Hi everyone, welcome to March’s first review post. This title is one that began my journey into the realistic genre of reads that dominate my interests now. I hope you and your tween reader enjoy this review.
Title: Hope is a ferris wheel
Author: Robin Herrera
Genre: Fiction – Contemporary
Publication details: Amulet Books; NY; 2014
ISBN: 9781419710391
What this book is about: Star Mackie lives in a trailer park with her mom and her melancholy older sister. Moving to a new town has made it difficult for Star to make friends. Her classmates tease her because of where she lives and because of her layered blue hair. But when Star starts a club at school, she comes to terms with her own hopes for the future – with a little help from Emily Dickinson. With an unforgettable voice and a lot of heart, Hope is a ferris wheel is the story of a girl who learns to accept her family and herself while trying to make sense of the world around her.
My review: A beautiful first novel by a promising new author. I think I wanted to join Star’s club as well!! The whole story is just so well written. It has a bit of everything, some mystery, humour and tackles some of life’s big decisions. It gets you thinking about Hope and dreams. This was the first time I encountered Emily Dickinson’s poetry and made me look them up. I must say now that I hadn’t realised poetry such as this could make your heart soar and fill up your soul as Dickinson’s poetry did for me!! It’s no wonder this title received so many awards and nominations!!
My rating: 5 ⭐
Additional notes: This title received the ALA Notable Children’s Book in 2015, the Oregon Spirit Book Award in 2014, and was nominated for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award in 2016 along with several others.
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 