Info
- Age: Middle Grade
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books (February 4, 2020)
- ISBN-13: 9781547602810
- ISBN-13 (eBook): 9781547602827
- Spring 2020 Kids’ IndieNext Top Ten Pick
- Amazon Best Books of 2020 (So Far!)
- New England Book Award Finalist (Middle Grade)
- 2021-22 Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominee
When Mia moves to Vermont the summer after seventh grade, she’s recovering from the broken arm she got falling off a balance beam. And packed away in the moving boxes under her clothes and gymnastics trophies is a secret she’d rather forget.
Mia’s change in scenery brings day camp, new friends, and time with her beloved grandmother. But Gram is convinced someone is trying to destroy her cricket farm. Is it sabotage or is Gram’s thinking impaired from the stroke she suffered months ago? Mia and her friends set out to investigate, but can they uncover the truth in time to save Gram’s farm? And will that discovery empower Mia to confront the secret she’s been hiding–and find the courage she never knew she had?
In a compelling story rich with friendship, science, and summer fun, a girl finds her voice while navigating the joys and challenges of growing up.
“Kate Messner strikes the perfect balance of joy, pain, and strength in this deftly layered mystery about family, friendship, and the struggle to speak up.”
~Laurie Halse Anderson, bestselling author of SPEAK and SHOUT
“Chirp is so many things: a mystery, a family story, and a story of the power of friendship. It’s about learning to speak out when it seems the whole world would rather you shut up. Sure to be passed from kid to kid to kid”
~Laura Ruby, National Book Award Finalist and author of the York Trilogy
“Once again, Kate Messner has written a book that will be a dear and important friend to her readers. A loving and compelling ode to the joy of friendship, the many kinds of strength, and the everyday bravery of girls.”
~Anne Ursu, author of THE LOST GIRL
“Messner addresses #MeToo themes authentically and with care as her story moves toward empowerment: Mia displays fear and confusion alongside a hope to reclaim the strength she once felt as a gymnast. Layering mystery elements, strong and myriad female characters, and a poignant analogy involving chirp-less female crickets, Messner gently guides Mia on a journey of resilience that both comforts and inspires.”
~Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Messner honors middle graders by exploring important, relevant issues at their level of understanding. This book will prompt discussions of gender inequality, consent, and sexual abuse. A must purchase.”
~School Library Connection, starred review
“Messner deftly weaves together myriad complex plot threads to form a captivating whole. . . . Rich, timely, and beautifully written.”
~Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Chockfull of strong female role models, Chirp is a riveting middle grade novel of empowerment that deftly tackles a delicate, imperative subject. Crickets may chirp, but readers will be ready to roar.”
~BookPage, starred review
“Kate Messner’s Chirp is a deliciously layered concoction of mystery, friend bonding and girl power…In this gorgeously crafted middle-grade novel, a girl works to save her grandmother’s cricket farm while rebuilding her own physical and emotional strength after a traumatic year.”
~Shelf Awareness, starred review