REVIEW: TWO MG BOOKS FROM AUTHOR ONA GRITZ

 

 One of my favorite parts of attending book festivals is meeting fellow authors and sharing books. I recently had an opportunity to do that at a local book festival in October where I met author ONA GRITZ. After discovering we both wrote in verse and had elements of magical realism in our stories, we exchanged books. Here are the two she generously gifted me.

 

 

AUGUST OR FOREVER (MG) by Ona Gritz

This middle grade novel explores and celebrates sisterhood, self-expression through art, and how to mend broken hearts and hurt feelings. Molly is a protagonist young readers will root for as she navigates what it means to be a sister, a friend, and also how to be true to yourself. 

 

 

IF YOU FIND THIS LETTER (MG) by Ona Gritz

I enjoyed this MG novel in verse about a 13-year-old girl named Dani and her overprotective mom. Dani feels left behind as her two friends experience more freedom to enjoy the streets of their NY City neighborhood. She has to constantly check in with mom and be home everyday by five PM.  One day, while browsing in a neighborhood bookstore, Dani discovers a letter tucked into an old book. The letter asks the reader to write back. So Dani does, leaving her own letter in the book. This pen pal friendship takes Dani into the past and brings her closer to understanding her mom’s life as a teen, bringing them closer together, and helping Dani with her own friendships.

A touch of magic and time travel make this fast-paced story a quick read with a satisfying ending.

 

 Darlene Beck Jacobson is always on the lookout for new MG authors with books she can share with the world.You can visit her blog where she reviews lots of books. www.darlenebeckjacobson.com