I sought this book out on NetGalley because of the French setting. I'm always hoping books with some connection to France will throw in some French phrases that I actually understand, which will do my ego a world of good. There is, indeed, a little of that. But the book is a very enjoyable read even for those not interested in the language.

This is another story that deals with friends drifting apart. But instead of happening in an elementary or middle school, it happens on a French organic farm that provides an opportunity for students from foreign countries to stay for a few weeks. The idea is that the students will learn about organic farming and improve their French. It provides a new spin to the friend situation that, I am told, really is a major concern for kids.

Rylan, who appears to be around 12, accompanies a newly rich friend who he isn't that tight with anymore, to France. No sooner are they there, than the friend cliques up with a group with a bit of a superiority complex, leaving Rylan to make his own connections with the kids who are left. Rylan has some believably low moments over this, but rises to the occasion.

A sub-plot involving Rylan's estranged father is resolved in an interesting way. The friends Rylan makes are far more interesting than the ones his old buddy ends up with. There is French food. And Pierre, the organic farmer, is a charmer.

There is plenty here to like.

An emotional MG story, this novel is great for young readers! There are many lessons throughout the novel that may help readers who may be going through similar situations.

Thank you for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This was a good story. Rylan is a likeable character that I feel many kids can relate to. It is great to watch the ways in which Rylan grows and blossoms while on the farm. He is a more nervous and shy kid at the beginning, who wants to belong to the cool crowd, and by the end he has come out of his shell and knows what true friendship looks like.

3.5 stars
I found this story to be a little depressing and sad and it made me very angry at times, but it teaches a good lesson: to recognize when a relationship/friendship isn’t good for you and that it is ok to let those people go from your life. I loved the group of new friends Rylan made at the farm and enjoyed the details of the different aspects of farm life. I think this book would be good for the upper middle grade range (ten and up.)

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Disarming in the most charming ways, Funny in the smartest ways. It never talks down to the reader. This is a thinking book. It is too quiet to compete with video games so I’d wait for a captive audience moment to let it begin to unfold. By the time you reach the bees they’ll be hooked enough to keep turning pages through to the end.

Contemporary broken family story with beautiful balance and support through the tough parts. Good for kids as young as 8 but 10 is maybe ideal.

Especially perfect for road trips, read alouds and classrooms because, adults, you’ll find yourself leaning in to listen, too.

Changing friendships, parents as people, turning away from pain and toward the good wherever you find it… Loved it. Handing it to every kiddo facing a lonely moment or wanting a story full of richly drawn friends.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.

Perfect for middle-grade readers!
Rylan has a unique opportunity this summer. He gets to travel to a working farm in France for a month and help out. He also just might get to meet with his father in Paris, a man he’s had no connection with for ten years…
Wonderful details about living and working on a French farm, including goat milking, gardening strategies, and cooking lessons. Some very good themes about friendship and family relationships are woven into the story, which is narrated by Rylan himself.
Now I want to go experience French farming!
*I received a digital copy fro Netgalley in return for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

This is a sweet book that accurately portrays the raw emotions of a middle school aged child. It shows that relationships are always changing.

Rylan is getting ready to go on a trip to France with his sometimes friend, Wilder. Right before they are leaving, Rylan's mom informs him that his absentee father now lives in Paris and wants to see Rylan while he's in the country.

Rylan hopes to rebuild his friendship with Wilder while on the trip, but they are put into different groups. He is also unsure if he wants to meet up with his father.

As Rylan settles into the commune's routine, he begins to make friends with his group. As far as repairing his friendship with Wilder..that's not going very well...

I thoroughly enjoyed Burke's new middle grade novel about a middle schooler's sometimes painful, and sometimes painfully funny journey through life changes, like figuring out where he stands with his maybe-not-so-best-friend-anymore, and reconnecting with a father who abandoned him when he was a toddler. As with the author's first novel, An Occasionally Happy Family, a physical journey accompanies and plays a part in the internal one, and here we get to explore France and French culture along with the main character when he's invited to spend a summer on a farm there, and you feel as if you're immersed in the setting as a character in itself. At times touching and at others hilarious, I know kids will enjoy escaping into this great read.

I really liked this book. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say, read it. You won't be disappointed.
I think its a great middle school book, it doesn't get to deep but does explore growing up in a relevant way.
Enjoy!

Hilarious and ultimately very moving story about a boy coming to terms with his absent father. My favorite character was Pierre, the eccentric owner of the farm who turns into a mentor and a bit of a father figure for the main character. I also appreciated all of the French language, cultural, and historical references throughout. I can see this tying in very well with French language extensions.

Wonderful book about new connections and expectations as Rylan is invited to go to France, where his dad lives and whom he hasn’t seen since he was three, with a friend to help on a farm where Pierre, the owner, hopes the kids will learn from nature and each other.Once there Rylan finds his friend, Wilder, is not as friendly and Wilder forms a group with the popular kids. As Rylan gets to help catch wild bees, milk goats, and help make dinner he realizes he feels glad he’s with the “weirdos” and he’s glad he’s with people who want to be with him. The groups have a contest to see who can sell the most at a festival, and Rylan is supposed to meet up with his dad nearby afterwards. Does his dad show up?