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nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This MG time-traveling sci-fi story gives a message of hope and resilience, even in a time when the world seems to be spiraling toward our extinction. Abby is constantly worried, and with good reason--she knows the many ways our earth is dying, and she doesn't see a real future for humankind. How can she focus on anything else? But when two time-traveling boys from the future show up in her new Florida town, she finally glimpses hope for humanity--and for herself. The story highlights family relationships and the ways we often put our own hopes and dreams and expectations onto the next generation. This would be perfect for kids who love stem topics, especially kids who are interested in space exploration because it goes into that somewhat extensively (the same, to a lesser extent, with environmental issues). Kids who find themselves worrying about our future will relate to Abby and find comfort in the idea that we can persevere through these challenges, just as we've done through many others. Life will always be full of both pain and joys, but that doesn't mean we can't treasure the moments we have and preserve hope for a better future.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This MG time-traveling sci-fi story gives a message of hope and resilience, even in a time when the world seems to be spiraling toward our extinction. Abby is constantly worried, and with good reason--she knows the many ways our earth is dying, and she doesn't see a real future for humankind. How can she focus on anything else? But when two time-traveling boys from the future show up in her new Florida town, she finally glimpses hope for humanity--and for herself. The story highlights family relationships and the ways we often put our own hopes and dreams and expectations onto the next generation. This would be perfect for kids who love stem topics, especially kids who are interested in space exploration because it goes into that somewhat extensively (the same, to a lesser extent, with environmental issues). Kids who find themselves worrying about our future will relate to Abby and find comfort in the idea that we can persevere through these challenges, just as we've done through many others. Life will always be full of both pain and joys, but that doesn't mean we can't treasure the moments we have and preserve hope for a better future.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
hugbandit7's review
4.0
This new middle-grade book has a lot to offer a young (or older) reader. There are people from the future that end up on earth; Abby is dealing with a move away from her best friend, her anxiety about life in general, and the turmoil occurring in her own home with her mom and dad.
I found this story to be engaging, and I enjoyed how the author brought in the people from the future, Adam and Bix, and Abby's interactions with them. The author also handled Abby's anxiety very well. She addressed it and gave Abby a link to her mother and a way for them to forge a new bond.
Abby is caring and compassionate, which is evident in her interactions with Adam and Bix. She finds them a place to stay while they wait for Vanessa to arrive from the future. They have interesting conversations, and Abby is excited about the state of the future and wants to leave this time behind. However, will she give up everything to jump into the future? Are Adam and Bix doing her any favors by sharing what the world will be like?
This story is fast-paced, with a minor mystery to figure out regarding text messages Abby receives on her phone. Abby does make a new friend, Julianna, who helps her integrate better into school and becomes a good friend. She even finds common ground with her mom, which forges a stronger bond between the two.
This would be a good read for anyone over 8. We give this book 4 paws up.
I found this story to be engaging, and I enjoyed how the author brought in the people from the future, Adam and Bix, and Abby's interactions with them. The author also handled Abby's anxiety very well. She addressed it and gave Abby a link to her mother and a way for them to forge a new bond.
Abby is caring and compassionate, which is evident in her interactions with Adam and Bix. She finds them a place to stay while they wait for Vanessa to arrive from the future. They have interesting conversations, and Abby is excited about the state of the future and wants to leave this time behind. However, will she give up everything to jump into the future? Are Adam and Bix doing her any favors by sharing what the world will be like?
This story is fast-paced, with a minor mystery to figure out regarding text messages Abby receives on her phone. Abby does make a new friend, Julianna, who helps her integrate better into school and becomes a good friend. She even finds common ground with her mom, which forges a stronger bond between the two.
This would be a good read for anyone over 8. We give this book 4 paws up.
evamadera1's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The cover of this book gives the idea of a much different sci-fi than the book actually contains. Instead of an alien world, you have time travel, which also works for me. It just took a little time to readjust my expectations. Unfortunately, as I read, I ended up disappointed because Schaefer uses the narrative to tell a lot of messages rather than show, one of my bookish turn offs. The plot unfolded in a believable way yet the narrative felt wordy. This is perhaps because these extra words failed to develop the plot or characters or add just about anything to the world building.
jenarin's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
This books deserves more love than it appears to be getting. The cover doesn’t draw you in as much as it should.
Abby is anxious about how bad the world is. She has no hope for the future, and feels that she is currently living in a dystopia, and no one realizes it.
She has been forced to move to Florida, for her Mom’s space work, and she resents it.
And then she meets Adam and Bix, two boys from the future, and the give her a glimpse of what their time looks like, and she realizes that is the answer to her dilemma. Escape to the future where everything is hunky dory.
I like how the book included the parents in the story. So often when there is something magical or fantastic, the parents are left out, but not only does she engage her mother, in the end, but also her great aunt, whom her mother is estranged from.
I was so worried, reading the book, that it would all be a trick, and that the boys weren’t *really* from the future, but i finally let down my guard when Abby gets a glimpse of their time.
Cool story, and cool how she solves the mystery of their missing companion, whom they have come to rescue.
A great middle grade read. I hope more people discover it when it comes out in October 2022.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Abby is anxious about how bad the world is. She has no hope for the future, and feels that she is currently living in a dystopia, and no one realizes it.
She has been forced to move to Florida, for her Mom’s space work, and she resents it.
And then she meets Adam and Bix, two boys from the future, and the give her a glimpse of what their time looks like, and she realizes that is the answer to her dilemma. Escape to the future where everything is hunky dory.
I like how the book included the parents in the story. So often when there is something magical or fantastic, the parents are left out, but not only does she engage her mother, in the end, but also her great aunt, whom her mother is estranged from.
I was so worried, reading the book, that it would all be a trick, and that the boys weren’t *really* from the future, but i finally let down my guard when Abby gets a glimpse of their time.
Cool story, and cool how she solves the mystery of their missing companion, whom they have come to rescue.
A great middle grade read. I hope more people discover it when it comes out in October 2022.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
popthebutterfly's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Long Way From Home
Author: Laura Schaefer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Anxiety Disorder MC
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, sci-fi, time travel, Tomorrowland
Publication Date: January 1, 2022
Genre: MG Sci-Fi
Age Relevance: 11+ (a mention of natural disasters, a mention of animal deaths, a mention of a mass shooting)
Explanation of Above: There is one mention of natural disasters, the disappearance of all animals/they all dying, and a mass shooting (nothing is graphically told or anything, it just plays into the MC’s anxiety of the unexpected).
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Pages: 280
Synopsis: On the Space Coast, Abby meets two boys, Adam and Bix, who tell her they're a long way from home and need her help. Abby discovers they're from the future, from a time when all the problems of the 21st century have been solved. Thrilled, Abby strikes a deal with them: She'll help them--if they let her come to the future with them. But soon Abby is forced to question her attachment to a perfect future and her complicated feelings about the present.
Review: For the most part I liked this read. I thought it was very much like Tommorowland (even the cover looks like the promo pics for it!) and it involves space and theories and sci-fi goodness! I loved the character and I thought it did good to be a fun read. The character development was great, the book was engaging and very kid friendly, and the world building was wonderful.
The only thing I think would make the book amazing is that I think expanding the book would have worked a bit more for the story.
Verdict: It was great!
Book: A Long Way From Home
Author: Laura Schaefer
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Anxiety Disorder MC
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, sci-fi, time travel, Tomorrowland
Publication Date: January 1, 2022
Genre: MG Sci-Fi
Age Relevance: 11+ (a mention of natural disasters, a mention of animal deaths, a mention of a mass shooting)
Explanation of Above: There is one mention of natural disasters, the disappearance of all animals/they all dying, and a mass shooting (nothing is graphically told or anything, it just plays into the MC’s anxiety of the unexpected).
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Pages: 280
Synopsis: On the Space Coast, Abby meets two boys, Adam and Bix, who tell her they're a long way from home and need her help. Abby discovers they're from the future, from a time when all the problems of the 21st century have been solved. Thrilled, Abby strikes a deal with them: She'll help them--if they let her come to the future with them. But soon Abby is forced to question her attachment to a perfect future and her complicated feelings about the present.
Review: For the most part I liked this read. I thought it was very much like Tommorowland (even the cover looks like the promo pics for it!) and it involves space and theories and sci-fi goodness! I loved the character and I thought it did good to be a fun read. The character development was great, the book was engaging and very kid friendly, and the world building was wonderful.
The only thing I think would make the book amazing is that I think expanding the book would have worked a bit more for the story.
Verdict: It was great!
rivulet027's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The look of wonder on Abby's face on the cover is what first made me interested in this book and I'm so glad that it did because I wasn't disappointed! Abby is an anxious twelve year old who's mother moves the entire family to Florida for work. And then the school assigns Abby a mentor, Juliana, to help her settle in! Suddenly Abby is living near her recluse of an aunt, her dad is busy remodeling the house, and her mother is working sixty hours a week! Abby is convinced this is a disaster and honestly who could blame her? When she meets two time travelers escaping to their time period seems to be the perfect solution.
What follows is a deft exploration of anxiety, first crushes, coping skills, and finding new friends while still maintaining friendships after a move. I really enjoyed that as Abby gets to know her Aunt Nora she starts to realizes that both her mom and aunt have similar experiences as her with anxiety and that they've both developed different ways of coping with that anxiety. I like that Abby thinks running away to the future will solve all her problems and lift her from the dystopian reality she believes she's living in and how over the course of her book she starts to see that the future isn't perfect and running away isn't the solution to her problems that she wants it to be. Alex and Bix dilemma of getting home was easy to get invested in and I also liked how their relationship with Abby and her family developed. The future slang the boys used took a moment to get used to, but was fun. I also really enjoyed how the author weaved in actually history and science into the book while using that to flesh out Abby's mother's job at SpaceNow and the future Alex and Bix come from.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What follows is a deft exploration of anxiety, first crushes, coping skills, and finding new friends while still maintaining friendships after a move. I really enjoyed that as Abby gets to know her Aunt Nora she starts to realizes that both her mom and aunt have similar experiences as her with anxiety and that they've both developed different ways of coping with that anxiety. I like that Abby thinks running away to the future will solve all her problems and lift her from the dystopian reality she believes she's living in and how over the course of her book she starts to see that the future isn't perfect and running away isn't the solution to her problems that she wants it to be. Alex and Bix dilemma of getting home was easy to get invested in and I also liked how their relationship with Abby and her family developed. The future slang the boys used took a moment to get used to, but was fun. I also really enjoyed how the author weaved in actually history and science into the book while using that to flesh out Abby's mother's job at SpaceNow and the future Alex and Bix come from.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
theequestrianslibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC edition of A Long Way from Home in return for a fair and honest review!
--
**Disclaimer: This list may/may not include all content warnings for A Long Way from Home. However, any warnings listed are all very mild and handled tactfully given it is a Young Reader/Middle Grade book.
--
So! I have completed my first review of a Young Reader/Middle Grade books, and I'm very happy that it was this one that I chose first. A lot of people don't give younger books enough credit, since their stories can be written just as well and with as much emotional impact and influence as an adult novel can. The only difference is that they are written in a way that is easy to understand and comprehend, and usually, the ending is happy. Sometimes we need a happy ending in life, and if we can find it through a book, I think that's a wonderful thing.
To start, the book gives me some amazing Meet the Robinson's vibes with the time travel, the comparison of the present and the future, the wanting to abandon the old life for the new, how endless issues have been solved, etc. As that is one of my favorite movies, I was very happy to see the parallels between the two, even if they weren't connected at all.
Abby is a relatable character, given that she is twelve years old. Some things that kids do at twelve years old are cringy, and that's just how it is. Tweens using slang such as "bae" may not be as common now, but I'm also long from 7th grade, so maybe it's still a thing. For someone who WAS in 7th grade when that type of speech was used on the daily, it hit a weird little nugget of familiarity.
I think her frustration with her mother is understanding. Parents who mean well can often come across as overbearing and insufferable, and it's easy to agree with Abby that her mom does need to lay off sometimes. Positivity is always a good thing, but in endless amounts, it can be suffocating since, like Abby says in the book, "she never lets me say anything negative." Feeling like you're forced to feel only one thing can be detrimental to someone's mental health, especially when they cannot uphold those expectations, and that can lead into fear of disappointing people.
I thought all the characters were lovely, and Bix made me laugh out loud numerous times. The idea of a 4th grade, the equivalent of roughly 9 years old, talking in such blunt, objective, and scientific ways that were more advanced than grown scientists, was absolutely hilarious to me. Adam was sweet and charming, Olivia a comforting presence even if her role was small.
Julianna was interesting for me. Like Abby, I would've been immediately overwhelmed with someone like her being my school mentor. To see that obvious discomfort was a nice nod to the introverts in the world who don't handle such bubbly personalities. I like Nora and her air of mystery and her casual aloofness. It was relatable to my own personality, with a general air of neutral aloofness that can be tapped into with some gentle "persistence."
The writing was well done and easy to read. It was easy to follow along, and I really enjoyed it for what it was. If there was any content in the book that I would flag, it was all very mild and brief to keep in time with the age range of the book.
I just liked it genuinely as it stands. It was a good read, and I look forward to grabbing this one from the shelves as well!
**ADDENDUM: Additional thoughts that I am adding here from my review left on NetGalley. I liked the message of "being where you're meant to be." Sometimes we, as people, get grandiose ideas of where we want to be and how we want to get there when sometimes the best plan of action is to simply exist where we are. It's a comforting thought to consider that maybe we should remain in our presents, in our moments, especially since playing with time can cause all sorts of screwy things to happen.
Also, thank you to the author for the fun little spins on time travel and how all of that works. It gets me every time, and I'm very charmed by it!
--
**Disclaimer: This list may/may not include all content warnings for A Long Way from Home. However, any warnings listed are all very mild and handled tactfully given it is a Young Reader/Middle Grade book.
--
So! I have completed my first review of a Young Reader/Middle Grade books, and I'm very happy that it was this one that I chose first. A lot of people don't give younger books enough credit, since their stories can be written just as well and with as much emotional impact and influence as an adult novel can. The only difference is that they are written in a way that is easy to understand and comprehend, and usually, the ending is happy. Sometimes we need a happy ending in life, and if we can find it through a book, I think that's a wonderful thing.
To start, the book gives me some amazing Meet the Robinson's vibes with the time travel, the comparison of the present and the future, the wanting to abandon the old life for the new, how endless issues have been solved, etc. As that is one of my favorite movies, I was very happy to see the parallels between the two, even if they weren't connected at all.
Abby is a relatable character, given that she is twelve years old. Some things that kids do at twelve years old are cringy, and that's just how it is. Tweens using slang such as "bae" may not be as common now, but I'm also long from 7th grade, so maybe it's still a thing. For someone who WAS in 7th grade when that type of speech was used on the daily, it hit a weird little nugget of familiarity.
I think her frustration with her mother is understanding. Parents who mean well can often come across as overbearing and insufferable, and it's easy to agree with Abby that her mom does need to lay off sometimes. Positivity is always a good thing, but in endless amounts, it can be suffocating since, like Abby says in the book, "she never lets me say anything negative." Feeling like you're forced to feel only one thing can be detrimental to someone's mental health, especially when they cannot uphold those expectations, and that can lead into fear of disappointing people.
I thought all the characters were lovely, and Bix made me laugh out loud numerous times. The idea of a 4th grade, the equivalent of roughly 9 years old, talking in such blunt, objective, and scientific ways that were more advanced than grown scientists, was absolutely hilarious to me. Adam was sweet and charming, Olivia a comforting presence even if her role was small.
Julianna was interesting for me. Like Abby, I would've been immediately overwhelmed with someone like her being my school mentor. To see that obvious discomfort was a nice nod to the introverts in the world who don't handle such bubbly personalities. I like Nora and her air of mystery and her casual aloofness. It was relatable to my own personality, with a general air of neutral aloofness that can be tapped into with some gentle "persistence."
The writing was well done and easy to read. It was easy to follow along, and I really enjoyed it for what it was. If there was any content in the book that I would flag, it was all very mild and brief to keep in time with the age range of the book.
I just liked it genuinely as it stands. It was a good read, and I look forward to grabbing this one from the shelves as well!
**ADDENDUM: Additional thoughts that I am adding here from my review left on NetGalley. I liked the message of "being where you're meant to be." Sometimes we, as people, get grandiose ideas of where we want to be and how we want to get there when sometimes the best plan of action is to simply exist where we are. It's a comforting thought to consider that maybe we should remain in our presents, in our moments, especially since playing with time can cause all sorts of screwy things to happen.
Also, thank you to the author for the fun little spins on time travel and how all of that works. It gets me every time, and I'm very charmed by it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
Dystopic themes (pollution, natural disasters, poverty, climate change, etc.), Brief mentions of depression, Regular mentions of anxiety and coping methods, Animal Pregnancy/Birth
More...