Ebb and Flow

Trigger warnings include domestic violence and child abuse.First, an admission. I used to be a free verse snob, prejudging something I had no experience reading. That all changed the day I discovered Ellen Hopkins and realised that some of the most emotional and engaging books are written in this format, so I was excited to see what Ebb and Flow had in store for me. Beside the joy of appreciating the story and characters, it also had me ugly crying in the form of “This is so beautiful!” 😭. So, to all of the free verse authors out there, my sincere apologies. I’ve reformed and am converted now!The past year of Jett’s life has gone from bad to worse. His father is in prison, his mother moved him to the mainland and Jett has allowed victimhood to define him and his behaviour. As a result he’s made some really poor decisions and he’s been sent to stay with his granny for the summer, a well needed time out for Jett and his mother.I adored Jett’s cotton candy granny, whose hair colour coordinates with her house colour. She is one of the coolest grannies ever! Her unconditional love for Jett came across as so genuine. She loves him no matter what and she gives him the space he needs to work through the guilt and shame he’s carrying about the events of the past year, yet also gently pushes him when he needs it.Jett’s granny reminded me of my Nan and that’s probably one reason why I instantly connected with her. My Nan and I also played board games (except she always played to win whereas Jett’s granny takes it a little easier on him), she’d take me to visit her friends (Jett’s granny takes him visiting as well) and she was my favourite person in the entire world (I expect Jett feels much the same). My Nan passed on her love of reading, her quirkiness and her ‘normal is boring’ attitude to me.The most valuable thing Nan ever gave me, which mirrors what Jett’s granny gives him, was her unshakeable belief in my goodness and ability to do whatever I set my mind to. Even now, over a decade after she went to hold my seat at the canasta table in heaven, I can still hear her telling me, “I knew you could do it” every time I accomplish anything, big or small.Without Jett’s granny I expect things would have turned out a lot differently for this 11 year old. I know he’s going to look back years from now and credit his granny and those experiences with her that summer with the man he becomes. Now I’m talking about him like he doesn’t live on pages but if any author can make me ugly cry at how beautiful their book is, their characters are going to become a part of me. Especially when I cry while thinking about them to write my review - that’s a first!Jett’s summer is one of respite, of taking stock and learning to take responsibility for his actions. He has the opportunity to consider the kid he was before he went to the mainland, who he became once there and the man he wants to become. Shining a spotlight on how difficult it is to face up to the actions you regret and forgiving others as well as yourself, Jett’s journey is ultimately one of redemption and hope.While this is marketed as a children’s book, it has a lot to offer adults as well. The writing is simply gorgeous and reminded me why I love this author. There’s at once a simplicity and depth to the way Heather Smith writes and as with The Agony of Bun O’Keefe I was happily motoring along, loving the book but not realising my emotional investment in her characters until the ugly cry escaped. I wound up on the final page of Ebb and Flow with a satisfied sigh and tears running down my face, and the only word I could think of was beautiful.Heather Smith’s writing reminds me of the feeling I get reading a Billie Letts book. There’s a vulnerability, openness and loveable quirkiness in their characters, and you’re permitted access to the real person beneath the façade. As you gradually delve into Jett’s rotten year you meet Alf who is adorable and childlike and the alleged villain of the story who I really liked, and whose emotions and acts I could empathise with. Cotton candy granny will remain my favourite character in this book, but she definitely had some pretty impressive competition for that title.Ebb and Flow is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I half want to say that I hope schools use this book as part of their English curriculum but if schools are still like they were back in the olden days when I attended, they tend to analyse the fun out of really good books, and I’d hate for that to happen to this one.Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read this book. I can’t wait for Heather Smith’s next book!

Loved this book about a boy who’s made bad choices and must now face the consequences. We witness his mindset change through the text as his grandmother helps him figure out that is much more than his worst mistake. Using it in class, with support (for my fifth graders), but sixth and seventh graders will enjoy it.

This book is beautiful, lyrical, sad and hopeful. It’s one that has stuck with me for many days after I finished reading it. Delivered in verse, (Thank you Kwame Alexander for teaching me to appreciate books in verse!) Ebb and Flow packs a punch without flowery or abundant language.Smith’s book is the story of Jett…a tween whose father is in prison and who has been sent to live with his Grandma Jo after doing something troubling while in his mother’s care. Jett carries a lot of guilt and shame about what he did and really can’t bring himself to talk about it. He wonders if he is a bad person ‘like his father’ and spends much of his time beating up on himself and self-sabotaging by committing additional minor transgressions.Jett’s Grandma Jo is an amazing character…the adult you always dreamed of having or being! Through her love and conversation, Jett is able to reveal his past, come to terms with it and begin to look forward to his future. Other characters in the story (who I won’t mention specifically to avoid spoilers) are also perfectly drawn. I wanted to pick up every single person included in this story to give them encouragement and hugs. It takes a strong author to make a reader feel personally responsible for her characters.Smith also does an incredible job of making this story flow. It pulls you along with the narrative, a love for the characters and the spot-on verse she writes. You’ll find your heart breaking for Jett and find yourself absolutely rooting for him to see the truth about himself. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself with wet cheeks while reading this book…only you will know whether you are crying for the book’s sadness or hope or both! Read this book because you have faith in humanity…finish it with a better understanding of why!

Well, first of all, congratulations to Heather Smith for winning the top prize for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award! We felt so timely with our book pick for October as this announcement came out right before our book club meeting.Did we agree that this should be an award winner? Absolutely!It was interesting to see how we all approached getting our copy of this book based on the perception that it was written in verse. Some of us were a bit leery so purchased digital or got a library copy, where as another was so excited about it being in free-verse, that they excitedly purchased the hardcover. Part of our discussion involved how being a member of a book club, where each member has the opportunity to pick a book, opens up our readership.We were all drawn into Jett’s story and I even wished I’d purchased the paper copy, I’ll likely do so when it comes out in paperback. One member noted how this is a book she could leave on her coffee table and, for months, enjoy opening it to a random page and reading the poem written there.Some of the verses stand alone, whereas others do not, but all combine into a cohevsive character-driven story, complete with well-woven subplots and carries an element of mystery to the reveal near the end.We each expressed different combinations of characters we liked or didn’t like which I found quite interesting. Telling me there’s something for everyone in this book.Our discussions around aspects of this story lead us to many different subject areas as we compared and contrasted to our personal lives or current news events. Which was another thing we found interesting about the book club dynamic – “look where our conversations take us.”We also kept coming back to the question of how Heather Smith may have written this story. Was it originally written in verse form? Did she write the verses in order or did they well-up out of her randomly and then she put them in order? A quick Google search only revealed award announcements and reviews. . . [Heather was kind enough to respond to these questions on my blog post at suzannegoulden.com]Our best writing take-away from reading a novel written in free-verse form was the conciseness of the wording. There is no room for extra verbiage in poetry. To be able to fully develop characters, setting, subplots and create a believable well-connected story arc is truly a mastery. “[This story] was deep, and I appreciate that depth.” ~ book club member.Heather Smith wrote an exceptional story and any and all awards that she wins are well-deserved. We recommend this book.

Sweet and heart wrenching, a story told in free verse with spare and perfect words. A boy works through his pain and guilt, and with the help of his loving grandmother begins to believe in his goodness again after a terrible, awful year. Loved this so much!

A perfect little story about imperfect characters.Sometimes the hard knocks of life destroy. Sometimes they buff and polish and reveal the gem within.

I put off reading this because who likes a novel written as a poem, eh? And then I couldn't put it down. A masterpiece.

A compelling story, beautifully told in verse with characters that I really cared about. An absolutely stunning book.