School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-Twelve-year-old Sugar Mae Cole was named to "bring a little sweetness into people's lives," but she's finding this task more than a little difficult lately given her family's recent homelessness and her mother's hospitalization for depression. As Sugar says, "people don't understand how tiring it is to be sweet." She plans to train puppy Shush to work as a therapy dog. Sugar accustoms herself to a foster home, and her mom Reba begins therapy. The narrative and characters are emotionally complex enough to satisfy adult readers along with the intended middle grade audience, and Bauer admirably avoids all trite "very special episode" didacticism while dealing with thorny issues such as parental abandonment and alcoholism head-on. The honeyed, soothing voice of Brittany Pressley not only brings fuller life to the characters (especially Sugar and Reba) but also (in combination with Bauer's trademark mix of humor and pathos) helps make the sadder sections more palatable for listeners. -VERDICT A must-buy for any library collection. ["A memorable novel that is sure to have broad appeal": SLJ 10/12 review of the Viking book.]-Ann Santori, Cook Memorial Public Library, IL © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Twelve-year-old Sugar Mae Cole has had to act older than her age ever since her beloved grandfather died, and her father abandoned Sugar and her mother, Reba, yet again. But when they lose their house, Sugar must summon additional strength as she and Reba face homelessness. "Before all this happened/ I wasn't brave like I am now./ I didn't know I could take care of my mother/ or pee by the side of the road/ and not get my underpants wet," writes Sugar, a talented poet. She relies on her poetry, along with support from a loving foster family and a favorite teacher, when the stress of their circumstances drives Reba to a serious breakdown. Bauer (Close to Famous) explores a timely issue through the eyes of a resilient girl-the kind of heroine so familiar to Bauer's fans. Sugar's anger, fear, humility, and resolve are portrayed with insight and compassion. Bauer also brings moments of levity and hopefulness to the story, which she peppers with a cast of thoughtfully crafted personalities. Ages 10-up. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.