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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
reflective
This is a great recommendation for early middle schoolers working through loss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent
A sweet and sour book for older elementary kids, the story revolves around big issues, like losing a parent, redefining a family, bullying, courage, and hope. There is nothing earth-shattering or particularly revelatory about Lemons, but it is paced nicely, easy to read, and the audience will surely recognize a little bit of themselves in each character. Humorous and serious, it is a good balance.
There are few authors who can tackle difficult topics with grace and humor, and do so appropriately for a middle-grade audience. Either the character’s tragedy becomes so heavy that it weighs down the book, or the humor takes over and dismisses the character’s pain. It is a fine line for an author to walk, but one that Melissa Savage does well.
Lemonade Liberty Witt is a delightfully feisty young girl struggling under the heavy burden of losing her mother and being uprooted to another part of the state. As she learns to cope with her loss, she is befriended by Tobin Sky, a painfully nerdy boy with an equally heavy burden. The two friends form Bigfoot Detectives Inc. and spend the summer chasing Bigfoot sightings in their small California town, Willow Creek, which is in fact, the Bigfoot capital of the world.
The characters were engaging and the setting wonderfully unique for a MG novel (1970s!). As I said, Savage balances the tragedy and humor masterfully. I spent my time either sniffling or chuckling while reading this book. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Melissa Savage’s future works.
Lemonade Liberty Witt is a delightfully feisty young girl struggling under the heavy burden of losing her mother and being uprooted to another part of the state. As she learns to cope with her loss, she is befriended by Tobin Sky, a painfully nerdy boy with an equally heavy burden. The two friends form Bigfoot Detectives Inc. and spend the summer chasing Bigfoot sightings in their small California town, Willow Creek, which is in fact, the Bigfoot capital of the world.
The characters were engaging and the setting wonderfully unique for a MG novel (1970s!). As I said, Savage balances the tragedy and humor masterfully. I spent my time either sniffling or chuckling while reading this book. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Melissa Savage’s future works.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
Great book that mixes young adult adventure with real world grief in a beautiful way.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book about grief, family, and yes, making lemonade.
If I had a dollar for every time a character dramatically referred to themselves or someone else by their first, middle, and last name, I'd wonder why I was suddenly so rich and why someone was giving me money for such a strange thing in the first place.