I never thought I could feel so emotional for a typewriter, but here I am.

This book is told through from the POV of a woman's typewriter, as well as her son, as they attempt to track her down after she goes missing. It tell a story of how a family can struggle and even crumble when one member is suffering, and how they need to come together to overcome it. An excellent read, full of heart-wrenching truths and real problems many families face. And a very lovable typewriter!

I found Olivetti to be a little problematic for the target audience. While some of the issues within the story may fit into younger lives, much of it seemed to be written during an older timeline. Ernest and Quinn were strong characters, and so was Olivetti, but the story left much to be desired. There were many times that I felt that the family story was just off or fell flat. I felt that Beatrice, being a mother that wrote so many of her families adventures, would not do as she did in any circumstance.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Can I shout from the rooftops that I have already found the Newbery winner in February? I am absolutely charmed by this book. Enter Olivetti, a sentient typewriter who belongs to the Brindles, a ragtag and beautifully close family of six, and narrates half of the story. The text switches between Olivetti’s point of view and Ernest, the introvert/dictionary reader of the family as they both search for the missing Beatrice - their troubled matriarch. The beautiful/surprising/quirky part of all of it is, Olivetti speaks! The typewriter is funny and wise, so dry it made me laugh aloud several times, and the journey the family goes on is unbearably heartfelt and I completely came undone and wept at the end. This short read is beyond impactful, and for a person who has someone in my family going through what Beatrice is going through, it is both triggering and ultimately cathartic. I cannot say enough good things about this book, the writing style, the plot, the highs and lows, all of it. There is not one flaw. Please read this book.

This book is so fun! I wish I would have come up with the idea to write a story from a typewriter’s POV. I really love the details Allie incorporates in how Olivetti narrates the story. It’s super clever and adorable.

The story itself is heartwarming and such a good depiction of grief in the face of illness. I love the journey Ernest takes to help his family and learn why his mom disappeared. Quinn is probably my favorite character. She’s so fun and fascinating and reminds me of Ellie from Up, who I adore.

Overall, such a fun and interesting middle grade book that doesn’t shy away from hard issues but offers a glimpse of hope and love in the midst of grief.

Loved this story about a boy and a typewriter that helps him find his missing mom. You also get the typewriter’s POV which I loved because it’s metaphorically speaking about life, struggles, mental health, sickness and death. Those are some heavy topics and the way the story is told through the typewriter works really good especially since for a middle grade book. Its fun at times, it’s funny, sad, happy and it’s all well done. I also enjoyed the characters and their growth. It’s a must read.

Who knew you could fall in love with the voice of a typewriter? But I think I fell in love with Ernest even more. Such a good read--moving and heart warming, a little bit sad but ultimately triumphant. Makes me value my little typewriter a bit more than before.

Pub day: 3-26-2024

“Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are.”

I love when a book gives a story from a unique perspective and having one from a typewriter may be one of the most satisfying and unique experiences I’ve had.
This was a very thoughtful story about both biological and found family. About individual struggles in life, how everyone handles them differently, and how important it is to communicate. It also made me really want to go out and buy a typewriter!

It was a lovely middle grade read that I’ll definitely encourage my daughter to read when she’s old enough!

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

OLIVETTI
BY: ALLIE MILLINGTON

About 3.5 stars!

A heartfelt middle grade debut told from the vantage point s of a witty typewriter and an introverted boy . Being a typewriter is not as easy as it looks, Surrounded by books (notorious attention hogs
and recently rep;aced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family --the family he's lived with for years. The Brundles are busy humans apart from twelve year old Ernest, who would rather be left alone wit h his Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do is remember Olivetti once in a while, since he remembers every word they've typed on him. It's a thankless job, keeping memories alive.

Olivetti gets a rare glimpse of action from Ernest's non, Beatrice, his used to be most frequent visitor only to be most frequent visitor only for her to drop him of at Heartland Pawn Shop and leave him helplessly behind. When Olivetti learns that Beatrice has gone missing afterward he believes he can help find her. He breaks the only rule of the typewriter code and types back to Earnest , divulging Beatrice's memories stored inside him.

Their search takes them across San Francisco chasing clues, maybe committing a few misdemeanors. As Olivetti spills out the past, Ernest is forced to face what he and his family have been running from, the Everything That Happened. Only by working together will they find Beatrice, belonging , and the parts of themselves they've lost.

A cute story about how typewriters are becoming dinosaurs with the invention of laptops. This typewriter stores memories of the mother in the family who used it. Giving clues on how to locate a missing user who is the mother of the family. i thought this was an original story that educates middle graders of the importance of typewriters in the past. This typewriter becomes an animated part of this family. Cure and charming allegorical tale that reminded me how when I was in high school is how I learned to type on.

That being said I didn't like this as much as I thought that I would. It could be that the timing wasn't right, but I expected it to be more in a linear fashion that drove the narrative forward in the sense of the detailed synopsis. I don't think it's use of unnecessary gross descriptions were needed. They were a turnoff for me, but might be appreciated by a young adult age group. They were a turn off to me and a disappointment since I was expecting a more wholesome narrative since the publisher contains the word "Children's" in its name.. I'm no prude I was disappointed that this wasn't more aimed at children for its audience.

Publication Date: March 26,,2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Allie Millington and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.. All opinions are my own.

#Olivetti #AllieMillinton #MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup #NetGalley

Olivetti by @allieinink
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was such an emotional but sweet middle grade novel. It’s written from the perspective of the typewriter and one of the kids in the story. I definitely teared up many times. 🥹🥹🥹 It covers a lot of hard topics but it also brings it back around to you don’t have to do things alone, together is better. 🫶🏼
This is the author’s debut novel and I can’t wait for her to write more! I plan to add this to our home library once it comes out! Publication date is set for March 26, but if you visit the author’s Instagram you will see she has a giveaway if you preorder the book through a specific shop. The potential to win a custom Olivetti typewriter?! If I’m going to buy the book anyway, count me in!


Thank you @netgalley, @allieinink, and @mackidsbooks for an ARC ebook. All opinions are honest and my own.

#netgalley #olivetti #goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof24

As someone who loves the idea of sentient objects, Olivetti is right up my alley. I love the idea of the objects in our lives witnessing our lives, seeing behind what we show to everyone else. Our hidden tears, the thoughts we mutter when we're not thinking, the secrets we whisper in our sleep. It's such a unique and powerful concept. In general, I enjoyed Olivetti's character and all the lore and secrets behind the typewriters.

This is a sweet story about a boy whose mother goes missing. When Ernest goes looking for his mother, he discovers that his mom's old typewriter (an Olivetti) can communicate with him. This story is a bit of a mash-up -- part mystery, part love letter to words. Hand to fans of A Rover's Story.

This was a delightful story that middle graders as well as older readers will enjoy. Olivetti’s keen observations on humanity and hilarious puns make this both an insightful and a funny read. Earnest is a sweet boy who we see struggle with fear, but grow through it. I wasn’t expecting to be challenged by this book. As someone who is always searching for the answers and dreading the worst, this book was a gentle reminder that being “okay” is more about what/who you cling to than what your circumstances are. Writers and book lovers will also be especially fond of this tale! I’ll be recommending it to many people, for sure. Thank you to Net Galley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC.

This was such a powerful, touching, and heartfelt middle grade book. The big overall topic hit extremely close to home for me, so it was very emotional at times and hard to read. But it covered so many difficult themes and emotions in such a beautiful, sensitive, and engaging way. I won’t spoil anything, but I’ve been through “The Everything That Happened” scenario, and it was one of the hardest times of my life. It also happened to my mom and I was only 16 at the time. We weren’t as lucky, and we went from a family of five down to four. So I could relate and connect to Ernest and his family on a deeper level than most readers who haven’t been through that kind of ordeal. Definitely keep the tissue box handy because you may need it; I did! I was sobbing at the end!

I loved the creativity of this story. Making an inanimate object come to life and feel are some of my favorite stories. I adored Olivetti. He’s sassy, snarky, and witty, but also sensitive, curious, and generous. He just wanted to be loved and cared for. His fondness for the Brindle family was so endearing. The way he cared about them and wanted to help find Beatrice, the mother, was incredibly heartwarming. He made me laugh so many times with his observations of humans, almost like he was an alien watching and noticing how we act and behave. It offered a unique perspective for the reader to take a step back and also observe how we act and behave, which allowed me to reflect on my own behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. I also enjoyed learning about this world Olivetti lived in, how he communicated with other typewriters, and the rules they had to follow. I had such a great time reading about Olivetti’s story and the adventure he went on. The magical realism parts with the typewriter were thoroughly entertaining. I appreciated how this story highlighted a long-forgotten piece of equipment that most young people today probably don’t know much about or even know what it is. Ha!

The family that we’re introduced to was going through a lot. There were four children and then the parents, and each person was experiencing their own pain and torment of emotions from dealing with this traumatic situation. I loved watching the development of this family. At first, they were all isolated and kept to themselves. But then slowly, throughout the unfolding of the story, they were brought together to face this challenge as one, and they realized they were stronger together and had to go through the difficult time as a group instead of individually. I enjoyed watching them come together as a whole unit, open up to each other, and allow others to help them through all the overwhelming emotions they were dealing with. It was incredibly moving and sentimental.

The mystery of finding the mother was also very interesting and captivating. I kept wanting to know what happened to her. I also liked the introduction of Quinn, who becomes Ernest’s new friend. She’s spunky, outspoken, resourceful, clever, independent, and a little bossy. She’s the exact opposite of Ernest. It felt like they balanced each other out perfectly, and she was exactly what he (and his family) needed. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop. At first, she annoyed me, but then her sweetness came out in her own way.

I also liked the nod to the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There were some other pop culture references that I enjoyed as well.

Life is messy and difficult, and we don’t always know how to deal with our thoughts, feelings, and emotions - not even adults. Many of us just want to run away or hide from challenging events in our lives, but it’s when we face them head-on that we grow, become stronger and more resilient, and learn more about ourselves. There’s no walking around the “fire,” you must walk through it. This story shows us what can happen when you face the “fire” and walk through it, especially with your family and loved ones. It’s real, honest, and raw as it shows us the power of family and friends, being vulnerable, and facing your fears. Very powerful!

This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster - you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be curious. It has heartbreak in it, but it’s also full of hope and love. I absolutely loved it and was quite surprised by how much it affected me and captured my heart. Highly recommend!!

For a debut author, I’m impressed and excited to read more from her in the future!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

A typewriter who writes back...I mean, need I say more? This book was a delight! It will be perfect for fans of Coyote Sunrise-a story for children that is just full of the joy we all need.

Ernest certainly has his struggles, and I will offer this trigger warning: his mom has had cancer in the past, and it is back. I cried buckets, but smiled so big when Quinn enters the scene. She's the friend Ernest didn't know he needed!

This book isn't really your typical found family book....and yet, Ernest and his family have been isolated in their own pain for so long. This story documents how they come back together, and how they find even more folks to welcome in!

I received an arc from NetGalley, but all enthusiastic opinions are my own!

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel Friends for this ARC copy of Olivetti.
This was a 4.5 ⭐️
What a wonderful middle grade book to read! I will be recommending this book to all my bookish friends, it was an amazing read that made my laugh and cry at the same time, This book comes out on March 26, 2024, make sure you grab a copy to get your heart fill with so many wonderful emotions while reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. What a creative story with interesting characters. This is a great book about how a family finds themselves again. Readers will fall in love with Olivetti!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced ebook of Olivetti. This lovely book reminded me of the family in the Vanderbeekers and how you can't help but fall in love with them from the beginning. Olivetti, the typewriter, is such a unique perspective and his chapters are pure magic. This book breathes life back into an almost forgotten machine in a way that is all its own. Readers will connect to this family and root for them all along the way. Even through the difficult parts, Millington delivers a story that remains accessible and enjoyable to read. I would recommend this to middle grade readers who enjoy realistic fiction. Great addition to any library.

"The things we are told, we hold within our steel frames. We keep them safe. We keep them in...remembering is the very language we speak. I am a patchwork of pasts stitched together with stories. A tapestry of tales."

This delightful, heartwarming story was a heart-hug I didn't know I needed. No disrespect for Ernest, but Olivetti stole the show with every chapter of his point of view. I could feel the ache and longing and even desperation this poor typewriter conveyed when he was forgotten and dismissed, and I never knew I'd have those kinds of feelings and feel so defensive and protective over something like an old typewriter.

But I did feel those things, and that character will stay with me forever, as I am sure he will with many readers.

The world needs this story the same way so many children and teens need a good diary: to help heal. I have been a writer for most of my life, and I now look at words, their power, their purpose, differently since reading this story. Millington crafted a flawless story (which often read like poetry) and tackled the difficult subjects we often face and even avoid within our own families, and I'm so glad she did. A book, just like a typewriter, or maybe a paper journal, are often the only ways children (and adults) can find that sense of purpose or safe place after unexpected darkness or sadness.

I look forward to more titles by this author. If you need me, I'll be chatting with my own typewriter for the indefinite future.

Thanks to @netgalley and @mackidsbooks for a free review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Every once in a while you read a middle grade book that is so unique and creative that you know it is something magical. This is that book for me. ✨

This book has:
📖 magical realism (Olivetti, the typewriter, is one of the POVs of this story)
📖 a family member’s mysterious disappearance (and we know it is not a crime story)
📖 friendship and family relationships
📖 discussions of what we do when hard things happen and how we get through them

The plot clips along at a great pace, and yet it is so full of heart I felt as though I got to know the characters so deeply throughout the book. This is one that I will be thinking of for a long time.

P.S. This is a great fit for fans of Rebecca Stead or adult readers who enjoyed Remarkably Bright Creatures!

Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me a copy through Netgalley!

I don't know what I expected when I originally began this beautiful story, but reading it was better than I could have hoped for. "Olivetti" explores the themes of the power of family, love, grief, and healing, written perfectly for the middle grade audience to enjoy. Books like "Olivetti", with these themes, are pivotal for young readers, because unfortunately, experiencing grief and trauma has no age limit, and is diverse and vast in the experiences that can happen to one compared to another. Stories like this one can show readers of all ages, like Ernest's fear, that they are not alone. I am so happy that this story was my first ever ARC to read through NetGalley, and I cannot wait until it is published so I can add it to my Reader's Advisory for my patrons.