Wow, what a powerful book for teenagers and about teenagers. If I could I would give this so much more than just 5 stars. It has the quality of an award-winning short story and a pace of a thriller. Spot-on in every aspect.

It isn't often when an adult writer actually manages to write for young readers in a way that both appeals and is also very insightful. This book made me laugh and cry tears as big as kidney beans. There were so many broken strings inside Zoey and myself...memories of my own childhood kept creeping up like those eight tentacles constantly mentioned or hinted at.

It's like Zoey says at the beginning:

"If I were an octopus, things would be so much easier. I'd have one arm to wipe Aurora's nose. Two more for holding both kids' hands when I pick them up from the Head Start bus stop to keep Bryce from wandering into the street after some rock he's spotted. One to hold Hector and his diaper bag on the afternoons when my mom works at the Pizza Pit. One to adjust my shirt because it doesn't really fit and it can get too revealing if I'm not paying attention, and I don't want to be "that girl." One so I could do my homework at least some of the time if I wanted. One to pick up the Cheerios that are always on the floor. And the last to swipe a can of Easy Cheese from the Cumberland Farms convenience store."

And all this coming from a 7-grader's head...

OK, my life wasn't this bad in 7th grade exactly. More like after I graduated high school and single-handedly moved to New York, leaving my family, my language and everything else I knew about the world (mostly because it was all bad and hopeless) behind. THEN my life took on a spin much like Zoey's, so I can totally associate.

This book is a fantastic portrait of what a teenage girl goes through internally and externally. I would HIGHLY recommend it, firstly, to parents of teenagers, and of course to all the curious young readers as well.

I can't imagine a reader who wouldn't fall in love with someone like Zoey.

Big thank you to Sky Pony Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this amazing journey. This review is my honest opinion.

This was an absolutely fantastic middle grade book dealing with gun issues and domestic violence. I literally could not put this book down and finished it in a day. I've always had a heart for students who struggle with their home life and making it paycheck to paycheck and this book does a great job dealing with that issue and bringing it to light. I cannot wait to share this book with kids at school. I think a lot of students will relate to this and will find the courage within to do what needs to be done.

I was given an ARC of thus novel through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this middle grades novel. Zoey is loveable, and my heart ached for her perseverance in light of her difficult circumstances. I believe that this would be an excellent novel to read as a class to help students empathize with others.

Zoey is the eldest of her mum's children and since learning about octopuses from an old documentary she watched figures she could do with being one as she has to run around her siblings, Hector, Bryce and Aurora whilst their mum works.



They all live in a trailer park with Lenny, Hector's dad and their mum where they struggle for money as her mum's a waitress. Kenny is quite scathing towards their mum especially as he knows she works with Connor, a kind man at the pizza parlour she works in whom likes Zoey and the other kids.



Zoey has just started middle school with Fuchsia her friend where she learns about a debate team and her teacher insists on her taking part. Whilst in school shots are fired outside, a gunman whom Zoey later realises she knew of as he knows Fuchsia.



Neither girls home lives are secure it stable, happy ones and so each girl asks their mum about an idea they have to leave the controlling father figures in their lives well away from them but instead all survive together. They just need to speak up and out to the police and courts, if they can persuade them that is...



The book raises the issue of domestic abuse and all the spectrum of can occur from physical threats and acts to emotional abuse verbally and trying to control a person. We see how it impacts the whole family and Zoey has a lot to cope with hence her feeling comforted by her octopus passion as she knows how she could do with enough arms to do everything she has to do but envy them as they don't have to juggle school work or look after their siblings. It was nice to see she found debate club a way for some own time and be able to connect more with other students while developing a passion.



Raw and intense look at life as a grown up but while still being a child yourself.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!