3 stars
This one took me a bit to get into. It deals with so many heavy topics: puberty, looking older than one’s age, sexual harassment, parental neglect, addiction, death of a parent, and being shuttled from one “home” to the next. But once I dove into the narration and story, I was swept up in the main character’s desire to find her “purpose” and where she belongs.
The story is told from eleven-year-old California Poppy’s perspective and Urban nicely captured her innocence regarding the events going on in her life. The adults around her don’t always recognize her as a child and aren’t always honest about what’s happening. California does the best she can to navigate situations no eleven-year-old (or anyone for that matter) should have to deal with. She often feels powerless as events happen to her, which I think many readers can relate to.
Told in short chapters and letters, California’s journey to a new house brings with it some interesting elements, from the promise of a new friend to the ghosts the pop up here and there. Through these elements, she starts to come into herself and find her place.
Overall, a sweet tale that offers new beginnings, new connections, and the push to do the right thing even if it is unpleasant.