March 1, 2022
Grades 4-7 In Ellis' latest, linked short stories all involve birthdays, decisions, and literal and figurative steps into the future. Should Connor walk his dog on a street he's never been on before, and if he does, will the fragments of pottery he finds there change his view of his parents, sister, and what he calls "the mangy mongrel?" Can a rose crystal link two boys who live half a world apart? What will happen to Oma when the refugee boat she's on capsizes? And will Lazlo be able to walk away from the shock of discovering his father's ties to a Nazi organization? Readers who like to ponder the lives of kids both like and unlike themselves will find much to chew on in this companion to the author's previous collection, Sit (2017). While the stories aren't comfortable, they all reassure young people they are capable of making important discoveries and decisions on their own. Royalties from the book are being donated to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. A worthy addition for all collections.

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March 15, 2022
Ten short stories, all featuring children turning 11 years old, attempt to show the power of empathy. In three of the stories, the protagonists, all refugees who present as children of color, find resilience through community. In the other seven tales, a relatively privileged child who reads as White by default learns "to step into someone else's shoes." In the opening story, Connor, a young boy, stumbles across a bit of trash that helps him see beyond family annoyances; with no way of knowing who wrote the miserable words he reads on a broken plate, he has the epiphany that any stranger he meets could be inwardly suffering. Ellis highlights the necessity of empathy for people who are less fortunate, such as in the closing tale about a soup kitchen volunteer who realizes his tormentor is "ashamed to be hungry." In the story "Rock," Dom, a shy Canadian boy, gets a rose crystal for his birthday that inadvertently conjures up a poor boy from Madagascar who wishes he could afford a bag of rice and a dress for his mother. Dom gains courage and a new friend; however, his efforts to help the Malagasy boy--who ultimately dies--smack of saviorism. It's surprising that such unbalanced representation comes from Ellis (My Story Starts Here, 2019), who is acclaimed for showing that refugee children have many of the same goals and dreams as children from more secure environments. A well-intentioned clarion call for human solidarity that occasionally reduces less-fortunate people to objects of pity. (Short stories. 8-10)

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Starred review from April 1, 2022

Gr 3-7-Award-winning Canadian author Ellis once again gives readers an unforgettable opportunity to build global awareness and connection in this collection of 10 short stories that serves as a companion to 2017's Sit. Each independent story features a main character on their 11th birthday-an auspicious day for many, an ordinary day for some, a day of survival for others. Oma and her family are fleeing their country in a rubber dinghy in an attempt to find a better life. Marmalay is struggling to find her voice among her peers. Lazlo is following his father through Budapest before having to choose between his morals and his parent. Connor stumbles on evidence that people's feelings can be so different from what they share. From crossing a border to escape gang violence to discovering one's independence, the characters in this collection exhibit the same emotions as kids everywhere: fear, annoyance, relief, confusion, love. Each realistic entry offers a window to commonality and illustrates that stepping forward, no matter the situation, is courageous. Ellis seamlessly weaves robust imagery, honest characters, strong pacing, humor, and spot-on word choice, underscoring the distinct and memorable birthday each child experiences. Practiced readers will fly through the collection, while reluctant readers will appreciate the brevity and high interest content. VERDICT A first purchase for school and public libraries and a first recommendation for teachers, homeschoolers, and independent readers.-Kate Davis

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 25, 2022
Ellis explores the first steps toward maturity via children’s 11th birthdays in this empathic collection of 10 global stories, a companion to Sit. The American protagonist of “Alone” achieves autonomy by sneaking away from a class camping trip to face her personal fears and revels in the realization that “no one knows where I am” by spending two nights on her own in a nature preserve. But many other protagonists have little control over their circumstances, such as Oma in “Rubber,” whose family nearly drowns trying to reach Europe with other refugees on rubber rafts, and Hungarian Lazlo in “Shoes,” whose father attempts to induct him into a neo-Nazi organization. Regardless of settings and conditions, each child uncovers inner strength, or gains a new understanding of their world, on that pivotal day. Ellis succinctly creates 10 sympathetic characters, highlighting the difficult situations and emotional challenges faced by a range of children around the world. Read individually, each story is affecting; as a whole, the collection is a potent representation of the onset of mature thought and emotional complexity. Ages 9–12.

A first purchase for school and public libraries and a first recommendation for teachers, homeschoolers, and independent readers. STARRED REVIEW

Read individually, each story is affecting; as a whole, the collection is a potent representation of the onset of mature thought and emotional complexity.

This book illustrates a profound and deep well of insight.

Simply written, but powerful in its message.

Poignant, empathy-invoking stories.

Poignant tales told from the young person's point of view.