Saturday, January 31, 2015

Review - Where I Belong by Mary Downing Hahn


Where I Belong
by Mary Downing Hahn
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pub. Date: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 978-0544230200
Pages: 240
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

One of the best children book authors is Mary Downing Hahn. The first book I read by her was Closed For The Season a couple of years ago. Now everytime I come across one of her older titles at a thrift store, I make sure to buy it.

Her newest book Where I Belong was published last spring and centers on Brendan Doyle, an unpopular young man who doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of his classmates. He is bullied everyday and he is treated poorly by his foster-mother and teachers.

Brendan distracts himself by hiding in books and takes many hobbies, including carving and drawing. He is basically a daydreamer looking for a way to escape his life. While walking in the woods, he comes across a man and he comes to conclusion that this man is the magical Green Man, the guardian spirit of the forest.

I was bullied throughout elementary and high school, so I instantly connected with the young protagonist. Luckily, my days in school ended just before cell phones and internet access was available to all students, so I was never exposed to cyber harassing like many kids are today. Mary Downing Hahan has the ability to blend real life situations into a fantasy world as she has done with this novel. Overall, Where I Belong is wonderfully crafted middle grade novel that I highly recommend to others.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.



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