Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · August 11, 2021

Review | One Kid’s Trash

One Kid’s Trash - Book Review

Summary: One Kid’s Trash

One Kid’s Trash is Jamie Sumner’s THIRD middle grade book. It’s about a boy who’s always been small for his age, thanks to being born premature. Hugo’s family has moved from Denver to a smaller skiing town in Colorado after his father quit his job as a computer engineer to become a ski instructor. For Hugo, this is a terrible development as he’s only just found his people in his former city and now has to start from scratch. Thankfully, his cousin Vijay is somewhat popular and brings Hugo into his friend group — the kids who run the school newsletter. But when the kids in his school realize that Hugo can tell a lot about a person from their trash, Hugo finds new popularity that threatens to upturn his new friendships.

The Good

I always enjoy Sumner’s storytelling and this was no different. Hugo is a really small kid for his age — girls in his school can pat him on the head easily. His psychologist mom gives him a Pediasure to help him gain weight. So readers can feel his frustration with that and the trepidation he feels about starting a new school, where he is bullied just as he worried he would be.

I also loved the interesting dynamic between Hugo and Vijay — the half-Indian cousin who’s smarter, more popular and socially adept than he is. While Hugo appreciates the social support, his feelings get complicated by his own desire to be accepted and at least half as popular as his cousin. They have a great group of friend with the twins, Micah, and Em who leads the newsletter team. I also enjoy stories where kids have an interest in writing, so it was fun to see the newsletter issues come together.

Hugo practices garbology, which is a social science that examines people and modern culture using the items they throw away. I found it so fascinating the way he learned more about each character using their garbage!

Finally, I couldn’t review this book without discussing the bullying that Hugo faces as well as the familial challenges at home. His dad is basically having a mid-life crisis, uproots the entire family, and then works crazy hours so much that he barely sees the family in this new city. Meanwhile Hugo’s mom is trying to start a new practice and eventually begins using their home as an office. There’s something incredibly honest and realistic in the way this story comes to life — and I loved that.

Overall: One Kid’s Trash

One Kid’s Trash is a funny, poignant, and engaging story about adjusting to new circumstances and finding and appreciating your people. Featuring a relatable protagonist and complex friend and family dynamics, this new middle grade book makes for an enjoyable read. At under 250 pages long, it’s also a short read that readers can blow through quickly. Bonus points for snow sports lovers as this is set in a skiing town in Colorado!


Buy This Book

One Kid’s Trash

More Book Review

  • Roll with It by Jamie Sumner
  • Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner
  • Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year by Nina Hamza

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · Tagged: body image, bullying, family, friendships, moving to a new city, parental squabbles, skiing, writing

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

Review | Be Real, Macy Weaver
Review | Coming Up Short
Review | In the Beautiful Country

Comments

  1. Heather N. Quinn says

    August 11, 2021 at 11:48 am

    I think I know how Hugo feels. I had a mum and dad who did something similar: Mum went back to university and Dad gave us his job to become a professional entertainer. It was quite a ride for the family. Will look for this book. Thanks.

    Reply

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

Kristin Mahoney on Elfie Unperfect (+ Giveaway!)

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd


Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸
Books mentioned: I LOVE pairing middle grade fiction with non-fiction recommendations. It’s a brilliant way to get kids more interested in non-fiction and find similar threads between fiction and real life. 🏀 girls can play ball too 🏀 Previously, currently, and next in line: adult fiction edition. This doesn’t even include my audiobook lineup and my middle grade + YA stuff! 😥 living a lie is hard work 😬 🥠 Meet Maya 🥠
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...