Book Details:

Title: Speed of Life by Carol Weston
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Category: Middle-grade Fiction, 329 pages
ISBN: 978-1772780239
Published: April 4, 2017
Content Rating: PG (There are dating and kissing scenes among young teens)

Book Description:

Sofia lost her mother eight months ago, and her friends were 100% there for her. Now it's a new year and they're ready for Sofia to move on.

Problem is, Sofia can't bounce back, can't recharge like a cellphone. She decides to write Dear Kate, an advice columnist for Fifteen Magazine, and is surprised to receive a fast reply. Soon the two are exchanging emails, and Sofia opens up and spills all, including a few worries that are totally embarrassing. Turns out even advice columnists don't have all the answers, and one day Sofia learns a secret that flips her world upside down.

SPEED OF LIFE is the heartbreaking, heartwarming story of a girl who thinks her life is over when really it's just beginning. It's a novel about love, family, grief, and growing up.

Speed of Life is a coming-of-age heartwarming, bittersweet story of a young teen who learns to deal with her mother's death and all the changes that come with it. Although this is late middle-grade/YA fiction, I was carried away by Sofia and her story. This book made me burst into laughter and it made me burst into tears. I felt so many emotions as I read through it: compassion, joy, sadness, and hope.

As a mother with teens, this story really resonated with me. The story is told through Sofia's first-person POV and this is what makes the story so delightful, heartbreaking and funny. She is a great heroine as she navigates grief, high school, boys, first love and the challenges of family. I just love MG and YA books that involve parents and family life, and that do so realistically.

The author, who has been the "Dear Carol" advice columnist at Girls' Life since 1994, cleverly uses her work experience to draw a fun plot that revolves around spilling one's secrets anonymously. Sofia decides to write to Dear Kate about her feelings on everything she is going through, only to discover Dear Kate turns out to be her dad's new girlfriend.

The best part of this book is the life lessons that Sofia learns throughout all the changes she goes through. They are gems, such as this one:

"...everything can change in an instant--for worse, sure, but also for better. Sometimes, if you just keep climbing, you get an amazing view. You see what's behind you and what's ahead of you and--the big surprise--what's inside you."

These gems coupled with her thoughts on growing up made this a wonderful read. The story is also set in New York City, which I enjoyed.

Speed of Life will resonate with young teens, especially those going through the loss of a parent or close friend. It will also resonate with adults who have teen kids. I loved reading this story and will add this one to my Best Reads of 2017 list.

Disclosure: Thanks to Raincoast Books for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.


Carol Weston has been the "Dear Carol" advice columnist at Girls' Life since 1994. Her sixteen books include Ava and Pip, Ava and Taco Cat, Ava XOX, The Diary of Melanie Martin, and Girltalk: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You. She lives in Manhattan. Visit her at www.carolweston.com.

Both my son and I thought the whole concept of reading a flip-sided book to be quite neat.

Book Details:

I'll Hug You More, written by Laura Duksta, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Published January 3, 2017
Hardcover, 32 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

I'll hug you as we swing together in the old oak tree
I'll hug you on a stormy night and keep you safe with me
I'm an illustrator and an author of children's books. From the time I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to write and illustrate children’s books. I used to staple paper together and make tiny books for my dolls.

When I was in 5th grade, my wonderful teacher laminated and bound our stories and illustrations together into books. It is called The Dog Around the Corner, and is about a dog named Claude and his adventures in his neighborhood. I've since illustrated many picture books, one of which I’ve written, Soup Day.

If I had written my life story as a little girl, it would be pretty close to the one I am living. I get to do what I have always dreamed of doing.

Our Love Grows is a touching and heartwarming book about a mother panda who takes the time to explain to her little panda bear Pip how he is growing.

Book Details:

Our Love Grows by Anna Pignataro
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
ISBN: 978-1492634188
Published: April 1, 2016
Hardcover, 24 pages
Ages: 4-8 years

Book Description:

In the deep green forest, Pip asked,
"Mama, when will I be big?"

Pip is an adorable, roly-poly little panda who sees the world changing and growing. But Pip is feeling a bit left behind. Luckily Mama is there to show playful and curious Pip that, like the trees in the forest and the stars in the sky, he's growing and changing too. And no matter how much Pip grows, the one thing that will never change is how much Mama loves him!