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sanmeow's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
this was so cute!! a seemingly simple story, but it actually discusses a lot. various emotions, friendships with animals, family dynamics, growing up, etc. a cozy and precious read and a simple writing style (i mean that as a compliment here). so sweet, i love it when people befriend animals :')
henleymadelyn's review against another edition
2.0
Nope.
This book was not for me. Most of the time, I read fantasy, not realistic fiction. This was realistic fiction. I'm not much of a fan of realistic fiction.
Josie was a well developed character, but the plot was boring. For me, a good book needs BOTH good characters AND a good plot. If you have one, but not the other, the story feels incomplete.
For all those realistic fiction readers, you'll probably like this book. But this book was not the best for me.
This book was not for me. Most of the time, I read fantasy, not realistic fiction. This was realistic fiction. I'm not much of a fan of realistic fiction.
Josie was a well developed character, but the plot was boring. For me, a good book needs BOTH good characters AND a good plot. If you have one, but not the other, the story feels incomplete.
For all those realistic fiction readers, you'll probably like this book. But this book was not the best for me.
marlo_c's review against another edition
4.0
Heartwarming, this positive, but realistic, portrayal of a large family was an enjoyable read.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Very fun coming of age story. Readers are going to enjoy the relationship between the main character and her pig and seeing how the MC grows and evolves.
lecrockett's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, HC Children's editorial, for providing this ARC.
Josie's brother brings home a runt piglet at Thanksgiving. This would've been okay if her family wasn't so large, cramped in a fairly small townhouse in a big city with very little yard space and money to stretch. Josie doesn't want her family to send the piglet back to the farm, and promises to find a home for little Hamlet before New Year's Day. She wants to keep Hamlet, and does her very best to juggle all her usual responsibilities with chores, homework, and gymnastics practice. But as New Year's Day draws near, and Hamlet grows larger, and the family faces big changes, Josie begins to wonder if she'll ever find a nice home for Hamlet.
This modern-day homage to Charlotte's Web is absolutely perfect. It can stand completely on it's own, or be read alongside the classic. The heart of the story is about love, family, sacrifice, and friendship. It rings true to any reader -- a middle grade reader juggling school and extracurricular activities, the middle child who just wants to be noticed and appreciated, the teenager who wants to do right for all parties involved, and the adult continuing to experience all these things and recalling the big responsibilities, wishes, and dreams from childhood. It's great for the whole family, especially during the holiday season.
Kendall portrayed the big family lifestyle in a cramped home in the city so well. At times it felt claustrophobic, and others it felt warm and cozy. The family has their ups and downs, bickers and mishaps mixed with support and love. Nothing is picture perfect, but it takes little moments for Josie to realize her family does see her and her accomplishments, that she's not lost in the noise. She has her insecurities and dreams, and it's so neat seeing how they grow and change during her gymnastics season and taking care of little Hamlet.
A heartwarming middle grade perfect for the whole family this holiday season.
Josie's brother brings home a runt piglet at Thanksgiving. This would've been okay if her family wasn't so large, cramped in a fairly small townhouse in a big city with very little yard space and money to stretch. Josie doesn't want her family to send the piglet back to the farm, and promises to find a home for little Hamlet before New Year's Day. She wants to keep Hamlet, and does her very best to juggle all her usual responsibilities with chores, homework, and gymnastics practice. But as New Year's Day draws near, and Hamlet grows larger, and the family faces big changes, Josie begins to wonder if she'll ever find a nice home for Hamlet.
This modern-day homage to Charlotte's Web is absolutely perfect. It can stand completely on it's own, or be read alongside the classic. The heart of the story is about love, family, sacrifice, and friendship. It rings true to any reader -- a middle grade reader juggling school and extracurricular activities, the middle child who just wants to be noticed and appreciated, the teenager who wants to do right for all parties involved, and the adult continuing to experience all these things and recalling the big responsibilities, wishes, and dreams from childhood. It's great for the whole family, especially during the holiday season.
Kendall portrayed the big family lifestyle in a cramped home in the city so well. At times it felt claustrophobic, and others it felt warm and cozy. The family has their ups and downs, bickers and mishaps mixed with support and love. Nothing is picture perfect, but it takes little moments for Josie to realize her family does see her and her accomplishments, that she's not lost in the noise. She has her insecurities and dreams, and it's so neat seeing how they grow and change during her gymnastics season and taking care of little Hamlet.
A heartwarming middle grade perfect for the whole family this holiday season.
josie_addison's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
ly6's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
jesstele's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - read to my fifth grade. A little long winded and more detailed than necessary but a sweet story about a big family pulling together to help each other and save a pig.
bookhoarderbea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75