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Big & Little Questions
A Publishers Weekly and Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year about Wren Jo Byrd, a nine-year-old introvert whose life has gone topsy-turvy ever since her dad moved out.
"By turns heartbreaking and heartwarming--exactly like real life. Julie Bowe takes on the tough questions about what it means to be honest, to be a good friend, and to be a family, and offers answers that, while not always easy, are always true."--Linda Urban, author of Weekends with Max and A Crooked Kind of Perfect
"Bowe so masterfully took me inside the head and heart of Wren Jo Byrd that I felt like a ten year old again--and loved every minute."--Barbara O'Connor, author of How to Steal a Dog
It's the start of a new school year and Wren Jo Byrd is worried that everyone will find out her parents separated over the summer. No one knows the truth, not even her best friend, Amber. When even her new teacher refers to her mom as Mrs. Byrd, Wren decides to keep their divorce a total secret. But something else changed over the summer: A new girl named Marianna moved to town and wants to be Amber's next bff. And because of her fib, Wren can't do anything about it. From take-out dinners with Mom to the tiny room she gets at Dad's new place, nothing is the same for Wren anymore. But while Marianna makes everything harder at first, Wren soon learns that Marianna once had to ask many of the same questions--the big ones, as well as the little ones--that Wren is asking now.
Set in Wisconsin, with wonderfully nuanced characters--from the bossy new girl, who acts big but has a secret of her own, to the sporty girl who acts little and shy but who becomes an unexpected friend--this is a book about much more than divorce.
"By turns heartbreaking and heartwarming--exactly like real life. Julie Bowe takes on the tough questions about what it means to be honest, to be a good friend, and to be a family, and offers answers that, while not always easy, are always true."--Linda Urban, author of Weekends with Max and A Crooked Kind of Perfect
"Bowe so masterfully took me inside the head and heart of Wren Jo Byrd that I felt like a ten year old again--and loved every minute."--Barbara O'Connor, author of How to Steal a Dog
It's the start of a new school year and Wren Jo Byrd is worried that everyone will find out her parents separated over the summer. No one knows the truth, not even her best friend, Amber. When even her new teacher refers to her mom as Mrs. Byrd, Wren decides to keep their divorce a total secret. But something else changed over the summer: A new girl named Marianna moved to town and wants to be Amber's next bff. And because of her fib, Wren can't do anything about it. From take-out dinners with Mom to the tiny room she gets at Dad's new place, nothing is the same for Wren anymore. But while Marianna makes everything harder at first, Wren soon learns that Marianna once had to ask many of the same questions--the big ones, as well as the little ones--that Wren is asking now.
Set in Wisconsin, with wonderfully nuanced characters--from the bossy new girl, who acts big but has a secret of her own, to the sporty girl who acts little and shy but who becomes an unexpected friend--this is a book about much more than divorce.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2017
9 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Julie Bowe
26 books46 followersJulie Bowe writes books for young readers including the Friends for Keeps series, the Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series, and Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd).
www.juliebowe.com
www.juliebowe.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 20, 2023
Great elementary/ middle-grade book about a young girl learning to deal with her parents’ divorce, and the fact that her best friend no longer seems to like her.
March 21, 2017
Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd) is a delightful book that deals with a common family issue in a realistic and important way.
For any child who has ever been in the middle of parents who are divorcing, it can be a scary and trying time. There are so many questions, and kids can often be left wondering if it is their fault, or whether or not the parents are going to get back together and fix the family. The children who are dealing with their parents separating might be broken, while the friends of those children might find themselves wondering "what if that happens to me?" It can be a lonely time for the children of parents who are splitting up, but it doesn't have to be - and Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd) offers a main character who is both hurting and in denial about her parents divorcing, all while trying to keep the rest of her life together, too.
Wren Jo Byrd doesn't understand why her parents are splitting up. After all, her family has always been great together! At nine years old, Wren has some of the best memories with both of her parents - why on Earth would she want them to split up and live in different places?
But Wren's parents are sure, and come to the decision that they are no longer going to stay together, leaving Wren's dad to move out across the lake into a cabin, which he is also fixing up, and Wren is sent to spend the summer with her grandparents, instead of hanging out with her best friend Amber and enjoying swimming and all kinds of other fun things that summer brings.
When Wren comes back from her grandparents' home, she is still heartbroken to see that her life really is changing - the schedule on the fridge is a constant, nagging reminder of how different her life is going to be. Monday through Thursday Wren is to meet her mother at the library where she works, while on Friday afternoons she takes the bus to her father's cabin for the weekends.
Since Wren was too scared to text Amber or her other friends all summer long, fearing what she and others would think if they found out that Wren's parents were divorcing, she stayed silent and didn't talk to anyone - leaving Amber to find a new best friend. The new girl, who is at first rude to Wren and brags about how wonderful her life is, has taken Wren's place as Amber's best friend, and Wren is heartbroken about this, too.
But over time, Wren and the new girl spend more and more time together, getting to know one another and picking up on each other's secrets - maybe this new girl has something to hide, as well? Maybe Wren can find a friend where she wasn't sure she would, and maybe she will be able to come to terms with her parents getting a divorce.
This book was charming and had a really sweet main character who was simply trying to navigate a world that was breaking apart right in front of her - from her family to her best friends, leaving her unsure as to where she belongs. While Wren tries her hardest to keep her parents' impending divorce a secret, she finds herself telling one small lie after another, stressing herself out, and fighting to keep a friend who doesn't understand that everything in her life is different now.
I loved Wren - she was so honest and inquisitive, often looking up words in the dictionary until she truly understood what was what (after plenty of encouragement from her mother, who works as a head librarian at the town's library). Wren tries to keep it all together, but sometimes it's just too hard for her, and she can't keep it in anymore. After all - how is a nine year old supposed to handle everything in her life changing, and not for the better?
The chapters in the book are titled with questions that Wren finds herself asking in the book - sometimes goofy, and sometimes questions that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel everything that Wren feels.
The author did a great job channeling a nine year old girl, and she is definitely a character that young children, middle graders, and even adults can find themselves relating to. She's funny and she's sweet, and she has an adorable pet cat named Shakespeare that I thought was such a great touch for this book. With focuses on family and friendship, this is definitely a great middle grade read!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd) is a delightful book that deals with a common family issue in a realistic and important way.
For any child who has ever been in the middle of parents who are divorcing, it can be a scary and trying time. There are so many questions, and kids can often be left wondering if it is their fault, or whether or not the parents are going to get back together and fix the family. The children who are dealing with their parents separating might be broken, while the friends of those children might find themselves wondering "what if that happens to me?" It can be a lonely time for the children of parents who are splitting up, but it doesn't have to be - and Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd) offers a main character who is both hurting and in denial about her parents divorcing, all while trying to keep the rest of her life together, too.
"When your parents decide to get a divorce, someone has to leave."
Wren Jo Byrd doesn't understand why her parents are splitting up. After all, her family has always been great together! At nine years old, Wren has some of the best memories with both of her parents - why on Earth would she want them to split up and live in different places?
But Wren's parents are sure, and come to the decision that they are no longer going to stay together, leaving Wren's dad to move out across the lake into a cabin, which he is also fixing up, and Wren is sent to spend the summer with her grandparents, instead of hanging out with her best friend Amber and enjoying swimming and all kinds of other fun things that summer brings.
When Wren comes back from her grandparents' home, she is still heartbroken to see that her life really is changing - the schedule on the fridge is a constant, nagging reminder of how different her life is going to be. Monday through Thursday Wren is to meet her mother at the library where she works, while on Friday afternoons she takes the bus to her father's cabin for the weekends.
Since Wren was too scared to text Amber or her other friends all summer long, fearing what she and others would think if they found out that Wren's parents were divorcing, she stayed silent and didn't talk to anyone - leaving Amber to find a new best friend. The new girl, who is at first rude to Wren and brags about how wonderful her life is, has taken Wren's place as Amber's best friend, and Wren is heartbroken about this, too.
But over time, Wren and the new girl spend more and more time together, getting to know one another and picking up on each other's secrets - maybe this new girl has something to hide, as well? Maybe Wren can find a friend where she wasn't sure she would, and maybe she will be able to come to terms with her parents getting a divorce.
This book was charming and had a really sweet main character who was simply trying to navigate a world that was breaking apart right in front of her - from her family to her best friends, leaving her unsure as to where she belongs. While Wren tries her hardest to keep her parents' impending divorce a secret, she finds herself telling one small lie after another, stressing herself out, and fighting to keep a friend who doesn't understand that everything in her life is different now.
I loved Wren - she was so honest and inquisitive, often looking up words in the dictionary until she truly understood what was what (after plenty of encouragement from her mother, who works as a head librarian at the town's library). Wren tries to keep it all together, but sometimes it's just too hard for her, and she can't keep it in anymore. After all - how is a nine year old supposed to handle everything in her life changing, and not for the better?
The chapters in the book are titled with questions that Wren finds herself asking in the book - sometimes goofy, and sometimes questions that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel everything that Wren feels.
The author did a great job channeling a nine year old girl, and she is definitely a character that young children, middle graders, and even adults can find themselves relating to. She's funny and she's sweet, and she has an adorable pet cat named Shakespeare that I thought was such a great touch for this book. With focuses on family and friendship, this is definitely a great middle grade read!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2017
First sentence: Lots of things have changed since my last first week of school.
Premise/plot: Wren Jo Byrd is the heroine of Julie Bowe's newest book, Big & Little Questions. She has had a whole summer to get used to the idea of her parents getting a divorce, but, she hasn't really accepted it and is not willing to talk about it. She's spent most of the summer out of town, and, she hasn't spoken to--or texted--her best, best friend, Amber. Wren wants to reconnect with Amber now that school has started, but, Amber isn't making it easy for her. Why didn't Wren call? text? send a postcard? write a letter? Why didn't she come to her birthday party? Why didn't she let her know she wasn't going to be in town? Why the silent treatment? Wren has questions of her own. BIG and LITTLE questions as you might have gathered. Why did Amber replace her so quickly with the new girl? Why is Amber's new best friend, Marianna, so mean? Why does Marianna tell lies and bully people? Why can't things be the way they used to be?
Complicating matters of friendship is the divorce. Wren still doesn't want Amber to know about it. Wren is hiding the fact that she spends the weekends--Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon--with her father in his new place. Wren finds herself lying to her friends almost daily. She doesn't like it, but, once she gets started, she doesn't know how to stop. Yet Wren doesn't see herself as a liar, Marianna is the liar, after all.
Marianna and Wren spend time together throughout the week after school, Marianna walks her to the library--where her mother works--and often they do homework together. (Marianna is being raised by her stepfather. Her mother hasn't made the move yet.) Readers see the 'real' Marianna before Wren does, in my opinion.
My thoughts: I am a big fan of Julie Bowe. I've loved her work in the past. This one isn't an exception. I like the characters very much. I must admit I really liked Marianna and was hoping that Wren and her would get to be friends and come to a real understanding. The character I know least is perhaps Amber. I thought the characterization was very good, very strong. I definitely liked getting to know both her Mom and her Dad.
Premise/plot: Wren Jo Byrd is the heroine of Julie Bowe's newest book, Big & Little Questions. She has had a whole summer to get used to the idea of her parents getting a divorce, but, she hasn't really accepted it and is not willing to talk about it. She's spent most of the summer out of town, and, she hasn't spoken to--or texted--her best, best friend, Amber. Wren wants to reconnect with Amber now that school has started, but, Amber isn't making it easy for her. Why didn't Wren call? text? send a postcard? write a letter? Why didn't she come to her birthday party? Why didn't she let her know she wasn't going to be in town? Why the silent treatment? Wren has questions of her own. BIG and LITTLE questions as you might have gathered. Why did Amber replace her so quickly with the new girl? Why is Amber's new best friend, Marianna, so mean? Why does Marianna tell lies and bully people? Why can't things be the way they used to be?
Complicating matters of friendship is the divorce. Wren still doesn't want Amber to know about it. Wren is hiding the fact that she spends the weekends--Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon--with her father in his new place. Wren finds herself lying to her friends almost daily. She doesn't like it, but, once she gets started, she doesn't know how to stop. Yet Wren doesn't see herself as a liar, Marianna is the liar, after all.
Marianna and Wren spend time together throughout the week after school, Marianna walks her to the library--where her mother works--and often they do homework together. (Marianna is being raised by her stepfather. Her mother hasn't made the move yet.) Readers see the 'real' Marianna before Wren does, in my opinion.
My thoughts: I am a big fan of Julie Bowe. I've loved her work in the past. This one isn't an exception. I like the characters very much. I must admit I really liked Marianna and was hoping that Wren and her would get to be friends and come to a real understanding. The character I know least is perhaps Amber. I thought the characterization was very good, very strong. I definitely liked getting to know both her Mom and her Dad.
May 19, 2021
When I first started reading this I was annoyed. First, 9 year olds don't need their own cell phones. Second, who would name a child Wren when their last name is Byrd? Third, Wren's mom was always saying "chop-chop" when she wanted Wren to hurry or do something. As I got into the heart of the book though I could sympathize with Wren and appreciate the messages in the book.
March 13, 2017
Wren JoByrd mind is full of questions. She has had so many changes in her life that she is trying to figure it all out. Her biggest question is how to still have a family when her parents are divorcing. On top of that she missed hanging out with all her friends this summer, especially her best friend Amber. When Wren starts school she expects Amber to still be her best friend. Unfortunately, Marianna, the new girl is all Amber talks about and wants to be with. Unlike Wren, Marianna is a talkative, social butterfly who takes no nonsense from anyone. Wren dislikes Marianna especially when she starts calling her Tweety instead of her real name. As things go from bad to worse Wren begins to question herself. However, she quickly finds out everything is not what it seems and she is not the only one trying to figure life out. Julie Bowe does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life in a very easily, relatable way. Wren is a sweet girl, who is going through a rough time and children will feel empathy for her problems. This title presents tough issues like divorce, lying and friendships in an age appropriate way allowing for wholesome discussions of these issues. Real life advice is in between these pages and readers will be rooting for Wren as she decides to make the right choice.
February 26, 2019
Unexpectedly sweet story about keeping secrets, and sharing secrets. And asking lots of questions. And creating book nooks.
August 17, 2025
I loved this book as a kid & re-reading it was so fun
February 2, 2017
When her parents told nine-year-old Wren they were getting a divorce, they said it had nothing to do with her. But it feels like it has everything to do with her. She's the one who has to eat dinner at a desk in her mom's office now, instead of at the dining room table. She's the one who has to split her time between two houses and two parents. She's the one who has somehow lost her best friend. While her parents were working out the details of their divorce, Wren was sent to stay with her grandparents, so she missed all the usual summer activities with her friends, including her best friend Amber's birthday. And she didn't know how to talk to them about her parents, so she didn't talk to them at all. Not even a birthday card.
Bowe covers a variety of heavy topics--divorce, bullies, honesty, to name a few--but all with a light handed touch. Wren's voice is a believable nine-year-old, full of wonder and insecurity and bit of naivete as she ponders many of life's big and little questions. Young readers will appreciate her discovery that no one has all the answers--not even one's parents--but that you don't have to try to figure it all out on your own.
Bowe covers a variety of heavy topics--divorce, bullies, honesty, to name a few--but all with a light handed touch. Wren's voice is a believable nine-year-old, full of wonder and insecurity and bit of naivete as she ponders many of life's big and little questions. Young readers will appreciate her discovery that no one has all the answers--not even one's parents--but that you don't have to try to figure it all out on your own.
June 22, 2022
So, this book is about a nine-year-old girl named Wren, whose parents have recently separated and are going to divorce.
She didn’t tell the truth to her best friend, Amber, because she didn’t have the time nor the strength to do so. So they are not talking anymore, and there is a new girl who had just arrived in town, named Marianna, who is like a diva and had become new friends with Amber.
Wren is going through this divorce and friendship drama, and it’s very hard on her.
Going through a divorce is hard, even if you’re not the one who is getting it. And this book addresses the difficulty that surrounds it.
I absolutely loved Wren and how she tried to navigate the changes. And Marianna was my favourite character. She was so mature.
This book shows us how people have their own problems and everything. Wether it’s about divorce, moving, loosing friends, etc.
I enjoyed this book very much.
She didn’t tell the truth to her best friend, Amber, because she didn’t have the time nor the strength to do so. So they are not talking anymore, and there is a new girl who had just arrived in town, named Marianna, who is like a diva and had become new friends with Amber.
Wren is going through this divorce and friendship drama, and it’s very hard on her.
Going through a divorce is hard, even if you’re not the one who is getting it. And this book addresses the difficulty that surrounds it.
I absolutely loved Wren and how she tried to navigate the changes. And Marianna was my favourite character. She was so mature.
This book shows us how people have their own problems and everything. Wether it’s about divorce, moving, loosing friends, etc.
I enjoyed this book very much.
May 28, 2017
'Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd)' by Julie Bowe follows nine-year-old Wren as she navigates life after her parents' divorce. Having gone away for the summer without telling any of her friends why, she is hesitant to share that her parents have decided to get a divorce. Adding insult to injury is the fact that her supposed best friend, Amber, has made a new best friend, Marianna, and doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with Wren.
Even though Wren is keeping a secret from Amber, her worry about what will happen when they find out the truth trumps any common sense she may have. The divorce is clearly not her fault, but she feels diminished by it, and as though her friends will think less of her, so she keeps it a secret. It doesn't help that nine-year-olds can be extremely fickle, so Amber's sudden fascination in all things Marianna wears on Wren's sensibilities. Wren's mom makes life even harder when she requests that Wren and Marianna walk to the library together (where Wren's mom is the head librarian) every day after school so Wren isn't alone, due to the fact that both of Wren's parents will now be working after school and unable to be with her at home.
At first, Marianna comes across as a spoiled, bratty diva. It is definitely possible for nine-year-olds to encapsulate these qualities; however, Marianna's way of speaking sometimes seemed too old for her age. Despite Wren's mistrust and dislike of Marianna from the get-go due to Amber and Wren's falling out, Wren learns that Marianna has some secrets of her own, and maybe - just maybe - they are more alike than Wren could have thought possible.
In this novel by Julie Bowe, friendships are tested, secrets are kept and revealed, parents are annoying, and life is frustrating. Yet, through it all, the world starts to make more and more sense, and each character's struggle to find their own path results in finding ways to connect with others as well. This is a fast, sweet, and enlightening story that anyone who loves middle grade novels will truly enjoy.
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
Even though Wren is keeping a secret from Amber, her worry about what will happen when they find out the truth trumps any common sense she may have. The divorce is clearly not her fault, but she feels diminished by it, and as though her friends will think less of her, so she keeps it a secret. It doesn't help that nine-year-olds can be extremely fickle, so Amber's sudden fascination in all things Marianna wears on Wren's sensibilities. Wren's mom makes life even harder when she requests that Wren and Marianna walk to the library together (where Wren's mom is the head librarian) every day after school so Wren isn't alone, due to the fact that both of Wren's parents will now be working after school and unable to be with her at home.
At first, Marianna comes across as a spoiled, bratty diva. It is definitely possible for nine-year-olds to encapsulate these qualities; however, Marianna's way of speaking sometimes seemed too old for her age. Despite Wren's mistrust and dislike of Marianna from the get-go due to Amber and Wren's falling out, Wren learns that Marianna has some secrets of her own, and maybe - just maybe - they are more alike than Wren could have thought possible.
In this novel by Julie Bowe, friendships are tested, secrets are kept and revealed, parents are annoying, and life is frustrating. Yet, through it all, the world starts to make more and more sense, and each character's struggle to find their own path results in finding ways to connect with others as well. This is a fast, sweet, and enlightening story that anyone who loves middle grade novels will truly enjoy.
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
April 13, 2020
Wren Byrd is a third grader with lots of questions. She wonders about divorce and which house to draw on her "All About Me" poster on the first day of third grade. Her best friend seems to have replaced her with the new girl at school and she doesn't know what to do. And she is trying to figure out if she actually lying when she lets everyone assume that her family is still together and life is moving along like it always has. Middle elementary school readers everywhere will see some of their own questions as Wren wrestles with these biggies and a host of others. Author Julie Bowe creates an endearing protagonist with two strong supporting characters in (former?) best friend Amber and new to town Marianna. The situations that the girls and their families find themselves ring as authentic and are presented simply enough that the target audience will not be confused, but with enough movement in the plot that those reading will stay til the end to see how each scenario plays out. The intended age group for this book is likely 3rd-5th grade, but the trio of girls and their friends play and interact in a way that may seem terribly immature to the top end of that range, while some third grade students will be intimidated by the 200+ pages. Still, this book is highly recommended as a read aloud for those who may not be able to tackle it alone and as the time period in the book is the start of school and interactions between the characters reflect those that need addressing when establishing classroom expectations, this would make a terrific classroom novel when school begins. No content issues that might raise the eyebrows of librarians, teachers, or parents.
May 9, 2020
Wow... Luego de mucho tiempo he terminado este libro por fin, solía leerlo cada vez que visitaba mi biblioteca favorita en Arlington; y me ha tomado tiempo animarme a leerlo completo luego de ya no estar ahí.
Es un librito casi infantil, pero con una historia importante sobre lo que pasa en la cabecita de los niños en situaciones complicadas.
Cosas que los adultos vemos como inevitables o que son para mejora de una relación, o la vida en general, a ellos les afecta de una manera tan única que a veces no lo comprendemos.
Me ha gustado mucho el mensaje que transmite.
He aprovechado el #LeyendoConClau de @claudiaramirez para terminarlo.
Es un librito casi infantil, pero con una historia importante sobre lo que pasa en la cabecita de los niños en situaciones complicadas.
Cosas que los adultos vemos como inevitables o que son para mejora de una relación, o la vida en general, a ellos les afecta de una manera tan única que a veces no lo comprendemos.
Me ha gustado mucho el mensaje que transmite.
He aprovechado el #LeyendoConClau de @claudiaramirez para terminarlo.
March 21, 2017
This was a story about dealing with change. Nine year old Wren learns her parents are getting a divorce and struggles to figure out how to deal with this. Then, on top of this devastating news, her best friend Amber is now snubbing her for the new student, Marianna.
Since Bryd's parents have not openly told anyone about the divorce, Bryd does the same. Soon her small lie turns into a bigger and bigger one that threatens to cause even bigger issues.
I think this was a very good book for third and fourth graders. It seemed a very honest portrayal of how a young child would feel when their parents no longer live together. I really liked the characters and the way the story unfolded. I received a complimentary e book from the publisher in exchange for a review.
Since Bryd's parents have not openly told anyone about the divorce, Bryd does the same. Soon her small lie turns into a bigger and bigger one that threatens to cause even bigger issues.
I think this was a very good book for third and fourth graders. It seemed a very honest portrayal of how a young child would feel when their parents no longer live together. I really liked the characters and the way the story unfolded. I received a complimentary e book from the publisher in exchange for a review.
September 11, 2017
I'm really glad there are still good books addressing divorce out there--sometimes I think we don't remember what a hard time this can be for kids, and I think Wren's experience is not special. She doesn't want to tell everyone because she's upset and worried about what the other girls will think. She definitely has a lovely bunch of friends in the end. Though they do a few mean girl things, in the end, they love each other and their friendships more than anything. Very sweet and lots of emotions going on with Wren and her parents as she works through their divorce.
May 23, 2017
This author captured an authentic voice of a young girl whose parents are divorcing. I love Wren and how she dealt with her big family changes, her friends, and telling the truth/dealing with consequences of lying. Her questions are some other kids are asking too and this is a highly recommended book for anyone, even if you don't have to deal with separated or divorcing parents, because it will make you a better friend to someone who is going through this tough time.
July 28, 2019
Such a perfect book for kids who are just ready to jump into more complex chapter books. Wren’s parents are getting a divorce, and she doesn’t want to tell anyone, so she starts a series of lies so others don’t find out. And, the annoying new girl turns out to be the only person she can trust with her secret. Told in such a tender way about a hard topic, this is a great realistic fiction for third grade and up.
April 10, 2018
Wren Jo Byrd and her family are going gt through big changes and she has lots of questions about the changes. Can her new friend help her or is keeping everything to herself the best option? This is a great recommendation for a child experiencing divorce. It presents real life questions and while things get wrapped up it's not perfect. Just like life. Upper Elementary
December 14, 2018
This book teaches a very valuable lesson that I haven't found in another book for this age yet. It teaches that things aren't what they always appear to be. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Amber isn't the only one unhappy with her life and hiding secrets. This book teaches that life becomes easier when we share our problems with others as we are usually not alone.
June 26, 2022
2.5 rounded up. Trying to find some nuanced representations of divorce and blended families for Josie but this ain't it. Good job of covering the kid's tough emotions, but that's pretty much all it did and where it stayed.
September 27, 2022
Gosh I love it when I randomly pick a total gem from the library shelves. This little novel is just so well done--really tackles divorce and tricky friendships with great care, compassion, and humor. I loved it.
March 22, 2017
Simple, but very, very good. The protagonist is nine-years-old, and the author has effectively tapped into the emotions, thought processes, and social shuffling of that developmental stage. A straightforward book about how two different girls deal with divorce, it was a little hard for me to buy that parents separating would be such a taboo in this day and age (or that the main character wouldn't already know several people whose parents were split up), but it can be hand-waved away as young kids not being too aware of adult situations outside their own spheres. The ending is too tidy, which is kind of a let down, but not enough so to spoil the whole thing. It's nice to see a book deal with divorce issues that's not aimed at pre-teens or kindergarteners. Recommended.
May 15, 2017
Divorce is a big deal, and it totally changes your world. But what if you can keep it a secret? From your new teacher, your friends, and even yourself?
July 27, 2017
This is a great middle grade book about dealing with divorce, friendships, and all the changes that happen at this age. The characters were very well-developed.
November 30, 2017
A 9-year-old girl whose parents divorce decides to keep the event a secret.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, but it wasn't a standout.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, but it wasn't a standout.
May 16, 2018
Great voice and a lot of heart. This one had me turning the pages.
May 22, 2018
Great book for middle school age children. The book title sums it up. The character deals and tries to understand the decisions of divorce.
January 27, 2019
Sweet and sad. The story of Wren, 9 years old and reeling from her parents’ divorce. Nice emotional heft.
July 8, 2019
Sweet...might resonate with 9- to 10-year olds struggling with their parent's divorce.
October 30, 2020
My nearly 11 yro grand-daughter asked me to read this book. She had read it and really connected with it.
I really liked the book and had fun talking about it with her.
I really liked the book and had fun talking about it with her.
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