Stepping Stones

Apple Crush -Graphic Novel Review

| Ardin Patterson

About

Jen is just getting used to her life on Peapod Farm with her brand-new step-sisters, Andy and Reese. But when the school year starts, there are even more changes in store for her. Jen has to navigate new friends and new challenges–but at least she’ll have Andy with her, right? As school begins, she finds that her step-sister seems way more interested in crushes and boys than hanging out with her, while Jen wants to know when the world decided boys and girls couldn’t be just friends anymore.

New York Times bestselling author Lucy Knisley revisits her own childhood, continuing Jen’s story in a standout sequel to Stepping Stones that captures everything awesome (and scary) about growing up. —Goodreads

Thoughts

I enjoyed this sequel so much. It was such a fun read, and is definitely a series I would’ve adored when I was younger. My favourite part of this book was when they all were working on the haunted hayride. It’s something I wanted to do as a teenager but never did. I honestly wish I read this in the fall because of the whole back to school/Halloween atmosphere.

Definitely a great back to school book to welcome in the new year.

Stepping Stones to me is a perfect summer read, so if you’re looking for a good middle-grade read for the summer and a follow up in that series for when school starts Lucy Knisley’s got just the series for you!

Rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Parked – Review

About Jeanne Ann is smart, stubborn, living in an orange van, and determined to find a permanent address before the start of seventh grade. Cal…

by Ardin Patterson

Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley

| Ardin Patterson

Summary

Jen is used to not getting what she wants. So suddenly moving to the country and getting new stepsisters shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

Jen did not want to leave the city. She did not want to move to a farm with her mom and her mom’s new boyfriend, Walter. She did not want to leave her friends and her dad.

Most of all, Jen did not want to get new “sisters,” Andy and Reese.

If learning new chores on Peapod Farm wasn’t hard enough, then having to deal with perfect-at-everything Andy might be the last straw for Jen. Besides cleaning the chicken coop, trying to keep up with the customers at the local farmers’ market, and missing her old life, Jen has to deal with her own insecurities about this new family . . . and where she fits in. –Goodreads

Thoughts

Stepping Stones was such a wonderful book! The illustrations by Lucy Knisley were lovely and the story was paced perfectly. I loved the development of each of the characters and how Jen navigated and adjusted to life on Peapod Farm.
From the moment I started reading I was already recommending this book to friends. It was excellent. Definitely one my top 10 middle grade graphic novels I’ve read this year.

Rating: 5 out of 5.