Dear Sweet Pea audiobook

This was absolutely precious and my heart is so dang full.TW: divorce, homophobia

4 stars

Dear Sweet Pea was such a cute read! I love Julie Murphy’s writing and I enjoyed this middle grade novel lots.Patricia ‘Sweet Pea’ DiMarco is a middle schooler who is going through a lot. Her parents are recently divorced and now her time is split between two homes. It’s an adjustment. Things are changing and she’s having to learn to deal with the changes Thankfully, she has her best friend, Oscar. But then things happen that have her keeping secrets from Oscar and everything feels like a mess in her life. Sweet Pea was a fun character and one that I think would be relatable to a lot of kids that age. She felt authentic. As I say with all of Julie Murphy’s books, I wish that these were around the I was this age. I would have loved to read this book when I was 10-11 when my parents got divorced. This is a great story that focuses on friendship, families, and loving yourself. It’s geared towards middle-grade kids, but I think readers of every age would enjoy this!

4 stars! A really sweet and heartwarming middle grade read. I highly recommend for readers of all ages!

Review to come!

Julie Murphy's books are so heart-warming but also don't shy away from complexities and grey areas. This is a great debut into the middle grade market about a 13-year-old who has a lot of stuff going on in her life: parents' divorce, parent coming out, an ex-BFF, and an eccentric elderly neighbour who asks Sweet Pea to look after her mail for her advice column while she's gone. Sweet Pea gets herself into a wee bit of trouble. I loved this! Murphy does a great job casually integrating queer characters in her books about straight characters, which I really appreciate! I also noticed how nonchalantly this book mentions the race of characters as they're described in a way that doesn't assume whiteness. Woo hoo!

I am in love with this book. I aspire to be just like Flora Mae when I'm old, minus the stuffed dead cat.

This is fucking adorable.

Rating: 4.5 StarsSweet Pea liked the way things were, but they wouldn't stop changing. First, she lost her best friend, Kiera, to the popular older girls. Then, her parents got divorced, and she was forced to split time between their "mirror" homes. It also seemed as though she was losing her new best friend, Oscar, because she was keeping secrets from him. Sweet Pea had all the answers for everyone else's dilemmas, but could she solve her own problems?It was love at first page for me and Sweet Pea. This kid was so charming, effervescent, and real, and she stole my heart. Her voice was crystal clear, and I swore I heard the tones of my daughter from middle school in Sweet Pea's narration. She was a fairly average tween dealing with her changing family and friendships, and though it was a bumpy ride, Sweet Pea learned to embrace the change as she changed too.One of the things I really loved about this book was that Sweet Pea was a plus sized character, but this was not a story about her weight. Every now and again, her confidence dipped, such as when she was dress shopping, but for the most part, her weight was a non-issue in this story. She was not bullied or relentlessly harassed for being overweight, but rather, she was a confident and vibrant young woman, who was rather comfortable in her own skin. I always welcome books, where being yourself is not an "issue", and enjoyed the way Murphy wove this into the story.I also loved the focus of this book. This was about change, family, forgiveness, and friendship.Sweet Pea needed to adjust to her parents living apart, to them no longer being a trio, and to her parents having separate lives. I thought her reaction to it all was very authentic, and my heart ached for her as she worked through her emotions.Friendships are bound to change as we grow older, and that was something Sweet Pea had already experienced following the loss of her ex-bestie, Kiera. An incident brought the two back into amicable contact, and this forced Sweet Pea to learn to balance her old and renewed friendships. She had to look at the needs of others and recognize how her actions hurt them. Sweet Pea learned a LOT about having a friend and being a friend, and I was very proud of how much she grew from the experience.Once again, Murphy created a beautiful story filled with fantastic characters, which delighted me. The blend of humor, drama, and heartfelt sentiment was perfect and landed Sweet Pea solidly in my heart.*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

SO much to love about this.

Von Julie Murphy hatte ich bereits ihre zwei Jugendromane „Dumplin‘“ und „Ramona Blue“ gelesen und da mir beide Werke total gut gefallen haben, war ich sofort Feuer und Flamme als ich das erste Mal von ihrem neuen Buch „Liebe Olivia, wie buchstabiert man Freundschaft?“ hörte. Cover und Klappentext sprachen mich einfach direkt an. Für mich stand daher sehr schnell fest: Das Kinderbuchdebüt von Julie Murphy muss ich unbedingt bei mir einziehen lassen.Das Leben der 13-jährigen Olivia DiMarco ist zurzeit alles andere als leicht. Ihre Eltern haben sich gerade scheiden lassen und sind auf die geniale Idee gekommen in zwei fast identischen Häusern in derselben Straße zu wohnen; in der Schule sitzt ihre Ex-Freundin Kira direkt vor ihr und erinnert sie täglich daran, dass ihre einstige Freundschaft vorbei ist und dann soll sie auch noch die Post für ihre Nachbarin und stadtbekannten Ratgeberkolumnistin Miss Flora verwalten, solange diese verreist ist. Als sie sich dann auch noch auf einer Geburtstagsparty bis auf die Knochen blamiert (Trampolin springen, nachdem man jede Menge Pizza und Torte gegessen hat ist definitiv nicht die klügste Entscheidung), ist sich Olivia sehr sicher, dass es schlimmer nun nicht mehr kommen kann. Was für ein Glück, dass sie Oscar hat, ihren weltbesten (und einzigen) Freund, auf den sie immer zählen und sich verlassen kann. Auch ihr dicker und eigenwilliger Kater Cheese ist ein wahrer Trostspender in schwierigen Zeiten.Ihr Leben soll allerdings tatsächlich noch komplizierter und chaotischer werden, als sie unter den Briefen an Miss Flora einen Umschlag mit Kiras Handschrift entdeckt. Den Entschluss, den sie daraufhin trifft, wird eine Kette von Ereignissen auslösen und vieles für immer verändern.„Liebe Olivia, wie buchstabiert man Freundschaft?“ war mal wieder so ein Buch, bei welchem ich schon nach wenigen Seiten wusste, dass ich einen echten Glückstreffer gelandet habe und eine tolle Zeit zwischen den Buchdeckeln verbringen werde. Und wisst ihr was? Meine anfängliche Vermutung hat sich vollkommen bestätigt!Mir hat Julie Murphy mit ihrem ersten Kinderroman ein wunderschönes Leseerlebnis bescheren können. In meinen Augen hat die US-amerikanischen Autorin mit „Liebe Olivia, wie buchstabiert man Freundschaft?“ eine rundum gelungene Coming-of-Age-Story geschrieben, die die perfekte Mischung aus Herz, Witz und Tiefe enthält, viele wichtige und auch ernste Themen behandelt und einfach nur glücklich macht. Ich habe mich von Beginn an pudelwohl in der Geschichte gefühlt und sie für meinen Geschmack viel zu schnell beendet.Erzählt wird alles aus der Sicht der 13-jährigen Olivia in der Ich-Perspektive. Olivia habe ich sofort in mein Herz geschlossen. Sie ist witzig, selbstbewusst und unheimlich sympathisch, sie mag ihren Körper, obwohl dieser ziemlich füllig ist (was ich einfach nur großartig fand!), sie ist authentisch und einfach so herrlich unperfekt. Mit Olivia hat die Autorin eine ganz besondere und bezaubernde Romanheldin erschaffen, die man als Leser*in sofort liebhaben muss und in die man sich dank der realistischen Darstellungsweise ihrer Empfindungen und Gedanken mühelos hineinversetzen kann. Mir jedenfalls, als Erwachsene, ist Letzteres prima geglückt.Ich habe beim Lesen stellenweise richtig mit Olivia mitgefühlt und mitgelitten. So habe ich es beispielsweise nur zu gut verstehen können, dass ihre neue Lebenssituation alles andere als leicht für sie ist. Und dass sie ziemlich darunter leidet, dass sich ihre ehemalige Freundin Kira so verändert und von ihr abgewendet hat, habe ich ebenfalls absolut nachvollziehen können.Neben Olivia hat mich Julie Murphy auch mit den weiteren Figuren überzeugen können. Ihre Eltern mochte ich auf Anhieb, vor allem Olivias Vater habe ich richtig liebgewonnen.Auch Oscar hat sich sofort in mein Herz geschlichen. Er ist ein so lieber Kerl und toller bester Freund. Die innige Freundschaft zwischen ihm und Olivia wird einfach wundervoll beschrieben, mir haben so einige gemeinsame Momente der beiden ein breites Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.Auch die kauzige Miss Flora fand ich klasse. Sie ist zwar schon irgendwie recht schrullig drauf, hat das Herz aber definitiv am rechten Fleck. Zudem ist sie äußerst weise und schlau.Kira, Olivias Ex-Freundin, habe ich zunächst nicht leiden können, was aber auch seine Richtigkeit hat. Kira ist eine längere Zeit äußert unfreundlich und gemein zu unserer Ich-Erzählerin – als eine Sympathieträgerin kann man sie anfangs wahrlich nicht bezeichnen. Aber, so viel sei schon mal gesagt, dies wird sich noch ändern.Auf eine feinfühlige und leichte Weise behandelt Julie Murphy in ihrem ersten Kinderbuch viele für die Zielgruppe relevante und teils schwierige Themen wie Freundschaft, Familie, Scheidung, Streit mit dem besten Freund oder der besten Freundin, Selbstliebe, das Erwachsenwerden und Diversität. Die Erzählung regt zum Nachdenken an und vermittelt wichtige und starke Messages, zugleich berührt sie einen aber auch und macht total gute Laune. Mir ist beim Lesen öfters richtig warm ums Herz geworden und da der Humor absolut meiner war – Olivias Art und Weise wie sie uns die Geschichte erzählt, ist einfach entzückend und höchst amüsant – bin ich des öfteren sehr ins Schmunzeln geraten.Ausgesprochen gut gefallen hat mir auch die Idee mit Miss Floras Radgeberkolumne „Miss Flora weiß Rat“. Da ich aber nicht zu viel von der Handlung verraten möchte, werde ich euch über diesen Teil der Geschichte nichts weiter mehr erzählen. Spannung muss schließlich sein.Mit dem Setting konnte mich das Buch ebenfalls vollauf begeistern. Ich liebe Bücher, die in den Südstaaten der USA spielen; mich hat es daher sehr gefreut, dass uns Julie Murphy in eine Kleinstadt ins sommerheiße Texas mitnimmt.Neben der Story konnte auch die Gestaltung bei mir punkten. Die Kapitelanfänge werden von hübschen kleinen schwarz-weiß Vignetten von Constanze Guhr geziert und beim Cover war es bei mir Liebe auf den ersten Blick. Ich finde es zuckersüß.Enden tut das Buch ziemlich abgeschlossen, sodass ich davon ausgehe, dass es sich bei „Liebe Olivia, wie buchstabiert man Freundschaft?“ um einen Einzelband handelt. Mir hat das Ende sehr gut gefallen, es ist völlig zufriedenstellend und herzerwärmend schön.Fazit: Warmherzig, lustig und klug. Ein zauberhaftes Buch!Dies war mein drittes Werk aus der Feder von Julie Murphy und auch mit diesem habe ich wunderbare Lesestunden verbracht. „Liebe Olivia, wie buchstabiert man Freundschaft?“ besitzt einfach alles, was ein gutes Kinderbuch für mich ausmacht: Eine starke Buchheldin, liebenswerte und authentisch ausgearbeitete Charaktere und eine mitreißende Geschichte, die voller Herz, Witz und wichtiger Botschaften steckt. Ich kann „Liebe Olivia, wie buchstabiert man Freundschaft?“ nur empfehlen und vergebe 5 von 5 Sternen!

This is sweet. A very solid middle school book about a girl going through a divorce with two civil parents who are still friends while trying to manage her own changing friendships on the cusp of 8th grade. There is little romance in here other than small crushes which was kinda nice and refreshing. I would recommend.

3.5 rounded up because fat protagonist!! I so needed this book when I was Sweet Pea's age and I'm so glad kids have it now!

3.5+ stars with extra points for Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea DiMarco is a thirteen-year-old girl with a double chin and a cat named Cheese. Her world has been upended by her parents recent divorce, or as her therapist mom calls it "mindful division." Sweet Pea's dad, who has recently come out as gay, moved out and into a nearly identical house two doors down. Mom has the original house and Dad has the duplicate - complete with all the same furnishings. Sweet Pea divides her week between her two parents and splits Thursdays so neither parent is dominant. She pretends not to mind this so much but it's a hard adjustment when things are almost the same but not quite. As 7th-grade comes to a close and the class prepares for graduation, Sweet Pea's old best friend Keira, freezes her out while her new bff Oscar is willing to watch endless episodes of America's Most Haunted on Netflix (LOL hi Sweet Pea from my work, one of the places featured on the show!) until secrets and growing up threaten to tear apart all of Sweet Pea's friendships. Growing up is hard! Sweet Pea needs some advice and writes frequently to Miss Flora Mae, author of the popular "Miss Flora, May I?" column in the paper. Unfortunately Miss Flora hasn't written back. When Miss Flora Mae, who lives next door, has to go away suddenly, she leaves Sweet Pea in charge of her plants and her mail! Sweet Pea collects the letters for the column and forwards them to Miss Flora Mae and back again. One day Sweet Pea happens to get a look at a letter and recognizes the handwriting. She can't resist writing back and that decision will change her life. This is a really cute story for middle schoolers. It's firmly in the children's camp and not for adults unless adults are reading it with their child and can resist rolling their eyes at the slightly heavy-handed message. If you liked the Netflix adaptation of Dumplin', you'll probably enjoy this almost as much. This one is set in the same world as that one and Puddin' but in a different town. Julie Murphy really knows how to paint the small town feeling. Everyone knows everyone else's business and everyone will talk about it. She also does middle school very well. I felt Sweet Pea's pain and empathize what she was going through. The story got off to a bit of a slow start but once Sweet Pea found the letter, I was hooked and had a hard time putting the book down. I appreciate how Julie Murphy shows the teen years as messy and confusing for both girls and boys especially for young teens transitioning from childhood and those who wish to remain behind in childhood. The story wasn't super uncomfortable because Murphy dials back on the kid cruelty. The kids I know would never ever let Sweet Pea live down what happened on the trampolines. Murphy's characters are so real. I just adore Sweet Pea. She's so cute! I give the book extra points for her. I can relate to Sweet Pea still wanting to be a child at 13, dealing with body changes and having a tough time with old friends who are into lip gloss, boys, etc. I love how she comes to an understanding of herself through soul music. It's so hard to be a teen and Sweet Pea has it extra rough because her parents are divorced in a small town. The reason for the divorce is kind of confusing for a young teen and also very upsetting. I questioned how accepting of LGBTQ+ people the teen characters in Murphy's two previous books are and this book also features gay characters but the adults are less accepting than the teens. Sweet Pea loves her father very much and even if she doesn't understand or like his decision to split from her mom, she defends him and wants him to be happy. Her bff, Oscar, may be gay. She isn't sure and doesn't feel comfortable asking. He may be questioning or a late bloomer, who knows. I wasn't crazy about him. As adorable as Sweet Pea is, Oscar is kind of annoying and selfish, especially when other kids are around. Oscar is an outcast and likes having Sweet Pea to be an outcast with. Yet, his reasoning is that he's a true blue friend and protective of her and of his own feelings. It's messy and complicated like real life friendships. Sweet Pea's other bff is her cat, Cheese. Cheese is really cute for a cat. He doesn't like splitting houses any more than Sweet Pea does but apparently he gets a choice. Sweet Pea's former bff Keira acts like a typical "mean girl." Her new friends are certainly mean girls. Why are they hanging around with a younger kid? They're not a good influence. Yet, Keira has stuff going on in her life that makes her act out. Their storyline is a little cheesy but I managed to have empathy for Keira even if I'm a Sweet Pea and ALL the other girls were Keiras. I really like when they really talk to each other about what's been going on. That part was nice, the rest was kind of cringe-worthy. There are two other boys willing to talk to Sweet Pea. She has a little crush on Greg, a new boy at school. He seems nice for a teenage boy and I kept waiting for some drama from that storyline. Greg is bffs with Cooper. Cooper is not too bright and kind of annoying for monopolizing Greg.The adult characters are well done too. Sweet Pea's mom is a therapist and apparently a feminist crusader. As an adult, I enjoyed her scene at the store but I would have been MORTIFIED as a teen. Ms. DiMarco is also going through a tough time. She's supposed to help other people solve their problems but she can't even solve her own. She's oblivious to her own family drama partly because none of them talk to each other. "Mom" wants to get back out there and date again. This much is obvious to an adult reader but again, it's strange and upsetting for a teen. (Mom's choice is excellent, by the way). I admire her for dealing with the situation so well. Mom is also all about normalizing the human body. This is not normal for a teen! It's super embarrassing when your mom doesn't see gross bodily functions as the end of the world. MOM! The adult me likes her body-positive stance but the teen me is mad she doesn't remember how it feels to be a teen girl. Dad is a nice guy who just wants to be free to be himself. He seems easy going and isn't all that bothered by the homophobic remarks people make. "Dad" corrects people when they use "gay" as a synonym for bad but he never gets angry or reacts. He's willing to keep an open mind and understand where others may be coming from. Mrs. Young, Sweet Pea's 7th-grade teacher, is awesome. She's the kind of fun, caring teacher every kid loves. I especially adore Miss Flora Mae. She's eccentric and doesn't care. Miss Flora Mae is privy to everyone's secrets but knows how to keep a secret herself. She's wise but she doesn't have all the answers. Most of her advice is common sense and I appreciate that. I wish she was in the book more. If you were or are a girl who could just barely fit into Junior's sizes in 7th-grade, a girl who experienced mean girl drama or someone who didn't fit in and wondered about their place in the world, this book is for you. I hope to pass this one on to younger niece when she's a bit older.

I love Julie Murphy and just think her writing works for me. She is great at showing insecurities but also showing you that they can be overcome and sometimes seen as normal. This is about a vulnerable time in young adolescent life, friendship and growing apart. Really well done

Five stars as I enjoyed it so much. What a nice surprise after the last 3 awful books. Very pleasant and entertaining.