Review by Booklist Review
Twelve-year-old Kate is used to having to make her own way in the world. When a third school suspension starts her summer break early, she gets to work trimming lawns, opening a philosophical help booth, and helping at her grandmother's junk shop. Kate's lonely summer unfolds with grumpy Gran, seekers bringing questions to her booth in exchange for Audre Lord and Albert Camus quotes, and routine checks of the mailbox for postcards that never come from Kate's absentee mother, who is an addict. In this coming-of-age tale that feels lived in if not a bit dated, Kate's heart and family dynamics are incisive, raw, and ugly at times, which makes for a compelling character-driven narrative as Kate tries to find her own way forward. Issue-filled but not issue-driven, well-paced, and not too modern to feel stuck in time, Ellis' tale of the families left behind by addiction will resonate with readers of Ellen Hopkins, Clare Vanderpool, and Susan Patron who seek strong-willed female protagonists who stick in your heart.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When 12-year-old Kate was nine, her single mother "dumped" her with her gran who runs "the largest junk business in the tri-county area" of Canada, where Ellis (One More Mountain) sets this absorbing, smartly paced novel. Kate's struggles managing her anger and destructive behavior meet a worthy opponent in Gran, whose severity and sharp tongue force Kate to learn to control her temper. Certain her mother will return for her, Kate opens a Philosophic Help booth on the junkyard grounds to earn money, and counsels customers with quotations from eminent thinkers such as the ancient Greeks, Anne Frank, and Toni Morrison. Feeling betrayed by adults and peers, Kate decides to "be powerful in the service of my vision." The narrative follows Kate as she makes unlikely allies in pursuing said vision: to pass the GED and leave school. Along the way, Ellis reveals moments from Kate's past that detail the emotional and physical abuse inflicted upon her. Narrated in Kate's tough yet sympathetic voice and replete with complex characters navigating difficult issues, this hard-hitting, hopeful story also holds warmhearted moments of friendship and community, which are even more powerful for being hard-won. Major characters read as white. Ages 10--13. (Aug.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up--Award-winning author Ellis offers an emotional, inspirational, and relatable story about 12-year-old Kate, who is devastated when her mother unexpectedly drops her off to live with her grandmother, a cantankerous junk store owner with whom she has a complicated relationship. Spunky and resilient Kate uses junk from Gran's store to launch a philosophy business selling famous quotes from an eclectic group of writers and philosophers, including Audre Lorde and Albert Camus. Initially, Kate finds it difficult to interact with her customers due to her anger management issues, distrust of people, and fear that she is disliked. But, as the philosophical quotes help her customers honestly see themselves, the interactions also help Kate begin to understand herself and what she wants from her life. With this newfound insight Kate begins to advocate for those who can't fight for themselves while also opening herself up to new relationships and experiences, helping her to make unexpected friendships and connections. Complex issues such as drug abuse, grief, and family secrets are explored with empathy through the authentic experience of an engaging young girl whom readers will relate to and root for. This title would be a great choice to facilitate book club discussions, and school counselors could also find it helpful for therapy groups. VERDICT A compelling and poignant book that celebrates a courageous young girl's journey toward growing up.--Margaret Auguste
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Kate's advice booth is gaining traction, but keeping her anger in check can be challenging in a small Canadian town steeped in secrets and where people's assumptions can feel limiting. Twelve-year-old Kate has lived with her irascible grandmother for several years. She does chores at Gran's business (the Junk Yard) and yard work for neighbors--though she chafes at Gran's habit of teaching her real-world lessons by taking a hefty cut of her earnings. Still, Kate decides it's worth renting an old shed on Gran's property for her summer money-making idea, and she distributes flyers announcing "PHILOSOPHIC HELP / Get answers to life's questions from History's Greatest Thinkers. / $2 per question." Kate leans on anger-management techniques from a '70s publication called Get Back to Groovy, scavenges usable cast-offs in the Absolutely Unsellables back lot, and finds solace among friends who are grappling with their own issues. Kate's increasing desire to understand her past heightens Gran's fears about the possible effect of Mom's dysfunction should she reenter Kate's life. Kate's first-person narration allows her quirky, perceptive, and wryly funny worldview to shine. The main characters are richly drawn, while a couple of the baddies are more one-note evil. Ellis deftly presents subplots that explore serious and troubling themes without minimizing their impact or unseating Kate as the center of the story as the various strands converge in a hopeful ending. Most characters read white. An insightful young person makes a powerful difference in this emotionally astute work. (Fiction. 10-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
