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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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:
N/A
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
TW: death, grief, deadnaming, misgendering
Slowly paced, yet in its favour it allows the process of grief and adjustment ring through. I love reading books where kids get to discover what I wish I could have early on in life, being so supported and unconditionally loved.
Slowly paced, yet in its favour it allows the process of grief and adjustment ring through. I love reading books where kids get to discover what I wish I could have early on in life, being so supported and unconditionally loved.
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I did read this as an adult, so I am not the target demographic, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book!
Description: Bug is about to start middle school. The summer before the big 6th grade day, Bug has to stay at home instead of leaving for camp as Bug usually does. Bug's uncle recently died and Bug's mom's business is struggling. This gives Bug a lot of time to spend with Moira: the bestest friend in the whole world. Moira is focused on all the latest make up trends, boy, and people, believing she wants a fresh start in 6th grade. Moira wants that same fresh start for Bug. However: Bug isn't sure that's the right path. In Bug's haunted house, Bug starts to see messages from the other side, leading Bug to the right path for Bug.
The one star loss: For being a 4.5 hour audiobook and middle grade, this was extremely slow for me. However, I did love the messaging so it was worth getting through the pacing.
All the goodies:
- Bug is such a reflective character, with a kind heart: what a positive main character.
- The spooky elements: they kept me engaged while being age appropriate.
- The support system Bug has made my heart melt.
- The overall message of the book is so beautiful, I hope every middle grade student gets the chance to read this.
Summary: Such a great book and age-appropriate, but it is slow, so push through if you're feeling dredged down.
Description: Bug is about to start middle school. The summer before the big 6th grade day, Bug has to stay at home instead of leaving for camp as Bug usually does. Bug's uncle recently died and Bug's mom's business is struggling. This gives Bug a lot of time to spend with Moira: the bestest friend in the whole world. Moira is focused on all the latest make up trends, boy, and people, believing she wants a fresh start in 6th grade. Moira wants that same fresh start for Bug. However: Bug isn't sure that's the right path. In Bug's haunted house, Bug starts to see messages from the other side, leading Bug to the right path for Bug.
The one star loss: For being a 4.5 hour audiobook and middle grade, this was extremely slow for me. However, I did love the messaging so it was worth getting through the pacing.
All the goodies:
- Bug is such a reflective character, with a kind heart: what a positive main character.
- The spooky elements: they kept me engaged while being age appropriate.
- The support system Bug has made my heart melt.
- The overall message of the book is so beautiful, I hope every middle grade student gets the chance to read this.
Summary: Such a great book and age-appropriate, but it is slow, so push through if you're feeling dredged down.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
It makes me happy that books like this exist. I know we are worlds away from something like this being part of a school curriculum, but I hope we get there. Both for the kids questioning their gender identity, and to expose and normalize the experience for cis kids.
However, it did strike me as odd that Uncle Roderick didn't present this discussion when we was alive. He had been gathering materials for several years, it seemed, and he was sick and knew he was dying. He had the time to bring it up, or to at least plant the seed with mom, so that she could potentially discuss it with Bug, when she felt the time was right.
As an adult who dislikes scary, this is also the perfect level of ghost story for me
However, it did strike me as odd that Uncle Roderick didn't present this discussion when we was alive. He had been gathering materials for several years, it seemed, and he was sick and knew he was dying. He had the time to bring it up, or to at least plant the seed with mom, so that she could potentially discuss it with Bug, when she felt the time was right.
As an adult who dislikes scary, this is also the perfect level of ghost story for me
What a cute, fun book that was also gut-wrenching and devastating. The ghost story aspect was cool, but it was the self-acceptance and loving parent that made the book really great.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
I LOVE BUG!!!!! <333