Nola's mom is more than just a mother - she's a realized woman with a life and needs of her own. The preteens, the teens, the adults - all are more than staid stereotypes. Unlike some MG, all the characters in the novel have some sort of depth or personal history/motivation. Just because these characters are young doesn't mean their stories should be trivialized, and Keplinger knows it. Her struggles with friendship and family are portrayed so well, so realistically - I defy you not to feel something during this 272-page read. If you can't see yourself in her, chances are you will recognize her in someone you know. Her experiences may not be universal, but they are common. Nola goes through some tough times in this book, no doubt. Seeing these less-than-rosy-eyed version of preteen life is worthwhile and worth reading, especially for kids looking to see themselves reflected in fiction. A lot of her students are affected by situations like Nola's, or the Swift Boys. My sister is an elementary school teacher. I have heard fans lament that an author so beloved in YA turned to MG for her next project, but I am grateful and eager for more - in any genre/age range - from the talent that is Kody Keplinger. For someone who has never read anything by this author (don't hate me!), this was a wonderful, apt introduction to her writing.

I wasn't expecting to care as much about Nola, Canaan, and all the other Swift Boys as much as I did. The power of friendship make Kody Keplinger’s middle-grade debut aįirst things first, thanks to the awesome Debby from Snuggly Oranges for graciously giving her won copy of this to me at the Kids/Author Carnival. Struggle to save her friends, her unwavering hope, and her belief in Can Nola and the Swift boys survive this summer with theirįriendships intact, or has everything fallen apart for good? Is changing, so is Nola’s, and she needs her best friends now more thanĮver. But it’s not just the Swifts whose family She tries to pull the boys back to her, only the harder she pulls, Wants things to go back to the way they were - the way they’ve alwaysīeen. Out with the neighborhood bullies instead of her. Even Canaan is drifting away from Nola - hanging

Kevin stops talking andīrian is never around. The Swifts’ daddy leaves without even saying good-bye, it completelyĭestroys the boys, and all Nola can do is watch. Without the Swift boys - they’ll always be like this, always be friends. There’s the youngest, Kevin, who never stops talking the oldest,īrian, who’s always kind and calm and then there’s Canaan, the Source: Book Expo America in consideration for a reviewīest friends and neighbors with the Swift boys for practically her whole

The Swift Boys & Me by Kody Keplinger