It felt like I was reading Roald Dahl's Matilda for the first time! Likeable Leeva learns to stand on her own and forges meaningful relationships along the way.

Leeva at Last left me a bit torn. It is an absurdist book recommended for grades 3-7, and that age group is probably old enough to recognize the absurdity and improbability of Leeva's living situation. Somehow, books like Pippi Longstocking (I'm showing my age!) never seemed disturbing, as Pippi had no nasty parents and was exuberantly happy. I'm not entirely sure about Leeva, though. I, myself, felt uncomfortable and unhappy reading about the way her parents treated her. There is no physical abuse, but the emotional abuse was extreme. They ignored her and told her they did not want her. In addition, they made Leeva do all the cooking and housework and do math calculations for her father, the town treasurer. They also kept track of every penny spent on her, which was very little, so that she could pay it back when she was old enough to get a job. This horrible pair didn't even allow Leeva to attend school because, as her mother said, the school only taught "Human Inanities ."Despite this, Leeva, a brilliant girl, had taught herself to read and to do math.
By chapter 5, when Leeva disobeys her Employee Handbook and leaves her property, things begin to look up, and Leeva is exposed to the wondrous world of books and people. The rest of the book is inventive and hilarious, and the reader cheers for each of Leeva's discoveries. Her quest is to discover what people are for, and she learns many reasons during her days out of the house. Despite the uneasy feelings I had at the beginning of the book, I loved the rest. I would urge parents of sensitive children to discuss Leeva's parents and the author's intent to make them ludicrous rather than abusive. Following that, enjoy the fun as the absurdity becomes playful, and Leeva's life rapidly becomes happier as she discovers that people are for many things, including love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Children's Books and Balzer & Bray for the ARC of this book.

I agree with all the prior reviews that Leeva is very much a modern retelling on Matilda. I would absolutely read Matilda first with my students and then company and contrast the story to Leeva.

A story about a girl being hidden away and only used for the benefit of her parents. It has major Matilda vibes. The characters were so sweet and who doesn't love a pet badger! She gets perfect retribution and makes life long friends and learns to love the world of books!

I just plain loved this. Anyone I know who has a kid or has ever been a kid (especially a kid who loved Roald Dahl) is going to have to put up with me foisting Leeva at Last on them.

This was such a sweet story. I loved how the characters were portrayed. It was easy to love and hate them appropriately. The story is one of love and friendship and finding out that you don't have to become your parents when you grow up. I wasn't a huge fan of the art and hope that it won't turn readers off from what is an adorable, wonderfully written story.

This is a very good book about a young girl (Leeva) who is severely neglected by her parents. Leeva had the courage to break free, read, learn, make friends, and find a beautiful life beyond the selfishness, and neglect of her parents. When her parents left her behind at the end of the book, Leeva was adopted by 2 of her friends who would provide the life that Leeva so much deserved.

Reading this reminded me of reading Dahl as a kid! It was so fun to find that nostalgic feeling! It feels like Matilda and The Willoughbys. Yes, the parents are ridiculously neglectful and that made me sad but Leeva is such a fun, quirky, heartfelt FMC. I love Bob - he's adorable! I love that the library and librarians are a big part of this story as I LOVE books!! This is a happy, absurd, quirky type read that my kids enjoyed!

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Balzer + Bray for my review e-copy!!

Fans of Matilda will love this new book by Sara Pennypacket. Leeva at Last, is the story about Leeva Spayce Thornblossom, who is a very bright and adventurous child. Her parents do not seem to love her and they consider her their employee. Her job is to be their bookkeeper. Her father is the town’s treasurer and her mother is the mayor. The only things that her parents care about are money and fame. Poor Leeva is not allowed to leave her house and does not have any contact with anyone except for her parents. One day, she ventures out and enters the town library. When her parents find out that she is leaving the house (which is something that she is not supposed to do), she runs away. As Leeva becomes acquainted with the people of town, she discovers that everyone does not like her parents. She then with help from some of her new friends, sets out to make things right.

Leeva at Last is full of laughs and would make a great read-aloud for students in grades second through fifth. Matthew Cordell’s illustrations are fun and humorous. This story is a must purchase for elementary and public libraries.

At first this reminded my of Roald Dahl's Matilda, but it soon swooped into it's own unique territory. The essential question of "What are people for" shapes this moving and fanciful story where the local library offers succor as it does for so many real lives.

An adorable story full of curiosity and determination. Leeva knows what she wants and what she needs. Thus, when no one in her family will help her she goes about seeking it out for herself. This was a very enjoyable read!

Leeva is one of my new favorite fictional friends. She joins an elite group of young female protagonists that every girl needs to meet at some point in her life: Anne, Ramona Q., Matilda, Clementine, Enola, Hermione...you know the ones who make you feel really understood.

I was less than a hundred pages into an electronic advanced copy of this book when I got online and preordered a print copy because I knew that I wanted to share Leeva with my children. I can't wait to share her with the world! She is full of spunk, heart, and conscience. Although her home life is horrible (I can always tell my children, "I know I'm not the greatest mom, but at least I'm not Mayor Thornblossom"), she discovers that people are for more than just fame and money as her parents have taught her. People are for friendship, helping each other, making dreams come true, supporting one another, writing wrongs...and occasionally adopting a badger as a pet.

So, my friends, please come meet Leeva at Last. You won't regret knowing her!

*I was given an advanced copy for review by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker is a cute book that targets 8-10 year old children. It's a super cute book that had vibes of Matilda. I was thrilled to be approved to read this book.

What is great is that some of the words Leeva learned, I remember being taught in middle school, so the author does a great job in helping the reader add new words to their vocabulary without it being boring.

The story was engaging and has the reader wondering if everyone in town would hate the main character once they found out who she really was and if her parents would become better parents. There were lots of great lessons in this book, and I definitely think it's an important book for children.

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

I read this one as a read-aloud to my 8 year-old daughter. So, I’ll be speaking to her opinions and understanding as well. I’ll start off by saying we both really enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading it every evening.

We both recognized parallels with Matilda, The Willoughbys, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. All books we have enjoyed reading together. This book was no more disturbing than their previously mentioned counterparts.

Leeva is 8 (or 9, she doesn’t actually know when her birthday is), she is a neglected child who is trying to understand the purpose of people after a conversation with her truly terrible parents.

The story is intentionally absurdist and anyone concerned that the neglect aspect is “too disturbing” for children is doing children a disservice. Children’s literature should not be all sunshine and rainbows. Stories like this show children that chosen family is ok, that we are who we choose to be and not mandated to follow in the footsteps of those who raised us.

The library and its librarian(s) feature as major players in this book. Both my daughter and I appreciated how important they were in the story, as we love libraries as well.

I’ve read other books written by Sara Pennypacker, most notably the Clementine series, she knows her way around hard situations and has a knack for bringing moments of humor and levity where they’re needed.

Leeva was easy to love and, without spoiling anything, the ending was satisfying for both myself and my daughter.

We would both recommend this one without hesitation. Perfect choice for fans of Matilda, The Willoughbys, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

I’ve read several Pennypaker novels and the Clementine series is my favorite. The description of this title was intriguing, once again starring a quirky little girl who is named Leeva. Why the name… oh there is a good explanation.

Leeva Spayce Thornblossom is as neglected as you can get for a 8 or 9 year old (she is not sure how old she is.) Her mother, the town mayor, is self centered and obsessed with fame to the extent that she clears the park to erect a 50 foot tall statue of herself, paid for by the town of course.
Her father is the town treasurer who is obsessed by money, obtaining more money and his calculator. Unfortunately their daughter can offer nothing to fulfill their desires. Her parents go so far as to draw up a contract so Leeva must pay back all she takes in the form of food and clothing.
Living an incredibly sheltered life, Leeva looks forward most to the Improve your Vocabulary column in the weekly newspaper. She learns plenty of wonderful words but never has any opportunity to use them for she speaks to no one but her parents. She is not allowed to even attend school.

When she discovers the library next door, an entire world opens up to her as she checks out snd reads ten books a day,

At the library, she meets Harry and his Aunt Mrs Flowers. Sneaking out through the hedge, Leeva begins to meet people, discovers whole new worlds.
What she also discovers is the hatred her town has for her parents. They tax everyone and there are shoe box towers filled with cash in a locked room in her house. She must keep her true identity a secret from everyone so she doesn’t get judged based on the actions of her parents.

This book has been equated to Dahl’s Matilda and I see a bit of Coraline and series of unfortunate events eskness.

This book is funny, Bob is adorable, and Leeva is heartfelt and joyful. The book character references will make avid readers smile.
Now folks don’t get hung up on the parental neglect as the story is obviously meant to be humorous and no way a real life for a little girl, and of course in the end Leeva triumphs despite her selfish parents.

The “messy” pencil drawings by Pennypacker further endeared me to Leeva and newfound friends as well as my loathing of the parents and cheezaroni.

Thus book is fun, quirky, happy and hey you may even learn a new word for your own vocabulary.

I was entranced by Leeva and her sparkling personality! Filled with a cast of lovable characters inhabiting in charming-yet quirky town. Readers of all ages will learn the lesson of family being more than those you are related too. Simply put, reading this book feels like a big hug.

Wait until you meet Leeva. She is trying to find out what it means to be a person. Why didn't her parents teach her that? Well, Mr. Thornblossom is the town treasurer and only condones activities that make money. Mrs. Thornblossom is the mayor and only wants to do things that make one more famous. Taking care of Leeva properly does not fit their criteria. Young Leeva is home alone a lot. She has found that working out with Jim and Jilly and their show Vim and Vigor At Any Age and watching her favorite soap opera The Winds of Our Tides show her there is more to life than cooking up blocks of Cheezaroni from the Cheapo Depot. And did I mention Bob, the badger? This is a quirky tale with a Dahlesque tone. When Leeva comes out of her house, watch out. With her alacrity and righteous indignation, the town of Nutsmore will never be the same again.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about Sara Pennypacker's latest work of children's fiction, Leeva at Last. Equal parts adsurd, funny and quirky, I also felt portions of the book were disturbing and unsettling for children to read. Greed and fame occupy Leeva's parents' minds to the point that Leeva is an unloved afterthought--leaving her to raise herself, cook for her parents and miss out on things children are supposed to enjoy...most notably hugs, love and school. Thankfully, an endearing cast of characters come to Leeva's rescue in the form of friends who become family, thus finally proving to Leeva that she is a person of value and capable of being loved. Unfortunately, Leeva's parents have already left her high and dry in the pursuit of more fame and fortune, thus making the book a little difficult to swallow.

A delightful novel by the author of Clementine. If you like witty, fun=loving, loveable characters, Leeva is for you.

While some may question the storyline of a little girl brought up by parents who are clearly neglectful, this books is clearly more fictional than anything. Hence the pet badger.

Besides, Leeva's love or reading and learning, the best part of this book is the message that your path doesn't have to be predetermined.

Loved the illustrations as well!

This book gave me strong Roald Dahl vibes within minutes of starting it. As I continued to read the similarities to Matilda were uncanny. The story follows a young girl who is unloved and mistreated by her parents and basically used as a servant to fit their needs. Like Matilda, the girl finds a love of books and libraries and builds relationships with the townspeople to stop her destructive parents. The lighthearted attitude towards abuse in this book bothered me, however, I think the story overall had a good message about the positivity of community and building relationships.