I found the ARC for this book on NetGalley after a friend raved about it. I admire the way the book deftly deals with many important issues while still being appropriate for middle level students. As a teacher, I probably had many students dealing with these same issues, only I did not realize the delicate balance going on in their lives, whether it's waiting for the EBT payment to be able to buy more food, stowing possessions in trash bags, juggling jobs and transportation, or students too busy helping with child care to do their homework.

The octopus theme was very cleverly handled, although a bit less at the end, and Zoey applying what she learned in debate club to the way her mother was being verbally abused was an interesting connection. I can't think of many books for students dealing so much with verbal abuse rather than physical violence. It was also nice to have another book with a teacher as a positive role model; Ms. Rochambeau was awfully patient with Zoey. My only quibble is that things seem to wrap up a bit too easily with Zoey in charge; was what she said in her outburst at debate club all that provocative to earn so much admiration? Still, as the author said, she wanted to write a book where many of our students could see themselves and relate.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was just amazing. AMAZING! It hooked me right from the start and did not disappoint throughout the book. I always worry about giving away too much information when writing a review. Let’s just say that this book dealt with some issues that I hadn’t seen before in a middle grade novel. While this book may be slightly too sophisticated for my grade 3 readers, I could definitely see it in older grades. This book touched me like Out of My Mind, Fish In A Tree, Rain Reign etc. This book definitely touched my heart and soul. I cannot believe this is Ann Braden’s first book. This is definitely one to add to your library!

This was an absolutely fantastic middle grade book dealing with gun issues and domestic violence. I literally could not put this book down and finished it in a day. I've always had a heart for students who struggle with their home life and making it paycheck to paycheck and this book does a great job dealing with that issue and bringing it to light. I cannot wait to share this book with kids at school. I think a lot of students will relate to this and will find the courage within to do what needs to be done.

I was given an ARC of thus novel through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this middle grades novel. Zoey is loveable, and my heart ached for her perseverance in light of her difficult circumstances. I believe that this would be an excellent novel to read as a class to help students empathize with others.

Zoey is the eldest of her mum's children and since learning about octopuses from an old documentary she watched figures she could do with being one as she has to run around her siblings, Hector, Bryce and Aurora whilst their mum works.



They all live in a trailer park with Lenny, Hector's dad and their mum where they struggle for money as her mum's a waitress. Kenny is quite scathing towards their mum especially as he knows she works with Connor, a kind man at the pizza parlour she works in whom likes Zoey and the other kids.



Zoey has just started middle school with Fuchsia her friend where she learns about a debate team and her teacher insists on her taking part. Whilst in school shots are fired outside, a gunman whom Zoey later realises she knew of as he knows Fuchsia.



Neither girls home lives are secure it stable, happy ones and so each girl asks their mum about an idea they have to leave the controlling father figures in their lives well away from them but instead all survive together. They just need to speak up and out to the police and courts, if they can persuade them that is...



The book raises the issue of domestic abuse and all the spectrum of can occur from physical threats and acts to emotional abuse verbally and trying to control a person. We see how it impacts the whole family and Zoey has a lot to cope with hence her feeling comforted by her octopus passion as she knows how she could do with enough arms to do everything she has to do but envy them as they don't have to juggle school work or look after their siblings. It was nice to see she found debate club a way for some own time and be able to connect more with other students while developing a passion.



Raw and intense look at life as a grown up but while still being a child yourself.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!