I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely a Newbery contender for me! This was such a unique and heartwarming - and heartbreaking - tale. Part of the story is told from Ernest’s perspective, but my favorite chapters were told from the perspective of Olivetti - a typewriter. I loved it!

What a sweet, sweet story. The chapters were short and went down easily which kept me turning the pages. I think students will find a lot to relate to here and will learn a thing or two about typewriters. I really loved this.

“It’s quite possible you’ve never spoken to a typewriter before. This is not your fault. Humans tend to think we can’t understand them. But when you sit still for long enough, there is much you can learn.”

It’s been a long time since anyone in the Brindle family has visited their typewriter, Olivetti. So when his used-to-be most frequent visitor Beatrice, the Brindles’ mom, pays him a call again, he thinks things may finally return to normal—until she drops him unceremoniously off at a pawn shop. That’s where twelve-year-old Ernest Brindle finds him, and Olivetti decides to break the main typewriter rule and type back to Ernest to help him find Beatrice. Together, the typewriter and the boy and the daughter of the pawn shop owner set off on search across San Francisco to find their future—but the past may catch up to them first.

This was an incredible read, and the best part about it is the unusual narrator. I’d never thought I’d read a book narrated by a typewriter, but author Allie Millington does a terrific job! She’s not afraid to shy away from some difficult topics too, but she writes it all with such heart and hope. With terrific voice, exciting moments, humorous scenes, and a protagonist you won’t ever forget, OLIVETTI is a bright star shining in the middle grade sky.

Content Warnings: Divorce, parental abandonment, cancer, suicidal thoughts

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

"Olivetti" is a delightfully imaginative and heartwarming novel that breathes life into the most unexpected narrator - a typewriter. As the forgotten Olivetti gets a chance to help find Ernest's missing mother Beatrice, he breaks typewriter protocol to share her memories stored within him. What ensues is a whimsical adventure across San Francisco as Ernest and Olivetti's quest leads them to confront painful family truths they've been avoiding. Millington's warm prose and charming premise make for a novel bursting with heart and humor. Through Olivetti's unique perspective, she creates a poignant celebration of memory, belonging, and the power of words to heal. An utterly original, uplifting gem that will leave readers spellbound and invested in this quirky duo's journey.

I had an Olivetti typewriter once. Interestingly enough (for me at least), I was 12 at that time - the same age as Ernest and Beatrice. It had its own wheeled stand in my bedroom. The first reports I ever wrote were on my Olivetti. My first report ever in this world was tapped out on Olive (I name everything) about eels. You can surely understand why I felt like I was being contacted from a bestie from my long-ago childhood when this remarkable book popped onto my list. I was only momentarily dismayed when I came to understand that Olivetti in the book was not a female. Not an Olive. He was a Mr. Olivetti. (More like an older Dad, or younger Grandfather, or Bachelor Uncle.)

Olivetti is narrated by Himself - a tangible with an agenda. In our imaginary world we are constantly personifying inanimate objects, animals, planets, naturally occurring life processes. . .well this clever author has turned it around. Readers get to see family life through the keys and keystrokes, ink on paper, and patience with the process of typewriter operations. One's WPM rate is once again relevant as a measure of skill and dedication.

As the situations that needed resolution began to occur, the responses of the Brindle family members - especially Earnest Ernest, and his feisty friend Beatrice - and those of Olivetti and his buddies (Remi), kept me paying close attention. Each unfolding chapter thrilled the inner child I was so long ago (she's still present), and the elder child I am now just sat back and enjoyed (rather beside myself, so to speak) the entire read.

I so look forward to whatever Allie Millington next presents her readership!

*A sincere thank you to Allie Millington, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, RB Media, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Olivetti #NetGalley

When Ernest's mom goes missing, he's determined to figure out what happened to her. He ends up turning to her discarded typewriter, Olivetti, who begins to communicate with Ernest. Together with Ernest's friend and family, they set out to find mom and bring her back home.

I loved this book! I loved that it was from the perspective of Ernest and Olivetti. However, if you already give inanimate objects personalities, this book will just make that worse, but in the best way possible. Who knew a typewriter could have such personality!

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!

This was a cute read. Olivetti is an Olivetti typewriter who belongs with the Brindle family. In this world, typewriters are sentient and can communicate with other typewriters and also really hate books (the irony). They can also communicate with humans if they have paper in their rollers, but that is strictly forbidden... until young Ernest Brindle needs his help to find his missing mother, who has simply up and left them after a phone call one day.

What follows is a story of acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding between typewriter and humans, between family members, and between them and those just trying to help. Some heavy topics are explored and discussed as the point of view goes back and forth between Olivetti and Ernest. Olivetti is prim and proper with a bit of snark (he reminds me of Marcellus from Remarkably Bright Creatures), while Ernest is anxious and reserved, preferring to read his dictionaries than to interact with people. Of course, this is also largely due to past trauma, something that Ernest works to overcome and cope with better as the story progresses.

While some of the story is a little weak, I did mostly enjoy reading it. I love the appreciation for typewriters and how/why they can still be loved and used. There are several good life lessons in this story and I think kids in a similar situation to Ernest and his family will get what they need from reading this, while we adults can get a better idea of how we can help, with a new perspective.

Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC. I found the plot to be an interesting concept. I ended up finishing this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Such a touching story that made me cry (not an easy feat).

Olivetti was one of my favorite reads of the year. It is both heartwrenching and heartwarming, as seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Ernest Brindle and sassy typewriter Olivetti.
When Beatrice Brindle disappears after pawning the family's typewriter, the Brindles are left reeling. Ever loyal and keen to get to the bottom of this mystery, Olivetti breaks the cardinal rule of typewriters when he spills Beatrice's letters to Ernest that they might find a clue to Beatrice's whereabouts. However, the past and "The Everything That Happened" is something Ernest and his family aren't quite ready to face.
Millington crafts a clever, gutting, and humorous coming-of-age story. She navigates grief, friendship, and family with tenderness and candor. I can't wait to share this story with my 12-year-old. Thank you, Netgalley!

This was the sweetest book about some hard real-life subjects. We read dual perspectives between Ernest, who is shy, awkward, and doesn't care to make friends and Olivetti the typewriter, who was just sold to a pawn shop for seemingly no reason. Ernest's mother has gone missing and the missing typewriter is the first clue on a trail to find her and its a huge surprise when he finds not only the typewriter, but that the typewriter can type back, recalling his mother's memories which spell out more hints as to her recent thoughts. Ernest and the girl who work in the pawn shop--whom Ernest reluctantly befriends--set out on the trail to find his mother and along the way work together to make friends, bring together family, and find belonging. I loved how this was written and found the entire story to be so endearing. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone.

What a beautifully tough story. I love the whimsical element of this story with getting a pov from a typewriter. Sweet story.

When shy, dictionary-loving Ernest Brindle’s mother goes missing, he must rely on her old Olivetti typewriter and a new found friend to try to find her. It all began when Mrs. Brindle pawned her old Olivetti typewriter for $126.00 and disappeared. Ernest, who was not speaking to his mother at the time, begins posting missing person signs and meets Quinn, the daughter of the pawnshop owner, who recognizes Mrs. Brindle's picture. Together, they discover that Olivetti has total recall of everything that Mrs. Brindle ever wrote on it, and is more than willing to share it will help figure out the mystery of her disappearance. But will it lead them to discovering her whereabouts?

I have to admit, that at first I was very skeptical about this book - a typewriter that can type a person's memories by itself and understands what is going on? It sounded awfully far fetched to me. And yet, it worked and it worked very well. The Olivetti becomes a character in it's own right and I could sense its loneliness after being replaced by a laptop and later sold. Seventh grader introvert Ernest struggled with having a new found friend in boisterous Quinn, and difficult as it was to admit, he also knew he needed her help.

Millington did a wonderful job in this debut novel presenting a family in the midst of a crisis without being maudlin and puts humor in the places just when it is needed most. I like Tom Hanks definitely recommend this book even if you are young enough to have never used a typewriter.

A book with a typewriter as a narrator? Yes, and a good narrator. Olivetti contains all the words that have ever been typed with his keys, and to save Beatrice, the matriarch of his family, Olivetti will break his code of silence. Can Beatrice's family understand the scraps of her typing over the course of her life with Olivetti and read the clues needed to save her, and themselves?

This book was great! I loved how different it was from the books i normally read, and I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed reading from the perspective of a typewriter, it was so creative and fun, while still having lots of emotion. I really loved the ending too, it was so sweet!

What a beautifully told story. Told from the perspective of Olivetti, a typewriter, and the son of her long time owner, this story begins just before mom disappears, leaving the family floundering. Just before she left she dropped off Olivetti at a pawn shop with a really specific request for payment amount. Olivetti breaks typewriter protocol to make contact with the family as they search for mom. I loved the unique point of view. And this story left me a teary mess by the beautiful ending.

This book had a unique point of view. The humor and heart associated with the story draws the reader in. I loved visualizingt the typewriter as a character. For adults and children alike.

A unique exploration of how one family member's illness can affect an entire household and the importance of friends and community in the healing process.

Olivetti is a typewriter that was an engagement “ring” when Felix proposed to Breatice. She said yes. They had Ezra, Adalyn, Ernest, and Arlo. Unknown to Beatrice, her typewriter has been fully conscious since it was made. He watched the Brindles. Though he can speak, it is not allowed to talk to humans. When Beatrice gets a laptop, Olivetti is ignored. He doesn’t appreciate or understand it, he had always been a part of Beatrice’s writing life. Olivetti is picked up by Beatrice and sells the Olivetti at a pawn shop for a certain amount of Monet. Beatrice doesn’t go home. Her husband and children miss her. They wonder where she went and when she will come back. They don’t want to think she is gone permanently. They find it difficult to keep their routines. Why did Beatrice leave? Will Beatrice come back? When Ernest realizes that the Olivetti is missing, he decides to get it back. Will he be able to?

The author writes a complex storyline that deals with heavy topics. There are plentiful wise quotations, textured language and dry humor,. I enjoyed how Olevitti broke the rules and talks to Ernest as he felt he could help Ernest “find” his mother. The family must work together to find Beatrice. They finally do learn to work together. The family It’s a great story to read.

This a lovely story of a family and its beloved typewriter. Told from the POV of the typewriter and a quiet boy within the family, the author does a solid job of building and unraveling the mystery that the family is holding onto. There is a mystery, with a missing person to find, a burgeoning friendship, The family has a joyous, chaotic feel, like that of the Penderwicks or the Vanderbeekers.

I loved the reading of this. And of course, it made me wish for a typewriter.

What a charming concept. The prose shines here, as well as the characters. At times it felt a bit like this was written for adults rather than kids, but I think it's one of those books that will charm any reader.