This was a wonderful bittersweet book and it is relatable on so many levels. Rachel, meets the beginning of her teen years with many challenges ahead, her changing relationships with friends new and old, her uncertainty about where she fits in the world, and her worries that her loving family is embarking on hardships that she never imagined could happen to them. Her navigation through these difficulties and heartbreaks touch on things that many young people may be experiencing, and Rachel's ultimate strength and resilience may comfort some who are struggling as she is. I would recommend this book to readers of realistic fiction who love stories about relationships and courage in everyday situations.

It's the first day of summer and Rachel Gartner's 13th birthday. But this year it appears that her family, including younger sister Ivy, 8, have forgotten. Instead of the usual birthday pancakes, there's a welcoming pie in the oven...for the new neighbors just moving in. Later that night, however, Rachel is surprised to see her birthday wasn't forgotten after all, and that her present is an almost new, better-than-the-old-one bicycle, cleaned, repaired and greased by Ivy. Getting a second-hand present is nothing new, but Rachel doesn't mind. Ever since her mother lost her job as a school librarian, money has been super tight, and bills have gone unpaid, including the mortgage on their home, Bittersweet Farm.

Money isn't the only thing on Rachel's mind. Her relationship with best friend Micah Sasaki has been feeling different these days. Micah has let Rachel know that he would like to be more than best friends, but Rachel doesn't feel the same way. In fact, she's not attracted to any boy and is beginning to think she never will be. Needless to say, things are tense between the two friends.

To help out her family financially, Rachel takes a job caring for the new neighbor's animals, - two horses, two sheep, two goats, chickens, a baby steer named Ferdinand, and a pig named Lucy, the only animal being raised "for meat."

The job gives Rachel lots of time to spend with Micah at the beach, almost always taking Ivy along. But when a new girl named Sierra shows up with Sam, a girl from school, and starts to flirt with Micah, Rachel finds herself feeling angry and sad and doesn't understand why. As the summer passes, she and Micah are invited to parties, but Rachel's feelings become more complicated as she sees her classmates having typical boy-girl fun and fooling around together, causing her to feel more and more different and afraid to admit what it can mean.

To add to her stress, Rachel's parents are fighting more than usual until they are all finally forced to face the fact that the bank is going to foreclose on Bittersweet Farm. It means moving into a small apartment, giving up beloved mementoes, and finding new owners for their pony Rainbow, an elderly rescue Rachel was given for her 10th birthday. But there is a bright spot in all of this for Rachel - a budding friendship with Cybil Jackson, and a clearer sense of her sexual identity.

This is a coming of age story that really explores what it is like when a family has serious financial problems after a parent loses a much needed job and the impact it has on the children. It's an area that isn't really dealt with in quite the same way it is in Where the Heart Is. And the family's economic difficulties certainly might lead you to think this is a story about coping and just getting by. Or that it is a story about loss - of a job, a home, a best friend. And it is all these things, but...

I think it is more of a story about change. For one thing, the book begins on Rachel's 13th birthday, a milestone birthday, one of transition from childhood to adolescence. Over the course of the novel, Rachel's relationship with her sister Ivy changes as she becomes more responsible for her when her parents can't be. And her friendship with Micah changes as he explores relationships with other kids, especially girls, and as Rachel begins questioning her sexuality, and her passing acquaintance with Cybil. But not all change is bad. Consider the name of the Gartner home, Bittersweet Farm, named for the wild bittersweet that grows along their property line, and which serves as a well chosen metaphor for Rachel's life, which is, to say the least, bittersweet.

Where the Heart Is is a realistic novel, and though it doesn't have a big, major conflict, dealing with the constant stressors that are thrown at Rachel is enough. And, I suspect many kids will relate to Rachel's situation and take comfort in her growth as a person.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was a EARC received from NetGalley

My first Jo Knowles experience was reading SEE YOU AT HARRY'S on an airplane (cut to me sobbing and the stewardess asking if I was okay). I've pretty much enjoyed all of her work since, and this newest offering is no exception.

Rachel and her family are dealing with some pretty severe financial struggles, and Rachel is struggling to find herself as she gets ready for eighth grade. Her best friend Micah is more than a little in love with her, but she doesn't feel the same (and might not even like boys at all). She takes a job helping the new neighbors care for their farm animals and makes it her mission to save an ornery pig named Lucy from becoming bacon.

While I like Rachel, her little sister Ivy steals the show. She's sweet and hilarious and annoying and everything you could want in a sidekick. Watching Rachel work to include her sister and comfort her when things go bad are the best parts of the story.

This book was a very sweet middle grade story. It touches upon difficult topics such as poverty and sexual identity, but does so in a way that's developmentally appropriate for younger readers. It doesn't have an ending that wraps up with a pretty happily ever after, so I think this would be a great mentor text to use in a classroom about realistic fiction. Overall, I thought this was a really lovely and emotional read.

Overall, this was a quick read, although I wouldn't say it's either "light" or "fun". This book definitely deals with some hard topics, and seeing it all from the eyes of a 13yo girl makes them even harder. This is still a middle grade book, though, so there are a few things left undeveloped or unfinished, I guess because the publisher and/or the author wanted to keep it short for its audience.

What bothered me the most and I want to get out of the way is the romance subplot. The main character is most definitely not straight, so there's this whole dela of her male best friend trying to get her to come out and her saying she's not ready yet which, okay, fair. I absolutely get it because I was there for a lot of time. But then the love interest is introduced and we know nothing of her? We see her for maybe two or three scenes, and hear from her on two occasions via texts... but that's it. We don't know what her family's like, her hobbies, her favorite subject at school, literally nothing apart from her name and that she works on a pharmacy. And not much more about her relationship with the MC, either. I wish it would've sped up a bit. They held hands the second time they met and that's it, they didn't hang out more than three times and we don't get to see if they have chemistry or if they even like each other. For a book that's marketed as LGBT+, there's not much of anything to call it that.

And I didn't feel much for the MC and her family losing their house, either? Maybe it was the way it was written, but we were constantly told how the characters felt and didn't have much time to think about it, or get how much time and how much memories they spent in the house. It's all crammed in the moments before they leave, with the MC walking around the house remembering a few things she did when she was younger with her best friend, but it was so rushed and so sudden I got lost on it.

The subplot about taking care of the new neighbors' animals was really sweet! I love animals and I can tell the author does too, because she put so much care in making them all have different personalities. I looked forward to the MC going over to feed them and walk them around in a leash. I just hope we got a few more chapters of Rainbow making friends there.

I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this from @netgalley. ‘Where the Heart Is’ by Jo Knowles tells the story of 13-year-old Rachel and the ups and downs she faces one summer. The story begins with Rachel getting a new summer job helping take care of animals on the neighbour’s farm. From there we see her struggle with her feelings (or lack thereof) towards her best friend, Micah, and the fact that she doesn’t seem to like any boys. We also see the stress and strain placed on an entire family when they are out through financial difficulties, and the bittersweet outcomes that has.

I enjoyed this book so much. At first it just felt like any other middle grade, but very soon that changed. Despite being only 13, Rachel is very mature for her age, and we see that this is due in part to being a role model for her 8-year-old sister, Ivy. The story is very emotional, very heartfelt, and very true to what life is really like. Life is unfair; there is no knight in shining armour waiting for save you, and even though “things can always be worse” this doesn’t stop you feeling shitty. This book teaches an important lesson, one which it begins to teach right from the very first page: home is where the heart is, home is where family is. And now for some of my favourite quotes!

”Back then, I didn’t know the difference between loving a friend and loving someone for any other reason.”

“I hate the word straight. I bet it makes everyone else feel crooked. Or slanted. Or not perfect.”

“When you learn vocabulary words in school, you memorize the definition. And you have a good idea of what the words mean. But it’s not until you really feel them that you grasp the definition. I’ve known what the word helpless means for a long time. And desperate. But I’ve never felt them. Feeling them is different.”

“‘Whatever happens you will always be my best friend and I will always love you.’”

#netgalley #wheretheheartis #middlegrade #lovereading #bookstagram #ebooks #books

Jo Knowles is one of my favorite YA/MG authors.  Her books are realistic and don’t sugar coat difficult situations.  This one made me cry. Twice! The book addresses poverty and sexual identity in a simplified way that is perfect for MG readers.  Rachel’s family doesn’t have lots of money so her clothes come from thrift stores and she feels so much shame that it broke my heart.  I connected with the main character, Rachel, and her love of animals. My favorite parts of the book were when she went to go take care of all the farm animals across the street. She fed chickens, horses, a calf, sheep, and a pig named Lucy. Rachel found comfort and solace talking to the animals about her troubles.  I loved her heart and empathy for the animals and also, her little sister. The ending is realistic which means it is sad yet hopeful at the same time. I believe it is good for young readers to know that even though things don’t go their way, it will be ok.

Where the Heart is, is a slow building middle grade novel about a girl named Rachel and her family during the summer of her thirteenth birthday. Rachel, like most girls her age are struggling with so many different feelings and emotions. Her long time, best friend Micah wants to be more than just friends, but Rachel doesn’t feel the same way and this causes tension between them. She has also seen her parents stress out over money all summer and she isn’t sure what’s going to happen to her home or family. She has struggled with her first job at the neighbors farm. She has grown attached to some of the animals that are being raised for food and she wants to keep the neighbor pig from being slaughtered.
This is a lot going on in one little person’s head. In the end Rachel finds out that life still goes on, and her family will be ok. This story had a lot of heavy and sad themes; losing your home, job loss, sexual identity, death of an animal. It is a lot for anyone to sort out, especially a 13 year old.
This story was well written and the characters were likable enough, it just wasn’t for me.

I was lucky enough to get to read this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

There is a lot going on in this new novel by Jo Knowles. Much of it will rip your heart out before letting it begin to mend. It had me bawling my eyes out at times – for Rachel, for her family and almost, for a pig.

Rachel, her younger sister, Ivy, and their parents have lived on Bittersweet Farm for as long as Rachel can remember. Circumstances beyond all their control: their mother losing her teacher librarian job because of school cutbacks, and their father's real estate sales dropping, mean they are facing foreclosure.

In order to help out at home Rachel ends up working on the neighbour’s hobby farm while they are on vacation. When everything else in her life seems to be falling apart, it’s her connection with these animals that seems to ground her.

Rachel’s best friend Micah wants their relationship to become more than just friends, but Rachel doesn’t feel that way about him. She’s not sure she can feel that way about a boy at all. When she makes a stupid mistake at a party to test this, it looks like she might have destroyed their friendship just when she needs it most.

I searched for a book like this one for my library collection for ages. This coming of age novel introduces us to Rachel, an ideal queer girl for elementary school readers. She is pondering her sexual identity, but nothing sexual happens in this book. I appreciate that there might be something more in her new relationship with Cybil, but it is only a possibility. I like the conversation between the two of them that reveals that their classroom teacher and environment is inclusive of everyone. I like that while Rachel's sexuality is important, it’s not the most significant part of this novel. Mostly I love that Rachel is a character students will be able to connect to and imagine as a friend.

As a teacher librarian myself, I was devastated to read of Rachel mother’s job loss. I was surprised that she didn’t just move into another teaching position which is what would happen here in my province of BC. it's actually what has happened to teacher librarians in many areas due to educational cutbacks and lack of staffing. I appreciate Jo Knowles bringing the issue to our consciousness, even if it is never resolved satisfactorily.

Thank you Jo Knowles for another brilliant book. I ask for nothing more in a novel than characters I can connect to. You have succeeded in pulling it off again. I love your people and can't help but wonder what the future will bring for them.

Were I still in charge of a library, I would preorder this book. If you haven't already done this, get on it will you!

If you can't wait for the April release date, you might be satisfied reading See You at Harry's, Still a Work in Progress, or one of the authors many other fabulous reads.

It's hard to be thirteen. Rachel is trying hard to enjoy her summer, but she knows that her parents are struggling to make ends meet, and her best friend, Micah, is being weird. He wants them to be more than friends, but Rachel doesn't feel that way about Micah ... maybe not that way about any of the boys she knows. She just wants everything to be the way it was (not perfect, but comfortable), but nothing stays the same.

Instead, a wealthy couple moves in next door, and Rachel begins taking care of their farm animals part-time. She also finds herself taking more responsibility of her little sister, Ivy, shielding her from their parents' arguments and deepening financial difficulties.

I really liked this book. I've been impressed with Knowles' books in the past, and this did not disappoint! All of the characters are well developed, and you can't help feeling for everyone, even characters who temporarily behave in jerkish, human ways. This family's predicament made me stressed it, it was so realistic and well-rendered. And I loved both Rachel and Ivy. I really want there to be a second book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

In this tender coming of age middle grades read you meet Rachel and Micah, best friends who learn more about the challenges of growing up and the importance of true friendship. It is a sweet story that attempts to embrace that challenges and stresses that come with growing up. I do think it might be a little heavy for sensitive children. The book covers topics such as financial struggles in a family, parents arguing due to stresses, beginning to understand one's sexual identity, and basic peer pressure during teen years.

Knowles' book hits growing up with a financial crisis hanging over your family's head in all the right spots. Sometimes, no matter how much people try, things just don't work out. Growing up is hard enough, but many kids are forced to grow up faster because of poverty. Add puberty into the mix and it is a chaotic time for many. This book will resonate with many who are struggling to understand their feelings in a chaotic world.

For thirteen-year-old Rachel Gartner, figuring out where her heart belongs is a tough thing. If home is where the heart is, why do her parents argue over bills and money? If her heart is supposed to be with her best friend Micah, why doesn’t she feel the same way about him as he does for her (or any boy for that matter)? Rachel is very unsure about where her heart belongs and author Jo Knowles does a wonderful job of telling Rachel’s story in her newest book, Where the Heart Is.

Although not everyone goes through life in poverty, Rachel’s family is one that walks that path. Rachel’s mom lost her job as a librarian and her dad works as a real estate agent. Rachel realizes that a family of 4 living on one income is tough to survive on. Rachel takes a job taking care of their neighbor’s farm in hopes of helping out with the family’s bills. Because she is worried about her family’s financial situation, Rachel is somewhat forced to grow up a little faster than her peers.

The author does an excellent job of touching on the subject of Rachel’s sexuality. Since Rachel and Micah have been best friends since they were little children, Rachel’s friends and family automatically assume that some day they will get married. But deep down Rachel knows that she can’t change the way she feels about Micah. She loves him, but is not in love with him. It isn’t until Rachel gets to know an old classmate, that she develops feelings for another girl.

The main thing I enjoyed about this book is that Rachel’s character is very relatable. Her humor, confusion, and angst is something just about every tween/teen goes through. Where the Heart Is is a genuine coming of age book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The book is full of family, friendship, and learning to appreciate who you are, even if who you are may be different from everyone else.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review link: https://www.thepagewalker.com/2019/03/book-review-where-heart-is-by-jo-knowles.html
Publication date: 3/25/19, 7:00 AM Central Standard Time

WHERE THE HEART IS is an important book that kids and teens will definitely relate to. Jo Knowles handled a topic, not most adults will discuss with their kids. Rachel's parents are almost always arguing about finances and unpaid bills. As the story unfolds, it's easy to surmise that the family could hardly afford their basic needs, let alone their house mortgage, even with Rachel's summer job.

Rachel is a very responsible young girl. She carries a huge weight on her shoulders at this early age, but she does it anyway. She cannot even focus on herself and understand her feelings about boys and girls -Why she wants to be best friends with Micah but doesn't like boys? And why can a girl give her hummingbird feelings? She cannot discuss it with her parents because she doesn't want to add to their worries. On top of that, she has her little sister, Ivy, to shield from all the pain their family is going through.

This is a complex and rich coming-of-age-book. Both poverty and sexual orientations are sensitive matters and families need all the help and ideas so they can be more open about it. I recommend this book, especially for a classroom setting or book club discussion.

*Thank you Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the DRC in exchange for this unbiased book review.

I requested the ARC because I was familiar with author Jo Knowles. A few years back I read See You At Harry’s which still pervades my mind at times. So I was ready for another heart filled story and boy does she deliver. This is a story of love and loss all under the headline of bittersweet. Bittersweet Farms is the name Rachel’s father has given their home, due to the lovely bittersweet vines that grow there. It’s is not a working farm, but the family does have a big garden and then there is Rainbow. I fell in love with a Rainbow. Rainbow is the name of a dusty, aging rescue pony Rachel receives on her birthday.


Rachel, age 13, and her little sister, Ivy, who’s 8, have lived in the old farmhouse their entire lives. Rachel’s mother has lost her job as a school librarian, so money is tight leaving a family of four with only one income. Rachel has to do without many of the things her friends and peers enjoy.

Rachel’s very best friend is Micah. Micah would love to be her boyfriend if Rachel allowed. Rachel isn’t sure of her sexuality. Along with this worry, she is anxious around schoolmates who have money and are more self-assured. Rachel lands a summer job nearby caring for farm animals on a rich neighbor’s hobby farm. You will enjoy getting to know the personalities and the humor surrounding the animals as Rachel cares for them. Her vivid description of Lucy the pig is rather enduring especially after what happens to Lucy Pig.

The one i come is just not enough and a family of four can survive on just so little. Sadly Rachel’s family loses their beloved farm/home to foreclosure.

I really like how Knowles addressed a sad and not unusual subject and mixed with humor. I also loved Rachel’s authentic 13-year-old first-person voice.

Rachel’s relationships and sexuality are dealt with in a gentle manner and is only mentioned briefly.

Ages 8-12
Thank you Netgally and Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read and review a wonderfully coming of age story.

Rachel iand Micah have been best friends since they were little, but this summer Rachel feels different. Micah says they will be together forever but Rachel doesn’t have the same feelings for him. She is not sure of she has feelings for any boy. Add to that worry that her parents are struggling financially. Rachel struggles with all these changes. Rachel’s character development is quiet, honest. The events are easily relatable for kids today.

Where the Heart Is is a youth novel that provides a protagonist's (in this case, young teen Rachel) experience of her family progression further into poverty while also discovering her sexuality. Like the other reviews have said, this is a great book to introduce those two topics.

The story allows people to understand that going into poverty doesn't always mean you're born into it; it can happen to anyone. Additionally, it helped me look through the perspective of a youth who knows deep down inside that they are gay long before going through any hormonal changes; but wanting to take the time to know for sure. I personally never have read such a perspective, so I am grateful that I was able to read this.

A decent middle grade read that deals with very real economics issues for many of our nation's young people. It's always heartbreaking to see such heavy issues from the perspective of a young person. The characters are very relate-able and like-able. Not as emotionally gut-wrenching as another of this author's titles.

3.5 stars
This is a middle grade/early teens book about a girl who’s family is in financial difficulty, during the summer before 8th grade. The story focuses on confusion over attraction, the divide between well off & not well off families, farm life & the confusion about what growing up really means.

I think this could be a helpful book to use as a talking point if you have children/pre-teens about honesty, relationships and how they don’t need to know who or if they are attracted to people yet.

There aren’t many light moments though and I feel like the ending, though realistic, was a little depressing.

Touching ~ Truthful

tl;dr: youth is hard but worse for the poor.

Thirteen-year-old Rachel is not doing okay. Her family has poverty issues and her life feels incredibly stressful. She has a great best friend, though, Micah, but even that becomes stressful. There is so much good about this book. Poverty is a very real fact of life, and something many middle reader/ YA books avoid. I also loved how the author played with the best friend/ boyfriend trope a bit in the dynamic between Rachel and Micah. But, there were drawbacks. There was something flat in the writing that I couldn't put my finger on. The dialogue was alright and the descriptions weren't excessive. But, the story didn't quite sing. I will also say that the ending felt confusing as if this might be setting up for a sequel.

3.5

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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