This is labeled as Middle Grade, and this book didn't feel like it should belong to only the kids. It's suitable for Middle graders on up.

The friendship of 2 twelve-year-old descendants of the Gods explores the very human attributes of death and mourning. This dueling perspective tells the story from both sides as the friendship starts to go separate ways. There is no wrong side/right side. It is emotionally messy and a refreshing take on how we consume Greek mythology.

The more I think about what I read, the more I understand what the author was trying to convey. This stood out for me and made it to my list of favorites.

Corey Ann Haydu's take on age old mythology is refreshing and engaging. What happens when a village is allowed to live for generations in the in between? Not quite gods, not quite humans. Are they better than us or do they carry the flaws of both?

The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple & Dorothy explores that topic as well as themes of grief, change vs. tradition, friendship and so much more. While this is considered a Juvenile Fiction novel, I found the themes it addresses to resonate with me even as an adult. This is exactly the kind of story I would put into the hands of children in my own life because it so beautifully blends important life lessons and reflections with a story that any person could find themselves within.

While there were some lulls in the storyline, I stayed engaged simply to see where the story went next. While certain character's actions were fairly expected, there was at least one surprising twist that had me flying through the final chapters to see how it was resolved.

This review is based on an ARC received from HarperCollins, Katherine Tegen Books, and NetGalley. Being a big fan of the Percy Jackson books, I decided to read this book after seeing that it was a middle grade story featuring Greek gods and myths. This book is not Percy Jackson; if anything, it's more the anti-Percy Jackson. I don't think that's a bad thing for either book. Percy Jackson is the story of a boy on the edge between being a child and teenager and has a journey where he reacts to the world in a very hyperactive and external way. Apple and Dorothy is the story of two girls who are also at the edge of being children and teenagers, but instead of being external, their journey is more internal and contemplative. Dorothy has just lost her mother and Apple has lost her friend/neighbor and the two of them are trying to understand what to do with their grief. Much of the book concerns the two of them trying to understand their feelings, to understand other people's feelings, and the misunderstandings that can result from trying to decide other people's feelings and desires, and how to build and keep a friendship among those misunderstandings. It's a lovely story.

"The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy" by Corey Ann Haydu seems like an intriguing novel that explores themes of identity, grief, and the pressure of family legacies. It also seems to offer a fresh take on the classic Greek mythology trope, which could be appealing to readers who enjoy retellings and adaptations of myths.

A lovely story about grief and friendship and accepting people as they are. I highly reccomend this stunning read!

A simply stunning fairy tale, beautiful and sharp and wild. Reading this felt like looking directly into the sun - a little painful and almost too bright, but warming the whole way through. Haydu has really captured something about grief, about friendship, about the choices we face, about growing up. Incredible, complex middle grade fantasy. Perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill or Catherynne Valente.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

These characters were complicated, messy, and real and I appreciate that. The story was touching and important with it's topics of grief and friendship. A very lovely story.

Holy moly. This was an emotionally complicated book and I loved that about it. The way you could understand both girls as they struggled with grief and loss and friendship. This was a lovely story all the way through. If I didn't know this is considered middle grade, I wouldn't have thought so. So well written and gave me chest aches in a tender way. I loved these complicated characters. I will be thinking about Apple and Dorothy for a long time after this.