Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder (Random House, coming Sept 27, 2011, for ages 8 to 12)
Synopsis (from publisher): A magical breadbox that delivers whatever you wish for—as long as it fits inside? It's too good to be true! Twelve-year-old Rebecca is struggling with her parents' separation, as well as a sudden move to her Gran's house in another state. For a while, the magic bread box, discovered in the attic, makes life away from home a little easier. Then suddenly it starts to make things much, much more difficult, and Rebecca is forced to decide not just where, but who she really wants to be. Laurel Snyder's most thought-provoking book yet.
Why I liked it: Coolest premise ever for a middle grade. It reminded me of The Indian in the Cupboard, but instead of bringing little plastic toys to life, Rebecca can have anything she wants (an iPod, a phone, money, even food from her favorite restaurant back in Baltimore!) as long as it can fit inside a bread box. Wouldn't that be any kids' dream? But of course, she quickly realizes having shiny new things isn't bringing her parents back together. And it can't even keep her in the cool clique (who've accepted her because of the candy and gum she hands out), because when she wishes for something unique that belongs to another girl, Rebecca finally realizes the truth about the bread box. Then she has to face a difficult truth about herself.
Despite being a fantasy, this is a realistic look at separation and divorce from the kid's point of view, and also about being the new kid in school.
What middle grade books have you read about kids wishing for something they can't have? Or about being the new kid?
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Pam Torres at So I'm Fifty
Oooh! I want to read this one! I like that the bread box was found in the attic. I never quite got the point of bread boxes.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome. The bread box is so unique. Thanks for sharing about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Ms. Yingling. Never used a bread box in my life. But it's a convenient size for all the things a kid could wish for.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! Thanks for stopping by. I just finished reading A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL and loved it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for the review. This one looks really good.
ReplyDeleteHi Myrna! Thanks. Hope you get a chance to read it.
ReplyDeleteI like books that come up with original ways to deal with the issue of separation/divorce, because it's so common and yet still so painful.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of one of my favourite books about separation when I was a kid was I, Trissy by Norma Fox Mazer. It's a little dated, b/c the protag's father gives her a typewriter as a guilt gift, but the emotions she expresses on it are still relevant.
First time over here. I'm making the rounds on the Middle School Monday street.
this sounds very cool!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing it! I love magical reality.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, accidentalnovelist! Glad you found my blog. And thanks for the recommendation for the Norma Fox Mazer book. Doesn't bother me if it's outdated.
ReplyDeleteHi, KO! Thanks.
Thanks, Pam. I love it too.
I love magical objects! This sounds like a super cool one.
ReplyDelete(The English love their bread boxes. Perhaps this will be a big hit over there?)
Ah, so the English still use bread boxes. Yay! I hope it IS a hit in the UK, Michael.
ReplyDelete