★ 03/16/2015
Each character in Kelly’s debut novel . . . is portrayed with remarkable authenticity. The awkwardness and intense feelings inherent to middle school are palpable. Children’s literature has been waiting for Apple Yengko—a strong, Asian-American girl whose ethnic identity simultaneously complicates and enriches her life.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Will resonate with any student in middle school who has felt different and ostracized. The author has skillfully captured the various characters that populate Apple’s . . . school.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“[A] delightful debut . . . What sets Kelly’s book apart is the combination of a quirky narrator and details about living in a first-generation Filipino American household. . . . Through her love of music . . . Apple starts to soar like the eponymous blackbird of her favorite Beatles song.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review
“A smart, sensitive, and resilient heroine who is authentic and relatable in her strengths and imperfections. This poignant novel would make for a particularly fine readaloud; expect visceral reactions . . . This is a must-read for those kids cringing at their own identities.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Writing with acute sensitivity and sometimes painful realism, debut novelist Kelly skillfully captures the betrayals, tentative first crushes, and fluctuating emotions of middle school ... a true triumph.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Kelly skillfully weaves together the story of misfit Apple, her love of music, and a budding romance with a new boy at school, while never losing focus on the central issue of what it is like to be the ‘other.’” — Booklist
Kelly skillfully weaves together the story of misfit Apple, her love of music, and a budding romance with a new boy at school, while never losing focus on the central issue of what it is like to be the ‘other.’
A smart, sensitive, and resilient heroine who is authentic and relatable in her strengths and imperfections. This poignant novel would make for a particularly fine readaloud; expect visceral reactions . . . This is a must-read for those kids cringing at their own identities.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
[A] delightful debut . . . What sets Kelly’s book apart is the combination of a quirky narrator and details about living in a first-generation Filipino American household. . . . Through her love of music . . . Apple starts to soar like the eponymous blackbird of her favorite Beatles song.
Los Angeles Times Book Review
A smart, sensitive, and resilient heroine who is authentic and relatable in her strengths and imperfections. This poignant novel would make for a particularly fine readaloud; expect visceral reactions . . . This is a must-read for those kids cringing at their own identities.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Kelly skillfully weaves together the story of misfit Apple, her love of music, and a budding romance with a new boy at school, while never losing focus on the central issue of what it is like to be the ‘other.’
A smart, sensitive, and resilient heroine who is authentic and relatable in her strengths and imperfections. This poignant novel would make for a particularly fine readaloud; expect visceral reactions . . . This is a must-read for those kids cringing at their own identities.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
[A] delightful debut . . . What sets Kelly’s book apart is the combination of a quirky narrator and details about living in a first-generation Filipino American household. . . . Through her love of music . . . Apple starts to soar like the eponymous blackbird of her favorite Beatles song.
Los Angeles Times Book Review
★ 12/01/2014
Narrator Ferdelle Capistrano introduces 12-year-old Analyn “Apple” Yengko and her mother, who have moved from the Philippines to Louisiana. Listeners will hear their conversations and join Apple and her classmates at school. Apple is a huge Beatles fan who treasures a music tape that has her late father’s name printed on it. Capistrano vividly portrays those who bully Apple for being different and captures her mother’s resentment of Apple’s assimilation. As narrator, Capistrano especially shines in her depiction of Apple’s favorite teacher, who offers to teach her to play guitar, hoping to counter the bullying. Things look up as Apple makes new friends, independent Evan Temple, who helps her speak for herself, and timid Heleena Moffet. Together, the three show an unexpected side of themselves, which surprises the whole school. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Narrator Ferdelle Capistrano introduces 12-year-old Analyn “Apple” Yengko and her mother, who have moved from the Philippines to Louisiana. Listeners will hear their conversations and join Apple and her classmates at school. Apple is a huge Beatles fan who treasures a music tape that has her late father’s name printed on it. Capistrano vividly portrays those who bully Apple for being different and captures her mother’s resentment of Apple’s assimilation. As narrator, Capistrano especially shines in her depiction of Apple’s favorite teacher, who offers to teach her to play guitar, hoping to counter the bullying. Things look up as Apple makes new friends, independent Evan Temple, who helps her speak for herself, and timid Heleena Moffet. Together, the three show an unexpected side of themselves, which surprises the whole school. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
★ 2014-12-22
