The Astonishing Maybe

by Shaunta Grimes

Overview

Friendship, heartbreak, and defining what family means are rarely as sensitively, beautifully portrayed in middle-grade fiction as they are in The Astonishing Maybe by Shaunta Grimes, an extraordinary new talent.

Gideon hates the idea of moving to Nevada from the East Coast. It's so empty and hot in his new neighborhood. Only one person his age lives nearby: the girl next door, Roona.

Gid notices right away that Roona is . . . different. She wears roller skates and a blanket as a cape when she needs to feel strong. What he doesn't bargain for, however, is how far outside his comfort zone Roona will take him as she enlists his help in finding her long-gone father.

For a kid who's not allowed to ride his bike more than a few blocks from home, this will be the adventure of a lifetime.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250233639
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	03/24/2020
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	1,028,392
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Shaunta Grimes has worked as a substitute teacher, a newspaper reporter, a drug court counselor, and a vintage-clothing seller. Before writing for children, she published two science-fiction novels, Viral Nation and Rebel Nation. She lives in Reno with her family, where she writes, teaches, and perpetually studies at the University of Nevada. The Astonishing Maybe marks her middle-grade debut.

Editorial Reviews

"At first, this is a book about friendship with a touch of magical realism. As it progresses, it becomes a deeper meditation about a parent’s clinical depression from a child’s point of view. Well crafted and unique. Recommended.—School Library Journal

"Middle-schooler Gideon Quinton wasn't thrilled about moving with his family across the U.S. to nowhere Nevada right at the start of summer break. When he arrives to his new neighborhood, he notices there's a girl next door about his age ... and she takes him on (un-Quinton-like) wild, Hobbit-like adventures. For the reader, especially any adult reader, this story is heartbreaking." — Booklist Magazine

From the Publisher

02/01/2019

Gr 4–6—Gideon's life has always been uneventful and safe; he lives with his two parents, a little sister, and no adventure. He is not even allowed to cross the street on his own. That changes when Gideon's family moves from New Jersey to Nevada and he meets Roona and her mom. Roona wears a baby blanket for a cape when she wants to feel brave. Her mom Miranda bakes her emotions into delicious pies and cookies, which becomes a problem for those who enjoy her baked goods when she feels sad. Roona gets worried when Miranda stays up all night baking. The last time that happened, Miranda fell into a depression and Roona had to live with Aunt Jane until Miranda got better. That was so bad that Roona will do almost anything to keep from going back. Roona believes the only way to help her mom feel better is to convince the dad she hasn't seen since she was a baby to come home, and she needs Gideon's help to do it. The problem is, Roona doesn't know the whole story. Gideon knows they are in over their heads when they make the 60-mile trip to Las Vegas by Greyhound by themselves. At first, this is a book about friendship with a touch of magical realism. As it progresses, it becomes a deeper meditation about a parent's clinical depression from a child's point of view. VERDICT Well crafted and unique. Recommended.—Julie Overpeck, Holbrook Middle School, Lowell, NC

School Library Journal

Narrator Ramon de Ocampo captures Gideon Quinton's transition from obedient grade schooler to independent middle schooler. Speaking aloud, Gideon sounds gentler, more compliant than the often questioning, sarcastic, or annoyed tones de Ocampo uses for Gideon's thoughts as he pushes the tight boundaries set by his parents. While Gideon is the main character, his peculiar neighbor, Roona, drives the plot as she tells him fantastic stories and plans a risky trip for them to find her father. What de Ocampo lacks in character voices, he makes up for in other aspects of his delivery. Serious topics are delivered with a sprinkling of magic. L.T. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2019 - AudioFile