To Night Owl From Dogfish

As an adult who never stopped being 13, this book is a huge hug in the heart and the solar plexus. Both girls, Avery and Bett, the same age I was when I decided to be that age forever, brought so much beauty, , discovery, fun, humor and wisdom into this narrative, as did the adults, who - in the book - were more understudies to me, because the girls and their camp adventures and all the re:re:re:re;'s ad infinitum took center stage. THEY were the stars.After a while I could, without even checking who was emailing know exactly if it was Avery or Bett. Kristina was a heart that shone unexpectedly in the middle of the narrative and brought so much love and joy into the mix.I really got to love Javier, who brought a sparkle to the interactions between the two dads.Yes this is fiction but it was given an astounding soul-- a life - by the two authors- Holly Holdberg Sloan and Meg Wolizter. The adventures -- intriguing, funny, tragic, hopeful and surprising -- the ending...was a huge hug.

Just the kind of reading break I needed!A delightful little read!

Got this for my 13 YO step daughter. She is from the Ukraine and is doing very well with her English,. Reading is very important to her learning. She is really enjoying this read and the story.

Sloan and Wolitzer' s novel about two extremely different girls brought together by sleuthing their parent's love life is unpredictable authentic and outright hilarious. I could put this novel down. Now I am trying to find just the right reader to recommend this creative novel. Wish I had written it! My writer friends will use this novel as exemplary prose for learning the craft of middle grade writing. Read TO NIGHT OWL FROM DOGFISH for a great read. I may just read it all over again, now, just as 'tween readers love to do. I am an adult who loves MG novels and everything Holly Goldberg Sloan writes.

To Night Owl From Dogfish is an original, surprising, and fun book. It is also inspiring, empathic, and thoughtful. I think it should be read both by adults and children (in schools as well).I loved how the authors addressed the challenges and fear children face when the family situation changes drastically, and a parent either leaves or a new person enters.Night Owl From Dogfish is a very timely book covering many essential topics, also diversity and inclusion. And the best thing about it, it is immensely fun to read.

It eventually arrived.

My son loved this modern-day camp tale. He remarked that it was nice to see the two dads angle because “some kids don’t have just a mom and dad or just have one parent.” He said it was an easy summer read and tgeblatout of how the girls communicate, vs a traditionally written book, made it different and fun to read.He cleared this one pretty easily but said it was good for late elementary or middle school readers and he would “recommend to boys or girls.” He also said, “tell them that boys can get into this book too. It’s not all girly stuff.”

This was a great story. I purchased 2 copies so I could read along with my nephew. The story did not the way that I thought. I give this book a 10.

*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the authors and Amazon’s Vine Programme. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*This book would make a great film!Bett and Avery are very different personalities, with just one thing in common: their dads are in love. The resulting odd-couple-forced-together shenanigans take a sudden turn when, just as the girls begin to appreciate their differences, their dads break up, leaving the pair of new friends desperate to get things back on course so they can become the family they had started to believe in.Obviously this story is ideal for those experiencing some of the issues addressed: from blended/patchwork family situations; single parent households, same-sex partner parenting. The authors deal with the ensuing challenges and benefits openly, showing that no family is ‘perfect’ but that what is important is holding on to the love, accepting our differences, and working on things together.That is not to say that the book preaches! It is very much a story, and the alternating voices of Avery and Bett through their letters, emails and texts keep the tone lively, yet intimate, as we experience events through their very different perspectives. The characters are really realistic, with their own flaws and quirks that make them both annoying and endearing (just like real families!)I really enjoyed this light-hearted but deeply touching story of unlikely friendships, love, and what it really means to be a family. I recommend it for anyone middle-grade upward; especially those who already know that family is more than just genetics! I think people sometimes go crazy when they’re in love. The chemistry in their bodies changes and they do dumb things. Usually this is listening to the same song all the time, or having awkward names for each other. But in this case it means forcing their daughters to go to the same camp and live in a pod together, which really would be a horrible situation that could end in tragedy.– Holly Goldberg-Sloan & Meg Wolitzer, To Night Owl From DogfishReview by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

Reading a lot of books, you see some books that are Great! and very occasionally book a has that Truly Exceptionally. These are the book that makes you sit up and make you feel something. They turn your head in a literal sense or they make you excited and jump for joy. This is one of those books.Yes, there are comparisons to this being a reverse Parent Trap, and yes this is true but don't make the mistake of thinking this book is just another retread of the same old story. It's NOT! The story is told via emails , text messages, and the odd letter. That sounds like it wouldn't work, its sounds like a gimmick, but it works. The narrative really flows. It just grabs you, and keeps you reading. I dont know how or why but it really does work. Its a book you cannot put down. It is easy to read, but it has greatness about it.When I read it was based on a same-sex couple, I was worried it might just be a choice to be Politically correct and modern. I don't have an issue with Same-sex couples, but I am pleased to say, it is relevant and to the heart of the narrative and I love that so much more. It extremely really and touches the heart.As you can tell, I love this book. Its a gem. I want to summarise. Its a page-turner, that just bursts with joy, and in its ups and downs makes you feel. All I can say is don't miss this book. I am glad this book crossed my path. It's great for Children and it a joy for adults. A truly great book

This is a story that has some wokery that some people may not agree with, but in a modern progressive world its something to get used to. I'm not sure it's for really young kids, maybe 10+ . My boy quite liked it but did raise some questions about what was going on. Dialogue with kids about the things is important.

My 11yr old fully enjoyed this.Without giving too much of the storyline away it is basically The Parent Trap but with a few changes.Bett is 12 and she finds out that her dad has a new boyfriend. Her dad wants her to make friends with the boyfriends daughter Avery so they going to send them both to summer camp so they can get to know each other.So Bett decides to send emails to Avery so they get to know each other. They have nothing in common expect one thing to stop there dads becoming together. Through emails they come up with a plan that will surely break there parents up once and for all.They soon become friends, but when they finally meet at summer camp things don't go as planned, do they want to go ahead with there plans to break up there parents?My daughter fully enjoyed this book, the book has some laugh out moments and she loved how the 2 girls friendship developed throughout the story.She was unsure at first because the full story is told in email format, so we get both narrative from both girls. However after a while she really got into the book.Great LGBT kid friendly book.Great read for confident readers age 10+

The story is told through emails (and a few letters). Each child has their own style of 'writing' so it doesn't get too samey and text speak is not over used so it is an accessible read.