by Suri Rosen
Scholastic Canada, 2023
ISBN 9781443192798
$9.99, 231 pp. ages 8 – 12
scholastic.ca
Astronomy-loving Noah arrives in Queensport, ON, expecting a simple suburban life. Instead, he is introduced to Tara, a quirky and spirited filmmaker who convinces him to join her in producing a movie. The more they get to know each other, the more they realize their families have little in common. Tara’s parents are overbearing and thrilled at the prospect of Tara making a friend, whereas Noah’s dad is referred to as a “zombie” after the loss of his wife, his job, and his love for astronomy. In hopes of making more money for his family, Noah agrees with the mayor to design his film to honour a heritage site. Throughout the book, new characters conflict with Noah with their opinions and actions, making him work harder for his goals.
Classroom Connections: Family is the book’s foundation, similar to most children’s lives. The book portrays family dynamics organically, as Noah is awkward and weird, but his brother Kyle is the edgy skateboarder stereotype. Despite their differences, they are best friends and try to reach a consensus in all their decisions. In their relationship with their dad, they are constantly trying to find a way to make him join activities with them and be happy. Problem-solving and collaboration are large themes in the book, so students can learn to identify and deal with conflict situations when working in groups. Respecting others’ differences and collaborating with each other, utilizing other’s talents is one of the many strong takeaways from this book.
Review by Katherine West-Sells.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2024 issue.