Very sensitive, emotional story about an upper elementary student that can't accept the loss of her longtime pet chinchilla. There's an extended metaphor of the sugar apple that may or may not resonate with the middle grade audience. Regardless the themes are very relatable: end of a friendship, new at school, death of a pet, talent show, fitting in. Main character is very sensitive, reminded me of the "highly sensitive children" books I read when I was a teacher.

Well, apparently this will be a redemptive story of a girl closing in and suffering the loss of her pet chinchilla, before something changes her life, but I never got far enough to find out. From the get-go the girl is an insufferable brat, demanding TikTok just because things don't go her way, and you know, hurty feelings and all that. I would have thought the first job of this was to make her at least slightly worthy of our sympathy, but no – this somehow never once started me off on the right foot with her. And the dad was always going to be an annoying snowflake, too.

Ten year old Amelia is having a rough time. Her beloved chinchilla Calvin is missing. Then the school talent show turned out to be a disaster, ruining her relationship with her best friend. Amelia, a bit like a Portuguese Ramona Quimby, navigates these challenges sometimes with selfishness and sometimes with consideration for others. She is a character kids can easily relate to. The gentle, introspective tone of the novel may not be for everyone, but the story is heartfelt and is a great choice especially for kids dealing with the loss of a pet.

This delicately told story deals with the weight of missing a treasured companion in a nuanced and balanced way through the eyes of a child who finds strength and comfort in new and unexpected ways. It will warm your heart! Definitely recommend this book for school libraries and classrooms. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Calvin and the Sugar Apples by Inês F. Oliveira is a heartwarming and touching story that is perfect for middle-grade readers. The book follows eleven-year-old Amelia as she copes with the loss of her beloved pet chinchilla, Calvin, who was always there for her when she needed to talk about her problems. With Calvin gone, Amelia struggles to find someone to confide in and begins to feel isolated and alone.

The story is beautifully written and captures the emotions of a young girl dealing with loss and loneliness. Amelia's journey is relatable and will resonate with readers who have experienced similar feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

One of the standout features of the book is the message of hope and resilience. Through the introduction of a new friend, Iris, Amelia learns that it is always possible to make new friends and that expressing oneself can happen in different ways, but it always starts with talking it out.

The author does an excellent job of developing the characters, particularly Amelia and her relationships with Calvin, Camilla, and Iris. The illustrations throughout the book are also a lovely addition, bringing the story to life and making it even more engaging for younger readers.

Overall, Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story that will inspire readers to overcome their challenges and find new ways to connect with others.