Once this pandemic was well underway, I knew it was only a matter of time before novels were created about it. I remember reading books following 9/11 with caution and approached this book in the same manner. I am shocked at how quickly this book was written and published with a September release date. My fourth grade students will easily relate to this story as having lived through it themselves. I like how the author included several viewpoints and different experiences of the kids and their parents. I know there will be many books written in the future of this time in history that are tragic and focusing on death, but I appreciated how this middle grade novel tried to stay as positive and hopeful as possible for young readers.

This story was a bout a middle school girl during the first few months of Covid 19. She goes from being at school planning a spring dance to being at home, doing school from zoom and worrying about her father that is a doctor. The book gives lots of specifics about Covid and details what it may have been like for many kids during this time between a character whose grandmother is in a care facility and her parents are teachers. It shows the struggle kids had learning from zoom but affirms how hard teachers are working. The book shows how some kids came together to make masks for the community and make a safe social distance dance for their friends. I wanted to so much to like this book but it in part is problematic. The book only showcases kids with a lot of privilege and doesn't have any examples of kids who can't do their school because they don't have the internet, kids who are hungry, kids whose parents are leaving them to work in very unsafe conditions, kids whose parents lost their business and don't know how they will pay their bills, etc. This story could be difficult for all of those kids because they won't relate to someone having time and supplies to make masks for others, maybe they would have done that if they weren't worried about having enough food. This could have been such a good book if it had diverse characters in all aspects.
Some people will take it surface level and love this sweet story, believe me I want do but it just isn't culturally responsive and that is not what we need right now in schools.

This was a pretty quick read that kept my attention from the beginning. It is so relatable! I’m not a student but I remember when it was announced spring break would be extended, then business would shut down etc. It covers the ups and downs of living through Covid-19 in such a positive way.

I enjoyed the main character Quinn and her friends Reese and Isaac. While it’s told from Quinns perspective, you also get to see how her friends are handling the situation and it also shows how the adults in their lives are trying to handle things while also not cause panic among their children/students.

I LOVED the way Quinn and her friends organized the socially distant dance in the street. I don’t know if this is based on a real event somewhere or if the author just made it up but I absolutely love the idea!

This is a great book for middle grade kids to read and help them understand a little more about what’s happening in the world.

This tells the story of a teen girl and her friends in the first days of the Covid 19 pandemic. At first they are all excited to be getting a longer spring break. Then the boredom sets in and they struggle to deal with online schooling. Quin lives next door to one of her best friends, a class clown and the two of them are lucky to be able to spend time together all the while social distancing. While the story is told from these young people's perspective, we get to know more about how it affects older people through their parents and extended family.
These young people filled me up with hope as they go out of their way to support their community in different ways.
Eric Walters writes wonderful characters who I came to care about. I can't help but wonder if he will write a sequel so we can learn how they are doing as the pandemic continues.
At first I assumed this novel was set in Ontario Canada, but by the time I finished the book I realized it could be almost anywhere in North America. With the virus raging out of control in the USA, but more or less under control here in Canada, I can't help but wonder how these young teens lives would differ depending on where they live.

A fast read which kept me enthralled the whole book. Minimal dwelling on the details of Co-Vid but addressed in a real but positive manner. I loved how the social distancing and mask wearing were mentioned and handled. Not to give away the big event done by Quinn and her friends, but I must say a very caring and positive happening during this pandemic time. A light-hearted book touching just enough on this thrust into the Co-Vid pandemic with positive tones throughout from the children in the story. I would so recommend this for all to read.

Not sure I have ever read a book more current than this one. A very realistic portrayal of how a group of middle schoolers handled the anxiety and frustration of the early days of the covid-19 pandemic from the early dismissal of school for Spring Break to the realization that the rest of the school year is lost.
Quinn (female) seems to be a typical (sub?) urban middle schooler. Like all kids she deals with the loss full access to her friends, although there is a boy named Isaac that lives next door that she sees daily and she sees her best friend at times as well. She also has to deal with the stress and boredom of Zoom (as a teacher a little part of me was mad that this teacher got all her kids to Zoom- I never did), her mother being really busy and stressed out, and worst of all her father, a doctor, working at the hospital. Like many first responders, he changes his living arrangements, works with some level of fear and works longer hours. Quinn's best friend Reese has to deal with not seeing her grandmother, who is in a rest home, and Isaac's Mom works in law enforcement and is almost never home. This was a good look at the stresses felt by children and adults during this time.
All of these issue are fresh for us now, as we are living them, or seeing them in the news reports daily. In several years, middle school aged readers will be able to read about this and see what older siblings and parents went through, they may have vague memories of their own. I think it will be a valuable read at that time. As for now, some may really enjoy relating to characters in a book in a way that they may not normally be able to. They may also find hope in the way that Quinn and her friends are able to contribute to making things better in their neighbourhood through an idea she has and how they salvage a year end event to bring closure to their school year and a joyful social occasion to their neighbourhood. This is something I wish my students were able to pull off, and if there able to see that coming together is better than the solitary apathy that many have endured during this time, that is a great thing to learn. 4.5 stars for this one for me, I wish it was a little longer to see more of the things kids struggled with, although they are mentioned they pop up quickly and these kids are able to overcome them quickly. That is the trade off for such a readable, relatable story of this accessible length though.

This was a short/quick read, that is appropriate for middle grade and up. It was a sweet little story about friendship, dealing with hardships (COVID-19), and making the best of a bad situation. The book was realistic yet hopeful. It did an excellent job of explaining precautions taken at an age appropriate level.

First sentence: “Isaac, could you please pay at least a little attention?” Jenna asked. Isaac looked up from his phone. “Believe me, I’m paying as little attention as I can,” he said.

Premise/plot: Quinn and her friends struggle with the changes that COVID 19 brings to their lives. Quinn is the daughter of a doctor. The book captures her observations in her home and in her life overall. It opens the day before their scheduled last day of school before spring break. It closes with a bit of hope--a social-distance-observing block party.

My thoughts: This book was published super-super-super fast in reaction to the times. The book is like a time capsule of what March through May was like. A time capsule is a good way to think of it. To middle schoolers who have lived through these months, I can't see them NEEDING to read about it. They've been there, done that. They know about the drastic, seemingly overnight changes. But future generations will. For those that were born circa 2015 to 2020 by the time they're old enough to read this it will be a good read. There will be something universal about it, something that brings generations together. It might also help to read with some hindsight knowing how it ended. Right now we don't know how it will end, when it will end, how many lives will be lost, how many families forever impacted because of a loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a home, etc. The book ends as well as it can for being stuck in what may or may not be the middle of a pandemic.

Was this book too soon after all we are still in epidemic mode with so many people still suffering and even dying from this deadly virus?

The answer is NO. This book dealt more with uplifting the moods of the people. It is something that is needed instead of focusing on the negative. Eric Walters has such a great gift in his writing and this book just shows as he cam write about any social issue.

I must thank the author and orca books for the arc copy and this has really lifted my spirits.

I have an incredibly long and amazing history with the books of Eric Walters. I have quite literally grown up alongside his books, and he is without question, my all-time favourite author. "Don't Stand So Close to Me" is his latest release, and I was both ecstatic and absolutely honoured to receive an e-ARC copy from Orca Book Publishers via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

The story of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" is told from the perspective of the character Quinn, a girl in Grade 8 whose world is suddenly turned completely upside down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with her family, and her best friends, Reese and Isaac, she must navigate this new reality.

This is a timely, important read that deals with a real-world issue in a sensitive and respectful way, without sugarcoating the harsh realities of the situation. Eric Walters has achieved a balance between being informative and educational, while still crafting a story that is engaging and full of heart. It's quite honestly the PERFECT quarantine read, and I absolutely LOVED it! It's also an incredibly short read (128 pages), and I was able to read it in one sitting!

Eric Walters truly is a Canadian treasure, and with "Don't Stand So Close to Me," he continues to craft compelling, compulsively readable stories for middle-grade and YA readers. I've been reading his books for nearly 17 years, and he has NEVER let me down! This is definitely another great addition to his illustrious, prolific body of work.

"Don't Stand So Close to Me" is scheduled for paperback release on September 22, 2020, but is currently available for purchase as an e-book. Many thanks to Orca Book Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this novella!

Quinn and her friends at middle school are surprised but delighted when there is an assembly to announce that spring break 2020 will start a day early and will last three weeks, but they are also a little scared about the Covid-19 pandemic. Quinn's father is a doctor at the local hospital, and to keep Quinn and her mother safer, he lives in the basement. Her mother starts working from home. Quinn's friend Reese is disappointed that she can no longer visit her grandmother, who lives in a retirement facility that is closed to visitors to contain the spread of the disease. Her neighbor and friend Isaac sometimes visits... they sit in their respective driveways in lawn chairs. Isaac's dad is a police officer who has to try to enforce social distancing guidelines. The days in isolation pass slowly, with Zoom classes and assignments pertaining to the virus, but there is a little light in the middle of the tunnel when students are allowed to put on a socially distanced school dance outside,and everyone abides by the rules.

Strengths: This reminded me a little of Polak's Orca title, The Leggings Revolt, in that it is an excellent purchase for historical reasons. The details of the school closing down, the changes in homelife, shopping, visiting relatives-- all good and a little too close to home at this point. In five years, middle school students will have only a vague memory of what was like, so this will be great to hand them.
Weaknesses: I would have liked more leading up to the school closing; we had a weird and fraught week with a very frenetic last day of school. My other vivid memory is going to the grocery store after work on March 13 and getting the very last gallon of milk. I wish Quinn had gone to the store with her mom or dad!
What I really think: Definitely purchasing for historical reasons. Yes, some day we won't have to social distance, although life will never be exactly the same again. But then, it never is.

An engaging story for middle grade readers about the early days of COVID-19. Captures the pandemic from the POV of teens at first ecstatic to have Spring Break extended, then bored when school goes online and they can’t hang out with friends.

The ER doc dad of main character Quinn confirms the many virus deaths at his hospital. But the full COVID tragedy unfolds unseen, making this less scary for kids living the real deal.

The story ends with hope, as Quinn pulls off a joyful safe-distancing dance for her community. Much like the triumph of the author, who went from book idea to publication in just seven weeks!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 22 Sep 2020

Thanks to Orca Book Publishers and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#DontStandSoClosetoMe #NetGalley

A very good book from the perspective of a young girl going thru COVID 19 epidemic. The writing was great and would recommend this book to all

This is a middle grade. This is a middle grade short book about covid-19. I think this is a great book to help kids understand what covid-19 is, and I also thinks it helps parents/adults understand how kids feels about covid-19. This book is a great book for this time, and I really love it. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author (Eric Walters) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review , and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a DRC of Don't Stand so Close to Me in exchange for an honest review.

I'm aware most of the people who follow my reviews aren't Canadian so this might not be a universal thing, but ever single elementary/middle school teacher in Canada is OBSESSED with Eric Walters. Which means that I, as an overachieving elementary/middle schooler who helped run my school's book trivia team where the questions were created by said obsessed teachers, grew up reading every single Eric Walters book so I could destroy other school's at competitions. Basically what I'm saying is when I found out such an icon already had a whole book published on the pandemic I knew I had to read it.

Don't Stand So Close to Me is an excellent portrayal of the pandemic for readers of all ages. It explains various aspects of the social and medical aspects in terms anyone can understand while fitting those explanations naturally into the narrative structure. This book does not sugar coat anything but still manages to be hopeful and empowering to young readers. I'd definitely recommend this, especially if you have a young reader at home you want to help educate on what's going on in a fun way.