Member Review

Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers, I was able to get this book for free as a taster for Melleby’s upcoming novel. I was completely interested in the title itself, and the cover work is stunning. I would say the age group is pre-teen-young teen, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Pluto is struggling with her identity. After some severe mental health issues, everyone around her now treats her as if she can break at any moment. Her mother looks at her differently, her former best friend doesn’t feel genuine anymore, and her father is itching to taking her away from everything she knows and loves. Pluto puts together a list to help her feel “normal” again and has to learn how to reshape what she knows about herself and the world around her.

I loved Pluto so much. I loved how much Melleby was able to explore mental health issues in youth through this smart, scientific-minded, logical girl while also illuminating the importance of family, friends, and teachers. I think it’s so important to have books like this that allow young readers to gain language and understanding for issues they don’t yet know how to describe. If you interact with young people at all, then you need to read this book.