With the perfect balance of humor, this story takes on a girl's heart-breaking diagnosis and turns it into an inspiration to make dreams fly.

Maddie is twelve years old and all the problems it brings, especially when it comes to surviving sixth grade. Her biggest problem is the popular girl named Cassie. Maddie bumps shoulders with every other girl in her class just to remain in Cassie's good graces and have the right to be friends with her. But Maddie's gut keeps telling her that what Cassie does to those she doesn't befriend isn't right. Maddie starts to stand up for herself letting her quirky humor cushion her on the way, but just when things seem to be smoothing out, the real monster hits. Maddie has a tumor near her brain. Even her pocket full of fake mustaches can't form a smile out of this news.

This is one of the better middle grade novels I've read in awhile. Maddie is a lovely girl, not an outcast but not the most popular either. She's simply average and fights as best she can, along with the other girls, to stay in the good graces of the popular crowd. Still, she's nice, has a good heart and struggles inwardly when she's about to do something she shouldn't. In other words, she's an average girl that is easy to understand and empathize with. Her quirky humor sets her apart. Not only do the mustaches in her pocket raise eyebrows but her imaginative outbursts about poison claws and deadly monster waiting for sudden attack, make it clear that she's not your average 6th grade girl.

The writing in this is a perfect balance between fun and the more serious side of life. The topics are heavy, but the authors manage to keep the point without bogging down. Middle graders will have no trouble sailing through this read, feeling for Maddie, but still coming out with a smile and tons to think about. A book that leaves the reader in deep thought always gets bonus points from me.

The sixth grade world and it's hurdles are things readers will recognize and be able to compare with their own lives. Maddie and her class mates' fairly extensive knowledge of Shakespeare, his works, and his characters, however, does not fit the age group and will leave the intended audience scratching their heads. Then, at other moments, the characters would come across younger than what they were.

But I would highly recommend this book and find it a gem both boys and girls are sure to enjoy.

Mustaches for Maddie is full of heart, hope, and humor. Maddie is an unforgettable character who faces her challenges armed with humor and imagination and will no doubt find her way into your heart. I laughed and cried, cheered and worried, and wished I’d had a friend like Maddie when I was in sixth grade. Mustaches is a must-read book for anyone facing challenges of their own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC to read and review. Save the date! "Mustaches for Maddie" is set to be released October 3, 2017.

"Mustaches for Maddie" is everything: charming, imaginative, funny, beautiful, heartwarming. Based on a true story about the authors' daughter, Maddie, this novel will give you strength in your darkest times and prove that mustaches make everything better and funnier.

I loved this novel from the start. Maddie is innocent, bright, kind, and has a wild imagination. She wants to be friends with everyone and make people happy, even the most popular girl in her grade who's not exactly the friendliest. When it's discovered that Maddie has a brain tumor, she struggles to find strength to overcome this scary monster. It may take more than mustaches to pull through.

Maddie's voice is clear, distinct, and her personality shines through from the very first line. Her active imagination colors every word and phrase, making the reading experience extremely enjoyable. Her perspective on life made me think about my own, especially when I was her age. I felt included in her world. Maddie is a sweet, admirable individual who anyone would feel lucky to have as a friend.

This story is the perfect middle grade novel that should be included in school curriculum. Not to over-analyze but to teach kids how we should treat each other and to understand that everyone has struggles we may be too afraid to face on our own. And of course that mustaches are awesome. I like that there are discussion questions included at the end to help extend and guide the important discussions this novel brings up.

"Mustaches for Maddie" gets a golden mustache from me. Loved it and need to add this to my bookshelf. One of the best books of 2017 so far, one of my favorite books of 2017 and all time, and my favorite middle grade novel. This novel is a must-read.

I received this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book!

First off, this book is "based on the true story of the authors’ daughter, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was eleven years old". A large portion of this book is real and that makes me like it even more. Not that Maddie had a tumor but that Maddie is a real person that is bringing light into this world.

Maddie is the narrator and she is a slightly unreliable narrator at times. Like when her imagination kicks in or she really wants to hear something but she always clears it up. But what can you expect from a 12 year old with an overactive imagination.

If you took out the part of the story about her having a brain tumor it is still great story about a girl learning where her place is at school and how to overcome those that are against you.

If you liked Wonder, you will like Mustaches for Maddie. Both books are about children that unknowingly encourage those around them in such a pure and innocent way.

I recommend this book to everyone!

For most Twelve year olds, they don't have a health scare or in this case when they come, they can be very, very bad. Happy girl Maddie with her infectious humor and love of mustaches has been having trouble settling into certain friendships and also dealing with her failing hand and leg.

Her friend Lexi is there for her always and even though she tried to be the friend popular girl Cassie would want to be seen with, wasn't unfortunately, apart from to use find out whom Devin Cassie's crush fancied which Maddie does.

Then it happens, rushed in for an MRI on her brain by her doctors, the worst news comes, she has a tumour pressing on her brain.

Her parents promise her a dream wish, a trip to Disneyland and are heartbroken that Maddie faces such serious and possibly life altering and life threatening surgery though her true friends utilise social media to get their friend smiling again by creating #MustachesforMaddie in which people send selfies of themselves with mustaches in on social media to make Maddie laugh.

I loved this book, I was shocked at the end though, as Maddie is real! A real living girl whom is the authors daughter actually went through having a tumor on her brain at a really young age. Maddie if you read the reviews of this book, you've done awesome and I wish for the best for you in the future girl!

Thanks to the publishers for allowing me a copy to review!

You will need a box of tissues for this book.

This is an inspiring story. Based on a true experience about a real little girl named Maddie, who not only overcame a brain tumor, but touched the lives around her. (You can still see evidence on twitter is you search the hashtag #mustachesformaddie.)

Maddie is an imaginative girl, and I kept thinking of the Bridge to Terabithia as I read. Much of the narrative is Maddie's imagination, and as she interacts with classmates, you see not only her changing but the kids around her.

I also liked the undercurrent of praying and having faith.

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the ARC copy.

About a year ago, we thought my brother had suffered a stroke. The police, who rested him, thought he was drunk, but he wasn't drunk, and when we finally got him to go to a hospital, to find out what really was wrong, they discovered the tumor in his brain. Maudie reminds me of my brother, and a little of me. Like my brother, she didn't want to believe that anything was wrong with her, and yeah, her arm was feeling weird, and she had trouble with her leg, but she's was fine, fine, just the way my brother kept saying he was fine, just tired, or low on vitemon B, or whatever his excuse was.

This is also so familiar, because when I broke my arm, when I was a child, I didn't want to go to the doctor either. I hoped my arm would just feel better, if I just waited long enough.

So, yes, Maudie is <em>very</em> realistic. She is a very real girl, with a real story. And actually, the story was based on the authors' daughter, who also had to have surgery for a brain tumor. The story of her classmates, but made up, but apparently the character was based on their daughter.

I love how she matures and grows, just as protagonist should. But I love that it is so natural. And I love how kind she is.

Four and a half stars. Well done. A sweet book that should be welcome in any school library or any home.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Maddie has been my hero for a few years now-- I met her dad, author Chad Morris, at the time all of this was happening. I was, and continue to be, impressed with Maddie's ability to find happiness through the use of mustaches. As soon as I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it as it tells her story. You will fall in love with Maddie and want to wear a mustache to make her smile. So well told by Maddie's mom and dad, you will not be able to put it down. This girl will take over your heart. She is amazing! LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!