Cute book for 2-3rd grade students on friendship and responsibility. I am guessing this is book 2 in a series and I hope to see more adventures from the twins. I am giving this book to my Media Specialist to put on her book list.

Blackberry farm 2 review

Becket and Nicholas’ 10th birthday is coming up. Becket is spunky little girl that’s full of life and adventure. Her twin rather live in a calm environment and play his cello. They both have a big wish for their birthday but it is not the same wish like Becket believed. Their birthday will bring plenty of laughs, friendship and a lovely surprise. Those surprises will lead to even better and bigger things.
Pick up Book 2 of the Blackberry Farm series. Book one, The Becket List was just as wonderful. Share with your children, friends’ kids, students, etc. It is funny, lovely, a great family and wonderful friends. Thank you for your support.

-Rebeca

Becket is a girl who is very energetic and full of enthusiasm. Her twin, Nicholas is almost her opposite. When they plan for their 10th birthday party, Becket wants lots of outdoor games and noise. Nicholas wants a quiet day with one friend.

When their "lifetime wish" to have a pet comes true, the pets they choose (one each) cause a shake-up! The story is also about their close family, and their recent move to a home on a farm.

The story is sweet at times, and interesting,
but it doesn't read like the thoughts of a 10-year old girl in my opinion. In some parts, her comments or actions seem far too young. For instance, does a 10-year old girl think she's finished running, then her sneakers decide to run another "loop" around a building? And also use the words mischievous and chromosomes?

The dialogue and story is occasionally choppy, and some of the twin's thoughts and actions do not seem to match their age. (When the studious Nicholas asks questions about things he should know, or either one is thinking through a situation and uses too much detail. It happens too often.)

I would ignore these things for the sake of the story, but they jarred me out of the otherwise fun narrative.

Relationships and personalities are at the heart of this book. Learning to use skills and develop new ones. But mostly to accept others because they are different--not in spite of being different.

A good chapter book for young readers (approx. ages 7-14); my opinion only.

4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher snd NetGalley for the preview of this fun ebook story!

#AllPetsAllowedBlackberryFarm2 #NetGalley


Note for the publisher: I believe it is damaging to a person's trust when possessions are donated without the owner's permission (although well meaning). Learning from the consequences and rewards of making choices is a much more effective teacher. In the book, the mother was donating what she thought was grandma's recipe box, but she failed to look inside, and it was full of priceless old photos! And Becket found her chewed and damaged penguin toy (valuable to her, but not worth selling).

No individual should be made to feel that their possessions could disappear--especially at the hands of a loved-one--to donate, give away, or sell. I consider it stealing.

All Pets Allowed: Blackberry Farm 2, written by Adele Griffin and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is an enchanting middle-grade novel, one that thrilled the pet-loving child within my heart.

All Becket Branch has ever wanted was a dog. Ideally, she'd like to get that dog for her tenth birthday. Meanwhile, her brother, Nicholas, has only ever wanted a cat. Who will get their birthday wish?

As it turns out, both children will be getting the pet of their dreams for their tenth birthday. Better yet, they'll be selecting their new forever friend from the local animal shelter. But will the pets be everything they imagined?

All Pets Allowed: Blackberry Farm 2 is undoubtedly one of the most charming novels I've read in quite some time. I loved everything about this story, from the kids and their parents to the endearing animals they picked out at the shelter.

Speaking of – I love that message woven into the narrative. In fact, many good lessons are being taught in All Pets Allowed: Blackberry Farm 2. Both kids went into the pet parent life with specific expectations – and they had to learn that life (and living creatures) don't always go or behave as planned.

LeUyen Pham illustrations help enhance the whole story for me, bringing the children, their pets, and their adventures to life. It was a sweet touch, and I'm certain that had I read this novel as a child, it would have quickly become one of my favorites.

Cute story with fun illustrations sprinkled throughout. I think many middle grader readers will find some relatable feelings/emotions/challenges. Have to say I really felt for Nicholas. His anxiety was palpable and made me want to hug him. Beckett earned my affection too because she's a polar opposite of her twin but also a wonderful spirit. I laughed as she exclaimed about almost everything. When the twins receive their twin birthday gifts from mom and dad they can't believe their luck. Going to stop there to avoid spoilers. Lessons abound. I have three middle grade granddaughters who would love this book - I recommend it for the age level and lovers of chapter books.

This is the story of twins who live with their family on a farm, where they keep chickens and lamas and run a farm stand, where they sell their eggs with the help of their grandmother, who used to run the farm by herself, before the family moved there.

The twins are two different personalities, and for a birthday gift, they each get to pick a pet. The introvert, Nicolaus chooses a flamboyant cat, and Becket chooses a dog who loves classical music and to be by himself.

So the story follows the kids around, as they plan a birthday party, and a fall harvest fair, and all the problems that go on with both of them.

It is a cute sort of story, but it just meanders around, going through their lives, which is probably ok that there is no real plot there, but then Beverly Cleary didn't have real plots and she was hugely successful.

The voice of the narrator, Becket, is very real and easy to read, and I'm sure kids will enjoy seeing her preparing for her fantastic birthday party, and for the harvest festival.

I just have one little nig, and that is the chickens, of course, because I have been raising chickens for the past nine years. In one part of the story she goes to the coop to collect eggs, and it is implied that she collects these eggs every morning. She comes out of the coop with 90 eggs. To get 90 eggs from her chickens, she must either have 180 chickens, or she hasn't collected for a few days, and she has 90 chickens. There is no other explanation I can come up with. Nothing wrong with having 180 chickens, but the drawings do now look as though the coop is that large.

But other than that, a good story.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. </em>

All Pets Allowed by Adele Griffen is the 2nd book in the Blackberry Farm series. The twins, Becket and Nicholas are getting ready to celebrate their 10th birthday. For their birthday, their parents take them to an animal shelter where they each pick out a pet. Becket choices a dog, who she names Dibs while Nicholas brings home a cat, who he names Given. Unfortunately, both of them discover that their pets do not act as they envisioned when they had dreamed of owning one. Becket is experiencing difficulty training Dibs. Nicholas finds out that his cat is very sociable and enjoys being with others, not just him. Besides learning how to care for their pets, the twins are busy working on their farm and planning a pet spa booth at the school fair. The story is humorous and entertaining. Leuyen Pham’s black and white illustrations add some charm to the book.

What's better than one new pet? Two! Animal-loving kids are going to swoon over this new Blackberry Farm adventure story. Sidenote: It'll make a great read aloud too.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Adorable! My boys and I both loved this book and the farm setting so funny and sweet.