Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

My friend Britt recommended (and lent!) Blackbird Fly to me, and it’s been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years.  When Erin Entrada Kelly won the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe, I didn’t realize until Britt pointed it out that she was also the author of Blackbird Fly; still I procrastinated, because I’m generally extremely frustrated by protagonists who are suppressing much of who they are in order to stay friends with people who clearly aren’t worth being friends with in the first place.  Kelly, however, managed to take such a plot, give it an understandable backstory, and make it, well–amazing.

Seriously.  I loved this book, and I didn’t expect to, because the very beginning was agonizing to read.  In the hands of an exceptional author, however, Apple became a person I could understand, a person I wanted to befriend, and a person I was wholeheartedly rooting for.  Her journey to self-realization drew me in, and watching her develop real friendships was a delight.  I loved the musical aspect of her story as well–really, I just loved the book.  (Have I mentioned that?)  If the plot summary for this book doesn’t necessarily make you jump for joy, well, read it anyway.  (And then give it to your middle schoolers.)  Me?  Well, I have two more of Kelly’s books in my house, and both of them just shot way up on my to-read list!