Once You Know This

Title: Once you know this

Author: Emily Blejwas

Publisher: Random House Children's

Genre: Realistic ficton,middle grade

Release Date: September 19th

Pages: 240

Format: eARC via NetGalley

Order your book here.

*I wanna thank Random House Children's and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't effect in any way on my opinion on book*

 

Once you know this is a book about 11 year old Brittany who is having a worst time in her life. But it's also a book about finding the solution,finding the strength in you,and above all,it's a book about hope.

A girl wishes for a better life for herself, her mom, and her baby brother and musters the courage to make it happen in this moving and emotionally satisfying story for readers of Kate DiCamillo and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

Eleven-year-old Brittany knows there has to be a better world out there. Lately, though, it sure doesn’t feel like it. She and her best friend, Marisol, stick together at school, but at home Brittany’s granny is sick, her cat is missing, there’s never any money, and there’s her little brother, Tommy, to worry about. Brittany has a hard time picturing her future as anything but a plain white sky. If her life is going to ever change, she needs a plan. And once she starts believing in herself, Brittany realizes that what has always seemed out of reach might be just around the corner.

This debut novel by Emily Blejwas is perfect for readers who love emotionally satisfying books. Thoughtful and understated, it’s the hopeful story of a girl who struggles to make her future bright . . . and the makeshift family that emerges around her.                   (source: goodreads.com)

I must admit - this wasn't my favorite book of all time. But I liked it. And I liked it just for one thing: it was realistic. This book showed how it feels like to live in the condiotions in which Brittany and her family lives. It shows that it's not easy,it never is,and that sometimes,even though you want it,you can't escape it.

I liked how the characters were portrayed,especially her mother. Even though she hated her husband,Brittany's stepfather,she couldn't leave him because without him she wouldn't have enough for Brittany and her little brother Tommy. And that's what make this novel so real. Because a lot of women (and men,I guess) have the exactly the same problem like Brittany's mom has. And it's really important to be open about it,and this book is,which is a big plus from me. But,the thing I didn't like is the point in the book where Brittany find a resolution for their problem,and I think a child shouldn't worry that much.

Also,I must say that my favorite character was Brittany's teacher. I loved him so much. We don't have anymore good teacher as he is,and I think that if more teacher were like him there would be more educated children who would grow up in a kind and good adults.

Sometimes you need to dream a little bigger.

All in all,if you want your heart broken but if you also want to read a book about hope then this book is perfect for that. This book will surely make you cry,but it will also make you feel hopeful and not that many books can do that. So make sure you have wipes with you and dive into this book!

Rating: 4 ladybugs

About the author:

EMILY BLEJWAS is a Minnesota native, and holds degrees from Kenyon College and Auburn University. She is the Director of the Gulf States Health Policy Center and has worked in the fields of community development and victim advocacy. She lives in Mobile, Alabama with her husband and four children.