Honestly Elliott

Reviews

Starring a sweet and messy kid tackling problems that will bring laughter and tears, Honestly Elliott has all the ingredients for a memorable story. McDunn is a master at creating characters that are fun, flawed, and above all, real. Full of humor and heart, Honestly Elliott is honestly and truly middle-grade at its best. A novel full of heart, humor, and honesty. . . . Elliot is an instantly lovable character, and readers will be hooked from the very first chapter. McDunn has a talent for creating sympathetic characters. . . . This well-paced, heartfelt chapter book offers a lovable main character, a lively supporting cast, and a satisfying conclusion. McDunn (These Unlucky Stars) offers an affirming and nuanced depiction of empathetic and creative Elliott’s experience of ADHD. . . . Elliott’s relationship with his father, from whom he craves acceptance despite his dad’s failure to acknowledge Elliott’s specific challenges, is particularly inspiring as the two work toward openness and understanding. In a droll, engaging, self-effacing, and disarmingly open voice, Elliott narrates his story, providing realistic, firsthand insights into living with ADHD. A refreshingly honest exploration of family and friendship. A slice-of-pie, er, -life novel with all the right ingredients for a satisfying read. Middle schoolers will laugh, and maybe even cry, as they follow along with Elliott as he stumbles through his days and finally finds a place of comfort for his warm heart and special way of approaching life. This title will be a winner for any reader looking for a story that reads like it could be about a real kid they might know. McDunn offers a warmhearted, nuanced look at a slightly lonely child. . . . genuine and engaging. . . . Heartfelt and appealing. McDunn portrays the intertwined emotional lives of middle-school kids with sensitivity and precision. . . . An insightful story of friendship and change. Meg's first-person narration is emotive and candid. . . . Refreshingly genuine. McDunn deftly sketches Meg’s struggles amid seventh grade’s unspoken social order. . . . Readers will identify with the pitch-perfect middle school dynamics. An engaging, honest book--I love Cat, and you will, too! I could almost smell the ocean air as I read Gillian McDunn's Caterpillar Summer. What a beautiful story of family, forgiveness, life on an island, and growing up. An engrossing, heartwarming, beautifully written debut about building and rebuilding family ties. McDunn’s poignant, gratifying debut about friendship and family encourages both empathy and hope. Expand reviews