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Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · April 13, 2022

Review | Consider the Octopus

Book Review - Consider the Octopus

Summary: Consider the Octopus

Consider the Octopus is co-written by authors Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin. You’ll remember I hosted the cover reveal. When Jeremy “JB” Barnes is tasked by his research scientist mom and her teammates aboard a research ship to invite a group of scientists aboard their ship for publicity, he makes a huge mistake. Instead of inviting THE Dr. Sidney Miller, he ends up sending an invite to 12-year-old Sidney Miller who’s looking for an engaging, STEM-related science activity for the summer. When he realizes his mistake, he has to conceal Sidney aboard the ship even as they collaborate to help find more publicity for the research work on the Pacific Garbage Patch.

The Good

I liked Sidney so I enjoyed seeing the story told from both kids’ perspectives. JB is dealing with his mom dating the ship captain after his parents’ divorce. We get a glimpse into how his parents’ divorce affected him and his nonexistent relationship with his father. Sidney is close to her grandmother and actually connives with her to get on the ship.

I also love stories with a good amount of hijinks, and this one had plenty with Sidney trying to pose as one of the high schoolers also invited aboard since she definitely would not pass for an adult. The central theme of this story, though, is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (which I promptly looked up midway through the book). It’s really heartbreaking to see how much we’ve hurt the environment and I loved this book’s approach to enlightening readers.

The Not-So-Good

It was hard to believe that Sidney’s grandmother would send her off on a boat, knowing she had been accidentally invited. For some reason, Sidney and JB’s friendship didn’t land with me. The story felt a bit rushed and I felt like they’d barely had any real bonding experiences?

Overall: Consider the Octopus

Consider the Octopus is a fun middle grade book about synchronicity, friendships, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Kids who love funny protagonists will like JB and relate to his antics. Sidney will appeal to more serious kids with a passion for STEM and the environment. Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read perfect for those looking for an extra boost of encouragement to care more about the planet.


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Consider the Octopus

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Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · Tagged: divorced parents, environmental activism, friendship, grandparents, set on a ship, STEM, summer

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If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

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I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
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#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
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