by Megan Jean Sovern
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Just released: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Genre: Middle Grade, Illness
Hardback: 220 pages
Rating: 4.5
As befits a future President of the United States of America, Maggie Mayfield has decided to write a memoir of the past year of her life. And what a banner year it’s been! During this period she’s Student of the Month on a regular basis, an official shareholder of Coca-Cola stock, and defending Science Fair champion.
Most importantly, though, this is the year Maggie has to pull up her bootstraps (the family motto) and finally learn why her cool-dude dad is in a wheelchair, no matter how scary that is.
Author Megan Jean Sovern, herself the daughter of a dad with multiple sclerosis, writes with the funny grace and assured prose of a new literary star.
A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this book will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Zombie sighting:
Dad answered before Clyde could. "You're a zombie Buddy Holly, right?"
-chapter 6, page 60
My two-bits:
Told from the perspective of a tween, this is a very touching story of a family and their experience with Multiple Sclerosis.
The main character, Maggie, keeps the story light and fun. She is an exceptionally smart girl with a spunky attitude.
Warning: a box of tissues may come in handy for sad moments
Praise for book:
“The Meaning of Maggie does for middle-grade fiction what John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars did for teen literature: Both portray coping with serious illness as one aspect of a complex character, not as the single issue that defines them.”–BookPage
“Smart, sensitive, sad and funny.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Readers will appreciate Maggie’s humor and rejoice in her growth. This is a remarkable story of a working-class family pulling together in the face of a serious illness.”–School Library Journal, starred review
“Maggie is a firecracker character, one who sparkles with wit, cynicism, love, and potential. Her voice will charm and captivate readers.”–Shelf Awarness for Readers, starred review
* part of Bookish Bingo challenge
* review copy and giveaway courtesy of book tour sponsored by Chronicle Books.
