Cover Image: Candidly Cline

Candidly Cline

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Member Reviews

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

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This could have been my childhood. The differences are, I didn't know I was gay that young, and I believe mustard based BBQ sauce is superior. This was beautifully done. What an amazing middlegrade book. I will be recommending this to all of the students who come through. Cline is a great protagonist, I love her love interest, and Gram is lovely. What a beautiful book. I love it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.

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This is one of those books that isn't always easy to read. We see Cline making mistakes, laying and manipulating and it can make us squirm. But we can also understand her actions. And her issues are big and hard to resolve. So while it's uncomfortable it's important. Overall, it's a sweet story of acknowledging your truth and chasing after your passions but accepting help hen you need it.

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Candidly Cline is a sweet tale of longing — longing to know who you are, to feel accepted, to find your place, and to see your dreams come true. Cline is relatable in her worries and her dreams, surrounded by a cast of people who care about her in many different ways. It also tackles the tough issue of the war that some Christian churches speak about LGBTQIA individuals — and how hurtful, alienating, and wrong that can sound. I would have loved to have this book when I was in middle school, and I would recommend for any middle school classroom or library.

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When a girl's song-writing dreams start to come true, she has to decide how much of her truth to put in her song lyrics, including the fact that she likes girls romantically.

From the plucky protagonist who won't give up on her dreams, to the complex mother-daughter relationship, to the sweet glimpse of first love between two confidently queer young people--there is a lot to love in this middle grade novel. At the start of the book, Cline already knows she likes girls romantically--and that's just who she is--but questions of tolerance, how and when to come out (and to whom), and emotional safety run throughout the story. Queer tweens will resonate with and take courage from Cline's experiences, especially the encouragement she gets from allies to take care of her own mental health and take the distance she needs from hateful people and institutions, and all readers will root for her in her relentless pursuit of her artistic dreams. A must-buy for library collections, I highly recommend this novel to all middle grade contemporary fiction fans and to middle grade book clubs.

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This book is a warm hug and an inspiration and should be read by everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I can't tell you how excited I was to be approved for this title on Netgalley. Kathryn Ormsbee is the author I have to thank for realizing my own sexuality with the release of Tash Hearts Tolstoy. While this book is different from that work in many different ways, it still presents a beautiful message of being yourself and pursuing your dreams.
Cline is a musician with grandiose dreams, a hardworking mother, a grandmother who believes in her but has her own struggles, and friends who may not understand her passion for music or the reason why she doesn't want to go to the dance with a boy. She's a strong character, incredibly lovable and real as she takes a step towards realizing her dreams of being a singer/songwriter.
This book handles the topic of sexuality and religious opinions on it in a way that is powerful. Religious trauma is a real thing that many LGBTQ+ people have to struggle with, but seems to be underrepresented in novels that handle the subject of sexuality. The fact that this is in a book for young teens makes it even more important.
I loved Candidly Cline so much, and I hope everyone is able to give this book a chance!

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ARC Review: This middle grade novel was so much fun. I really loved the references to more “classic” or older country stars like Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline. There are a few references to newer stars as well, but I really liked what I learned in regards to earlier county singers in the business. I always enjoy when a fictional novel can teach me a few things and this definitely doesn’t disappoint. The book is also about a middle grade girl coming to terms with liking girls and finding people who will accept her for her, as well as her music dreams. That is not something you see every day in a middle grade book & I really appreciated that. Besides Cline and her journey, we also get to meet a ton of other characters who are all interesting and fleshed out. I really loved the character of Sylvie and thought that her and Cline’s relationship was cute. They both listen to different types of music but learn to appreciate one another and their interests. The book even references what it is like to live with a chronic illness like constant migraines in Sylvie’s case. Again, this is not something you see in a middle grade novel very often and I really appreciated the addition of it. Overall this book has an array of enjoyable characters, an original premise, various unique storylines/plot points, and a story that you won’t wanna put down. Whether you are a fan of Country music or not, this story has a little something for everyone.

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I adored this book. I loved Cline, I loved her passion for music, I loved that she went out and rebelled but in the sweetest way possible (I mean, she did have the support of her grandmother). I think my favorite thing about this book was that Cline was a believable 8th grader. She acted like she was in 8th grade, her interactions with her friends were middle school interactions. They were not 8th graders acting like juniors who act like they are sophomores in college. Just normal middle school.

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this book was so much fun! i really loved our main character and the general story was new and refreshing. i also love how it tackled themes of religion and the LGBTQ+ community. such a sweet story about identity and the power of music. CW: alzheimer’s & homophobia

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Cline, a spunky young lady with heaps of determination, is an aspiring country singer-songwriter who aims to live up to her namesake. Set in rural Paris, Alabama, this coming-of-age story had me rooting for her success. Cline’s mom tries to drum it into her head that she needs to be practical and she’ll have to sing for her supper if she thinks music will put food on the table. However, her sweet, music loving grandmother is her biggest fan and conspires to help her dream of attending a songwriting camp a reality.
Cline’s widowed mother works nonstop to support Cline and Gram, so she learns to fend for herself and is quite responsible. She also has a wonderful relationship with Gram and helps watch over her as she has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The book chronicles changing friendships and how Cline uses the song she writes to come out to others when she realizes she has a crush on her partner, Sylvie, from camp.
A scary event helps Cline realize how much people care for her. It also changes her relationship with her mother when she learns some family secrets that explain some of her mother’s feelings.
I loved how well developed Cline’s character was. Her commendable grit, charismatic personality, insightfulness, passion for music, and way with words made me love her old soul. This would be a great mentor text to show character change.

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3.5-3.75/5 stars!

Wow! This book was GREAT. I loved so much how it approached topics such as friendship breakups, coming out, Alzheimer's, grief, poverty, and distant parents in a way which was easily-approachable for children. The writing style, while too expository for me, was detailed and flowed well, even if it did fall into the pitfalls of un-varied sentence structures at times, which is endemic of first-person middle grade and YA fiction, in my opinion (i.e., "I" + verb). The forward momentum of the story was also bogged down at times by the author stopping to dwell on descriptions, instead of threading them more naturally within the story. It would stop and amble on the cul-de-sac of long descriptions (e.g., "she had a long ponytail and she played band and..." versus "she pulled her hair back into her customary long ponytail"). I also wish Cline's DMS friends were involved more on-page, and also other named characters, such as Veronica. When Veronica chided(?) Cline as being "precious," I assumed we'd see more of her, but we didn't. It also took me a bit to see Cline as her own three-dimensional character, to fully understand her motivations besides loving music, but by the end I was enraptured by her story.

With that said, this is an extremely important book for kids, about following your dreams, family, crushes, and being comfortable with yourself. I LOVED how the relationship between Cline and her Gram was depicted. It made me long so much for my Gramma, who had such a hand in raising me while my own mother worked long hours. The relationship was so perfect. I also can't speak enough about how much I loved Cline's character arc: her growth, how clear it was that she became more mature by the end, her final encounter with her former friend, her understanding that choosing when to come out is a personal choice. I also love so much how the women in Cline's life rallied around her and supported her. This is such an important book with so much heart. I cried so many times, so much so that my coworker had to bring me tissues at one point. What I also love is that, sometimes when I'm reading middle grade fiction, the narration can't quite get the voice of a child quite right. It sometimes sounds too old or too young. Here, it's so clear that Cline is a child coming of age. So, so, so well done. I also love how clear Cline and Sylvie's voices were and I loved loved loved their interactions. It tugged at my heart. I remember what it was like when I was 13, having my first crush on the first girl I ever liked. I also cannot emphasize enough how much I LOVE the culmination of Cline's growth, when she had her final conversation with her former friend. Wow.

Again, to emphasize: the relationship between Cline and her Gram was amazing. It reminded me so much of my relationship with my own Gramma, the support and unconditional love. It's a testament to the strength of the writing that I felt so connected to them as characters, as well as to their bond with one another. The ending, what Cline says about memory, just punched me right in the heart. I also love the depiction of a three-generation household without a man present. When Jocelyn asked Cline if her "parents forgot the money," I winced with Cline at the assumption. The "Alden ladies!"

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing an ARC. I absolutely loved reading this and will definitely order it for my library. As a children's librarian, I am surrounded all day by middle-grade fiction but it never truly appealed to me as something I would read for my own pleasure outside of work. Books such as this one have convinced me that I am so wrong; middle grade fiction is just as important and stirring as adult. Thank you so much to this book and others to help me realize this; it reflects the power this book has. Cline's journey and growth are so important. I'm so glad I was able to read this, and I can't wait to share her story with the children in my library!

TW for homophobia (especially chapters 17-18; I couldn't even bring myself to fully read these parts and had to skim), religious homophobia, and death of a parent (off-screen, happened before the start of the story)

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Candidly Cline
by Kathryn Ormsbee
HarperCollins Children's Books
HarperCollins
Children's Fiction | Middle Grade
Pub Date 09 Nov 2021



Born in Paris Kentucky, Cline Alden was raised on her Gram’s favorite country music. She’s a girl with big dreams, as well as a heart full of song.


When she finds out about a young musicians’ workshop a few towns over, Cline sweet-talks, saves, and maybe fibs her way into her first step toward musical stardom. But her big dreams never prepared her for the butterflies she feels surrounded by so many other talented kids especially Sylvie.



As Cline learns to make music of her own she also starts to realize how much she’s holding back. But now, there’s a new song taking shape in her heart—if only she can find her voice and sing it.


I give Candidly Cline three out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I wish i had this book when I was in middle school. Back then it was don't ask don't tell. This story is truely beautiful and subtle

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Candidly Cline is an incredibly sweet book about growing up in a small town in Kentucky. Cline deals with lots of challenges, and this book handles some heavy issues for a young audience with grace. This book also has an excellent playlist!

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Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC of this book.

Cline is desperate to get her big break into the world of country music, so when the opportunity arises for her to attend a songwriting workshop, she knows she has to go. Along the way, she meets a new friend who makes her realize that it's okay for her to be herself.

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This book. I would’ve absolutely devoured this book as a kid and I loved it just as much as an adult.

I really love and appreciate that this story isn’t about Cline figuring out her sexuality, but instead, it’s just something she knows. There’s plenty of books about kids struggling to figure that out, and that makes this story all the more important because it’s rare and wonderful. Cline knows who she is in a way that only an innocent and optimistic kid supported by the greatest grandma in the world can and she never wavers in that. Cline not only knows who she is, but what she wants and what she values, and nothing can stop her.

I also enjoyed how well-developed each of Cline’s relationships were and how different each one was. I loved her relationship with Gran, and I adored Sylvie. I wish I was as cool as Sylvie, wow.

Overall, I didn’t expect to fall in love with this book as much as did, but now that I’m done, I’m going to miss these characters!

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This book is precious and fun. i do think at a certain point it was tackling too much and some of the threads didn't tie up as well as I would like but that didn't stop me from overall really enjoying the heck out of this book

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Candidly Cline is exactly the book I needed to read even though I didn't know it! I absolutely loved the characters, Gram reminded me so much of my own grandmother and I loved their interactions. Cline's growth arc was so powerful, and I have goosebumps at the lessons she learned in believing in herself, but also in knowing when to walk away from the people who aren't right for her world. I will absolutely be recommending this book to everyone I know!

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Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will release November 9, 2021.

"My musical dream feels delicate. Like, if I share it with too many people, it might dissolve in my hands."

Can I speak... candidly? This book is marvelous. From its front cover to its back, this book is chock full of love, determination, and careful handling of a range of issues that might be affecting its readers. And of course, the cover itself is cute as heck! All of these elements are combined beautifully to create Cline's story. I'm so glad I put off the two eARCs I have that come out a little sooner than this—I think I've found one of my new favorite middle grade books!

By the way, this review is a little spoilery, but I didn't want to hide all the spoilers either, because I don't think they really ruin anything. Still, proceed at your own risk.

When a waitress who works at the same diner Cline's mother works at gives Cline a flyer for a young songwriters' workshop, the question isn't if she's going to go—it's how will she come up with the money to afford it? Luckily, despite her mother's concerns about the low chances of stardom crushing her daughter's dreams and demands that she be practical, Cline has plenty of grit—and plenty of people who are willing to help her get there. Along the way, the author tackles financial struggles, friendship breakups, religion, crushes and Alzheimer's. With a list of topics like that, this book had the potential to be dragged down, but they were all effortlessly woven together, and it never felt heavy.

I won't go very in depth with all of the topics that the author juggles, but there are a few that I feel deserve special attention. The first is the great adults in Cline's life. Gram, who is beginning to suffer from Alzheimer's, spends a lot of time with Cline while her mother is working, and they share a deep love of music. One of the great joys of this book, actually, is every moment where Cline and Gram sing and dance together, reveling in their love of country music. She's the kind of grandma I'd like to have. Actually, I think she reminds me of mine, though I don't think mine would necessarily be as willing to conveniently not tell my mother I'm leaving town every Monday, unbeknownst to her. But still, mine would have helped with the workshop deposit, too! Delia, the waitress who gave Cline the flyer in the first place, helps out by giving her a ride to the campus every week. And Mrs. Yune, a woman that Cline meets while helping out in her friend's church's nursery... she is phenomenal. She comforts Cline after a quite frankly emotionally devastating moment, offers her sympathy and advice and understanding... and ultimately prevents her from quitting her dream. I truly can't get over how wonderful she is. And, ultimately (though she was testing me!) Cline's mother deserves to be called a good adult in her life for the way she's tirelessly worked to support Cline and Gram, even if I wish she hadn't been quite so quick to shut down Cline's dreams.

At one point while reading, I noted that Cline is a really great friend. Unfortunately... her friend, Hollie, doesn't remain one. This is for a whole passel of reasons that are tied together. The most significant is because Hollie, upon learning that Cline likes girls while at a church lock-in together, freaks out and makes a PUBLIC prayer request that she overcome this, basically. It's truly upsetting. (For reference, this was around page 114 in my eARC, near the beginning of chapter 18.) And I was INCENSED after Hollie did this, because Cline had already refrained from sharing her musical dreams with her BEST FRIEND because she didn't think she would understand, and she used the song she had written to tell her that she liked girls, in order to sympathize with Hollie's concern over crushes... Unfortunately, I know that this is absolutely something that could happen to a kid, and I was heartbroken for Cline. Friendship breakups are devastating, especially when it's a friendship of that length and when it happens at such a mixed-up and vulnerable time in your life, and so I'm glad to finally find a book that contains one, and one that is handled extremely well, at that. Ultimately, they don't make up. Cline, while still hurt, is the bigger person and forgives Hollie, but she also stands up for herself and tells Hollie that she was wrong to treat her that way at the lock-in. That encounter made me a little shaky, but I was so proud of Cline for having the final word there and being strong for herself.

Actually, the whole subject of religion is dealt with really well, too, and this is where we bring Mrs. Yune back into the review. Cline shows a lot of uncertainty about religion early on, saying that the idea of someone watching her and living forever freaks her out. Same, girl. I felt that the entire lock-in segment, where Cline attends with Hollie and her church friends (chapters 17 & 18) was handled well, but what was even better was when Mrs. Yune sat down with Cline after she ran out and had a discussion with her about her own religious beliefs, at the beginning of chapter 19. She very explicitly says that she disagrees with the youth pastor and that she believes in a God who loves everyone and tells Cline that there is nothing wrong with her. Mrs. Yune also lets her know that it's possible that someday Hollie may see that she's wrong, but in the meantime she doesn't need to accept that treatment. I just... growing up Catholic, I wish I had seen this attitude more, because it's the right one to have.

And now the crushes, my goodness. While there is only one, and it starts off rocky, it ends up being painfully sweet. From getting to know each other by writing song lists, to collaborating on a song for their workshop, to being too shy to talk about the fact that one of them included a romantic line about a girl in their song (Cline) and one of them didn't comment that they should change it (Sylvie). I felt like it was a pretty realistic interpretation of having a crush at thirteen, not that I remember that all that well. Sylvie is cool, and the relationship develops organically, with perfect amounts of shyness and cuteness. There's a great Halloween moment at the end of the book that made me smile so big. As a side note, I also loved that the author portrayed Cline as generally secure in the fact that she likes girls, but that she at the same time showed hesitancy in coming out to her family and others. It could be due to the setting of the book, or borne out of the pain she felt after the way Hollie treated her, or just being a little unsure about telling her mother and Gram, but regardless of the reason Cline decides to wait to come out, I really appreciate that she decides for herself that she wants to wait until she feels comfortable sharing this important piece of her life. Maybe I'm not reading enough middle grade (and I've definitely been upping my consumption of this age category over the last year), but up until now I don't think I've read a book with a young character who's queer but also has the agency and desire to temporarily keep it to herself, and I think it's just as important for kids to see that you can be and share facets of yourself in your own time.

I want to say so much more to you about this book, but instead I'll merely say this:

I hope that when Candidly Cline releases this November, there's a big, bright spotlight on it. It deserves to stand out—for music, which is what Cline would want, and for everything else.

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A book about discovering yourself, being brave enough to share it with the world, and above all else, country music. But in all serious, this is a great coming-of-age story. Cline has to deal with a lot in this book: her family's financial struggles, her grandmother's dementia, her best friend and her growing apart, and Cline's attraction to other girls. What helps Cline through these is her music, and her determination to follow her musical dream. Cline has to make some hard decisions on her path, and while most were probably the right choice for her, it's great that none of them are easy, or come without having to give something up as well. Middle readers growing up today are sure to see themselves in Cline, and be inspired to live honestly and candidly.

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