Pixie Pushes On

I wanted to like this book. My granddaughter and I read it as a school assignment. I hated it; she liked it a little until the story started to move toward conclusion. I was able to explain about WWII and ration books and people who have little. With the US in the condition it currently is, all those "realities" are quite frightening to children. Also, my GD commented that "daddy" didn't seem to like Pixie very much. What a terrible message to present to children! And then, the poor child lost the one thing she was given to cling to--a lamb. The lamb had to go because they purportedly needed the money, but all the while they were giving away food to all the neighbors and making new dresses. The "need" to condemn the lamb and crush the child was not at all convincing and came across as one more cruelty. Most children will have to live through adversities in their lives. It happens. But is there any defensible reason that we need to rush them to deal with difficult and brutally depressing adult themes? Couldn't they be children for a while first? I do not recommend this book, particularly not for children that are being raised by kind, loving adults who teach that all life, including animal life, is precious, and the world is a beautiful and safe place where a child can trust they are safe from injury, loss and heartbreak. Shame on you, Tamara!!!

I LOVE the characters that Tamara Bundy creates! Prudence (Pixie, which I loved - my first childhood pet was named Pixie) is flawed for sure -she is stubborn, angry, sad, and sometimes mean. The story opens on one of her worst moments, for sure - but oh how I love this girl! She is relatable and real, and I have seen so many kids in my classes just like her - lashing out at the world, feeling hurt, feeling alone. Fortunately, Pixie has a wise Grandaddy, a tough-loving Grandma, and discovers some surprising friends as she opens her heart to give them “a chance to show who they really are.” She learns that others hurt too, and begins to see her world differently. The rural 1940’s setting was a perfect backdrop for Pixie’s story. The characters are so real I felt I knew them, and could hear their voices throughout the book. Pixie is “something else,” all right -she is funny, hopeful, and determined. I think what I loved best was that she shows young readers that kindness can be learned - it is a choice, a decision. This gives hope to those kids that feel like they are “trouble” and get stuck in that perception. It’s important to show them that we can all learn to be more kind, to open ourselves up to see things differently, including the way we see ourselves.

Set in a small Midwestern town on the heels of the Great Depression, Pixie Pushes On is the story of grief, loneliness and quick judgement. But it's also the story of friendship, family support and faith.Pixie's life was in upheaval when she suddenly moved to her grandparents' farm. Still reeling from the loss of her mother, it certainly doesn't help when her sister - her BEST friend - is diagnosed with polio and must be put into a residential hospital for treatment. Feeling abandoned and lonely, she fights with everyone around her, from her teacher and classmates, to the rather large, demanding chicken in the hen house. At the end of the day, she just KNOWS all of this is her fault.Tamara Bundy's gift for capturing nuances of language and folksy dialogue allows the story to roll out like a freshly-cleaned picnic blanket. You will feel like you're listening in on a private conversation between a grandfather and his granddaughter, or two new young adults trying to navigate the awkwardness of new friendship. Although Pixie is the star, the reader will be empathetic to every other character's role in the larger picture. Trust me - you will root for all of them.Thanks to the author and Nancy Paulsen books for an early copy to review.

I gave this to my granddaughter for Christmas. She really enjoyed reading it. She had read the author's first book as part of a class.