe be on her solo, knowing that her sister died in front of her only days before, but you cannot write a story if the character is crying in her closet for months on end. This is why the character of Phoebe’s mother is most relatable in how she handles the death of her daughter, but unlikeable in how she seems to blame Phoebe for Okalee's death. She’s right, however, it is tough seeing Phoebe's mother be harsher towards Phoebe about something that is hurting all of them. Remembering Phoebe’s age of twelve who witnessed something horrible that she could have prevented, Phoebe lied to her parents, the police, and the town about how Okalee actually died and the events leading up to that moment. This lie, which someone knows is a lie, haunts Phoebe with the threat of jail for what she did, and the thought of losing her solo (it truly is all about the solo for Phoebe). Melchor does give us the worst character in the world of Kate, the twelve-year-old Phoebe beat out for the solo and is using every nasty trick she has to get Phoebe to drop it, which is despicable considering how singing is the way Phoebe chose to mourn her sister. Of all the middle-grade books about grief, this one is not the best as Phoebe's self-absorbed tendencies have her fixated on her solo, and kind of ignores the death of her sister in favor of that. I find that Melchor did not really give us a healthy outlook on grief, and how to begin processing the unimaginable, as she gives the mother an unhealthy method, and Phoebe’s narcissistic “okay but focuses back on me and my solo” mentality.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's pretty much dark and depressing the whole time and feels a little heavy for middle school kids. There is also bullying that happens in this book where the bully isn't ever repremanded. The plot with the mother was very hard for me to grasp with how she treats her daughter. I won't keep going on, because I think you get the idea!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly sad. I wanted to hug all the characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Missing Okalee by Laura Ojeda Melchor is realistic middle school fiction published in 2021.

Phoebe is the older sister, but her little sister Okalee - named for the sound a blackbird makes - is the star of the family. She’s better at everything, except singing and swimming, than Phoebe.

The girls have a dangerous tradition of crossing the river right after ice melt, and no one but the two of them know they do this. When Okalee is swept away, Phoebe must face her fears and guilt and find a way to go on. Will she ever find her voice?

This book is incredibly sad as it deals with loss, grief, and guilt. I couldn’t put it down, and it brings up many discussion points.

Ages 12 and up.

[DaiDreamer]

Missing Okalee is a heartbreaking middle grade novel about friendship, loss, and healing from grief. When protagonist Phoebe and her younger sister, Okalee, go out to the river nearby their house to carry out their springtime tradition of crossing it holding hands, Okalee is swept away from Phoebe, leaving Phoebe feeling responsible for Okalee's drowning. Telling her parents what happens begins a lie that Phoebe never meant to tell.

Suddenly everything is confusing and frustrating and Phoebe doesn't know how to tell the truth without making her mother, who has always loved Okalee more than Phoebe, hate her. The grief and guilt of losing her sister causes Phoebe to no longer be able to do what she enjoys most: sing. But she needs to sing the solo at school; it's the first time she's been chosen for the solo in middle school.

I loved the theme of integrity in this book. It didn't feel good for Phoebe to tell the truth, but ultimately she did. Middle grade readers need to know that being truthful doesn't always feel great, but it sets you free from your guilt.

I think this book is best for ages ten and up because of the frank depictions of grief and conversations about depression. It really depends on maturity level, though; if children read this book with an adult, it is great for discussion.

[Jan Raspen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book, and a book about young people dealing with grief is usually my favorite theme to read about. But something was off right from the start in this one, and I think it was the pacing: the entire plot felt rushed. Everything happened so quickly, and there just wasn’t a lot of character development.
Reviewing from a school librarian’s standpoint, I also noticed some things that happened at school with the teacher and counselor to be troubling. First, an open flame in a school? I don’t think so. Second, some of the counselor’s tactics seemed to be far outside the scope of what a school counselor says and does.
I highlighted some passages and they’ll appear in my notes when I sync my Kindle.