Achieve Swing Sideways Interpreted By Nanci Turner Steveson Listed As Paper Copy

love friendship stories, and Annie and California from SWING SIDEWAYS are a classic, wonderful middle grade example of a summer friendship.
Annie has headed out to the country with her parents for the summer, and on their drive in she spots a girl in a field.
The two girls watch each other, . . and at the very last second, the girl in the field beckons for Annie to return, It's the start of a beautiful, adventurous friendship that will change Annie forever, all wrapped up in a charming story with laugh out loud dialogue and heartfelt moments.


I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, This book is so Amazing, nostalgic, emotional, beautiful, real, raw, funny, heart wrenching, sweet, and relatable! I couldn't put it down! Perfect summer read! This book is perfect for anyone of any age! Can't say enough good things about it!! Annabelle needs a little freedom, a chance to get away from her mothers smothering spreadsheets so she can breatheand eatagain.
So maybe spending long, lazy days unsupervised at their summer home in upstate New York is the answer, But no one counted on the freespirited California showing up, swinging from a tree,

Thus begins the summer adventure of two unlikely comradesinarms, Part mystery, part comingofage, part friendship story, SWING SIDEWAYS will grab your heart on every page as the two girls race against the season to heal a long ago hurt.
But to do that, theyll need to find the ponies that Californias mother left behind on the farm, And the more they search, the more secrets they uncover,

Nanci Turner Stevesons debut novel is an engaging tour de force that will truly make middle graders hearts swing sideways!
MyYO daughter handed me this book after finishing it and said, "Mom, this is my absolute favorite book ever.
You need to read it, but then I need it back so I can read it again right away, " She fell in love with the citygirlinthecountry storyline and was so excited that she, a born and bred country girl, could check off every single item on Annie's list of things she wanted to accomplish in her summer of freedom.


Naturally, when a child gives a book that kind of endorsement, this librarian mom immediately starts reading! And I LOVED it! I loved the sweet innocence of this story, but also the harder topics of cancer, eating disorders, and anxiety that were a large part of the story but not preached about.


I will be purchasing this title for both of my school libraries and can't wait to read Steveson's other book GEORGIA RULES next! Every summer I like to throw a few middle readers into the reading mix.
I don't know if it's because I want to go back and be a kid, or if I just like the lighthearted feeling of these books.
This story feels so much like the end of childhood and entrance into young adult running through the woods, adventuring, not telling your parents exactly where you are at all times, but also just being outside and having fun.
It's something I wish was able to happen for kids more, and is happening even less because of Pandemics and social distancing this year.


I think I was looking for a playful summer book and this was that, but like actual life, it has the hard stuff! Not going to lie I absolutely cried at the end.
It was beautiful, and true, and sad, and hopeful and I don't want to spoil a thing for you, so read this book wonderful people.


I will say I'm not sure when I'll give it to my girls to read, I absolutely want them to read it but Annie is struggling with an overly demanding mom who just loves her girl a little too much, to the point where eating food becomes a struggle.
It's done is a kidfriendly way, and while it's there, her eating struggles are definitely not the center of the book friendship, family, forgiveness are.


I worry this book will find a hard time with audience, Many parents would hesitate to give this one to their kids, because it's touching hard stuff, . . so the material puts it at a young adult level but you know what, . . life is hard and sometimes its hard for younger kids, Books can help with all of that and if you're high school or higher get it! It's beautiful, If you know me I'll lend it to you if you want : I desperately want to chat this book up with some friends.








CONTENT SPOILER ALERT for parents who don't want to read it but want to know content I won't give too much away but.



There's also Cancer, Amazing tale reminiscent of the classics

What a fantastic, moving debut novel, Annie and California's friendship made me long for childhood again, and I worried that the storyline was going to break my heart.
A wonderful story for all ages, A very gripping drama with a heartbreaking, disappointing ending, Spoiler alert: adults who couldn't be bothered to listen to and fulfill a dying child's wish during her short lifetime are portrayed as sympathetic, redeemed characters because they finally stepped up right after she was too sick/dead to experience it.
Just no. The poor kid worked her ass off and desperately longed to be with her mother and grandfather together all summer, She deserved better grownups. Swing Sideways by Nanci Turner Steveson is a heartfelt and lovely middlegrade contemp, Annie is looking forward to a summer of freedom in the country, Freedom from her overlyscheduled and boring life, California the girl, not the state is anything but boring, California offers Annie two things shes never had: real friendship and adventure, The two set out to find two missing ponies in hopes of convincing Californias mom to return to the farm and family she left long ago.
But secrets and heartache threaten to ruin Annies blissful and free summer,

Swing Sideways has such a classic, timeless feel to it, Steveson weaves a beautiful and captivating story, so full of emotion, sweetness, and likable characters, The country, lakeside location and Californias grandfathers farm in upstate NY, make for a refreshing and perfect summer setting, Young readers will love exploring the countryside and woods with Annie and California as they search for the ponies and clues about why Californias mother left home all those years ago.


The friendship between the two girls is so pure and genuine, and a delight to watch unfold, Sweet, thoughtful Annie is just trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life, And California has a personality as big as the state she was named after, They couldnt be more different, but I just love the way these two girls connect and engage,

The poignancy, heartache, and tough lessons are deeply felt throughout Swing Sideways, . . have those tissues handy! but theres also so much love, joy, and happiness captured in Stevesons wonderful words,

My final thoughts: Swing Sideways is an incredibly moving, heartwarming, and unforgettable book that will stay with readers for a long time.
SWING SIDEWAYS is a piercing and heartfelt story, starring two deeply loveable characters city girl Annie and country girl California, While they are both wrestling with serious problems of their own, the two of them find new life and happiness when they come together for a magical summer.


This is a book that will remind you of the joy of adventure, the importance of friendship, the weight of loss.
There are so many things that make the story beautiful, but one aspect I particularly loved is how Stevenson through the character of California expresses a love for the natural world, and does so with such deep authority.
Whether California is corralling a snake, eating wild raspberries, or explaining the right way to hold a baby chick “gentle but firm”, she is continually showing Annie the beauty of nature in a way that touches Annies heart and awakens her.
As readers, we get to stand at Annies side and experience that same joyful rush,

While I always feel emotionally involved with my favorite books, Im rarely moved to actual tears, but I cried straight through the lastpages.
SWING SIDEWAYS grabs your heart and doesnt let go,

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I got to read an ARC of Swing Sideways, What a beautiful story! The characters are fantastic: approachable but realistic, with the kind of flaws and blind spots we all have.
The story moves smoothly, with accelerating intensity to the touching climax, The messages are clear and moving, I hope many others enjoy the journey when this is released, I loved is book for many reasons, especially the complex relationships but I also really appreciated how though I, as an adult reader, got what might be going on, I still wanted to read further.
And my daughter, who also read it, took longer to put the pieces together, But frankly, even without the various questions, this is such a strong and lovely story of friendship, the very best kind of friendship.
Classic, perfect kid book, really, This is a really fun story, It is everything you remember about the smells, tastes, and freedom of summer, I can totally see myyearold self in Annie's shoes, wanting a friend just like California, and wishing for adventure, Although the friendship develops very quickly, it feels completely authentic, The girls care for each other, see past personality quirks, and want to be better for the other, One of the other things I love is how the story represents different family types,

sitelinkBefore sharing this with your child, you need to know about the ending, A warm, tender story of a summer friendship that provides healing to two families, Read my full review at:

sitelink blogspot. com I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review,

I read Bridge to Terabithia every single year, And every single year I wonder if there will ever be a book that so flawlessly captures the energy and purity of young friendship.
That bond between two complete strangers that pulls them together so mercilessly that they have no choice but to share their heart and soul with each other.


Every year I read it, And every year I wonder,

At least I did,

It didn't take me long to fall in love with Swing Sideways, We're first introduced to Annie, the girl from the city who begrudgingly lives her life by her mother's incessant need to plan every detail, and then to California, the girl from the country who seems to live her life without much of a plan at all.
At first glance they seem to be polar opposites, but as soon as they're together, you feel itthat spark of friendship that burns a little brighter and warmer than most.
And that's when you know you're reading something so brilliant and so special that you don't want it to end, Annie and California are as precious as they are precocious making it impossible not to love them, But these two are nothing if not flawed, Sometimes they rely on each other for help and

other times it's the other that's causing the problem, Yet they always find their way back to being together, Because Annie and California are, in so many ways, soul matestwo of the unlikeliest of friends destined to become a pair.


And your heart,

Oh, your heart,

It will do so many things throughout their journey, Because you are gifted with a lifetime of feels on the pages of this book, Nanci Turner Steveson gives you a tiny glimpse into the lives of Annie and California, but it's enough to carve out a memory that will last a lifetime.
Yes, your heart will do many things,

It will melt, It will swell with pride, It will break.

And it will most assuredly swing sideways, .