First off, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. Now onto the book…the main character’s mom is a drug addict and thief. The mom drops her off with her mother and leaves. Krate and her grandma are like oil and water. Obviously Krate has experienced many forms of trauma in her young life. She is violent and was suspended three times, the third for six weeks! Over the summer (when most of the book takes place) she learns how to quiet her rages and starts her own business. She finally makes a friend for the first time ever. Her grandma can be very tough on her, but by the end it is clear she was that way out of love for Krate. I loved the determination and imagination of Krate. There are moments that will break your heart and moments that will make you laugh out loud.

I received a free copy of, The Outsmarters, by Deborah Ellis, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Twelve year old Kate has been let down, and failed by the adults in her life. People who are supposed to be looking out for her, are not. Kate has some behavior issues, which comes with her home life, or lack there of. This book gave me so many feels, anger, sadness, hope. Such a well written book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. There is so much heart in this story, and Kate's complicated relationship with her grandmother is fabulously written. I can't wait for this to hit shelves.

The Outsmarters was excellent - one of my top three ARC reads ever. Ellis creates a truly memorable main character in Kate, a twelve-year-old Canadian girl struggling due to the trauma of being cared for by her opioid-addicted mother for the first eight years of her life. We meet Kate living with her grandmother at a sprawling vintage shop and junkyard. Kate has explosive rages and struggles to be in school so she spends her suspension time and summer doing school work at home.
She longs to make money so she and her mum can be together again so, inspired by Peanut's Lucy (and not wanting to be sued for bad psychology advice) Kate sets up a Philosophy booth at the junkyard and people come to ask her important questions that are answered randomly by quotes of great thinkers like Audre Lord, Anne Frank, Albert Camus and ancient greek philosophers. With the booth, Kate connects with people around her and develops friendships.
The Outsmarters may sound depressing but it is a book full of hope as you witness Kate's tremendous tenacity and strength. There's sadness and humour and so much heart. Author of the incredible middle-grade classic The Breadwinner, Ellis has crafted another incredible story.

Kate is 12 years old. She was abandoned by her mother when she was nine. Her mother had been on the run from the police, and decided it was best to turn her other to her grandmother. Her grandmother didn’t want her, because she was a terror. She told her she had to earn her keep, and if she ever ran away, she would turn her over to child protection.

Kate and her grandmother live and work in a junk yard. Her grandmother sells the junk to collectors. Kate wants to earn money too, so she opens up a philosophy stand, because she can’t give advice like Lucy of Peanuts, but she can have philosophers give it.

Kate is anti-social, and has no friends. She hates school, and so decides she is going to pass her GED, and never have to school again.
I really fell in love with Kate. She had learned how to self regulate her temper by reading a self-help book from the 70s. So, sometimes she says she has to get back into being groovy. She is trying her best to not miss her mother, but in the back of her mind, she wishes she could see her again. This is so typical of children, no matter how their mother’s treat them.

You might expect this to be a tear jerker, but it is more of a triumphant story, as Kate learns more about her past, and how she can overcome it, and move on. I really enjoyed this fresh take on children with absent parents.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out from Anasia Press on August 6th 2024.

Loved this book about Kate living with a grumpy Gran after mom left. Gran owns a junkyard, and Kate decides to open up a philosophy booth to earn money. Gran says six more years and then I’m done. Kate knows she means done with her. Kate decides to go for her GED even though she’s 12. Friends and neighbors help her study even if they say you can’t do it. Does she pass ? Then Kate’s mom shows up saying she’s off pills, but then her boyfriend comes and steals Kate’s money. Police are called and mom and boyfriend end up in jail. Gran decides a change is needed and says let’s go on the road. What is ahead for the two of them?