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Avenging the Owl – Book Review

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I don’t do a ton of book reviews, but when I got this pitch for Avenging the Owl, it caught my eye:

AVENGING THE OWL by Melissa Hart deals with the difficult issues of suicide and depression, but more than anything it captures the powerlessness of being a kid when a young boy is labeled an at risk youth after accidentally injuring a neighbor boy.

My family has dealt with its share of depression and anxiety, and I thought this might be a great little summertime read for my middle school-age kiddos. How often do we all feel powerless when life throws us a curveball? It’s hard enough for us as adults, but often seems hopeless when you’re a kid.

In this story, a teenage boy named Solo has to deal with a crisis in his family, when his father attempts suicide. In the aftermath, they try to cope with his father’s depression by uprooting everyone and moving from California to Oregon. Solo ends up getting a sweet little kitten to care for, which is the only thing that brightens up his grim days – until he watches it get snatched up and carried off by an owl. He tries to save his kitten’s life, but ends up getting into serious trouble. All of this results in Solo spending his summer working at a raptor rehabilitation center. Solo processes all of his daily woes by writing them out as scenes from a screenplay, while befriending the boy next door who has Down syndrome. We get to follow along as Solo figures out how to deal with life.

 

Poolside reading. I read more ? during the summer while my kids are in the pool than any other time of year! This is a great book! My kids loved it so I’m reading it too. #avengingtheowl #atthepool @wildmelissahart

A photo posted by Laura Neiman (@housewife_hellraiser) on Jun 5, 2016 at 3:31pm PDT

I read this over a couple of days at the pool and I loved it. As the mom of a kid with special needs, I loved seeing the relationship building between Solo and the boy next door. The gradual shift from annoyance to acceptance to real friendship was pretty close to how things play out in real life. And I loved Solo’s interactions with the staff at the raptor center – how they all ended up getting to know one another and build empathy and understanding. All in all, a pretty great book for the middle schoolers – but I definitely enjoyed it as well! Pick up Avenging the Owl for your summer reading list!

Disclosure: Sky Horse Publishing sent me this book in exchange for my review. Opinions are my own, based on my interpretation of the book. This post contains affiliate links.

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Hey, it’s Laura

hi lauraartist • maker • etsy seller • adhd • autism mama of 4 teenagers (2 sets of twins!) •  she/her

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artist • sticker maker • etsy seller • autism mama of 5 • she/her • #ally #blm

Laura Neiman
Friday was such a splendid day! My honey took the Friday was such a splendid day! My honey took the day off work and we went to brunch at a cafe in Castle Rock, hit a couple of awesome thrift stores, and met some friends for beers at @burlybrewing ... definitely not the worst Friday I’ve ever had. ❤️🍺
Outfitted a whole Starbies team with pronoun pins! Outfitted a whole Starbies team with pronoun pins! Get yours at Etsy.com/shop/dudethatssodope ❤️

#Repost @canton2fordrd (@get_repost)
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New pronoun pins for all our baristas! 
We strive to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone! 
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Thank you @dudethatssodope for making such beautiful pins for the team!
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#tobeapartner #starbucks #starbuckspartner #pronouns #inclusion #inclusionmatters #hehim #theythem #sheher #shethey #hethey
It’s getting real, you guys! These babies are ne It’s getting real, you guys! These babies are nearly grown and almost ready to graduate. I love seeing all the seniors and their plans for next year on @grandviewseniors2021 - so proud of all these kids!
Good morning! I just got a new phone! Never have I Good morning! I just got a new phone! Never have I felt like more of an old lady than now, having to get my kids to teach me how to use an iPhone. I’ve always been an Android girl, but I need to be able to FaceTime with @m.g.neiman when she heads off to @unc_colorado in just a few short months! Also holy cats, this camera is dope. Can’t wait to take alllll new product pictures!
My kids got me this darling pigeon planter for Chr My kids got me this darling pigeon planter for Christmas and I fiiiiinally planted a tiny little succulent in it! It's so cute; I smile every time I see it. This is my first succulent! Are they hard to keep alive? 🌿
#cuteplants #succulentnewbie #pigeonlove
Blowin up like you thought I would :: Call the cri Blowin up like you thought I would :: Call the crib, same number, same hood, it's all good...... #notoriousbig #bigpoppa #biggiecandle #biggiesmalls
This sticker was inspired by the extensive collect This sticker was inspired by the extensive collection of pink mugs on my coffee bar and the general morning attitude at my house. It would look great on a laptop or water bottle, so pick one up, won't you? ☕
NEW STICKER!📱 #stickershop #donttalktome #snark NEW STICKER!📱
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