This is a book I put off reading because I knew it would break my heat when I read it and it did, but it was also healed the more I read. Dealing with love, loss and moving on.
Dreaming of Flight is about an eleven-year-old boy as our main character. He's dealt with an unbelievable amount of loss in his short life: his parents shortly after his birth so he doesn't remember them and his grandmothers. He and his disabled brother are being raised by his adult sister. Though she does the best she can she works a lot, and he is lonely.
To keep his Gran's memory alive, he is continuing to raise her chickens and sell the eggs they lay.
His family desperately needs the egg money, and he gets to meet some neat people on his egg route.
One of his new customers is an elderly woman named, Marilyn. She reminds him so much of his grandmother and she seems to enjoy his company just as much. An unexpected friendship starts up with benefits to both. He visits her even when he's not selling eggs and when she gets in trouble with the law for a secret, she's been keeping he's there every step of the way. This touches of loss of independence for older adults. Many think children don't realize certain things because of their age but I believe children are much more perceptive than we give them credit for. This is a heartwarming full of depth story about a young boy, his adoptive grandmother and an awareness many of us as adults miss.
Highly recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I like books that make me think, and books that make me ‘feel’ - this one did both. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one at the beginning, it started out feeling very simplistic, and Stevie seemed a little out of tough with the basics…then through his connection with Marilyn, it became apparent why he was the way he was. I really enjoyed his growth as a character, and who he became as he came out of his shell.

This is a book that will make you think about the people in your life a little differently, and maybe even change your interactions with the people that try your patience. I know I am taking away some pearls of wisdom.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

I’ve just finished Dreaming of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde and it was such a heartwarming and beautiful read, one that had me in tears within 50 pages.

‘It’s always worth it to love someone. Even at the risk of losing them’ is quoted on the back of the book and it sums this book up perfectly. Stewie has suffered more loss in his young, eleven-year-old life than most people ever will and when he finds himself with leftover eggs, he ventures to the next house in the street where he sells his eggs and he meets Marilyn. The two soon form a relationship that could crack at any time as Marilyn has secrets she doesn’t want anyone to find out.

Dreaming of Flight was such a gorgeous, beautiful read. Catherine’s novels are always so full of heart and warmth and I absolutely adored Stewie - and Marilyn, actually, she was spiky but she had a good heart too, deep down. I flew through this book in such quick time, as I was so absorbed with Stewie’s story and I just loved how he saw the world, he clearly felt everything deeply but he also had more wisdom in his little finger than I do in my whole body.

I adored this book, these characters and I was very sad when I finished this book - I’m just going to have to read another of Catherine’s books soon because they are truly wonderful reads.

This book sure did pull on the heartstrings! I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book or not, but by the end of the story I had fallen in love with Stewie and Marilyn. The author is a brilliant writer who knows just how to pen beautiful stories about found families.

Oh, man. I love Catherine's books so, so much. This one was, as almost always, 5 stars. I will continue to read everything of hers I can get my hands on!!

The best part of any Catherine Ryan Hyde book is how it makes you FEEL the story. She slowly builds the characters into people you'd love to meet and talk to, even if only to discuss the book. She does not shy away from hard topics, her characters learn to handle life head on.

At 11 yrs old, Stewie has already learned not to expect much from life. He's not the brightest child in his class and he doesn't have friends, so his life focus seems to be selling eggs to his neighbors. And then he meets Marilyn. She sees a little of herself in Stewie and he sees in Marilyn something he has been missing since his grandmother died. Each interaction they have will only strengthen the feelings and the bond that will ultimately make you cry....just like I did.

Jeanne's reviewAug 14, 2023 · edit
really liked it
bookshelves: netgalley, currently-reading

She writes such heartwarming stories. Stewie is an 11-year-old who lost his parents when he was a baby and was raised by his gram. When she passes away Stewie takes over the raising of her chickens and selling the eggs to help support his sister, Stacy, who is raising Stewie and his brother, Theo. One day he sells eggs to an older woman who reminds him of his grandmother and they form a relationship. The story was predictable but the layers of Marilyn and Stewie are revealed so slowly that it kept me turning pages. I felt the end was way more predictable and even though I loved the characters I wanted to know more about Theo and Stacy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for providing me with a digital copy.

Oh my goodness, it is extremely rare that I cry when reading a book. This novel had me reaching for the tissues well before the end, and of course, at its conclusion also.

The main character, a child called Stewie, has what my mum would have described as 'an old head on young shoulders'. He has had to deal with so much loss in his short life, and consequently, he is a boy who is filled with sadness and takes life very seriously. He is an utterly delightful character and one I felt fully invested in. My heart ached for this little boy, and I wanted to scoop him up and cuddle him.

His relationship with his surly, elderly neighbour Marilyn is the main theme of the book. Marilyn is a woman with secrets of her own and initially it appears to be a very unlikely friendship. However, it serves to demonstrate Stewie's character perfectly. He is caring, sensitive and loyal to the extreme.

Although the book is the story of Stewie's sadness and inability to deal with his grief, it is ultimately a life-affirming and hopeful story which I highly recommend.

I love Catherine Ryan Hyde books and this one does not disappoint. It's an all around great story told by a boy with a very deep, but troubled personality. His outlook and life and everyday situations makes for an interesting read.

A young boy deals with the loss of his grandmother by pouring his love and grief into her chickens and selling their eggs. A chance encounter with a guarded new customer, Marilyn, brings a chance for healing - for both of them.

This was a profound look into grief and mental health issues aimed at a young adult audience. Heavy topics such as parental death, the death of caregivers, depression, anxiety, disability, dementia, and familial estrangement were handled with empathy and kindness, and we also witness friendship and growth and healing alongside these more sensitive topics.

This was a bittersweet book that tugged at the heartstrings. Beautifully written, we feel Stewie's sorrow, his sister's worry and exasperation, Marilyn's feeling of being trapped, and so many more emotions throughout the book.

5 stars

~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

This book really read like it was written for a young adult age group. As is typical with Catherine Ryan Hyde books, you will meet people who are gracious and caring people and experience the difference they make in the lives of others. What an emotional tale that will touch your heart. Seeing Stewie as he cares for the chickens and delivers eggs and the positive family relationships will have you smiling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Like all other books that I have read by Catherine Ryan Hyde, this is a beautiful, poignant read. I really liked the lead character, Stewie, and sympathized with all his struggles especially with loss. His unlikely friendship with the elderly lady, Marilyn was so beautiful to read about. I also absolutely adored Stewie’s siblings.

I did feel like this book is more suitable for younger readers unlike the other titles that I have read by the author. It was a little slow though the pace did fit the narrative. Unfortunately, children’s fiction is not a genre that I read and so I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would.

Nonetheless, with lovable characters, an emotional storyline, and wonderful writing, this is still a book that I recommend especially to younger readers.

wow, what an amazing book. This is a story about the friendship of an unlikely kind of an 11-year-old boy and an elderly woman Shaun the evil generation does not mean friends or I missed that you can make friends of any age. This is a truly emotional story and it challenges you both intellectual and emotional whilst reading. This novel handles a lot of different and difficult emotions and does them well and it hits you in the heart.

Beautifully constructed characters and plot. I loved all of the compassionate relationships, but especially the one between Stewie and Marilyn. Stewie is your perfect example of dealing with the poor hands your dealt and doing everything you can to overcome them.

Every time I read one of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books I think it’s my new favorite. I loved and identifies with sweet, worried Stewie in this book and there were so many well written sentences I wanted to store myself to remember them. Another 5 star read! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

3.5

While I think that the audience that would typically pick up this book would enjoy this, it sadly was not my cup of tea. I enjoyed some of the characters and the writing, but the plot failed to hook me and I just did not feel compelled to read this.

This beautiful, moving story has characters that are full of depth with my favourite being 11 yr old Stewie Little.
Stewie is a lonely boy who desperately misses his grandmother. After her passing he is determined to look after her chickens for her. Selling fresh eggs he meets Marilyn, a rest home resident who reminds him of his grandmother. Stewie's grief lessens and his life becomes enriched as he enriches the lives of the residents of the rest home.
This novel tugged at my heartstrings and will stay with me for a very long time!
Highly Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I was ready for a feel-good book and I know this author can deliver. Told through 2 POVs: a 12-year-old boy with a tragic backstory and a woman in her 80s with a questionable past. The author does a great job of writing from both viewpoints. It was somewhat predictable and sappy but not overly so. It was the right book at the right time. 4.5 stars.

I loved this book. From the first chapter I was drawn in to the sweet little boys story and perspective. The kind of book that makes you want to be a better person! Highly suggest reading this one. Clean and wholesome.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Dreaming of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde was a beautifully written book that just stole my heart. This is a story of unconventional family relationships and dealing with bereavement and I was gripped from the beginning till the end. From the very beginning I just fell in love with Stewie, He is only eleven years old and he is a really sweet young lad and he shows his love and takes great care in providing the very best care for all his hens. These hens, were his grandmothers. To make a little money he sells his eggs to his friends and people around his neighbourhood. Stewie has had it tough as his parents died when he was a baby and his grandmother stepped in to care for him, has just passed away. All alone on the big world, Stewie is in the care of his sister who is busy and studying to be a nurse.
Stewie has another brother and he has cerebral palsy. All three of them have a wonderful relationship between them.

Sadly, Stewie doesn't have any friends his own age But, he does mind he has his hens. Then, one day he befriends a grumpy old lady who he delivers eggs too. When everything changes!

This book is so beautifully written and the cover says a thousand words.......

I highly recommend this book and I found it a great holiday book.

Big Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.