Here in the Real World Blog Tour and Giveaway


Here in the Real World

By Sara Pennypacker
Expected publication: February 4, 2020

Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a Sara Pennypacker book prize pack!

Five (5) winners receive:
• A hardcover copy of Here in the Real World
• A paperback copy of Pax

• Giveaway begins January 21, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends February 21, 2019, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.
• HarperCollins is responsible for prize fulfillment.


CLICK THE GIVEAWAY IMAGE BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:



Book Review

Here in the Real World is good. Real good!

Eleven-year-old Ware's parents enroll him in summer day camp, which he despises. He circumvents their plans by pretending to enter the camp, but instead sneaking into the abandoned, partially demolished church behind the recreation center, where day camp is held. There, he meets an abrasive Jolene, who is intent on gardening in part of the church's parking lot. As the story proceeds, the two form a tentative alliance of secrecy. Neither will reveal the other so as not to endanger his/her own endeavors. Ware glories in the independence, which he never had at home, and the solitude, which his parents cannot understand his need for. Jolene is a more mysterious figure, as Ware does not question her, and she is not forthcoming. By the end, each finds self-confidence and friendship.

What I like so much about this middle grade book is the authenticity with which it portrays the young people. The suspicions. The insecurities. The passions. The confidence. Middle graders and middle schoolers, as they know and we remember, have tumultuous inner lives. Pennypacker gives voice to the complexity, the positive and negative. She also allows the reader to see the what-if's play out. What if I tried something scary? What if I trusted someone? What if I followed my dream? This is not a sugar and icing story, but rather an honest look at the good and the bad in life and a tacit encouragement to trust yourself.

Here in the Real World is one of the most compelling contemporary middle-grade novels I've read. (And that's saying a lot for this middle-grade ELA teacher.)

On the vicarious fantasy level - I've always wondered what it would be like to explore a falling-down old abandoned building and maybe give new life to it. Seeing what these kids did with the church and abutting lot was fun for me.

More:
Publisher website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062698957/here-in-the-real-world/
Author website: www.sarapennypacker.com

Note:
Per FTC guidelines, I disclose partnership with The Children’s Book Review and HarperCollins.

Comments

  1. This looks like a read that my granddaughter and Iwouldenjoy.

    ReplyDelete

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