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Calvin and the Sugar Apples
A relatable early reader that taps into important life lessons about friendship, grief, and talking through feelings.
Eleven-year-old Amelia has always had Calvin to talk to, but Amelia has no idea where he is. Calvin is a twenty-one-year-old chinchilla and has always been there for Amelia whenever she needed to talk about her problems—but he is no longer in his cage, and her parents just say he’s in a “better place.” Everything seems to go wrong now that she and her best friend Camilla have had an argument, and Amelia has missed the school talent show. Without Calvin, who does she talk to about her disappointments at school? Without Calvin, who does Amelia talk to about missing Calvin? She vows to become like the sugar apples in her backyard, rich on the inside and always hard to find.
And just when Amelia thinks there’s nobody she can talk to, a new student, Iris, arrives. Amelia learns that it’s always possible to meet new friends that can teach you that expressing oneself can happen in different ways, but it always starts with talking it out.
Eleven-year-old Amelia has always had Calvin to talk to, but Amelia has no idea where he is. Calvin is a twenty-one-year-old chinchilla and has always been there for Amelia whenever she needed to talk about her problems—but he is no longer in his cage, and her parents just say he’s in a “better place.” Everything seems to go wrong now that she and her best friend Camilla have had an argument, and Amelia has missed the school talent show. Without Calvin, who does she talk to about her disappointments at school? Without Calvin, who does Amelia talk to about missing Calvin? She vows to become like the sugar apples in her backyard, rich on the inside and always hard to find.
And just when Amelia thinks there’s nobody she can talk to, a new student, Iris, arrives. Amelia learns that it’s always possible to meet new friends that can teach you that expressing oneself can happen in different ways, but it always starts with talking it out.
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 29, 2023
2 people are currently reading
2404 people want to read
About the author
Inês F. Oliveira
1 book19 followersInês F. Oliveira is an author from Portugal, where she lives by the sea with her husband and two children. She holds a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University and committed many years to the technological field. That was before turning to words and writing. She believes words have the power to scatter light into children's eyes and insists on reading aloud with her children every night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 27, 2023
Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a bittersweet book for elementary school readers. Eleven-year-old Amelia has always had her pet chinchilla to talk to and entertain her. But when Calvin, who is 21, disappears and her parents tell her he died and is in a better place, Amelia doesn't believe them. Calvin has always been there for her! She is sure he will come back. Amelia also has trouble with her best friend and misses the school talent show, and she doesn't have Calvin to talk to about her woes. When a new student arrives, Amelia learns about new and old friendships and that talking things out is always the best way when one is sad or upset. Inês F. Oliveira, the author, writes from first-hand experience with beloved chinchillas and children, which shows in this book. The illustrations by Vanessa Balleza are charming and realistic.
Thank you to Edelweiss and The Collective Book Studio for the ARC of this book.
Thank you to Edelweiss and The Collective Book Studio for the ARC of this book.
July 8, 2023
This delicately told story deals with the weight of missing a treasured companion in a nuanced and balanced way through the eyes of a child who finds strength and comfort in new and unexpected ways. It will warm your heart! Definitely recommend this book for school libraries and classrooms. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 29, 2023
With Calvin and the Sugar Apples, Oliveira delivers a heartwarming tale about coping with the loss of a treasured companion. Readers will find Amelia’s character instantly relatable through her vulnerability, and her remarkable journey to accepting that loss is a part of life. The story is complemented by Balezza’s stunning illustrations, making this book one that any young reader would enjoy, and one I will not soon forget.
July 8, 2023
A touching, heartwarming, and enlightening middle-grade novel about grief, family, friendship & the importance of true communication.
Amelia is a very relatable character for ten year olds- her struggles are very real, and her thoughts and feelings are shared in detail. I really like how the author has her process her grief over losing her pet chinchilla- it takes time, there are ups and downs, she has trouble accepting it, she has emotional outbursts, she needs to work through it with her family & on her own, and ultimately, finds the closure she needs in her own way.
This story doesn’t have any big moments and isn’t overly entertaining- it’s in the deeper relationships, connections and themes throughout that really make it special. So I would suggest this story for more mature readers, who will spend the time appreciating the deeper meaning.
Amelia is a very relatable character for ten year olds- her struggles are very real, and her thoughts and feelings are shared in detail. I really like how the author has her process her grief over losing her pet chinchilla- it takes time, there are ups and downs, she has trouble accepting it, she has emotional outbursts, she needs to work through it with her family & on her own, and ultimately, finds the closure she needs in her own way.
This story doesn’t have any big moments and isn’t overly entertaining- it’s in the deeper relationships, connections and themes throughout that really make it special. So I would suggest this story for more mature readers, who will spend the time appreciating the deeper meaning.
November 14, 2023
Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a sweet story with some deep themes of dealing with grief, the challenges of wanting to belong when you feel different than the others around you, and trying to understand what seem like ever changing rules from the adults in her world. In Amelia, Oliveira has created a character that many, even most, middle graders will relate to as they negotiate the challenge of being both too old to be babied and not old enough to be fully independent. The emotional roller coaster Amelia experiences throughout the story will also be familiar to the age group this is intended for.
What I liked: Amelia's struggles with the loss of Calvin, her feeling of betrayal by her best friend, her sense of failure at not having what she believes is a true talent that will make her popular with her classmates, and her attempts at getting her family and friends to understand her conflicted feelings while still wanting to keep them hidden so she doesn't appear weak all ring very true for this age group. I also love how Oliveira drops in facts about sugar apples and chinchillas as the story progresses. What the story does best is to show how talent and friendship come in many forms, that ten year olds are fully capable of handling complex issues like grief and death, and adults should help them face these issues head on rather than protect them from experiencing sadness so children can experience closure, so they can move forward in their lives. Amelia and Iris learn this important lesson, and Amelia's mother acknowledges this as well, showing that adults don't always have the right answers, even if they have good intentions.
The illustrations by Vanessa Balleza are a great complement to the text. They are simple, but add depth to the story.
What I didn't like as much (hence the 4 star rating): from a middle grade reader's perspective, parts of the story could get boring and even frustrating. There are too many scenes of Amelia saying and thinking the same thing over and over; while it is true that children may dwell almost incessantly on a particular subject or feeling because they don't have the maturity to move forward, in a book like this, it has the potential to frustrate the age group for which it is intended. Their already shorter attention spans will be stretched thin as they wait for more action and a resolution to Amelia's problems. Additionally, the repeated focus on Amelia's emotional distress could have the unintended consequence of making the readers too focused on their own issues rather than see Amelia as a problem solver and confidence builder they can aspire to emulate. Rather than dwell so much on her feelings of inadequacy and her withdrawal from everyone, it would have been more effective to have Amelia DO more in her search for an alleviation of her feelings - too much inner dialogue for this age group can backfire.
Ultimately, though, the resolution, when it comes, is lovely, and it makes Amelia, her family, and her friends Camila and Iris endearing and easy to relate to. I thank Ines Oliveira, Vanessa Balleza, The Collective Book Studio, and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this free advanced review copy, and I leave this review voluntarily.
What I liked: Amelia's struggles with the loss of Calvin, her feeling of betrayal by her best friend, her sense of failure at not having what she believes is a true talent that will make her popular with her classmates, and her attempts at getting her family and friends to understand her conflicted feelings while still wanting to keep them hidden so she doesn't appear weak all ring very true for this age group. I also love how Oliveira drops in facts about sugar apples and chinchillas as the story progresses. What the story does best is to show how talent and friendship come in many forms, that ten year olds are fully capable of handling complex issues like grief and death, and adults should help them face these issues head on rather than protect them from experiencing sadness so children can experience closure, so they can move forward in their lives. Amelia and Iris learn this important lesson, and Amelia's mother acknowledges this as well, showing that adults don't always have the right answers, even if they have good intentions.
The illustrations by Vanessa Balleza are a great complement to the text. They are simple, but add depth to the story.
What I didn't like as much (hence the 4 star rating): from a middle grade reader's perspective, parts of the story could get boring and even frustrating. There are too many scenes of Amelia saying and thinking the same thing over and over; while it is true that children may dwell almost incessantly on a particular subject or feeling because they don't have the maturity to move forward, in a book like this, it has the potential to frustrate the age group for which it is intended. Their already shorter attention spans will be stretched thin as they wait for more action and a resolution to Amelia's problems. Additionally, the repeated focus on Amelia's emotional distress could have the unintended consequence of making the readers too focused on their own issues rather than see Amelia as a problem solver and confidence builder they can aspire to emulate. Rather than dwell so much on her feelings of inadequacy and her withdrawal from everyone, it would have been more effective to have Amelia DO more in her search for an alleviation of her feelings - too much inner dialogue for this age group can backfire.
Ultimately, though, the resolution, when it comes, is lovely, and it makes Amelia, her family, and her friends Camila and Iris endearing and easy to relate to. I thank Ines Oliveira, Vanessa Balleza, The Collective Book Studio, and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this free advanced review copy, and I leave this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2024
"Calvin and the Sugar Apples" by Inês Oliveira is a tender and poignant story that delves into the complexities of grief from the perspective of an 11-year-old girl named Amelia. The narrative centers around Amelia's struggle to cope with the death of her beloved chinchilla, Calvin. In her refusal to accept Calvin's death, Amelia becomes isolated, grappling with typical childhood issues such as changing friendships, family concerns, and school pressures.
Oliveira expertly portrays Amelia's emotional journey, offering readers an intimate look at how a child processes grief and learns to accept that life doesn't always go as planned. The slow pace of the story serves to emphasize the difficulty of this journey, making Amelia's eventual growth and acceptance feel earned and authentic. This deliberate pacing, however, might be better suited for more mature readers who can appreciate the deeper themes of the story.
Amelia is a relatable character for middle-grade readers, embodying the struggle of being caught between childhood and adolescence. Oliveira skillfully captures this liminal stage, making Amelia's experiences and emotions resonate with readers who may be negotiating similar challenges. Amelia's mother also plays a significant role, highlighting that adults, despite their best intentions, don't always have the right answers. This adds a layer of realism to the story, acknowledging the imperfections and uncertainties that come with parenting.
However, from a middle-grade reader's perspective, some aspects of the story might become tedious and frustrating. The frequent repetition of Amelia's thoughts and feelings, while realistic in its portrayal of a child's persistent focus on a particular issue, risks losing the attention of younger readers.
To enhance engagement, the story could benefit from more scenes where Amelia takes active steps to alleviate her feelings of grief. While inner dialogue is important, a balance with external actions might have made the story more dynamic and inspiring for its intended age group.
Overall, "Calvin and the Sugar Apples" is a thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of grief and growth. Despite its slow pace and repetitive elements, it offers valuable insights into the emotional world of a middle grader dealing with loss.
Oliveira expertly portrays Amelia's emotional journey, offering readers an intimate look at how a child processes grief and learns to accept that life doesn't always go as planned. The slow pace of the story serves to emphasize the difficulty of this journey, making Amelia's eventual growth and acceptance feel earned and authentic. This deliberate pacing, however, might be better suited for more mature readers who can appreciate the deeper themes of the story.
Amelia is a relatable character for middle-grade readers, embodying the struggle of being caught between childhood and adolescence. Oliveira skillfully captures this liminal stage, making Amelia's experiences and emotions resonate with readers who may be negotiating similar challenges. Amelia's mother also plays a significant role, highlighting that adults, despite their best intentions, don't always have the right answers. This adds a layer of realism to the story, acknowledging the imperfections and uncertainties that come with parenting.
However, from a middle-grade reader's perspective, some aspects of the story might become tedious and frustrating. The frequent repetition of Amelia's thoughts and feelings, while realistic in its portrayal of a child's persistent focus on a particular issue, risks losing the attention of younger readers.
To enhance engagement, the story could benefit from more scenes where Amelia takes active steps to alleviate her feelings of grief. While inner dialogue is important, a balance with external actions might have made the story more dynamic and inspiring for its intended age group.
Overall, "Calvin and the Sugar Apples" is a thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of grief and growth. Despite its slow pace and repetitive elements, it offers valuable insights into the emotional world of a middle grader dealing with loss.
January 19, 2024
First of all, now I want a chinchilla! But mostly this book made me cry as our main character finds a way to cope with the loss of her beloved 21-year-old pet. As my own pup is in her last months of life, I realize it doesn’t matter how old you are - some of these coping skills you have to relearn each time you lose someone you love.
Such a sweet middle grade story, and I’m glad I read it at this exact time in my life. I hope a young reader finds that it helps to heal their heart, too.
- - - - -
"Most talents don't show on top of a stage.”
“I understand you'd love to make others forget. That would be easy. I'm glad that you make others remember, instead,"
"How did you survive that?" I ask. "I mean, I feel like I'm dying inside."
"You don't. But talking helps. Talking to you helps me."
“Sadness gains roots and grows if we keep it inside. Maybe we're supposed to talk about it. To set it free.”
“Maybe sad feelings don't disappear. They stay with us for life. But if we share them a bit at a time, we can be happy despite remembering what made us sad in the beginning.”
Such a sweet middle grade story, and I’m glad I read it at this exact time in my life. I hope a young reader finds that it helps to heal their heart, too.
- - - - -
"Most talents don't show on top of a stage.”
“I understand you'd love to make others forget. That would be easy. I'm glad that you make others remember, instead,"
"How did you survive that?" I ask. "I mean, I feel like I'm dying inside."
"You don't. But talking helps. Talking to you helps me."
“Sadness gains roots and grows if we keep it inside. Maybe we're supposed to talk about it. To set it free.”
“Maybe sad feelings don't disappear. They stay with us for life. But if we share them a bit at a time, we can be happy despite remembering what made us sad in the beginning.”
November 8, 2023
Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a poignant story that depicts -- emotionally and painfully accurately -- the plight of a middle school girl who is trying her best to navigate grief, lack of self-confidence, and the beauty (and perils) of tween friendship.
After losing her closest confidante, her pet chinchilla who listened to all her problems, young Amelia feels lost and alone. To make things worse, she has an argument with her best friend, leaving her feeling abandoned… that is until a new student arrives at school and a new friendship is forged.
Oliveira's beautiful writing is both heartwarming and tender, creating rich characters that are relatable and a story that feels authentic to the tween years. It's a wonderfully written story about self-discovery and friendship that will truly connect with middle-grade readers at an age where understanding emotions and finding your way can seem just out of reach.
After losing her closest confidante, her pet chinchilla who listened to all her problems, young Amelia feels lost and alone. To make things worse, she has an argument with her best friend, leaving her feeling abandoned… that is until a new student arrives at school and a new friendship is forged.
Oliveira's beautiful writing is both heartwarming and tender, creating rich characters that are relatable and a story that feels authentic to the tween years. It's a wonderfully written story about self-discovery and friendship that will truly connect with middle-grade readers at an age where understanding emotions and finding your way can seem just out of reach.
August 10, 2023
There are 2 plot lines to follow in Calvin and the Sugar Apples. Amelia gets home from school one day to find her pet chinchilla, Calvin, gone. Her parents tell her he died, but she thinks he just escaped on their watch and are embarrassed to tell her. She spends much of the story looking for and talking to Calvin. The other story line is about friends. Amelia’s best friend hurts her feelings by excluding her from a talent show and Amelia makes a new friend. The book follows both storylines well. I wish there had been more dialog and less description. Another improvement would have been to describe the child/pet relationship more and also describe the day that Calvin passed better. That part was skimmed over. I found it all moving anyway. I just think it could have been more emotional and moving with those changes.
August 28, 2023
What a beautiful story. It delicately deals with grief, friendship, and how to talk through feelings. This book was especially timely for our family as our elderly dog is nearing the end of his life. I appreciated the opportunity to talk about grief and losing a pet with my son. This books honors the connections between pets and humans. We loved the authors note about her family experience of having their own chinchilla named Calvin and how that inspired Amelia’s story and connection to the Calvin in the story.
This is a beautiful family read aloud for your upper elementary students or solo read for your middle school students.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book before it is released.
This is a beautiful family read aloud for your upper elementary students or solo read for your middle school students.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book before it is released.
August 26, 2023
A bittersweet story that deals with grief, sorrow, friendship and letting go. The author writes the story in a gentle way to help tweens navigate the waters of losing someone, in this case a pet chinchilla, with ease. She expresses the importance of speaking your feelings when sad, don’t bottle them up. I really liked her afterward that tells the story of her own experience with a family chinchilla and what it was like losing her lifelong pet. Thank you Ines Oliveira for the ARC. This is definitely one I will recommend for library collections.
November 26, 2023
What can ten-year old Amelia, her twenty-one year old chinchilla, Calvin, and a sugar apple tree possibly have in common? Turns out, quite a bit. Join Amelia as she navigates her life: desperate to find Calvin and deal with a friend who’s turned her world topsy-turvy.
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September 17, 2023
It’s wonderful to see and feel the world through the eyes of a 10 years old kid - Amelia! It reminds all the important learnings about friendship, family, and feelings around communication, grief, fitting in the world and love! It’s intense and lovely, and helps to remind what really matters in life!
September 19, 2023
As a future school counselor, advocate for processing grief, and pet lover I could not adore this middle grade book more! I honestly don't know where to start. This book touches beautifully on loss, loneliness, friendship, and the many challenges of life. The conversations this book can start are incredibly important! I would 100% recommend this book to anyone from parents needing help addressing the grief that comes with the loss of a pet to teachers who want to help students develop SEL skills while critically thinking (you could easily come up with critical thinking assignments or writing assignments from this book). In essence this book is a must read for everyone.
I also must note that this book had my crying. It brings out lots of emotions. Sweet Amelia reminded me of how lost I felt during a challenging time in my life around her age and the loss of my first pet. The loss of my first pet completely wrecked me and I still grieve. This book beautifully shows that while the grief may not disappear things can get better once you start talking about it. I love this book!!!
I also must note that this book had my crying. It brings out lots of emotions. Sweet Amelia reminded me of how lost I felt during a challenging time in my life around her age and the loss of my first pet. The loss of my first pet completely wrecked me and I still grieve. This book beautifully shows that while the grief may not disappear things can get better once you start talking about it. I love this book!!!
September 2, 2023
It’s no wonder this book has ‘sugar’ in its title, because it’s just such a good treat! And with themes not usually found in early readers. Brava, Inês!
May 5, 2023
Calvin and the Sugar Apples by Inês F. Oliveira is a heartwarming and touching story that is perfect for middle-grade readers. The book follows eleven-year-old Amelia as she copes with the loss of her beloved pet chinchilla, Calvin, who was always there for her when she needed to talk about her problems. With Calvin gone, Amelia struggles to find someone to confide in and begins to feel isolated and alone.
The story is beautifully written and captures the emotions of a young girl dealing with loss and loneliness. Amelia's journey is relatable and will resonate with readers who have experienced similar feelings of isolation and uncertainty.
One of the standout features of the book is the message of hope and resilience. Through the introduction of a new friend, Iris, Amelia learns that it is always possible to make new friends and that expressing oneself can happen in different ways, but it always starts with talking it out.
The author does an excellent job of developing the characters, particularly Amelia and her relationships with Calvin, Camilla, and Iris. The illustrations throughout the book are also a lovely addition, bringing the story to life and making it even more engaging for younger readers.
Overall, Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story that will inspire readers to overcome their challenges and find new ways to connect with others.
The story is beautifully written and captures the emotions of a young girl dealing with loss and loneliness. Amelia's journey is relatable and will resonate with readers who have experienced similar feelings of isolation and uncertainty.
One of the standout features of the book is the message of hope and resilience. Through the introduction of a new friend, Iris, Amelia learns that it is always possible to make new friends and that expressing oneself can happen in different ways, but it always starts with talking it out.
The author does an excellent job of developing the characters, particularly Amelia and her relationships with Calvin, Camilla, and Iris. The illustrations throughout the book are also a lovely addition, bringing the story to life and making it even more engaging for younger readers.
Overall, Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story that will inspire readers to overcome their challenges and find new ways to connect with others.
September 20, 2023
Amelia’s love for their 21 year old chinchilla, Calvin, is boundless! He is her only confidante and when he disappears Amelia is broken hearted. Things at school go downhill, too. Amelia feels she has no talent and with the 5th grade talent show looming, she is anxious and undecided about to do. If only Calvin were there to talk out her troubles with!
This middle grade novel examines the bond between a child and a pet with more sensitivity than any I have ever read. I plan to use it with my 4th & 5th grade girls Book Group. This novel also takes place in Portugal which adds another great aspect for discussion.
This middle grade novel examines the bond between a child and a pet with more sensitivity than any I have ever read. I plan to use it with my 4th & 5th grade girls Book Group. This novel also takes place in Portugal which adds another great aspect for discussion.
August 29, 2023
Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a big warm hug of a debut, as wise as it is charming,
and a wholehearted ode to friendship as it helps us to heal and reconnect.
I cheered for Amelia every thoughtful step of the way!
August 29, 2023
Not much is going right for ten-year-old Amelia. Her beloved chinchilla, Calvin, has gone missing. Camilla, her best friend, has decided to perform alone in the school talent show which leaves Amelia feeling left out and talentless. And on top of that, her parents don’t seem to understand and have very little patience with her. Thankfully, there’s a new girl in the class, maybe Amelia can find a friend in her.
Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a heartfelt, touching story about what it means to be a friend, coming to terms with loss and the emotional stages of grief.
Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a heartfelt, touching story about what it means to be a friend, coming to terms with loss and the emotional stages of grief.
July 3, 2023
A Moving and Beautiful Book!
Amelia confides everything to her pet chinchilla, Calvin who’s been with her throughout her whole life. After Calvin disappears one day, Amelia is sure he will find his way home. Though Amelia’s parents repeatedly tell her Calvin has died, she doesn’t want to believe them. It’s too big a loss for her to accept. When her best friend Camilla decides to dance in a talent show without her, Amelia feels betrayed and has no one to talk to. She can draw and paint but feels talentless because it’s not something she can show for the talent show. A new girl Iris who has lost her father joins Amelia’s class and that helps Amelia. The internal voice of Amelia shows her fears, loneliness and sadness. She discovers that talking about her sadness will help her more than keeping her feelings inside. Calvin always listened and loved her, but her family and friends do, too. The sugar apple tree and leaves that used to calm Calvin and Amelia are a thread throughout. This book is beautifully written with a poetic feel that’s perfect for middle grade kids. Middle grade kids are often dealing with their big feelings about friendships, confidence, worthiness, loneliness and sadness, and this story will capture not only their but anyone’s heart.
Amelia confides everything to her pet chinchilla, Calvin who’s been with her throughout her whole life. After Calvin disappears one day, Amelia is sure he will find his way home. Though Amelia’s parents repeatedly tell her Calvin has died, she doesn’t want to believe them. It’s too big a loss for her to accept. When her best friend Camilla decides to dance in a talent show without her, Amelia feels betrayed and has no one to talk to. She can draw and paint but feels talentless because it’s not something she can show for the talent show. A new girl Iris who has lost her father joins Amelia’s class and that helps Amelia. The internal voice of Amelia shows her fears, loneliness and sadness. She discovers that talking about her sadness will help her more than keeping her feelings inside. Calvin always listened and loved her, but her family and friends do, too. The sugar apple tree and leaves that used to calm Calvin and Amelia are a thread throughout. This book is beautifully written with a poetic feel that’s perfect for middle grade kids. Middle grade kids are often dealing with their big feelings about friendships, confidence, worthiness, loneliness and sadness, and this story will capture not only their but anyone’s heart.
September 7, 2023
I received an electronic ARC from The Collective Book Studio through Edelweiss+.
A tender story of a child coping with grief after a pet's death. Amelia refuses to believe her chinchilla, Calvin, is dead. She faces all sorts of typical issues - friendship changes and loss, family concerns, school work - and shuts down her emotions so she doesn't have to accept these changes. Oliveira offers readers the chance to take this journey with Amelia as she grows and learns to accept life as it is not as she wants it to be. The pace is slow to emphasize how challenging this journey is.
A tender story of a child coping with grief after a pet's death. Amelia refuses to believe her chinchilla, Calvin, is dead. She faces all sorts of typical issues - friendship changes and loss, family concerns, school work - and shuts down her emotions so she doesn't have to accept these changes. Oliveira offers readers the chance to take this journey with Amelia as she grows and learns to accept life as it is not as she wants it to be. The pace is slow to emphasize how challenging this journey is.
abandoned
October 5, 2023Well, apparently this will be a redemptive story of a girl closing in and suffering the loss of her pet chinchilla, before something changes her life, but I never got far enough to find out. From the get-go the girl is an insufferable brat, demanding TikTok just because things don't go her way, and you know, hurty feelings and all that. I would have thought the first job of this was to make her at least slightly worthy of our sympathy, but no – this somehow never once started me off on the right foot with her. And the dad was always going to be an annoying snowflake, too.
October 17, 2023
A vigorous but also nuanced and delicate tale about loss and friendship and what continues to have meaning, this is a beautifully told story that pays respect not only to a child's feelings and fears but to the issues facing adults about how to console a child and achieve that balance of grieving and yet living onward. The story moves at a nice pace, never saccharine, always sensitive...we have engaged in all the thoughtful details and the dimensions of a story narrated with care. From a Portuguese author, this is special.
December 24, 2023
Calvin and the sugar apples is a charming, moving and delightful book.
Much has been said about the way it depictures the loss of a beloved one, and I couldn't agree more.
But for me, the story of Amelia represents much more than that.
It is also about the struggle to belong, the aches of growing, and the realization that we all have our unique talents.
It is a book for children, but it also strikes a note in adults' hearts.
Best book I have read in a long time!
Can't wait to see what comes next for this author!
Much has been said about the way it depictures the loss of a beloved one, and I couldn't agree more.
But for me, the story of Amelia represents much more than that.
It is also about the struggle to belong, the aches of growing, and the realization that we all have our unique talents.
It is a book for children, but it also strikes a note in adults' hearts.
Best book I have read in a long time!
Can't wait to see what comes next for this author!
August 23, 2023
This book is such a breath of fresh air, treating children with compassion and a sense of understanding-- The main character, ten-year-old Amelia, all she wants is to talk about her emotions with her best friend Calvin, a pet chinchilla (who has been sympathetic and non-judgmental), but her mother just told her that he passed away, so now Amelia does not know what to do except? bring Calvin home!
April 5, 2024
Set in a small town in Portugal, Amelia's grief over losing her pet chinchilla is relatable and authentic. Her friends and family and the other characters are realistic and three-dimensional. A lovely story about friendship, family, and loss.
Very well written, though a glossary of the Portuguese words used would be helpful.
An afterword shares information about the real Calvin and how chinchillas are now endangered in the wild.
Very well written, though a glossary of the Portuguese words used would be helpful.
An afterword shares information about the real Calvin and how chinchillas are now endangered in the wild.
April 21, 2024
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. Thank you Collective Book Studio.
This book shows older children how to deal with loss. Loss of something that you love, be it human or pet can be very difficult. This book shows that it’s ok to feel sad when loss happens.
It also relates how even though a loved one is gone,you can still remember them and keep a place for them in you heart.
This book shows older children how to deal with loss. Loss of something that you love, be it human or pet can be very difficult. This book shows that it’s ok to feel sad when loss happens.
It also relates how even though a loved one is gone,you can still remember them and keep a place for them in you heart.
August 22, 2023
A touching, heart-warming middle-grade novel all about grief, family, friendship, and the importance of communication. Amelia is such a relatable character for ten year-olds, and her struggles are very real. I really like how the author has her process her grief over losing her pet chinchilla- it takes time, there are ups and downs, and there are very big emotions!
August 22, 2023
Very sensitive, emotional story about an upper elementary student that can't accept the loss of her longtime pet chinchilla. There's an extended metaphor of the sugar apple that may or may not resonate with the middle grade audience. Regardless the themes are very relatable: end of a friendship, new at school, death of a pet, talent show, fitting in. Still mulling over my thoughts about this one.
September 1, 2023
This is a touching story about the loss of a beloved pet/friend. It's a chapter book intended for the early reader but I think even younger children might enjoy it. The illustrations are nice and the message is meaningful. Definitely a recommend!
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
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