Three Blue Hearts tells the story of Max, a young boy who is struggling to find his identity under the looming shadow of his prominent City Councilman father, and his seemingly endless blunders.

When Max's mom is given the opportunity to do scientific research on Lafitte Island, he feels like he's finally found the chance to start over.

They arrive on the island just as a storm is passing through, and the next morning Max discovers something that will change his life forever....an octopus.

As he works to save his new mollusk pal, Max begins to learn what friendship without condition means, and what it looks like to accept himself and what he cares about in a real and genuine way.

More importantly, he learns how to show up for the people (and animals) he loves the most. No matter what.

I was so engaged in this story, and felt such a real connection to each character. I also loved the way Lynne Kelly weaved nonfiction facts into the storyline without it feeling like I was reading a book report.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"When we can't save them, at least they're not alone. They go out surround by those who loved them. At the end, that's all we have left to give - the love we have for them. Sometimes that has to be enough."

"My dad always said that apologizing makes us look weak. If that were true, why was it so hard? I needed all my strength to do it."

"...strong and weak aren't opposites. When you feel weakest, you can do the hardest things you've ever done."

I would love to add this book to my school library. I think a lot of my fifth graders would be able to relate to either Max, Ollie Mae, or Emmett.

Summary: Three Blue Hearts is a touching story about twelve-year-old Max, who escapes the overwhelming expectations of his father, a prominent Texas politician, by spending the summer in a small beach town with his mom. Max's mom is doing research on the eroding shoreline of Lafitte Island. Eager to reinvent himself, Max adopts the name Milo and seeks to be someone who is strong, free from embarrassment and out of his father's shadow. His fresh start takes an unexpected turn when he discovers an injured octopus washed ashore after a storm. With the help of a local wildlife center and his new friends, Emmett and Ollie, Max rescues the octopus. Ollie names the octopus Ursula, and Max promises to care for her until she is ready to return to the sea. As Max and Ursula's bond deepens, he learns valuable lessons about strength, compassion, and self-acceptance. The story showcases Max’s growth, as he navigates friendships and his love for animals. Lynne Kelly skillfully intertwines a heartfelt coming-of-age tale with intriguing facts about wildlife, particularly octopuses, highlighting their intelligence and unique characteristics. I have to say that I learned a lot about an octopus. The book ultimately explores themes of identity and belonging, emphasizing that sometimes, one finds their place in the most unexpected circumstances. The cover art is striking and beautiful. The octopus arms weave through the title words and the purple and pink evoke island life. Lynne Kelly's last three books have amazing cover art. I would not be able to pick a favorite.

Straight Talk for Librarians: There could be a lot of creative programming around this book that fosters a love for reading and animals. The book offers numerous opportunities for thematic activities, such as animal care workshops, where students can learn about marine life and the responsibilities that come with caring for pets and wildlife. It would be a great choice for a middle grade book club. Additionally, incorporating STEM activities related to marine biology, such as exploring the anatomy and behavior of octopuses, can enhance student engagement and learning. There could be fun octopus crafts and octopus themed book displays. I think students will also enjoy learning about other towns in the world that are now underwater. If you are an IB school, there are some great IB Learner Profile connections to being principled and being a risk-taker. I just recently became a fan of Lynne Kelly's books and attended a talk and book signing. She came to our district for an author event arranged and organized by our school district and Bloomfield Township public library collaboration. All her books are a great choice for a middle school library and with her focus on animals, they are sure to be popular. Highly recommended!

Like Lynne Kelly's other books, Three Blue Hearts, blends a heartfelt coming-of-age story with information about animals. Twelve-year old Max's interests run opposite to his ambitious, entitled dad, a council member for their town. When his mother goes to a seaside village to conduct research, Max decides to take on the name of Milo. With his new identity, he finds friendship and a talent for taking care of animals. In addition to a warm story showing Max's growth of self esteem, the reader learns a lot about animals.

I loved this book! I will read anything Lynne Kelly writes! She writes such beautiful characters and her books are so informative about wildlife.
I liked Max and understood why he wanted to try to be someone else for the summer to get out from under his dad's shadow.
The octopus he finds really becomes a lifeline for him. It brings him to Emmett & Ollie and everyone else in town.
I loved learning more about octopuses along the way. And some other animals too.
I loved the bonds Max creates with his new friends.
I liked the story of a whole town underwater, that was so cool to imagine.
This is just a beautiful book about finding where you fit in. Sometimes it's in the most unexpected places.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Lynne Kelly has crafted a beautiful story that is heart-wrenching yet hopeful. Readers will adore Max and Ursula!

I have become a fan of Lynne Kelly. I love how her stories involve a variety of animals. I am fascinated with octopus and I love the story. The main character is quite a kid and I loved watching him learn and grow. Great book club selection. Lots of discussion opportunities.