Catherine Ryan Hyde once again shows how deftly she creates characters that you really care about and handles complex emotions with her newest book, Dreaming of Flight. This novel is about a lonely, highly sensitive boy, who is mourning his beloved grandmother. Stewart (Stewie) Little doesn't know how to deal with the big feelings he has and tries to comfort himself and ease his fears by taking on responsibilities far beyond his years and trying to fix everyone's problems.

Stewie, 11, never knew his parents, they died in an accident when he was an infant. His grandmother raised Stewie, his older brother Theo, and Stacie, the oldest of the three siblings, on her farm. Gam died over a year ago and now Stacie, a nurse, is doing the best she can to make end meet. Stewie has taken over responsibility for Gam's hens, selling the eggs to neighbors and giving half of his earnings to Stacie to help support the family.

Gam wasn't a very nice person, but Stewie adored her, and her death has left him totally adrift and overwhelmed by sadness. One day, when several of his regular customers aren't home as he makes his deliveries, he stops at a house he's never gone to before. There he meets the irascible Marilyn who reminds him of his grandmother. Over time, the two form a deep friendship which fulfills needs within each of them and ends up changing them both.

This is a heartwarming, poignant story and a very good read. If you like emotional, feel-good books, you'll enjoy this.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to access an e-ARC of the book via NetGalley. The book is scheduled to be published on 5/3/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

It's my first time reading anything from this author and it was beautiful.
I had a great cry over some of these characters and grew to be pretty protective over them.
Really enjoyed the book and looking forward to more from Catherine.

As an adopted nana I enjoyed this story but I thought the writing was aimed at juveniles rather than adults. Stewie is a delightful character. With thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review.

A beautiful novel about the unlikely friendship between 11 year old Stewie and his older neighbor, Marilyn. He's wise, polite, extremely literal, and sensitive to a fault. She's defensive, lonely, emotionally exhausted, and embittered. Yet, they fill a void in each other and behave as equals.

It is unusual and always welcome to find a set of characters like these--a child and an adult who are not related, taking on the world together. There are lessons to be learned no matter the age of a person. There are great examples of the difference between talking TO a child and talking AT a child. The relationship that can develop when a child is respected instead of commanded is quite remarkable. (My favorite author, Roald Dahl, is an expert at this in his books.)

The supporting characters are also terrific in their development, especially Stewie's nurturing older sister, Stacey, and optimistic brother, Theo. This story is a reminder that the definition of "family" can extend beyond blood relatives and that true loved ones are those who care, listen and are interested in our welfare.

I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy.

Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is another beautiful book from Catherine Ryan Hyde. A truly delightful read. Stewie is 11, he lives with his sister and brother, he lost his parents when he was just a baby, his grandmother,Gam, died a year ago and he misses her a lot. He had promised his Gam he would look after her hens until they died. He starts an egg selling run and that’s how he meets Marilyn, a cross old woman who reminds him okey dokey Gam. As he calls with her each week they click and become friends. Stewie is a sensitive young boy who wants to solve everyone’s problems for them.
Marilyn and Stewie adopted one another, they helped each other and had a strong bond, but once again Stewie has to loss his adopted grandmother which is sad.
The story is about love, acceptance, family, overcoming the impossible and learning that it’s ok not to be happy all the time, that other emotions are good and we can learn from them.
A truly heartfelt feel good read, beautifully written.

I have loved all the Catherine Ryan Hyde books that I have read. I can add this one to that list. She weaves a great story with wonderful characters. Stewie may be my favorite, though I think I may say that with each new book. He is a sweet boy who doesn’t realize he needs to truly grief the loss of his grandmother as well as the parents he never knew. He can begin this process when he meets Marilyn, a crusty older woman who reminds him of his grandmother. Heartwarming and old fashioned, even though it takes place in present day, this is another winner from a really good author.

“He Was so completely drawn in by the smaller moments in life, the ones she spent her years ignoring. “
Meet Stewie and Marilyn. Two people with nothing in common, two with so much loss between them.
Stewie Is a young boy who has a very unique way looking at life. Marilyn is an older woman hiding a huge secret. These two would have never met under normal circumstances but there is nothing normal in a Catherine Ryan Hyde book.
Every time I close the last page on one of her books it makes me want to be a better person, it makes me kinder, with more empathy, and always always a lesson learned and this book is no exception.
I loved it all from the first page to the last !!

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I loved the characters and Ms. Hyde sure knows how to spin a tale with wisdom seeping from the pages.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A sweet story. A young boy interacts with an elderly woman in a precious way. He brings her eggs and she, although possessing a crusty exterior, opens up enough to get to know Stewie. He learns valuable life lessons and also sorrow. It’s a quick read but heartwarming.

Master storyteller Catherine Ryan Hyde has written another delightful and heartfelt novel about an intergenerational relationship. She has such a sensitive insight into people’s feelings and relationships and is somehow able to incorporate that into her wonderful characters.

Stewie Little is a lonely eleven year old boy growing up in a poor family. He lost both his parents when he was a baby and he and his older brother are being brought up his older sister, Stacey, a nurse whose salary only stretches so far. Stewie is a sensitive boy, with few friends and has a very direct way of seeing things as they are. He always wants to fix everybody’s problems and takes it hard when he can’t. He recently lost his grandmother, Gam who lived with them and even though she could be grumpy, he was very close to her and still missies her sorely. He’s taken over caring for Gam’s chickens and collects and sells their eggs to help out the struggling household budget. One day while out selling his fresh eggs, he meets an older woman called Marilyn who is somewhat difficult, reminding him of his grandmother, and over time the two develop a friendship. When Marilyn gets in trouble, Stewie does his best to help her and she in turn helps him with a secret shame he’s been doing his best to hide.

This is a wonderful coming of age story about a young boy learning how to cope with grief and loss and also learning how to not feel responsible for fixing everyone else’s problems. Over time, Stewie learns important lessons about coping with life from his sister and brother, as well as from a kindly psychiatrist and a host of elderly people and comes to realise that family is where you find it.

Although I found Dreaming of Flight to be a sweet and endearing book, the writing style was to elementary for me. I skimmed through most of the book, but I did finish it because I would never give up on a book by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Ryan Hyde.

The main character, young, Stewie Little has many life lessons to teach us. One of the life lessons being taught to him throughout the book is “‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all.”

Stewie is a little odd, but very charming. He wants to fix everybody and everything and will go to great lengths to do so. He believes everybody can always be kinder and do better. Stewie never met his parents and was raised by his grandmother and sister. While kids his age bullied him and tormented him, older adults loved him. He develops a bond with an ornery, elderly woman named Marilyn that reminds him of his grandmother. Marilyn has been forced into an assistant living home by her children. She feels like her freedom, her power, her belongings and her identity were stolen from her. She feels helpless until Stewie comes along and befriends her.

If you are looking for a feel good, easy read then this may be the book for you. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read most of Ryan Hyde’s book, and I’m always assured of an entertaining story, with a wonderful cast of characters. This one was no different and as usual, I wasn’t disappointed.
A lonely boy that has his animals for comfort, in this case, a flock of premium laying hens, that he loves individually, as well as providing him an income to keep his customers happy, with the rich, high quality eggs, as he expands his flock.
He becomes very close with an elderly customer that reminds him of his grandmother, brusk, but somewhat loving, becoming attached as well, to the young boy.
I found the boy very young for his age, although he didn’t seem to have learning disabilities or emotional disorders, just very naïve and immature.
As with her previous novels, there are lessons to be learned from the relationships that are formed. A perfect coming of age novel for the adolescent.
My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Stewie: a highly sensitive boy who wants to make everything right for others. Marilyn: a grumpy elderly woman who reminds Stewie of his recently deceased grandmother. Together, they slowly form a bond between them that leads to unexpected benefits for Stewie.

This is yet another uplifting, stirring, and heartwarming novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Another great story from Catherine Ryan Hyde. Thank you Lake union Publishing for a arc of Dreaming of Flight. I am new to the stories of Catherine Ryan Hyde but the few I have read and enjoyed prompts me to investigate her previous titles. Dreaming of Flight is about Stewie Little who is being raised by his sister after his parents pass. Stewie's grandmother lived with them but after two years of living with dementia she passed. Stewie is in charge of her chickens and sells the eggs to help his sister with money. Going door to door with his eggs he meets Marilyn. Marilyn is running from the was and hiding out as a live in babysitter. Stewie and Marilyn forge a bond and Stewie is taken on a new adventure. with Marilyn. Give this story a try and you will not be disappointed.

This is yet another absolutely delightful book by Catherine Ryan Hyde who always manages to fill hearts with love and minds with beautiful insights. This is the story of 11 year old Stewie, a young but lonely lad who lives for the adored chickens left in his care after his beloved grandmother, (Gam), dies. Stewie sells his chickens eggs around his district and whilst doing so meets the crotchety Marilyn, an elderly lady who reminds him of his grandmother and the two somehow gel and slowly become friends. Stewie helps Marilyn with some day to day tasks as she is becoming increasingly forgetful and she comes to look forward to his visits and appreciates his help. He is a special young man with a kind heart and impeccable manners who touches the hearts of everyone he meets. His simple outlook on life and homespun philosophy is just beautiful to read and there are several phrases throughout the book that I want to commit to memory because they are so simple yet wise and inspirational. We all need a Stewie in our lives to help us see past the ugly, cruel and mundane and find joy and meaning in our day to day existence. This book moved me and made me ponder on life in general. If you need to read a book that lightens your heart, warms your soul and leaves you believing that life really is good and worth living then look no further than this, (and all other books by this talented author). You won't be disappointed. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Heartwarming story. The cover drew me in and the story did not disappoint.I enjoyed reading well I watched my own chickens.

I just love every book I’ve read that is written by Catherine Ryan Hyde! This one is a winner! Stewart Little lives with his older sister and brother. His parents died when Stewie was very young, and his Gam died a few years ago. Stewie misses his Gam so much, and when he meets an older lady, Marilyn, he begins to feel like he has another grandmother. But things are not as they seem with Marilyn and their friendship takes another path. This is a wonderful story of the power of love to overcome grief. Loved it!

Catherine Ryan Hyde has done it again! I love all of her books and her latest titled Dreaming of Flight is set to release on May 3, 2022. This is the story of an 11 year old boy named Stewie Little who befriends an elderly lady who he believes is named Marilyn. He first meets Marilyn while going door to door selling eggs that were laid from his deceased grandmothers chickens. The friendship that grows between them is odd but very sweet. Stewie has suffered a lot of loss and doesn’t really have much in the line of family and Marilyn, who isn’t really Marilyn at all, has run away from her assisted living facility. The two quickly bond and help each other out in many ways. It’s a wonderful story and one I enjoyed tremendously. All of Catherine’s books seem to have some type of life lesson in them and that’s what makes them so special and good. This story is mainly about love, loss and learning how to pick up the pieces and carry on. It’s also about family and learning that you don’t have to be blood relation to be family, all it takes is to be someone you love and care about. This was such a great read and I highly recommend it. If you haven’t read a Catherine Ryan Hyde book, I suggest you do. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I received off the Read Now section to read, review and enjoy. This is such a great story and I’m giving it a 5 star rating!

4.5★s
“… you wake something up in people. You remind them we can do better at getting along. You can be just a regular, real person and still be the magic somebody else needs in her life. We do it for each other all the time. It’s that everyday sort of magic. We’re all capable of it, I do believe, but still you don’t always see people living up to that potential.”

Dreaming of Flight is a novel by best-selling, award-winning American author, Catherine Ryan Hyde. Eleven-year-old Stewart Little fervently believes that the eggs he delivers to his customers must be fresh: it’s his prime selling point. He’s explaining this to the older woman at the last house on his round, who takes some convincing. Something about her reminds him of his grandmother. Gam died a year ago, and Stewie misses her terribly.

Marilyn (the name she’s using) is taking a bit of a chance interacting with a stranger: she really needs to stay under the radar, or the police, or someone from Eastridge might track her down, take her in and demand the money back. But the boy’s eggs are the best she has tasted in a long time. And what she learns about the boy (what is his name, again?) impresses her: despite having lost his parents early in life, this is a well brought up boy.

Over the next weeks, circumstances see them spending time together: Stewie acts on his concern for Marilyn’s safety after a kitchen incident; Marilyn discovers the boy has a learning problem and is determined to help. But her worry about his education takes her a step too far, and reading lessons are cut short by the arrival of the police. How can an eleven-year-old boy possibly prevent an elderly thief from going to prison?

Ryan Hyde has a talent for creating multi-faceted characters whose development often turns the reader’s initial, perhaps critical, opinion to something more favourable or sympathetic. Her special skill, lately, seems to be boys or young men with a strong sense of right and wrong, of duty. “Some things just won’t let you not do them.”

Stewie is sweet and thoughtful, but can also be quite wilful. He is extremely caring and considerate of those around him (even his Gam’s hens), perhaps to his detriment: “he feels responsible for fixing everyone around him” but that also endears him to almost all who meet him, including the reader. He is resourceful and shows initiative, which allows him to achieve more than expected.

His inner monologue, his thinking, his analysis of a situation, his perspective on life, and his honesty are truly refreshing, and he takes on board and shares the good advice and wisdom he garners from his therapist and his elders. Early on, he tells Marilyn: “I have sad. But that’s not the same as problems. Problems are something you have to figure out a way to solve. You can’t solve sad.”

She later observes: “Life is never all good or all bad. It’s always a trade-off deal. It’s always ‘something is lost, but something else is gained’.” Plenty of wise words and insightful observations are offered in this heart-warming and uplifting coming-of -age story.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

I was so very excited to see this offering pop up in my "suggested books" and Dreaming of Flight does not disappoint! Beautifully written with wonderfully descriptive characters. I could picture them all. As is often with this author, the story picks up quickly and keeps you turning the page. This is certainly not my first offering from this author, most definitely will not be my last, Obviously, I'm a fan, so much so that I wouldn't be able to pick a favourite if asked. No spoilers from me. I would highly recommend!

As always, I am most thankful to Net Galley for the offering of this wonderful ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.