I generally do not care for books in verse. However, I love Lisa Fipps.
This book made me tear up so often I had to walk away from it a few times. Lisa has such a knack for writing earnest, strong kids that learn to thrive despite having challenging (to say the least) families.
The parallel with superheroes was *chef's kiss* not overwrought but just enough for middle grade readers to grasp. It is so important to put todays readers in other peoples shoes. Everyone could use more empathy these days.

Lisa Fipps, I just need to know where you have been all my life! My most recommended Middle Grade book to both students and other adults has been Starfish, and her second title absolutely lives up to that incredibly high standard. This is a book I will be putting (forcing? shoving?) into the hands of so many of my students to either show them that they are not alone or to foster empathy for their classmates.

I’m just so thankful books like this exist in the world! The story focuses on Joe Oak, an 11-year old dealing with both family, housing, and food insecurity. Things go from bad to worse when his beloved and dedicated Grandmum gets sick and Joe finds himself having to really and truly fend for himself. He’s scared to share his truth with those around him which ultimately puts him in incredible danger, but he’s also surrounded by two incredible friends and some adults, namely a teacher and a trailer park owner, who truly care for his well-being.

The story in and of itself is incredible, but the writing is truly what makes this book soar. Fipps is a master of verse, and the rhythm and language within these pages truly takes the reader on an emotional journey. I’d put Fipps’ writing up with the best poetry I’ve ever read. Not only does it tug at the heartstrings, but it tells a powerful story with figurative and powerful language. I find it hard to put into words how much the writing means to me; it is just something that needs to be experienced to be appreciated.

Just a personal anecdote - don’t read this book and think that this childhood experience is an anomaly. As someone who gets to work in a Title 1 school with a very high transient population, I can promise you that it’s more common than most people think. If this book inspires you - and it will - I ask you to do something with this inspiration. Volunteer at your local food kitchen, get involved with organizations in your community, or reach out to low income schools in your area to see how you can help. Joe’s story is so important in part because it’s so relevant to our children.

A beautiful and thoughtful book written in prose. Tough topics discussed (hunger, neglect, abandonment, poverty) however the take away is the importance of helping others and asking for help. Fipps creates emotions from readers with few words. ‘And then boom’ sprinkles some humour to keep readers engaged and not completely heart broken. ARC received from NetGalley.

11-year-old Joe Oak loves superheroes and sees his Grandmum as a type of superhero. When Joe Oak’s mother gets arrested, his grandmother took him in and put her house up as collateral. His mother, however, he sees as “a destroyer of worlds.” When his mother jumps bail and disappears, they lose their house. Things look up when they find an affordable mobile home, but then Grandmum gets sick. His mom comes back in the picture briefly but gets the “itch” and abandons Joe. Scared to go to CPS and foster care, Joe stays in the house, taking advantage of free lunch and a teacher’s free closet of clothes to help. He also relies on his two friends to help him survive. But it’s getting harder. Will Joe's superhero story find a happy ending? Will Joe find a new adult superhero to help him? Will his mom come through?

Heartbreaking and touching, the plot will pull at readers’ heartstrings and pull them into Joe’s world. The characters are likable, authentic, and sweet. Fans of realistic fiction, survival stories, and emotionally driven novels will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collection. Gr 4 to 7. 5 stars

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

Wow, another amazing book from Lisa Fipps! What Starfish did for disordered eating and self-respect And Then, Boom! does for food insecurity and asking for help. An absolute must read.

This is Joe Oak's superhero origin story. Joe even warns us at the beginning that the story is going to get hard to read at times, but like a comic book, "even when horrible things happen, it can all work out." Joe lives with his grandmother and only knows a world of hunger and need. His mother gets "the itch" and gives up her responsibilities as a parent. But Joe also has an army of people who back him up. He has 2 amazing best friends, a special teacher, and the owner of the trailer park. They notice when things are not right and step in to help without being asked. However, there are times when you have to ask for help. Where hiding your situation can be dangerous. Through some incredibly difficult moments, Joe has to learn this as well. He has to learn that sometimes we choose our families and that asking for help can be the thing that saves your life. Life isn't easy, but no one should have to suffer the way Joe does in this story.

Bravo Lisa Fipps for another stunning novel.

Wow! Another amazing book by Lisa Fipps. My heart went out to Joe. He is dealing with so much for a boy his age and has had to grow up way too soon. The novel in verse form adds to the emotion, particularly of the "boom" moments. This story will be one of those that opens the eyes of many readers to a way of life they didn't even know existed and for others lets them feel seen.

This wonderful novel in verse tells Joe’s story of poverty, abandonment, and hunger, but also friendship, family, and perseverance. Joe’s Grandmum has always made sure he is taken care of, especially when his mom gets “The Itch” and disappears for days, weeks, months, or even a year at a time. Yet when Joe finds himself on his own, he must learn how to lean on others for help. The format of this novel matches well with the story, and makes it accessible for many readers. This is a story that provides a window into a world that many are unfamiliar with, and a mirror to those who have lived in this world.

Lisa Fipps does it again- with an amazing middle grade novel in verse called "And Then, Boom!". I think this is a novel that should be read to or read by all middle grade level students. Not only to gain perspective on the characters in the story- but to gain fresh perspective on their own lives. Life is full of and then, boom moments. One boom can lead to another. You never know where they will take you- good or bad. Lisa Fipps has an uncanny ability to delve into the hearts and minds of readers like no other author can. I cannot wait for what she writes next.

Novel in verse
I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Powerfully written about a young boy who lives a life in poverty. Fipps addresses parental abandonment and what happens after a beloved grandmother and caretaker dies unexpectedly. After her death and his mom abandoning him again, he tries to survive on his own. Readers hear him tell the story of hunger and survival in his own words. He is fortunate to have two caring friends and an amazing man plus caring teacher offering support. It's painful to see how he builds lies to keep from entering foster care and to cling to what little he has. I appreciate the positive foster family who welcomes him and makes him feel safe. In particular the way he share that he hasn't looked for a safe space as the whole farm is safe brought tears to my eyes.
This is one for a more mature reader. Sadly, too many of our readers will connect directly with Fipps tale.

This book was so powerful. Joe's struggle both for food and for becoming willing to ask for help was tenderly portrayed. The poems offered a variety of approaches for Joe to find his own voice and the tension in the narrative was taut throughout. An important, well-written, and effectively paced book!

Lisa Fipps is a writer who captures my heart and soul with her words and characters!
I actually found myself speaking out loud at several points in the book the same way I shout at the TV because the feelings were so genuinely and intensely felt. If you need more evidence to capture that: The first time I audibly spoke "oh no!", my husband showed concern. What's wrong? he said. "Oh, something that happened to the character in my book." The next few times he recognized it. "Your book again?"

Not only is the main character one you will fall in love with, but the cast of side characters is strong as well. Fipps painted a glorious picture that brought you into their world and circumstances with the poetic language in this novel in verse. I marked/highlighted several passages that eloquently described something in such a meaningful way that it reached right in.

Like Starfish, And Then, Boom! is another absolutely beautiful, powerful tug at the heartstrings, important book.

I could honestly turn right around and read it again.

If you loved Lisa Fipps's first book, Starfish, this book will not disappoint. Her debut book was rarely on the shelves in my classroom as someone was always reading it and I this will happen with And Then, Boom! as well. With themes of abandonment, loss, perseverance, friendship, and compassion woven throughout, she tells the powerful story of a young boy living in extreme poverty and those around him who are able to help. This is a must have in every middle grade classroom and I can't wait to add. it to my classroom library.

And Then Boom! 💥 by @AuthorLisaFipps was a stunning, emotional read on @NetGalley
Librarians from upper elementary through high school should pre-order this powerful book written in verse. A must read. A perfect fit for a unit on figurative language and/or perspective taking!

I absolutely love this book. The topic is very hard but is so well written. Having a mom who skips out on you must be so devastating for a child. Joe gets knocked down time and time again, but with his Grandmum's help he learns how to pull himself back up. but Joe has such resilence and gumption to never give up. I cannot wait to share this with students when it releases. It is an important book for both childen experiencing hunger, homelessness and loss and for those children whose lives are stable so they can develop empathy.

Just my kind of book--a kid going through hardships has some good friends and even better adults around him, if only he'd confide in them. Perfect for middle school, even fifth grade, I think. Novel in verse.

Lisa Fipps does it again. In the follow up to her debut Starfish, readers meet Joe Oak, an 11-year-old boy with a tough life. He never knew his father and his mother is always feeling The Itch to go where the wind blows. As a result, Joe is raised by his Grandmum. After experiencing houselessness, Joe discovers the importance of accepting help when it’s offered. Joe has a strong friend group. It’s great seeing boys support each other and being vulnerable. We could all use friends like Joe’s! Although this book features a lot of trauma, the strength of community shines through. I’ll definitely be adding this title to my middle grade library.

Amazing. How does this author write such amazing characters, plots, and gut-wrenching scenes?!! I’m a huge fan of Starfish but this is a close second.

Joe is a kid who hasn’t been able to depend on his mom a whole lot, but thankfully, his grandma has been there for him, although they’ve struggled to make ends meet. And then, boom! Things go from bad to worse, but Joe learns to depend on the positive people in his life. So much to discuss with this book, making it a super book club book or independent read for Gr. 6+.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lisa Fipps, and Penguin Random House for an advanced digital copy of the book.

The heartbreaking (albeit powerful) novel in verse is about a boy named Joe who is growing up in poverty. At the beginning of the novel, Joe is being raised by a loving grandmother until tragedy strikes. Joe has to battle against all odds to survive...and that's before the tornado comes hurling toward his town.

A must-purchase for all middle school library collections--likely a 'best book' of 2024.

Get ready reader, this novel in verse will pull hard on your heartstrings.
Joe, middle school kid, has had to grow up fast and hard.

Joe’s mother has gotten in some trouble with the law, so her grandmum puts up the house as collateral for her daughter’s bond. But the mother once again gets The Itch and skips court as well as town. Bond money is gone so grandmum and Joe lose their home. They were already sitting on the precipice of homelessness before mom’s big mess. The pair are now living out of their car. Joe doesn’t want to let anyone know what is happening. He tries to behave at school as though everything is cool. This is pretty hard to pull off when you are starving, stinky from trying to bathe from a hose or dirty public toilet, and your clothing is threadbare. Kind adults assist Joe at school as much as they can. His teacher makes sure there are always snacks available for all the kids, which Joe takes full advantage of but without being greedy, and offers him access to the closet of lost clothes that he can choose from. Some things in there are really nice, like the brand new sneakers that fit him perfectly and even still have the tags on them. Hmmm, how did those get in there among the lost items?

His best friend finds a trailer park that his grandmother can afford to rent. The dwelling is not much… , yellow with brown spots, so they name it The Overripe Banana. They have no things with which to furnish the trailer and King of the Castle trailer park owner, Frank, kindly recognizes this fact. He becomes known as Uncle Frankie. He takes them to his barn filled with secondhand furniture, doors, windows, you name it. They get everything they need even a little gas for The Fishbowl, grandmum’s Pacer. This is an old American Motor’s car with lots of glass kinda like a fishbowl.

Still, Joe and his grandmother spiral downwards into poverty. Food stamps (SNAP) doesn’t pay for toilet paper, or tooth paste, or anything that keeps one clean, so Joe has to find and use whatever he can in public restrooms. Tragedy strikes, then the tornado… so you see why the cover of the book has the weight of the world on Joe’s shoulders.

The human kindness displayed in this book was so heartwarming, which I believe is indicative of most folks. The way Joe and grandmum sacrificed for each other demonstrated a genuine and deep love.

I most highly recommend this novel for kids of all backgrounds to read and understand that there are truly hungry people right next door. Even though ethnicity is never stated, I liked the authors use of names like Hakeem, Zuri and Bashirah.

Lisa Phipps has a unique way with language that brings every aspect of the story to full life.

ARC received from NetGalley.

Sixth-grader Joe lives with his Grandmum and his mom, but only when she's not gone because of the itch. Told in first person, Joe calls this his origin story. The how and why he is the person he is today, only in his story he wasn't blessed with x-ray vision or invisibility.

The positive people in Joe's life include Hakeem, Nick, Uncle Frankie and his sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Swan. Each one of these characters has witnessed changes in Joe, but no one can quite figure it out.

Told in verse And Then, Boom! has two very important messages for both children and adults. First and foremost, a person should not be afraid to ask for help. Secondly, if you are a bystander and have a feeling that something is wrong go with that feeling and dig a little deeper.

I felt a storm of emotions while reading this book. It is a definite must have in my opinion because a child who lives this story, can feel less alone. While a child with a different life experience can learn to feel empathy and compassion for others.