This book was so good that I was sad when it ended! I wanted to keep reading more about this special group of friends. The character development was excellent and I loved how unique the problems each character was facing were. Even though some of the issues were very serious, they were handled gently, in a way that kids of that age could handle reading about. Serious times were interspersed with fun and the games they played in the woods seemed like something I would have enjoyed as a kid. This book would be perfect for middle school students and maybe some upper elementary students as well.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of #Sardines by #SashiKaufman in exchange for honest feedback.

Sardines by Sashi Kaufman is a poignant and heartwarming middle-grade debut that struck a chord with me as an elementary librarian. Lucas, a sixth-grader struggling with the loss of his older brother and his mother's sudden disappearance, finds an unexpected lifeline in a motley group of kids he meets at his school's aftercare program. The characters are beautifully developed, and their individual stories and wishes are woven together seamlessly as they embark on a journey of friendship and trust. Sashi Kaufman's experience as a middle school teacher shines through in her authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by kids in this age group. Sardines strikes a perfect balance between humor and tenderness, making it an ideal read for upper elementary and middle school. Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Book and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this advanced copy of Sardines by Sashi Kaufman. It's a must-read for middle schoolers and anyone who appreciates the power of true friendship.

We don't get enough books like this one. Books with characters from low income families that aren't on the verge of losing everything. THey get by. There are no extras. THey shop at discount stores and accept that they won't be popular. It's a life experience that I can directly relate to. So we have these kids thrown together by circumstance, kids with parents too busy to give them the attention they desire so they get their validation from each other. The plot details are a bit odd but we can roll with it. The end of the book felt a little random but overall it's pretty well worth reading.

A heartrending middle grade book about loss, mental illness, bullying and finding your tribe. It manages to be moving without being depressing, which I loved.

This is a touching debut about friendship, loss, and family. Kids will relate to the children in the after school group, who each have very individual personalities.

Big thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Sardines by Sashi Kaufman.

6th-grader Lucas is feeling a little lost as a new middle schooler. He feels like he's living in the shadow of his older brother who passed away. His mom recently left without a word and his relationship with his dad is strained. A new boy named Finn joins Lucas's class and he's a delight! He's an old soul who brings together a group of kids who are all in need of something.

The author is a middle school teacher and it shows. She really knows kids and the challenges they face. Sardines is the perfect mix of hilarity and tenderness.

Trigger warnings for death and depression.

Sweet middle-grade read about four kids, all from different backgrounds and social circles, who forge their own friendship at their after school program. Avery, Robbie, Lucas, and Finn, never friends, have all grown up in the same community and elementary school, but on the first day of middle school they end up in the same after school program. After several games of Sardines, a tree fort, and jars full of acorn tops, their group is stronger than ever and determined to make each of their wishes come true. Great read about friendship, resilience, and putting others first!

This fun, realistic fiction story is about a group of kids who seem to have nothing in common, but end up being really good friends. Each of the characters is dealing with their own issues, but come together to help each other grant wishes. It's an engaging story with characters you'll want to be friends with. I was sorry when the story was over! I think the kids are going to like this one.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher of this book for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. I received my copy close to the time of the publication date, therefore this book has already been released.

I enjoyed this story of a group of a few middle schoolers who became a group of unlikely friends over the course of the school year as they were all part of an after school program. Over the months the students moved from kids who barely knew each other and didn't move in the same social groups to a group that supported and counseled each other through difficult times. This book reminds me somewhat of a middle school version of the movie "The Breakfast Club," in that students from different walks of like come together due to circumstance, and end up bonding with each other and learning that they are more alike than different. I enjoyed this book.

Five students form a bond when they break the rules and follow the "new kid" Finn into the forrest during the after school care program at their middle school. Their friendship changes over time from playing games to filling their jars for the opportunity to share their unspoken wishes with the group who vow to make their wish come true.

Lucas, Robbie, Cat, Anna and Finn each bring a unique personality and wish to the fab five. The transformation from classmates to a deeper level of devotion progresses with ease as the pages turn.

When the threat of five becoming four looms in the distance, the team must work together to fulfill an unspoken wish.

Perfect read-aloud for upper or middle grade students.

I loved Sardines! Five kids with very different personalities become friends through their after-school program, and together they help make each others' lives better. There are a lot of heavy topics covered in this story (sibling death, depression/bipolar disorder, foster care), but it never felt unbearably heavy. I think both my 6th grader and 9th grader will enjoy this one!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

One thing I really liked about this story was how the kids were the drivers of action and change. They put their heads together to try and solve problems and although some of their ideas were a little bit evil genius, I liked that they drove the story. This story touches on foster care, mental health, and has just a touch of early relationship feelings (boy/girl, girl/girl).

Thank you NetGalley for sharing this middle grade book with me. Friendships, grief, mental illness and foster care are strong themes in this book. I love books where kids drive the storyline and adults are just extras.

This is a touching read, packed with kindness and the power of friendship. Characters are rich and grow well. Mental health, grief, social conventions, foster systems are all explored. Spot on language and content for middle-grade readers, who will enjoy the bread trail of little mysteries laid out through the book.

This story is very powerful and entertaining. It follows a group of kids who are all dealing with some pretty relatable, although heavy topics. There is definitely some emotional content in this story. The friendships are amazing and inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I loved the loyalty of this motley crew. Each character struggled with something they wanted to wish away on their acorn collection in their fort. Whether it was dealing with the death of a loved one, having a mentally ill parent, worrying about fitting in, or coping as a foster child, these kids were there for each other. I loved how this book showed the reader how trust could be built and how important the relationship between teachers and students can be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this middle grade novel.

Sardines is perfect for middle school readers. It checks a lot of boxes in an authentic way, and is a great story about the power of true friendship.

Lucas is starting 6th grade with a host of problems-his brother recently died, his mother left and his father is struggling to cope with everything. To make matters worse, he isn’t stuck going to the Teen after school care. There he meets Cat, Robbie, Anna and Finn. Slowly they become good friends, ones that can all depend on. Finn starts a contest with acorn caps and turning it in for a wish. Will the wishes come true? With a little help from their friends, their wishes just might!

This is quite a book! I couldn’t put it down. I was routings for the characters, especially Lucas! It had me in tears at the heartwarming end! A must read for middle grade to adults!

An incredible story, superbly developed, about an unlikely band of kids up against complex situations, tackling each together- til the last one seems so insurmountable. Full of heart, you will be rooting for them all.

What a wonderful book about friends, kindness, changes, and family. Lucas is not looking forward to starting school where he only knows Robbie. On top of that mom is in a hospital somewhere, and dad seems angry. When a new student, Finn, starts at his school everything changes. In the after school Teen Club, Lucas, Robbie, Finn, and two girls become friends. They go outside down in the woods and make a fort. There Finn says let’s collect acorn caps and when you fill a jar with them a wish will be granted. What will,Lucas wish? As Lucas is reminded of his brother’s death and his mom gone, he remembers mom telling him you only need one good friend to get you through things. The group is there for each other, and when Finn is absent a few days, the group feels lost without him. When they find out what might happen to Finn, they wonder if they can come up with a plan to see him again.