Kimberly Behre Kenna

This is a potent tale about a girl, who learns to open up and raise her voice in several ways.

Jett craves organization, quiet situations, and calmness, all those things she doesn't have at home thanks to her busy parents and more than lively brothers. Even her reading time at the library is disturbed, leaving her with no where to go. When a nun suggests a novel to her, which will get to the true core of the issues Jett faces, Jett can't even read it thanks to the town's censorship. So, Jett does something out of character. She protests, and this causes more than just a little uproar.

This is a read which hits upon some very tough themes, and it does it with care. Jett suffers under the aftermath of sexual assault by a family member. She hasn't told anyone due to several reasons, and it's eating her up. Not only do others see her as odd, but she hears voices and loud noises scare her (although it's not explained why certain things set her off). This is a difficult but important topic for this age group, especially considering how many girls will connect with this (so sad but true). The author has kept it very age appropriate and brought across Jett's struggles clearly. Still, I wouldn't recommend this for every reader, since it also can serve as possible trigger in certain cases. Adults should take a peek at this one themselves before giving it to young readers in question. But for other readers, it will be a nice push of encouragement, support, and open up understanding.

That said, Jett has other things to deal with, too. Her parents and home life, while appearing balanced, sometimes leave her lacking needed support, and school life is rocky, especially on the social end with leans toward bullying. The beginning pages were a little confusing, but Jett's problems soon settle in, and it's easy to feel for her and root for her after that. The problems with censorship and reactions of the people around her also carry some bite and add another level to the read. It creates quite a few layers for the age group and leaves more than a little food for thought.… (més)

Jett Jamison is a precocious sixth grader. She loves lists, schedules and silence. However, the voices in her head don't always cooperate. Her refuge is the library since her twin brothers are always noisy and her parents aren't exactly the schedule type. One day, Jett stumbles across Sister Gia, a nun working in the gardens. Sister Gia offers Jett a refuge from the noise and a listening ear. Sister Gia wonders if Jett might benefit from a book she knows, but soon after Jett discovers the book at her local library, it disappears. Jett then learns that the other copies of the book have disappeared as well. Jett believes that the book will help all of her problems and decides to fight the censor while fighting for herself.

Jett Jamison & The Secret Storm is a powerful middle grade, coming of age story. Told through an authentic middle school voice, Jett comes alive with relatable struggles and issues that many middle schoolers face. Jett has very strong emotions and is dealing with past trauma while trying to stand up for what is right and learning about who her true friends are. Jett's journey of coming to terms with her trauma through a book really resonated with me. I enjoyed seeing Jett growing as she learned that she would have to be loud and use her voice in order to advocate against the book censorship as well as how the book opened an avenue for Jett finally seeking help. Jett Jamison & The Secret Storm offers a heartfelt and thoughtful look into trauma and recovery.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (més)

I like this story for what it represents to me: where I grew up in Connecticut, the naturalist I was as a child (and still am today), the belief I have in the epigraph by Roger Tory Peterson, whom I once met and have always admired. The environmental ethics are wonderful, but the characters and plot just didn't grab me as I wished it would have. I'm glad I read it; it brought back pleasant childhood memories, but it is not a book I cherish. It felt like the author tried too hard to fit too many themes into one story and it came out a bit pedantic and shallow, I'm sorry to say.… (més)

Artemis Sparke is a friend of wild creatures, plants and ghosts, and a passionate advocate for the natural world. She lives and works with her mother cleaning rooms in a historic Connecticut seaside hotel. Her mother's boyfriend owns the hotel, which is negatively impacting the surrounding wildlife. Artemis is often bullied by other kids because of her stutter, and feels more comfortable in the natural world, than with most people. She experiences feelings of frustration and helplessness in her quest to save her beloved salt marsh, as the adults around her frequently fail her (except for a kind environmentalist neighbor). Her best friend Warren is sympathetic but is dealing with an abusive father. Artemis is a complex, relatable and flawed character who must, in her effort to protect her local ecosystem, face her fears, help her friends and learn how to stand up for what she believes in. Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade is a hopeful, informative story with an inspiring message.
Part of the proceeds from book sales will benefit Save the Sound, a non-profit that works to fight climate change and promote ecological restoration in the Long Island Sound area, where the story is set.
Thank you to BooksForwardPR and the author for a copy to review.… (més)