(Beginner Books, I Can Read It All By Myself)

Saw a poster for this book in a library and had to read it.

I loved the use of 'then' and 'now' chapter alternating. It gave the story a deeper longing for answers, closure and it felt like the then chapters linked up perfectly to watch an anxious Marlin would have been flashing back to in her mind in the moments of chapter changes.

While the story is at it's core a tale of sadness and loss, it's so much more than that. The level of loss, and party of one status can leave the strongest of adults numb. This book weaves an emotional path of sadness and hope all while unraveling the mystery of who her grandfather really was. But also does an amazing job at describing a community of people coming together to support those in need.

The ending is perfection, I couldn't have imagined a more perfect wrap up for the level of growth Marin is forced into. It leaves me wanting more of her, to experience the next stages that await her.

I recommend this book for those that are looking for something to pull at their heart strings. It might be YA but the characters personalities are represented perfectly.

Rep: Friends to lovers to friends, self discovery, Lesbian first time romance. ( )

Alphabet book #2

It didn't really feel like a genuine dr Seuss book ( )

This is a good book for a read aloud, as well as a book to encourage students to write in different ways. This would be good to use when talking about HOW an author writes. ( )