I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a book about a girl who deals with hardships by escaping to an imaginary world. I liked the character, Hannah. The book is sort of heavy.

THere is no shortage of stories out there for middle graders about dealing with bullying, so I have to applaud any author who finds a new approach even if that approach doesn't really work for me. Honestly, I found the "talking to random objects' schtick just a bit too weird. I did like that we saw different kinds of bullying, different reasons, how a once nice kid can turn mean. But I also found those motivations and resolutions drastically over simplified.

I really loved the way the main character thinks and how she perceives her world through sound-emotions. The author deftly deals with the awkwardness and anxiety the protagonist feels. While the plot and style weren't my personal cup of tea, I foresee many coming to love the intimacy of this story.

“Nobody likes Hannah.” Who would write such a note? Hannah studies her classmates in an attempt to figure it out, but discovers much more instead. Everyone is dealing with problems, including Hannah, who is worried about all the fights her parents have having at home. So is it any wonder that she turns to Ambrose, her stuffed elephant, for comfort and advice? And is it any wonder that he responds?

Such an interesting story about a complex girl. Hannah’s insight and empathy toward others is special as she tries to understand the perspectives of others and why they act the way they do. "Maybe Violet Beauregarde had a hard time at school. Maybe Mike Teavee's dad was never home. We only see what people want us to see. We are all unreliable narrators."

It is beautifully written, covers important topics, it's timely, relatable, and I actually think it's destined to become a classic. As I was reading this, I found myself analyzing the story, the text. I loved the way it was written with so many layers and so much meaning in each character and each paragraph. Maybe that's why I can see it as a classic - I can totally see kids studying it in school.
Hannah is dealing with bullies - both named and anonymous - and her parents won't stop fighting at home. Oh, and inanimate objects around her, like her stuffed Elephant Ambrose, have come to life and are talking to her - Ambrose actually narrates parts of the story. (I've heard ITWAS compared to Crenshaw and The Thing About Jellyfish, but I haven't read either, so take that for what it's worth). It's a really sweet and beautifully crafted novel about the power of a story and an ultimately pretty strong little girl. Hannah's character is one that will really resonate with kids, regardless of their experience. I'd say this is a must-have for any middle grader's shelf.

The story sensitively deals with bullying, friendship and how a child copes with her parents fighting. In some ways, this took me back years to my own school days yet in other horrifying ones, it reminds me that today’s students live in a world I could not have imagined. I never had school lockdown drills nor counselors so highly trained in dealing with children’s emotional crises.

I enjoyed the imaginatively told story which includes some unique points of view and a heroine who finds her way with a little help from some unusual sources. B

It's hard for me to sum up why this book spoke to me so strongly. Let me start by saying that if you have a lower school kid in your life, buy them this book.

Hannah is the heroine of the story and she loves words and spelling and notices things. Hannah notices how people act, feel and what is happening around her - also, Hannah can't forget things. So, Hannah carries in her head the awful and the good that happened over the last few years. She tries to navigate the politics and friendships of lower school. Sometimes she succeeds but many times Hannah is left heartbroken and lonely.

When we read about Hannah and her experiences in school and at home, we're given a chance to open up and acknowledge that we've thought and felt some of the things that scare Hannah and occupy her thoughts, that we sometimes still feel this way. Worrying about friendship and whether it will be true, honest, etc. is something that I still feel in middle age!

If This Were a Story introduces us to one of the most endearing, accessible young characters. This book will open the door for conversations about school, friendships, rivalry, loyalty, bullying, being sad and being true to yourself.

In the book, If This Were a Story Beth Turley shares about a ten year old girl named Hannah. Hannah is your typical fifth grade girl who attends school and keeps a reflective outlook on her day to day life. Written in short subject based chapters that could be easily read one at a time or several in one sitting based on the time the reader had. I believe these subjects are relevant to the fourth or fifth grade student: bullying, friendships, recess happenings, and family life at home.

One of the repetitive subject chapters are notes from visits of Hannah and her classmates have with their counselor. I think these are realistic issues that could be discussed between a student and a counselor or other trusted adult.

In addition, there is a story inside the story between the relationship of Hannah and her eighth grade pen pal Ashley. This consistent communication between the girls, assists with the main issues within the plot and assists Hannah with processing her thoughts.

From the publisher: Tenacious. That means strong-willed. My mother calls me that. I wish I felt the same way. If this were a story, I would discover I was a direct descendent of a famous soldier who won countless battles and protected hundreds of people. This resilience running through my veins wouldn’t be damaged by the notes; it would fight off bullies and prevent my parents from yelling at each other. But this is not a story. This is real life. My life as ten-year-old Hannah Geller, who is the only girl in fifth grade to have little red bumps on her face, is unable to let the sad thoughts escape her mind, and leaves heads-up pennies wherever she can to spread good luck. And who also finds magic in the most unlikely of places.

Beth Turley is a graduate of the MFA in creative and professional writing program at Western Connecticut State University. She lives in southeastern Connecticut and teaches writing as an adjunct. If This Were a Story is her first novel. I received an Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster in exchange for my honest review. Book release of If This Were a Story, tomorrow August 28, 2018.

I really loved the book cover, this was the first thing that interested me about Turley's new release, If This Were a Story. Hannah is a very complex character with a lot of emotional issues going on. It can be a difficult read at times, but I think tweens will really relate and appreciate this story.