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The Natural Genius of Ants
A summer ant farm grows into a learning experience for the entire family in this lyrical coming-of-age story from the award-winning author of Down to Earth.
"Endearingly executed, this gentle tale will see readers applauding as they reach the end.” –Booklist, Starred Review
Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.
In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm--just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn't want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don't come with directions. So the kids have a lot to learn--about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.
"Endearingly executed, this gentle tale will see readers applauding as they reach the end.” –Booklist, Starred Review
Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.
In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm--just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn't want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don't come with directions. So the kids have a lot to learn--about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 25, 2024
Unfortunately this book I just couldn't get in to. I've never been a fan of bugs for one thing, well except for lady bugs when I was little. I did like the relationship between father and son. The story was quite a bit slow paced for me as well and there was a relationship that was mentioned later on in the book that was unnecessary to the plot.
*thank you to #netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book to read. All thoughts are my own.
*thank you to #netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book to read. All thoughts are my own.
January 30, 2022
y. Although this is the first time this has happened, or perhaps because it is the first time, he can’t forgive himself. He can’t work, and he decides to go back to his hometown in Kettle Hole, Main, and take his two kids with him, Harvard and Roger his five year old brother.
Harvard is narrating the story, and wants to have his old dad back, the dad who was a great baby doctor. But he doesn’t know how to help. The ant farm is not so much the solution, but part of what the family does while up in Main.
I love how this story is told by the 11 year old narrator. How he isn’t quite sure what is going on, but gets bits and pieces. How people talk about his father in his hometown, and how he hides the ants that have died, in the ant farm, from his father, so his father will be happy.
It is one of those stories where you miss the characters when you are done with the book. Great middle grade fiction.
I love how the author says she kept an ant farm during the writing of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Harvard is narrating the story, and wants to have his old dad back, the dad who was a great baby doctor. But he doesn’t know how to help. The ant farm is not so much the solution, but part of what the family does while up in Main.
I love how this story is told by the 11 year old narrator. How he isn’t quite sure what is going on, but gets bits and pieces. How people talk about his father in his hometown, and how he hides the ants that have died, in the ant farm, from his father, so his father will be happy.
It is one of those stories where you miss the characters when you are done with the book. Great middle grade fiction.
I love how the author says she kept an ant farm during the writing of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
January 4, 2024
A story about friendship, making mistakes and the need for forgiveness. Beautifully written.
February 1, 2023
What an amazing read. So moving, & full of so many great lessons/messages, great characters, & heart. Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital & telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard & his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake. In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm--just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn't want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don't come with directions. So the kids have a lot to learn--about the ants, each other, & how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong. I don’t read a lot of contemporary, but when I do..they really are gems. This is raw at times, honest, heartbreakingly beautiful, endearing, & I learned so much about ants too! Lol. This is a great summer read, with a father taking his sons back to where he spent his summers as a boy. All while the dad tries to heal from a mistake he made at work(he’s a doctor). It’s almost a type of grief the dad is experiencing, plus serious self-blame, guilt, self-doubt, depression, & more. Our MC Harvard doesn’t want anything to happen to make dad even sadder, so he try’s to hide sad things from him, & they do this ant farm like his dad also did as a kid. They make it a total learning experience with a huge book about ants, & getting a board to write questions they come up with on to look up answers about the ants. Harvard makes a fast & great friend in Neveah. I loved her & her family’s own backstory. & these 2 truly help each other in so many different ways this summer. It’s a beautiful friendship, that shows the true meaning of the word. Speaking of words, Harvard & is fascination with words: “is that 1 word of 2?” & why? Lol He’s such a great kid. His little brother is hilarious too. Trying to be an ant, putting hail in the freezer, etc. Great book with great focus on family, friendship, & healing our inner demons, & forgiveness-forgiving ourselves can sometimes be the hardest of all. An unforgettable summer for this family, that they learn & grow so much from. Highly recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover by The Brave Union too.💜
October 14, 2022
I generally don’t think of myself as a huge fan of contemporary fiction, but then I’ll read a book like this and go, “Huh. Maybe I actually do really like this.”
This story, told from 10-year-old Harvard’s perspective, is about the summer his father takes him and his younger brother Roger back to the place where he grew up. Harvard’s father is depressed because a mistake he made at work (he’s a NICU doctor) ends up costing a baby’s life. Throughout the summer, Harvard and his whole family, along with his new friend Nevaeh and her dad, grow and learn a lot together especially as they care for an ant farm. Setting and weather played a huge role in this book. My only complaint is with Harvard not getting credit for guessing Nevaeh’s secret word. I strongly object. Also. This should not be a surprise. But I am shipping Harvard and Nevaeh. I know they’re only 10, but if this was a series I would love to see their friendship turn into a crush/dating situation. I just love their relationship.
This story, told from 10-year-old Harvard’s perspective, is about the summer his father takes him and his younger brother Roger back to the place where he grew up. Harvard’s father is depressed because a mistake he made at work (he’s a NICU doctor) ends up costing a baby’s life. Throughout the summer, Harvard and his whole family, along with his new friend Nevaeh and her dad, grow and learn a lot together especially as they care for an ant farm. Setting and weather played a huge role in this book. My only complaint is with Harvard not getting credit for guessing Nevaeh’s secret word. I strongly object. Also. This should not be a surprise. But I am shipping Harvard and Nevaeh. I know they’re only 10, but if this was a series I would love to see their friendship turn into a crush/dating situation. I just love their relationship.
September 14, 2022
This was a fantastic book for elementary aged kids. We loved it so much that when we finished it my 6 year old asked if we could start it over again tomorrow.
February 21, 2024
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartwarming story of friendship and learning to forgive yourself, even in what may seem like unforgivable circumstances. Ever since Harvard's dad made a mistake at work, he hasn't been the same. Harvard has always been told that anyone can make a mistake, but his dad is a doctor, so his mistakes have dire consequences. Harvard's dad decides to go home to the town he grew up in. While there, Harvard makes a new friend in Nevaeh, a girl who's been healing from a tragedy of her own since her mother died. Together, they all put together an ant farm, and Harvard is excited when his dad seems to finally show signs of happiness. Harvard thinks he can't let anything go wrong with the ant farm, so he's upset when the ants show up dead. He thinks the best solution is to replace the ants with ones from the house.
The story centers on dealing with death and grief, of course, but it also touches on poverty. Nevaeh's father is overwhelmed with medical bills after her mother's death, and they avoid necessary medical care because they don't have insurance. The issue was handled well and will help kids realize that anyone can fall on hard times, and sometimes accepting help is the only way to stay afloat. Harvard's care and concern for his father and his attempts to help him are especially poignant. You can't help but hope right along with him that his father can find some peace. But, don't worry, Harvard's little brother's antics, fun facts about ants, and the sweet friendship between Harvard and Nevaeh help lighten the overall tone of the book so kids don't get bogged down with sadness. I definitely recommend this book to kids who are dealing with difficult circumstances of any kind.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author via Media Masters Publicity for an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartwarming story of friendship and learning to forgive yourself, even in what may seem like unforgivable circumstances. Ever since Harvard's dad made a mistake at work, he hasn't been the same. Harvard has always been told that anyone can make a mistake, but his dad is a doctor, so his mistakes have dire consequences. Harvard's dad decides to go home to the town he grew up in. While there, Harvard makes a new friend in Nevaeh, a girl who's been healing from a tragedy of her own since her mother died. Together, they all put together an ant farm, and Harvard is excited when his dad seems to finally show signs of happiness. Harvard thinks he can't let anything go wrong with the ant farm, so he's upset when the ants show up dead. He thinks the best solution is to replace the ants with ones from the house.
The story centers on dealing with death and grief, of course, but it also touches on poverty. Nevaeh's father is overwhelmed with medical bills after her mother's death, and they avoid necessary medical care because they don't have insurance. The issue was handled well and will help kids realize that anyone can fall on hard times, and sometimes accepting help is the only way to stay afloat. Harvard's care and concern for his father and his attempts to help him are especially poignant. You can't help but hope right along with him that his father can find some peace. But, don't worry, Harvard's little brother's antics, fun facts about ants, and the sweet friendship between Harvard and Nevaeh help lighten the overall tone of the book so kids don't get bogged down with sadness. I definitely recommend this book to kids who are dealing with difficult circumstances of any kind.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author via Media Masters Publicity for an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
February 25, 2022
What worked:
Grief is a major issue, although Harvard’s father is responsible for the death of an infant. Harvard and his younger brother Roger spend the summer in their father’s remote, small hometown. The hope is that his father will be able to forgive himself for a fatal mistake and finally return to his job as a pediatric doctor. The plot follows Harvard, as he tries to protect his father from sadness that includes the drama found inside an ant farm. It’s not a child’s job to save an adult, but the slow-moving lifestyle of Kettle Hole is a big help.
The serious aspect of the plot is tempered by the humor of Harvard and Roger. Harvard has a quick wit and can’t stop himself from cracking jokes and making funny comments. Wondering if terms are compound words or two separate words is an ongoing question throughout the book. Roger is the real treat, as his innocence and excitement result in amusing moments. Harvard soon realizes he needs to watch what he shares about the ant farm when Roger imitates ants by donning a bike helmet with antennas, crawling around on the floor, searching for food. Roger also believes a young girl named Nevaeh can control the weather, and he’s amazed when she makes it “snow”. His character adds cuteness to the plot.
Nevaeh becomes Harvard’s best friend, and her positive attitude amid a challenging life is admirable. She recently lost her mother to cancer, she suffers from asthma without medication, her father is struggling with money issues, and they’re living in a barn while Harvard’s family rents their house. She has a special talent for writing poetry that creatively expresses her feelings about events and people in her life. She helps Harvard care for the ant farm, and he ends up saving her family in a big way. Together, Harvard and Nevaeh make a charming, entertaining pair of loyal friends.
What didn’t work as well:
The thread holding the story together is the ant farm, and while interesting, it doesn’t exactly create anticipation of a captivating story. However, you can’t judge a book by its cover! I especially enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the story, and the grieving doesn’t take it in a depressing direction. The overall story is charming, amusing, and entertaining.
The Final Verdict:
A story of healing, family, and love. This book may surprise readers, but it’s truly captivating and inspiring. It doesn’t have any unusual twists or complications and simply shares an emotional, realistic story about two families with serious problems. I highly recommend you give it a shot!
Grief is a major issue, although Harvard’s father is responsible for the death of an infant. Harvard and his younger brother Roger spend the summer in their father’s remote, small hometown. The hope is that his father will be able to forgive himself for a fatal mistake and finally return to his job as a pediatric doctor. The plot follows Harvard, as he tries to protect his father from sadness that includes the drama found inside an ant farm. It’s not a child’s job to save an adult, but the slow-moving lifestyle of Kettle Hole is a big help.
The serious aspect of the plot is tempered by the humor of Harvard and Roger. Harvard has a quick wit and can’t stop himself from cracking jokes and making funny comments. Wondering if terms are compound words or two separate words is an ongoing question throughout the book. Roger is the real treat, as his innocence and excitement result in amusing moments. Harvard soon realizes he needs to watch what he shares about the ant farm when Roger imitates ants by donning a bike helmet with antennas, crawling around on the floor, searching for food. Roger also believes a young girl named Nevaeh can control the weather, and he’s amazed when she makes it “snow”. His character adds cuteness to the plot.
Nevaeh becomes Harvard’s best friend, and her positive attitude amid a challenging life is admirable. She recently lost her mother to cancer, she suffers from asthma without medication, her father is struggling with money issues, and they’re living in a barn while Harvard’s family rents their house. She has a special talent for writing poetry that creatively expresses her feelings about events and people in her life. She helps Harvard care for the ant farm, and he ends up saving her family in a big way. Together, Harvard and Nevaeh make a charming, entertaining pair of loyal friends.
What didn’t work as well:
The thread holding the story together is the ant farm, and while interesting, it doesn’t exactly create anticipation of a captivating story. However, you can’t judge a book by its cover! I especially enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the story, and the grieving doesn’t take it in a depressing direction. The overall story is charming, amusing, and entertaining.
The Final Verdict:
A story of healing, family, and love. This book may surprise readers, but it’s truly captivating and inspiring. It doesn’t have any unusual twists or complications and simply shares an emotional, realistic story about two families with serious problems. I highly recommend you give it a shot!
May 16, 2022
Harvard’s father is a doctor and he made a mistake and a baby died and now he isn’t a doctor any more. Not because he was fired but because he can’t get over the mistake. It’s affecting the whole family so Marshall decides to take his two boys to a small town he grew up in called Kettle Hole. Harvard’s mom can’t come because of her work but thinks it’s a great think for Marshall to do.
While there Harvard meets Neveah who is the daughter of one of Marshall’s old friends. They are actually renting out her house as they need the money. Her mother recently died of cancer and they have a lot of bills and so her father is renting his house out to make money. They are living in the barn that her father converted into a living quarters.
While there their father decides they should build an ant farm because he use to have one as a kid. When the ants arrive that Harvard’s father orders they are dead. He doesn’t want his father to deal with more death so him and Neveah decide to replace them with regular house ants they find.
It’s basically a story about learning to deal with mistakes, that things sometimes take time but you have to move on. The reader learns a lot about ants and how the ants work together to do everything, even taking care of the queen’s eggs.
Harvard learns that he can’t fix his father even though he tries with hiding the dead ants, talking to someone else who has went through a tragedy, but those don’t really help as much as he hoped. He makes a great friend and even helps Neveah and her father.
It’s a sweet story about how a family spent their summer and over all it was a good one. My one problem was Harvards attitude sometimes and the fact that he keep asking if a word was one word or two. For example, his hailstorm one word or two (hail storm), this happened throughout the book and became very annoying. Other than that I thought it was a sweet book.
While there Harvard meets Neveah who is the daughter of one of Marshall’s old friends. They are actually renting out her house as they need the money. Her mother recently died of cancer and they have a lot of bills and so her father is renting his house out to make money. They are living in the barn that her father converted into a living quarters.
While there their father decides they should build an ant farm because he use to have one as a kid. When the ants arrive that Harvard’s father orders they are dead. He doesn’t want his father to deal with more death so him and Neveah decide to replace them with regular house ants they find.
It’s basically a story about learning to deal with mistakes, that things sometimes take time but you have to move on. The reader learns a lot about ants and how the ants work together to do everything, even taking care of the queen’s eggs.
Harvard learns that he can’t fix his father even though he tries with hiding the dead ants, talking to someone else who has went through a tragedy, but those don’t really help as much as he hoped. He makes a great friend and even helps Neveah and her father.
It’s a sweet story about how a family spent their summer and over all it was a good one. My one problem was Harvards attitude sometimes and the fact that he keep asking if a word was one word or two. For example, his hailstorm one word or two (hail storm), this happened throughout the book and became very annoying. Other than that I thought it was a sweet book.
May 15, 2022
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Natural Genius of Ants is a well illustrated and engaging coming of age novel aimed at middle grade readers written by Betty Culley. Released 10th May 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Despite the heavy nature of the subject matter (death of an infant, medical malpractice, family grief, depression, forgiveness, and friendship) this is a very well written and ultimately uplifting book written from a child's perspective and with age-appropriate content. It's a chapter book and written in an unadorned direct first person point of view in the voice of young Harvard, a precocious ten year old, son of a medical doctor whose loss of an infant patient has led to a professional and personal crisis of faith.
There's a lot of humor in the writing and from the protagonist, Harvard, and his younger brother Roger. They're often genuinely funny and the story has a lot of honesty and compassion. It's not a central theme of the book, but I liked that Harvard and Roger are multicultural, with their mom's family hailing from the Dominican Republic. Representation is important.
Four stars, this would make a good selection for public or school library acquisition and for home use. Recommended for ages 8-12.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Natural Genius of Ants is a well illustrated and engaging coming of age novel aimed at middle grade readers written by Betty Culley. Released 10th May 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
Despite the heavy nature of the subject matter (death of an infant, medical malpractice, family grief, depression, forgiveness, and friendship) this is a very well written and ultimately uplifting book written from a child's perspective and with age-appropriate content. It's a chapter book and written in an unadorned direct first person point of view in the voice of young Harvard, a precocious ten year old, son of a medical doctor whose loss of an infant patient has led to a professional and personal crisis of faith.
There's a lot of humor in the writing and from the protagonist, Harvard, and his younger brother Roger. They're often genuinely funny and the story has a lot of honesty and compassion. It's not a central theme of the book, but I liked that Harvard and Roger are multicultural, with their mom's family hailing from the Dominican Republic. Representation is important.
Four stars, this would make a good selection for public or school library acquisition and for home use. Recommended for ages 8-12.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 3, 2022
Betty captures the essence of rural Maine and how people who live there deal with financial and emotional adversity as they affect tweens and teens better than anyone. It's on par with the skill Gerry Boyle has to capture those realities for adults.
In this book, readers follow Harvard and his five year old brother Roger, during the summer they, and their grieving father come to Kettle Hole, Maine where Dad grew up. Their father, a pediatrician, is still frozen by guilt and sadness following his mistake that led to the death of a five month old infant in his care.
Once back in Kettle Hole, they rent the home of eleven year old Neveah and her dad who are struggling with medical bills left from her mom's death from cancer. They live in the barn so they can rent out the house to help whittle down the bills.
What ensues includes the ants featured in the title, a growing friendship between Harvard and Neveah, her illness, plenty of ant information very skillfully woven into the narrative, tons of humanity and a discovery by Harvard (one which long time Mainers are likely to realize early on), and that welcome feeling one finds when returning to a childhood place. It's well worth having in any library.
In this book, readers follow Harvard and his five year old brother Roger, during the summer they, and their grieving father come to Kettle Hole, Maine where Dad grew up. Their father, a pediatrician, is still frozen by guilt and sadness following his mistake that led to the death of a five month old infant in his care.
Once back in Kettle Hole, they rent the home of eleven year old Neveah and her dad who are struggling with medical bills left from her mom's death from cancer. They live in the barn so they can rent out the house to help whittle down the bills.
What ensues includes the ants featured in the title, a growing friendship between Harvard and Neveah, her illness, plenty of ant information very skillfully woven into the narrative, tons of humanity and a discovery by Harvard (one which long time Mainers are likely to realize early on), and that welcome feeling one finds when returning to a childhood place. It's well worth having in any library.
May 30, 2022
Dad made a mistake and it was a BIG one. The mistake is the reason a baby died. Dad cannot forgive himself and no longer is practicing medicine and he was a really good doctor. Now, Dad has been quieter than usual and is home all the time. He decides to take Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. This is dad’s small hometown. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.
In the small town where dad grew up, he seems more himself. Then the family decides to start an ant farm, just like Dad had as a kid. Then bummer, the mail-order ants seem very sluggish, no the ants are just dead. Harvard has a tender heart and doesn’t want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these ants are a different species from the ones intended for the enclosed directions. Well, the kids have a lot to learn, about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.
.
Main character, Harvard, is such a likeable character and just wants to make sure his dad gets better. I’m sure there will be readers who will relate to having a parent experiencing sadness/depression. A child shouldn’t be in this,position, but it happens,
A truly positive message is that grown-ups make mistakes, too, and that the consequences are not always simple.
The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartfelt novel that combines science into daily life. The book sent me to google to learn more about the hatching of the pupae
In the small town where dad grew up, he seems more himself. Then the family decides to start an ant farm, just like Dad had as a kid. Then bummer, the mail-order ants seem very sluggish, no the ants are just dead. Harvard has a tender heart and doesn’t want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these ants are a different species from the ones intended for the enclosed directions. Well, the kids have a lot to learn, about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.
.
Main character, Harvard, is such a likeable character and just wants to make sure his dad gets better. I’m sure there will be readers who will relate to having a parent experiencing sadness/depression. A child shouldn’t be in this,position, but it happens,
A truly positive message is that grown-ups make mistakes, too, and that the consequences are not always simple.
The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartfelt novel that combines science into daily life. The book sent me to google to learn more about the hatching of the pupae
February 22, 2023
Fabulous! Where do I start? When Harvard's dad loses a baby due to a mistake, he cannot forgive himself. He needs time away from work to heal and takes his two boys (10-year-old Harvard and 5-year-old Roger) back to the town he grew up in—Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Dad wants to get the kids involved in whatever they want to learn more about, and the idea of having an ant farm becomes a reality.
While in Kettle Hole, Dad gets to spend time with his childhood friend, Vernon, who is recently widowed. Vernon has a daughter, Nevaeh (heaven spelled backward), who becomes Harvard's first Kettle Hole buddy. Harvard, Roger, and Nevaeh are well-developed and delightful characters. I had a particular fondness for Harvard as he attempted to restore his father's confidence.
There are many significant themes in Betty Culley's terrific book, but the overarching one is overcoming tragedy. The humor is excellent, and the author skillfully teaches the reader a lot about the habits and life cycle of ants in an entertaining story. I'm a retired elementary teacher of 31 years, and if I were still teaching, this story would become one of my regular read-alouds.
While in Kettle Hole, Dad gets to spend time with his childhood friend, Vernon, who is recently widowed. Vernon has a daughter, Nevaeh (heaven spelled backward), who becomes Harvard's first Kettle Hole buddy. Harvard, Roger, and Nevaeh are well-developed and delightful characters. I had a particular fondness for Harvard as he attempted to restore his father's confidence.
There are many significant themes in Betty Culley's terrific book, but the overarching one is overcoming tragedy. The humor is excellent, and the author skillfully teaches the reader a lot about the habits and life cycle of ants in an entertaining story. I'm a retired elementary teacher of 31 years, and if I were still teaching, this story would become one of my regular read-alouds.
October 21, 2022
This is a valuable book about learning to deal with mistakes, big and small, told in an engaging manner from a bright young boy's perspective. It is very well-written and absorbing. I didn't give it five stars, because I never understood the sub-plot around smoking, and I think Harvard should have over heard more from his parents about what the mistake was, perhaps even a cathartic argument, as I feel that could have helped in the long-term healing process. I don't mean loads of details, but enough so that an adult could help a child reading the book have more of an understanding. As it was, there is not full certainty that there will be a complete or near complete recovery. I just felt there were aspects like this missing. But other "sub plots" were dealt with well, such as the financial and medical needs of the primary friends/neighbors and the underlying adventure with the ants. There are many wonderful factors in the book, and I would recommend it warmly to almost all ages.
April 17, 2023
Things have been tough at home since Harvard's father--a neonatal doctor--made "the mistake". The mistake that resulted in a baby's death. The mistake he cannot forgive himself for. But "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." And home for Dad is Kettle Hole, Maine. So, this summer Dad, Harvard and his younger brother Roger are spending the summer in Kettle Hole. Harvard feels the weight of it all. He is afraid his parents are breaking apart, and if his dad cannot forgive himself--his family will crash and burn. He takes it upon himself to shelter his father from any undue stress and to find ways to help him come to terms with "the mistake". With the help of friends both new and old and an Ant Farm summer project, this family might just find the healing they so badly need. Quiet and timeless, but really lovely.
December 12, 2022
Everyone has secrets in this realistic fiction novel set in a small town in Maine. Harvard Corson and his 5-year-old brother spend the summer with their dad in their dad’s hometown. Their dad won’t talk about the medical mistake he made and why he has quit working as a doctor. They rent a house from Dr. Corson’s childhood friend who is struggling to pay off medical bills. His daughter Neveah (Heaven spelled backwards) hangs out with Harvard helping with Dr. Corson’s summer project building an ant farm. When the ants are DOA, Harvard and Neveah replace them with some of the house ants. When ants die in the farm, Harvard and Neveah try to hide them but then discover that Dr. Corson is disposing of them. Harvard hopes that returning home will help his father recover and get back to being a doctor. Readers will love Harvard and Neveah and learn a lot about ants along the way!
June 2, 2022
This middle-grade novel is a 3.5 for me. What I particularly liked about it were its interesting characters and the fact that it explores topics not usually addressed in books for young readers. Ten-year-old Harvard Corson is spending the summer with his father and brother Roger, 5, in Kettle Hole, Maine, where his dad grew up while his mother stays home for her job. Harvard is keenly aware that his father can't move past his feelings of responsibility for the death of a baby under his care. The boy hopes that being in this quiet place will give his father a chance to heal. The family has all sorts of projects planned, including raising an ant farm. But the harvester ants that were shipped to them arrive dead. Because Harvard worries about sending his father even further into a tailspin, he and new friend and neighbor, Nevaeh, capture some carpenter ants roaming in the kitchen and put them inside the ant farm. Nevaeh and her father are down on their luck with hospital bills to pay for her deceased mother's cancer treatment. So frugal are they that Nevaeh doesn't even tell her father that her inhalers for asthma treatment aren't working. A friendship blossoms between the two youngsters, who spend time exploring the area while Nevaeh writes poems. When Harvard realizes that some of the ants are dying, he tries to hide the evidence to avoid upsetting his father, who seems to be slowly coming back to life. After discovering several starts to letters of apology to the baby's mother, Harvard decides to write to the baby's mother himself. Readers will surely realize that while his intentions are good, this could go terribly wrong. I love how quickly Harvard's father is to rely on books like The Natural Genius of Ants to find answers and how some of those answers turn out to be helpful life lessons. This moving story about family, friendship, loss, and somehow finding a way to forgive oneself and move on is well worth the time spent reading it.
January 30, 2023
Young Harvard took on a heavy challenge of helping his father forgive himself for not being able to help his five-month-old patient. The ant farm activity, Harvard, his dad, brother and new friend, embark on, especially with the ant eggs, parallels the issues Harvard's father is undergoing.
This character driven book also has STEM written all over it as the characters learn about ants. I will never again look at an ant as being a simple animal.
This book had everything - science, well-drawn characters, poetry, Maine setting, emotions and more. Now I want to read more by this author.
This character driven book also has STEM written all over it as the characters learn about ants. I will never again look at an ant as being a simple animal.
This book had everything - science, well-drawn characters, poetry, Maine setting, emotions and more. Now I want to read more by this author.
August 9, 2023
I listened to this middle grade on the road trip to Bear Lake for a family vacation.
Everyone was invested in and loved this book. Nothing earth-shattering, but it was a solid middle-grade entry. A classic coming of age, with some good family/dad feels and interesting facts about ants.
I didn't guess the secret word - I was pretty disappointed by that.
Everyone was invested in and loved this book. Nothing earth-shattering, but it was a solid middle-grade entry. A classic coming of age, with some good family/dad feels and interesting facts about ants.
I didn't guess the secret word - I was pretty disappointed by that.
July 20, 2022
A lovely middle grade that somehow combines innocence with the hard questions of life in a natural and thought provoking way. I was particularly impressed with the authors ability to write an intelligent voice that still sounded like a child.
August 8, 2023
I, like several of my friends, have been having ant invasions for several days now. I decided the only way to deal with this is to immerse myself in ant books. This was a good story for MG readers. Well done, Betty Culley!
December 20, 2024
An endearing story of forgiveness, having the courage to move forward, and understanding that you can't fix things for people who are hurting even when you love them dearly. Told from the POV of a ten year old boy, it was a good reminder of many life lessons.
June 7, 2022
Thank you Crown Books for Young Readers/Random House for an early copy of this book and the invitation to participate in a blog tour!
This is a great book for young middle grade readers who are ready for deeper emotions in books, but not mature content. The father in this book has suffered a loss in his job-a preemie baby died on his watch-and he is devastated. Everyone in the family is trying to help him and eventually, him and the kids decide to go to his hometown. There, the main character Harvard, finds new friends and finds a way to help his dad-but also learns it is not up to him to help his dad.
I loved the ant farm in this book and the little brother!
A great coming of age story.
This is a great book for young middle grade readers who are ready for deeper emotions in books, but not mature content. The father in this book has suffered a loss in his job-a preemie baby died on his watch-and he is devastated. Everyone in the family is trying to help him and eventually, him and the kids decide to go to his hometown. There, the main character Harvard, finds new friends and finds a way to help his dad-but also learns it is not up to him to help his dad.
I loved the ant farm in this book and the little brother!
A great coming of age story.
May 18, 2023
A beautiful, tender story of loss, friendship, family, and community, and how nature binds us all. Read with my 8-yr-old son, and loved it.
May 17, 2022
I loved Betty Culley’s Down to Earth and was excited to read The Natural Genius of Ants. Culley’s writing is smooth and accessible. She knows her audience and tells her story with a gentle touch.
Culley’s own experiences a pediatric nurse in Maine, and from keeping her own ant farm and caring for a carpenter ant queen helped shape The Natural Genius of Ants, lending an authenticity that might otherwise be missing.
At the center of the story is Harvard, a likeable character who just wants to make sure his dad gets better. Many readers will relate to having a parent experiencing sadness/depression. And Harvard’s doggedness to make things better should resonate beyond his particular situation.
I love the message that grown-ups make mistakes, too, and that the consequences are not always cut and dry.
The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartfelt novel that weaves science into daily life.
Culley’s own experiences a pediatric nurse in Maine, and from keeping her own ant farm and caring for a carpenter ant queen helped shape The Natural Genius of Ants, lending an authenticity that might otherwise be missing.
At the center of the story is Harvard, a likeable character who just wants to make sure his dad gets better. Many readers will relate to having a parent experiencing sadness/depression. And Harvard’s doggedness to make things better should resonate beyond his particular situation.
I love the message that grown-ups make mistakes, too, and that the consequences are not always cut and dry.
The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartfelt novel that weaves science into daily life.
September 12, 2022
Harvard’s dad, a doctor, made a mistake and a baby died. It has been really hard. Dad isn’t working and decides to take Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Dad’s childhood hometown for the summer. They rent a house from a good friend of Dad’s, and Harvard and the friend’s daughter, Nevaeh, become fast friends. Dad thinks making an ant farm will be a fun project, so they build one, which Harvard stocks with native ants when the mail-order ones arrive dead. Harvard really wants Dad to be happy again and go back to doctoring, so he decides to write a letter to the mother of the baby who died, but is it the right thing to do?
Betty Culley has written a rich, complex story with characters who will grab readers’ hearts and keep them turning pages all the way through. Although the story deals with death and grief, Culley has enough humor and lightness in the characters and story to keep anything from getting bogged down in the sadness. The writing is simply gorgeous, and the first-person narration by ten-year-old Harvard carries the story perfectly. Do not miss this wonderful book. I wrote this review for the San Francisco Book Review and for my blog at https://rosihollinbeck.com/2022/09/11...
Betty Culley has written a rich, complex story with characters who will grab readers’ hearts and keep them turning pages all the way through. Although the story deals with death and grief, Culley has enough humor and lightness in the characters and story to keep anything from getting bogged down in the sadness. The writing is simply gorgeous, and the first-person narration by ten-year-old Harvard carries the story perfectly. Do not miss this wonderful book. I wrote this review for the San Francisco Book Review and for my blog at https://rosihollinbeck.com/2022/09/11...
August 24, 2022
A delightfully quirky and quiet novel with characters I care about--plus who knew ants were such fascinating little critters?!
June 25, 2022
This book is so fabulous and it makes no difference that I am in France feeling terrible with Covid. Betty Culley has written a touching and amazing story, and Phoebe Yeh Has done a fabulous job editing the book. Good work and I can’t wait for the next book. Phoebe this is a very grateful children’s librarian you used to know as Pat Cote.
July 2, 2022
I love this story- recovering from loss (of any kind) is such an important skill and so hard to foster. Written for a younger audience, this book is priceless in the lessons it teaches. Also just like Betty’s other amazing books- this one is very true to its Maine-isms. I’m a Mainer and love how she slips in some of the Uniqueness about our lovely state at every turn!
July 5, 2022
I love this story- recovering from loss (of any kind) is such an important skill and so hard to foster. Written for a younger audience, this book is priceless in the lessons it teaches. Also just like Betty’s other amazing books- this one is very true to its Maine-isms. I’m a Mainer and love how she slips in some of the Uniqueness about our lovely state at every turn!
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