Inside Hudson Pickle

by Yolanda Ridge

Cut from AAA hockey last season, seventh-grader Hudson Pickle needs to make the basketball team this year. But, after having an asthma attack at the first tryout, his chances aren't looking good. His former best friend, Trevor, is also trying out. But he won't even speak to Hudson since Hudson had all but ignored him while concentrating on hockey. And as if that wasn't bad enough, now his uncle Vic --- who's been staying with him and his mom since a suspicious fire at his house ---has been diagnosed with a genetic respiratory illness. Could this mean Hudson has something worse than asthma? And while this DNA mystery is being unraveled, will the truth about what happened to his father finally be revealed as well?Yolanda Ridge's compelling coming-of-age novel for middle-graders combines humor, action and mystery --- with a dose of genetic science to keep things interesting. It offers a rich reading experience with complex characters and a multilayered story. Thoughtful, authentic and likeable Hudson will inspire readers with the grit and perseverance he relies on to get through his difficulties, and the self-deprecating wit he uses to manage middle-school social dynamics, evolving friendships and a changing family structure. There are also multiple mysteries running throughout the story --- involving Hudson's father, his uncle and his own health --- that are sure to keep the pages turning.

Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Sports, New York, Childrens, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Yolanda Ridge is a middle grade author and science writer from British Columbia, Canada.

Reviews

[Coleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book for middle school or older reader about a growing sports-minded boy, Hudson Pickle, who has some physical limitations. Genetics is included but not so complicated that one has difficulty following along with the explanations.

I particularly enjoyed the book because it involved Hudson's selection of firefighting for an occupation for his career day project. Since I have a son who is a volunteer firefighter, I found all of the parts of these discussions in the book very interesting. And I liked that the author included occupations other than those typically mentioned, law, medicine, movie stars! Sports are part of the story also - hockey, with which I am not so familiar, but also basketball, with which I am very familiar.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hudson Pickle is a teenage boy struggling with growing up; he has a growth spurt that no only has him towering over his friends, it gets him cut from the hockey team, his favorite sport and the one thing that he thinks identifies him. He also has no idea who his father is and while it might not have been an issue in years past, it is becoming more and more important to him to know who he was and what he was like. His mom wants to protect him from the realities of life and Hudson feels like he is old enough to have his questions answered. He is not a little kid and resents being treated like one. (Despite the friction between Hudson and his mother, it does not create a rift between them that cannot be bridged).
Ridge does a really good job of writing in the voice of a seventh grade boy who is trying to figure out who he is, friendships that change, his mom and girls. There is of course the bully that Hudson and his friend Trevor must deal with and I really like how Ridge shows the duo dealing with him and realizing that he is not someone to fear and how they stand up for themselves.
The ending was pretty good: Hudson finds a new sport to love and has repaired his friendship with his best friend, and yet, it felt like there is more to Hudson's story.

This is definitely a book that I would let my son read: drug use, bullying, lying are dealt with in the book but done in a way that one, doesn't glorify the activities and two, opens the door to discussions on these issues that teens today are facing. Talking about them through a fictional character is one of the best ways to broach the subject in a way that is safe and allows them to open up in a way that is less threatening than talking about real-life people they know.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridge, Yolanda Inside Hudson Pickle, 256 Pages. KCP Fiction, 2017 $17.00. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G (some references to drugs); Violence: G.

Hudson’s life isn’t going so well for him. He was kicked from his hockey team during summer and his uncle’s house burned down. So now Hudson has to make it to the basketball team, live with his uncle who might be a drug dealer, figure out who is his father, wonder why Willow Flores decided to hang out with him, and still deal with his childhood asthma.

I had a blast with this book. The story is amazing with questions you want to know and boy it give you the answers. The characters make you feel like you just wanna jump in the book and hang out with them. The thing I didn’t like was the romance stuck in there. The writing makes you want to read more books from the same author and even want a sequel.

MS - ADVISABLE. JM, Student Reviewer, 7th Grade
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hudson Pickle is far from ordinary. His father is gone, his uncle may be involved with drugs, his best friend is ignoring him and a girl named Willow seems interested in him. While trying to make the basketball team, and figuring out a career, as well as trying to solve the fire at his Uncles, he discovers a mystery involving his own DNA. This entertaining story will have readers age’s nine to 12 laughing and cheering for Hudson as they turn the pages to eagerly learn the truth.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Middle school is tough and Hudson has a rough start. Over the summer he was cut from his hockey team. Now he is trying out for basketball, being bullied, interested in a girl, living with an uncle who burned his place down, and dealing with genetic diseases in the family. Boys and girls will both enjoy getting into Hudson's head as he deals with his problems.

[Sheri Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how real this teenager seemed, and how real his family dynamics seemed. A charming story about a teenager trying to fit in, to repair his relationship with his best friend, to figure out how to talk to the girl he likes, to learn something (anything) about his missing father, and to NOT worry about whether he has a horrible genetic disease.

[Caroline Martel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. It is really well written, carries the reader along and discusses some interesting and important topics. My 10 (almost 11) year old daughter read the book before I did and couldn't put it down...so much so that I had to take it away from her one night so that she would go to sleep!

[Nadine Martel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. An entertaining, informative and interesting novel for middle-aged readers.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for my students!

[Jerry Mikorenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. A heartwarming yet realistic view of growing up in a small town in upstate New York. Hudson deals with all the foibles and fun of being a young teen in a wholesome and therapeutic way. Sports, girls, and family are inside Hudson's head. Somehow he figures out a way to make it all work.

[Arlene Szalay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! Hudson has many challenges and deals with them in a well-written middle school voice.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside Hudson Pickle by Yolanda Ridge
Published by Kids Can Press Ltd. 2017

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book — all opinions are my own.

As a female reader, I have never EVER found a male narrator that I could connect with and relate to the way I did with Hudson Pickle. Hudson has had to deal with some big changes leading up to junior high. He was kicked off the hockey team (he was too tall), he lost his best friend (after a big fight), and his hippy musician uncle is living in his house (because his own house just went up in flames…and he is being investigated for arson). As if these weren’t enough, Hudson may or may not like Willow, the smart, athletic, and kind girl in his careers class who he constantly finds himself saying embarrassing things to. Oh, and he also might have alpha-1, a genetic disorder affecting his lungs that would completely destroy his dreams of being a firefighter.

Inside Hudson Pickle tackles every insecurity, fear, and emotion a middle-school boy could muster, while also painting a realistic and beautiful picture of a family struck by tragedy and a single mother doing everything she can to protect that family. I would recommend this book to all readers of all ages.

#kidlitexchange

[Christine Thomas Alderman]

A book full of sports and heart with a touch of age-appropriate romance. Great book for kids beginning junior high or wanting to read what it might be like. Hudson struggles with his health, fitting in, family, and friendship. Relatable for any tween, especially great for a kid struggling with a diagnosis. Highly recommend and will be sharing with tweens in my life.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, read . Lots about genetics and being a carrier of something, and childhood asthma. Good for 6th and up.

[Nathan Haack]

good

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside Hudson Pickle by Yolanda Ridge is a middle grade novel about a family coming together. It opens with Hudson and his mother having to pick up his uncle after an apartment fire. Uncle Vic claims he fell asleep and it was just a simple accident, but Hudson's mother believes drugs were involved and the fire inspector believes it might be insurance fraud.

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