Sutton is all about the facts. She is currently immersed in issues with coding a robot and doesn't care for emotional interruptions into her ordered life. But even she has to admit, just to herself, that she's a little disappointed her mom, who's a scientist in the Antarctic, won't be home for her tenth birthday. Add in her dad's increased interest in the woman he's been dating and she's feels... off.
Luis spends his time immersed in stories, writing and reading about brave deeds and fantastical adventures. Too bad he's never likely to have any of his own, considering his life-threatening allergies, fear of dogs, and his mom's constant worries about him.
Two kids who are more unlike each other could hardly be imagined, but their parents are serious about a relationship and they'll have to make the best of it. Luis is willing to reach out to Sutton and their first "family date" is to a fantasy and science fiction museum. Sutton tries - she really does - but she just doesn't understand fantasy and she's more and more uncomfortable. Her dad gets upset with what he sees as her not trying and now she feels like she's losing her dad too.
Sutton and Luis are both very nervous about the next "family date" they're going on, especially since it involves a hike in the outdoors. Sutton has to give up her tablet, Luis has to brave bees and dogs. And then they get lost. Together. Can them make it alone - and maybe find some common ground after all?
It was nice to see two very different kids finding some common ground and handling big changes in their lives. Their parents love them both and are really trying to do the best for their kids, but sometimes they just don't get it. However, this was just a bit too... out there for my audience. It felt out of touch to me as an adult and I think it will to many of my kids as well. Sutton's dad is a professional musician and her mom is a scientist who researches penguins. They divorced so her mom could pursue her career. Luis' dad is dead and was an immigrant from Guatemala, where he and his mom visit frequently. They live in Seattle. I am... very skeptical about a professional musician being able to afford the kind of lifestyle Martin and Sutton have. In Seattle. Regardless, in my small Midwest town, this is just as much of a different world as another country. Even more so perhaps, as it depicts families that are at least financially stable, in a very urban and diverse environment, with parents who, while they sometimes misstep, are extremely emotionally mature and show excellent parenting. This just... isn't the major experience of the kids I see. These are privileged kids and I frankly found the descriptions of a blended family to be unrealistic at best.
Verdict: Objectively, I'd agree that this is well-written. I can see teachers using it in a class and discussing the diverse characters, metaphors and symbolism, and how the characters navigate change. It has universally positive reviews. However, I think the only kids who would read it would be reading it almost as a fantasy and not as something they'd relate to personally. There's nothing wrong with this, but I wish there were more realistic books about kids dealing with divorce and blended families that my audience could actually relate to.
ISBN: 9781534438491; Published April 2020 by Atheneum; Review copy provided by publisher
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