A wonderfully written book about friendship and what it means to be a family. Delsie is being raised by her grandmother and feels abandoned by her mother and now her best friends who has chosen to be friends with someone else. Delsie finds comfort in her neighbors and some new friends. She learns what family really means and how those around you can help you heal and grow as a person.

I bought this for my middle school library collection! Is a great addition to our Realistic genre section.

Another great book about being yourself and creating friendships that are like family! Hunt does a wonderful job creating believable characters! I'm excited to have this selection in our middle school collection!

Hunt manages to capture so much of the everyday drama of growing up and the roller coaster emotions Delsie feels as she digs into her own personal history, learns that some friendships will change over time, others will remain, and new friends will become part of her life as well. I like it that she both faces the abandonment by her mother and also realizes the love she's always had in her Grammy. The book is episodic and although there's not a lot of action, there is a lot of drama. This would work well for a middle grade read aloud.

When Delsie's friend asks her what it is like to be an orphan, it sets Delsie on a journey to discover the true meaning of family and friendship. Another heartwarming story from Lynda Mullay Hunt.

Delsie lives with her grammy on the Cape. She is excited about summer and seeing her friend Brandy again. But Brandy has matured in the last year and doesn't want to do all the things they used to. She also has a new friend Tressa who is just nasty to Delsie. Deslie makes friends with new kid Ronan and it turns out they have a lot in common. Delsie is also struggling with questions about her mom and why mom abandoned her. Grammy is hesitant to talk about Deslie's mom.

I thought the friendship issues were pretty typical of middle school kids. Although I did think Tressa was just extra mean and had no real depth as a character. There was no explanation for why she was so mean and nasty, although I guess in real life there often isn't an explanation for nastiness. I really enjoyed Deslie and Ronan's friendship and the fact that she was able to move on after being dissed by Brandy and Tressa. I adored Grammy and her obsession with game shows and her love of Delsie. This was an excellent audiobook and I highly recommend the story.

The is the first Lynda Mullaly Hunt book I have read, but it will not be my last. Shouting at the Rain is the story of Delsie, who lives on the Cape year round. She looks forward to every summer, when her friend, Brandy comes down, but this summer is different. Brandy is drawn to Tressa, a girl new to the Cape. Tressa and Brandy would rather talk about make up and boys, while Delsie would rather explore the beach looking for shells. Tressa begins bullying Delsie while Brandy does nothing to defend her friend. After a new boy in town, Ronan, protects Delsie from Tressa's bad behavior, Delsie is at first resentful, but they eventually become friends. Ronan is struggling with personal issues, but when he begins to open up and trust Delsie, they realize they have a lot in common and become closer. The novel explores parent abandonment, friendships lost and found, a new definition of family acceptance, and forgiveness. With an amazing cast of side characters, including Delsie's school friends, Henry and Esme, as well as Delsie's grandmother, this story will resonate with readers who might not even relate to the issues Ronan and Delsie are dealing with - although quite a few of our young readers can relate to not only what they are going through, but how they are feeling, and how they handle it. The setting provides a peacefulness that is the antithesis of the turmoil our main characters are going through during most of the novel, which I feel makes for a stronger impact.

A wonderful story about family, friendship and growing up. Delsie feels real immediately, with her love of the Cape and her neighborhood family, her excitement to see her summer friend -and the pain as they no longer match up effortlessly- and her growing desire that her mom still be there. I appreciated the slow reveal that her mom chose / had to leave because of her addiction, but also that her mom loves her. Grammy is awesome, and so are her turns of phrase. This book is suffused in love in so many ways., Ordered book and audio for the collection..

Shouting at the Rain is a book many will fall in love with! Lynda Mullaly Hunt so expertly crafts characters you can't help but root for and love with all your heart. She creates settings you wish you could spend time visiting.

As a 5th/6th grade school librarian, I already have several kids in mind who I think need to read this book. There are so many nuggets of good advice to young people who feel alone and are struggling with friends. "I get the funny thought that friendship is like boogie boarding. You have to learn when to hold on and when to let go. I feel better now that I've let go."

I love Hunt's books, because she is so good at hitting the right uncomfortable notes about growing up and growing apart. This book hits on how things can feel broken and off kilter (I love the contrast right at the start between Delsie and Brandy - Brandy and her mother and their mani-pedis and Delsie noting that Grammy was more likely to take her "out on a raft in the middle of a nor'easter"), but how that's not necessarily bad, and that family is what you make it. Plus, I greatly appreciate the snark of a local observing tourists.

Delsie loves storms and can feel one brewing inside of her. Her best friend ditches her for someone who is mean and she starts to really wonder about her mom, who she was and why she left Delsie behind. Then shark-loving Ronan comes to Cape Cod. He is dealing with his own storm. Together they face some very turbulent situations and feelings and question if there can be sun after the stormy weather.
The novel is relatable and equally powerful. All of us deal with some sort of storm within. Delsie's and Ronan's are not uncommon. Many children live in single-parent families and understand the anger, hurt, and confusion that these characters face. Aside from that, Delsie questions and ultimately, teaches us the true meaning of family. Delsie and Ronan are two very likable characters that will stay with the reader after the book is closed. Hunt also adds extra flavor by sprinkling Cape-isms throughout. It's a delight to read and should be a great addition to all middle-grade collections.

Delsie Mchill lives with her grandma and dad in Cape Cod, but always longed for a regular family. When her previous friends decide to unfriend her, Delsie decides to hit up a friendship with her neighbor, Ronan, a caring person who is troubled by loss. Together, they must confront abandonment, loss, family, and the true meaning of friendship. Will they succeed? A satisfying coming-of-age story with characters who will capture the hearts of the readers.

Young and Old alike will relate to relationships that wax and wane with the years. The characters are ones you will want to have more time with once the final page is read, The text is thought-provoking, and provides many highlighted passages that will resonate with readers, You will laugh, ache and ponder as the story unfolds.