I have loved everything I have read by Kate Messner, so I was really looking forward to this book.  She surpassed my high expectations.

Chirp is a beautifully told story.  Mia is in Vermont for the summer, dealing with new activities, friends, and helping out her grandmother.  She is also dealing with a secret.  The plot and character development are simply masterful. 

The mystery of who might be sabotaging the cricket farm is also developed nicely. I loved how Messner discusses other middle grade mysteries, via Mia's friend, Clover's love of mysteries.

Ideally this book will be available in all middle schools.  I think it pairs naturally with Kelly Yang's Parachutes, for teens who are a bit more mature.  Both tackle the issue of sexual harassment/abuse beautifully.

Highly recommend, Chirp! 

A perfect MG read

This was a perfect MG read.  The protagonist is believable and likable.  Her mom, grandparents, even dad are all drawn out well.  I loved her friends, and the school settings were accurately portrayed.

It is one of those books that not only was enjoyable to read, but one that I know will be a good read aloud.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I downloaded sample chapters of all of his other books. Not all of those are grabbing me, but a few are. The Passengers is essentially a Black Mirrors story in novel form. I loved the premise: it's set in the near future where driver less cars are mandatory in England; some cars are suddenly taken over, and the passengers have no control, and no way to leave the car. Marrs pulls it off quite well. I enjoyed the character development, the plot and the pacing.If you enjoy thrillers, light sci-fi, and if you are a fan of the show Black Mirrors, I recommend this book.

I loved the premise of the book, and am very happy it didn't disappoint me in any way.

The character development, and plot were excellent; I mean truly it was just great.  The narrative style was nice, and the ending was perfect.

I think this is the author's first book. It is truly hard to believe it is a debut.  If you like the TV show The Good Place, you will really enjoy this novel. 

If you enjoy YA novels, you will also enjoy this.  Highly recommend.

Required Reading

This novel enthralled me from the beginning.

Firstly, I learned a great deal about international high school students from China.  I also learned about the host families these students live with (the good and the bad, and the perhaps dubious process of becoming a host family).

Secondly, the character development was beautiful.  The friendships formed throughout the novel, good and bad, were  deftly drawn out. The issues that arise were believable, and relate-able for anyone who has ever attended school as a teen.

Thirdly, the issues the book raises were beautifully handled. Sexual harassment, abuse and rape were all discussed forthrightly, and the victims reactions were believable, and heartbreaking.  I think the way the school handled each situation was sadly true to reality as well.

I think this book should be required reading for all hs students. It touches on so many issues that need frank conversations.  Sexuality, racism, classicism, relationship, friendships..and what it really means to be a friend.

The novel might be a bit mature for my 6th graders, but I am going to recommend this novel to older students, and their classroom teachers.