March 15, 2023
Grades 4-8 Agnes doesn't know if she believes in God, especially the God that's an old white man, which is especially problematic because her life at school and her mom's job is increasingly dependent on her being a good girl in confirmation class. A chance encounter with an opossum, the words of Maya Angelou, and an anthropologist neighbor help Agnes learn that maybe she doesn't have to just lie down and play dead--maybe she can use her voice and help those around her learn to use theirs too. Though the plot concerns conservative Christianity, Braden's book is perfect for middle-graders of any faith, especially those learning to make their faith their own. The relatable core plot, which folds in themes of income inequality, sexism, and asserting one's rights, moves quickly, and while the story can sometimes feel pedantic, the strong women in Agnes' life steal the show. Agnes' growth throughout the novel and the familiar middle--grade plot points reimagined through Agnes' unique situation in her community will resonate with fans of Barbara Dee and Paul Acampora.
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March 13, 2023
When older neighbor Gracy nearly hits an opossum with a pouch full of young at the start of this slim, feminist-leaning novel by Braden (Flight of the Puffin), 12-year-old Agnes learns that a play-dead instinct “isn’t great if your predator is a line of traffic ready to run you over.” Expected by her widowed mother to attend confirmation classes and sign a pledge that she believes in God, Agnes identifies with the opossum’s inability to stand up for herself. Is her worry about “opopinions,” or “Other People’s Opinions,” undermining her faith in herself? Questions about finding and speaking her own truth begin consuming Agnes, who understands that her mother usually yields to those in traditional positions of power. Inspiration and guidance come via a Beyoncé documentary featuring Maya Angelou (“Tell the truth. To yourself first”), and from Gracy’s teachings about archeology, anthropology, history, and poetry, as Agnes works to understand women’s underreported, vital roles throughout history, and the importance of perspective in accounts of the past. Underdeveloped characters and message-heavy prose undercut this empowering novel’s solidly constructed arc, which is told via a first-person voice and quirky “The Opinion of an Opossum” interstitials. Protagonists present as white. Ages 10–up. Agent: Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary.
May 1, 2023
A 12-year-old girl learns that questioning faith can make it stronger. Agnes, named after a saint who at age 12 was dragged through the streets when she chose to devote herself to God rather than marry, is having a hard time believing in the God she's been told about--an old man with a white beard. She can't help but question the sexism of original sin and the cruelty of the Old Testament God. After helping to rescue a mother opossum, Agnes learns that playing dead is a survival skill for these marsupials. She comes to identify with the opossum--by going along with confirmation classes despite her doubts, is she merely "playing dead"? Through eye-opening talks with her anthropologist neighbor, creative writing exercises from the perspective of an opossum, and the powerful poetry of Maya Angelou, Agnes finds a version of God that makes sense to her and realizes she has the power to challenge authority. Braden crafts a nuanced story supported by clear metaphors and honest, deep emotions. Readers faced with similar situations will find support here even if it's only the confirmation to keep questioning. As Agnes learns and grows, she comes to realize that there are many conceptions of religion and God--that God could be a Black woman, for instance. Agnes, her single mother, and most other characters are presumed White. Mind-expanding. (Fiction. 8-13)
COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
June 1, 2023
Gr 3-7-Adolescence is typically a time of questioning authority and traditional beliefs. Twelve-year-old Agnes never had the opportunity to question what she believes until a Confirmation class makes her rethink all her prior ideology. In Confirmation class, she is faced with the dilemma to pledge to believe in God, spurring much introspection. Agnes, with friends Mo and neighbor Gracy, share deep discussions and partner on writing important topics. Along the way, Agnes writes an opinion piece from the voice of an opossum that was almost gravely injured. Braden has woven the story of an overlooked and misinterpreted animal with thought-provoking realistic fiction. Braden shares a multigenerational story of how poetry and speaking your truth can be refreshing and connecting. This novel could be useful in social emotional learning lessons about being patient when change happens slowly or allowing oneself permission to feel anger. Readers might relate this quirky tale to Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato about strange misunderstood animals and unexpected relationship dynamics. The world needs tweens to reflect on who is telling every story, whether fiction or nonfiction, and the motivations for those perspectives. VERDICT A healthy reminder that the status quo continually needs to be challenged by thoughtful youths. There are a multitude of metaphors found in the natural world that can provide lessons if we are open to receiving them. A good choice for tween shelves.-Laura Dooley-Taylor
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