The cute illustrations caught me eye first. This story is very relatable and entertaining.

I enjoyed the story of how the girls/stepsisters relationship evolved, they were able to bond and learned to work together. Stepsisters don’t have to be “evil”.

Change can be difficult and I think this story did a good job of showing how to cope with changes especially when you have no say in those changes. It also showed that having someone to talk things out with, can really help, especially if they are/have experience with the same thing. It is a great example of how you don’t have to go through things alone.

Jen’s mom had moments that seemed like they could have been handled better but she tried to help Jen as she could. The mom could also have done a better job of standing up for Jen with Walter.

I didn’t like Walter’s character. He didn’t listen to Jen and constantly put her down. Everyone made excuses for him and never told/showed him how his behavior was inappropriate and hurtful. What may seem like a joke to one person my not to another. His character was a jerk and didn’t have any redeeming qualities in my opinion.

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Representation: Main character with dyscalculia
Trigger warnings: Divorce

7/10, I picked this up from one of the two libraries I go to and I didn't know what to expect considering that I've never read from this author and it has been sitting around for a while and this was a good slice of life novel, there wasn't much of a plot to this one, just the main character living her life on the farm, but still I enjoyed it. The main character was flawed, but still likeable. Jen had to adjust to massive changes in her family, because her parents divorced and now she had a new stepfather and stepsisters. She was withdrawn to them at first, but eventually they got along well, I liked that part. An interesting characteristic about Jen is that she has struggles with math, but then I realised that this was based off the author's life, and the author had dyscalculia, I only noticed that in the afterword of the book. If you like a slice of life novel pick this and I would love to read the second book in the series called Apple Crush but my best guess is that it will come in 2024 if at all since the library I got this book from told me that they got their last batch for the year which was saddening to see. ( )

This is a terrific middle-grades graphic novel about a city kid who finds herself in the country when her parents split up. Based on the author's own real-life experience, Jen endures farm life, including endless chores, a preoccupied mother, a bossy and tone-deaf stepfather, a know-it-all stepsister, and what feels like constant failure. She also discovers the fun of caring for animals, the adventure of exploring, and her own usefulness, including her artistic talent which helps her family's farm stand succeed. This is a lovely, balanced story about growing up and finding your feet in strange waters, step by step. ( )

About on par with French Milk - not my favorite, and definitely something new for Lucy, but still has her wit and charm ( )