Calvin and the Sugar Apples

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Author(s)

Inês F. Oliveira

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Vanessa Balleza

Publisher Name

The Collective Book Studio

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

August 29, 2023

ISBN13

978-1685552190

ISBN10 or ASIN

A relatable early reader that taps into important life lessons about friendship, grief, and talking through feelings.

"Debut author Oliveira’s lush prose brings the Portugal setting to life and portrays Amelia’s grief with realism. Her struggle to manage her emotions, as well as the deeper understanding she reaches of herself and the people around her, is endearing and rewarding. Balezza’s b&w pencil illustrations appear throughout, adding nuance to Amelia’s heightened feelings." —Publishers Weekly

Ten-year-old Amelia has always had Calvin, her chinchilla friend, to talk to about her problems. But Calvin is no longer in his cage, and her parents just say he’s in a “better place.” When Amelia and her best friend, Camila, have an argument, and Amelia later misses the school talent show, she doesn’t know what to do. Without Calvin, who does she talk to about her disappointments at school? And who does she talk to about missing Calvin?

Just when Amelia thinks she’s completely alone, a new student arrives, and they begin to sort things out together. Amelia learns that it’s always possible to make new friends, that expressing yourself can happen in different ways, and that it all starts with talking it out.

User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

3.5

Plot

4.0(1)

Characters

3.0(1)

Writing Style

3.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0(1)

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Grief over the loss of a pet

September 11, 2024

Overall rating

3.5

Plot

4.0

Characters

3.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

"Calvin and the Sugar Apples" by Inês Oliveira is a tender and poignant story that delves into the complexities of grief from the perspective of an 11-year-old girl named Amelia. The narrative centers around Amelia's struggle to cope with the death of her beloved chinchilla, Calvin. In her refusal to accept Calvin's death, Amelia becomes isolated, grappling with typical childhood issues such as changing friendships, family concerns, and school pressures.

Oliveira expertly portrays Amelia's emotional journey, offering readers an intimate look at how a child processes grief and learns to accept that life doesn't always go as planned. The slow pace of the story serves to emphasize the difficulty of this journey, making Amelia's eventual growth and acceptance feel earned and authentic. This deliberate pacing, however, might be better suited for more mature readers who can appreciate the deeper themes of the story.

Amelia is a relatable character for middle-grade readers, embodying the struggle of being caught between childhood and adolescence. Oliveira skillfully captures this liminal stage, making Amelia's experiences and emotions resonate with readers who may be negotiating similar challenges. Amelia's mother also plays a significant role, highlighting that adults, despite their best intentions, don't always have the right answers. This adds a layer of realism to the story, acknowledging the imperfections and uncertainties that come with parenting.

However, from a middle-grade reader's perspective, some aspects of the story might become tedious and frustrating. The frequent repetition of Amelia's thoughts and feelings, while realistic in its portrayal of a child's persistent focus on a particular issue, risks losing the attention of younger readers.

To enhance engagement, the story could benefit from more scenes where Amelia takes active steps to alleviate her feelings of grief. While inner dialogue is important, a balance with external actions might have made the story more dynamic and inspiring for its intended age group.

Overall, "Calvin and the Sugar Apples" is a thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of grief and growth. Despite its slow pace and repetitive elements, it offers valuable insights into the emotional world of a middle grader dealing with loss.

Good Points

- slow pace
- personal growth
- realistic