In Love Like Sky, Leslie Youngblood gives children from blended families a voice and the chance to feel seen. She also tackles divorce, child/sibling loss, moving, bullying, and the challenges of young friendships. All these topics are present in any classroom - children will connect with Youngblood's characters immediately.

Being an Atlanta native, I loved that it was set in and around the metro area. G-baby, or Georgie, is on the verge of middle school and has moved into a new home with her mother, stepfather, younger sister, and older stepsister. There are several storylines to follow, which may be challenging for middle-grade readers, but the plot moves along quickly and is paced well.

I loved the overall message in Love Like Sky: love is like the sky, endless and constantly expanding. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The author’s choice to star a young girl where her family is a “blended-up” one was a great choice, and I fully enjoyed learning the dynamic between these family members and how one event brought everyone together. In reality, there is no one way a family should look like and I think many children would benefit in reading about this one particular family for that reason.

When looking at characters, I felt the author did a nice job in making everyone distinguishable from each other. It’s fairly easy to have a story where there are multiple focused characters to not have distinct characteristics or storylines, but for this being a children’s book I thought the author did nice job with in this respect. Georgie’s character both had likable moments and even annoying ones, but this is the reality with a ten-year-old, especially when she is dealing with divorced, remarried parents and a step-sister who doesn’t seem to even like her.

Looking at the plot itself, I never found myself bored or uninterested while reading. The scenes flowed well into each other and there was enough sentimental and upsetting moments to make this a well-rounded story for children. Though I did find the protesting aspect of the story to be a bit lacking. Not that children need to understand 100% how dangerous some can be, but I’m just not sure how well it was explained within the novel. Perhaps this would be a conversation children can have with their families to better understand what Georgie’s stepsister was involved in and why.

Love Like Sky has such a sweet message about love and the vastness of this lovely theme. The idea that love is like the sky, where it is endless and expansive is something I also believe in, but never really thought about. It’s a visual that I feel would be great for children to better understand this otherwise abstract feeling.

Overall, Love Like Sky was sweet, and I really enjoyed reading about Georgie’s family. I would highly recommend this book to both children who enjoy contemporary fiction (as opposed to fantasy), and for those who are young at heart.

Love the cover art on this one. I think it will appeal to a wide audience. I will be recommending it to 4th and 5th graders.

An interesting read with real characters that show the drama of blended family, sisterly love and how becoming a family can be difficult. G-baby wants to be loved and accepted by Tangie her step-sister; her baby sister Peaches becomes ill and that is when the drama really begins. Good story for tweens and teens who want to have a little more drama.

This book is just ok. Maybe it was the writing. The main character wasn't very likeable, and her whining didn't help. It isn't bad-there isn't anything objectionable about it. It just wasn't that good.

I thought this was a really good book about the bond between siblings and how siblings stick together even as they face their parents and something that hurts them that they can't control. I really loved reading this

A solid story of figuring out the intricacies of a blended family while dealing with a sisiter's illness and friend drama. G-Baby is a courageous character trying to help her family and finding friendships in unexpected places. Not only does she have to deal with her new step sister and dad, but she also has to deal with her sister's grave illness all while trying to navigate the drama of middle school friendships. While she doesn't always make the best choices, her heart is in the right place and steers her right in the end.

A touching look at family through an imperfect narrator struggling to make a blended family feel like love is endless. A solid purchase.

This story had everything I look for in a great Middle Grade book: nontraditional families, cultural aspects, values presented from a Middle Grade aged reader's emotional maturity, older secondary characters the MC can look up to, who aren't a parental figures; and a wise senior citizen. I was drawn into this wonderful story about family, friends, and bullies from the first page. I highly recommend this book for all MG aged readers, and also Young Adult readers.

I was a little thrown by some of the facts of this book, especially in regards to meningitis. Thrown enough by facts that I questioned that it pulled me out of the moment in the book. Aside from what I perceived as logical flaws, it's a decent plot. THere are some plot parallels that felt more repetitious than reinforcing and some elements that don't really get enough space and development.

Every single person in middle grade needs to read Love Like Sky. I feel like everyone needs a good story to root for someone, and through Love Like Sky, everyone will be on G-baby's side!

@disneyhyperion #partner - I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Georgie and her little sister Peach’s parents got divorced and each parent has started building new lives for themselves while trying their best to keep things inclusive and sensitive to their girls. On one of their visits with their biological Dad, Georgie does something daring and a little selfish after which everyone's lives change for better or worse.

Love Like Sky reads like you're talking to your best friend or a confidante. The author's writing takes you deep into the characters minds and hearts, and doesn't let you go even after you've read the last sentence.

This is such an intricate and complicated story. Blended families that stemmed from one or multiple divorces remain in the realm of impossible for me. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Georgie and her family and friends. I enjoyed seeing that when everyone does their best, things can work out (mostly). I enjoyed seeing how tremendously hard it can be to navigate feelings of not belonging or wanting to belong without letting said feelings cloud one's judgement.
People's actions sometimes are misguided because of how much they love and care for someone but usually that love is the magic that keeps families together (blended or not).
Love Like Sky is about family, love, and how much better life is when we surround ourselves with people who care about us and support us. Some kids wish for their parents to part ways, other kids want their parents to stay together no matter what. Learning to deal with the feelings of disappointment when things don't go the way they were supposed to is a huge challenge. I'm grateful Love Like Sky exists to provide some support to kids out there going through similar life challenges.

G-baby and her younger sister Peaches are trying to get used to their new life. Mom has remarried and they now have a stepsister that G-baby especially would like to get to know better. She would also love it if her dad and stepmother would get along with everyone else. Of course their is typical middle school drama but when Peaches gets sick the day G-baby snuck out of the house everything crashes down. Will Peaches get better and can things ever be normal again?
This was a solid selection and I liked the diversity in it.

The storyline and lovely cover drew me in to Love Like Sky, but unfortunately it didn't quite hold up. It is hard to write a brief, but accurate synopsis as this book has a lot going on in it, which is one of the reasons it fell short for me. G-Baby is trying to deal with her sick sister, a new stepsister who seems to hate her, a growing interest in a boy, a new blended family and relocation, her best friend being bullied... see what I mean? Within each of those storylines lots happens and the kids continuously make bad decisions that all tidily (unrealistically) work out.

Overall, the novel is fine, but I'll likely pass on including it in my libraries.

This was a delightful book I read during the summer. It was a story of broken families and yours-mine-and ours-families and learning how to make the old and the new even better. I loved how the characters who were each suffering on their own, learned that accepting new friends/family can bring joy again to our broken hearts. Well done!

#LoveLikeSky #NetGalley

The process of creating a blended family involving 4 parents and stepparents, and three sisters and stepsisters, is the framework of the plot. The family bonding goes into overdrive when the youngest daughter develops meningitis, and an emotional roller coater ensues. Besides the interactions between the four parents, the kids and stepparents, there is a healthy dose of boyfriend, girlfriend, and alpha girl issues, with mild references to Alzheimer, police brutality, and protest marches. Definitely reflects the families and struggles of the times.

>>Contains: divorced & re-married parents, blended families, step siblings, dead siblings, health and disabilities, fat shaming, grief, bullying, police brutality and protesting,
>>I love the cover.
>>Quick to fall in with the flow, voice, and finish in one sitting for adults and advanced readers. Middle graders will find it hard to put down and forget wanting to know what happens next with these relatable characters.
>>Super adorable and sweet throughout. There's a lot of heavy stuff going on, but that's life. It's really about love, strength, and growing bonds between friends, and family, sticking together though thick and thin.
>>Very emotional! Does come with a happy ending.
>>There's a lot going on, but it stays grounded, vivid and clear.
>>Brings nostalgia for adults and keeps it relevant for kids today.
>>I will absolutely be reading any sequel that follows. I really hope their adventure in Bogalusa is next!


Favorite Quotes:
<blockquote>
"picked out everything in my favorite color--lilac, which is purple with milk in it."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"When she returned, Mama was smiling brighter than neon fingernail polish."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"It was like when I'd see someone who I used to know in first grade: we were not strangers but we had to become friends all over again."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Have fun. And don't let them streetlights catch you."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Mama told me that a best friend was a relative that you make for yourself. I though about that every time Nikki made me mad. I figured since I made her, I might as well keep her."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Now I knew why maybe Tangie didn't want to cheer anymore. Maybe she couldn't jump so high because there was the same sinking feeling in her stomach that I had that kept her feet on the ground."</blockquote>

<blockquote>"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you chose." (Georgie quoting Dr. Seuss)</blockquote>

Georgie, a.k.a. “G-baby”, is an average eleven year old doing her best to manage above-average problems. Her parents recently divorced and she moved from her old neighborhood in the city to a new one in the suburbs.

Of course, it’s not just a new home that plagues her, but also navigating new relationships with her stepfather and stepsister. G-baby and her sister, Peaches, want nothing more than for their older stepsister to be like a “real” sister. Instead, Tangie spends all her time locked away in her room. Georgie and Peaches also gained a new stepmother, Millicent. She and their dad bought their old house in a gesture meant to bring them closer together. Instead, Georgie continues to resent Millicent and finds reason after reason to dislike her.

I enjoyed “Love Like Sky” because it felt real. As I followed Georgie’s journey it resonated with me; my parents divorced when I was young so I know what it’s like to move homes, blend families, and pack a bag every weekend. Georgie’s frustrations and struggles, particularly at her stage in childhood, are extremely relatable.

Georgie herself is another reason to love this book. She is kind-hearted, courageous, and loyal, even when it hurts. She believes the best in people while also seeing what’s really inside their hearts. Georgie wrestles constantly with how to do the right thing—how to protect someone she loves even when that means betraying their trust. She seeks justice, loves people even when they aren’t very likable, and goes the extra mile to make things right.

Overall, “Love Like Sky” was a fantastic middle grade story. My only concern was that it felt like the author was trying to tackle too many issues. With bullying, divorce, illness, first love, grieving, etc., there were many big things going on; it was a lot for one little girl and one middle grade story. However, I also appreciated the way these topics were handled and addressed. Empathy, forgiveness, and justice reigned in big ways throughout the story. I highly recommend this book and would excitedly add it to my own personal library for my kids to read in the future!

Love Like Sky is written perfectly for middle-school aged children. As the mother of both a 7 and a 9 year old, I’d be excited for my girls to read a story with flawed characters but boasts unbreakable bonds, love and resilience. I enjoyed this well-written work.

I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis from Publisher/NetGalley.com
Ages 8-12
"Love ain't like that.""
How is it then?" Peaches asked, turning on her stomach to face me.
"It's like sky. If you keep driving and driving, gas will run out, right?"
"That's why we gotta go to the gas station."
"Yep. But have you ever seen the sky run out? No matter how far we go?"
"No, when we look up, there it is."
"Well that's the kind of love Daddy and Mama got for us, Peaches—love like sky."
"It never ends?"
"Never."

G-baby and her younger sister, Peaches, are still getting used to their "blended-up" family. They live with Mama and Frank out in the suburbs, and they haven't seen their real daddy much since he married Millicent. G-baby misses her best friend back in Atlanta, and is crushed that her glamorous new stepsister, Tangie, wants nothing to do with her.

G-baby is so preoccupied with earning Tangie's approval that she isn't there for her own little sister when she needs her most. Peaches gets sick-really sick. Suddenly, Mama and Daddy are arguing like they did before the divorce, and even the doctors at the hospital don't know how to help Peaches get better.

It's up to G-baby to put things right. She knows Peaches can be strong again if she can only see that their family's love for her really is like sky.

Easy read for middle school with many current issues reflected in G-Baby's life. I found the main character a bit too dramatic for my liking but then again, most middle schoolers live in drama land. A solid choice for a middle school library with a decent budget.