Chester and the Magic 8 Ball

I chose this the second I learned it was authored by a former teacher/principal.
While its beginning is quite cute (girl wants dog), the story evolves into much more. Lynn Katz skillfully mixes cute with serious topics, wrapping them all up in a satisfying manner. This would be a fun read together book for parents and children.
My thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for granting access to a digital ARC in exchange for review.

Twelve year old Georgia has always wanted a dog, and she will do nearly everything to convince her parents to get one. Her father has been working long hours as an Emergency Room nurse, so Georgia and her mother have had some quality time to spend together. One day, Georgia consults her magic 8 ball to see if it is the right time to persuade her mother to visit the local Humane Society, and she is heartened by its response. But when they return home with a dog named Chester in tow, everything seems to change in Georgia’s life. Luckily, Chester is not only a good friend, but he has a special ability that can help Georgia once again find balance within her unsettled environment.

This middle grade novel is well-written and reads quickly, as it is presented in a stream of consciousness style coming from Georgia’s own mind. As a sixth grader, there are of course challenges at school with friends and frenemies, but that is nothing compared to what happens outside of that. Big problems find their way to Georgia’s doorstep, and she is fortunate to have Chester nearby for comfort and companionship. Short chapters keep the narrative moving forward, and young readers will find familiar feelings and behaviors described within the pages of this book. At once an entertaining story of friendship and a heartfelt look into how one girl manages a life that seems to be crumbling at the edges, this is a tale that will resonate with young readers in similar circumstances.

Though it is not fair, young people often face challenges adults themselves have never experienced. In this story, Georgia finds herself managing the painful realities of divorce and cancer, and readers are given a clear picture of Georgia’s feelings as each event comes to her doorstep. While the overall presentation of the story is relatively surface-level in relation to these issues, the narrative will nonetheless speak to young readers in an engaging and accessible way. Incorporating themes of humor, love, and navigating change, this story is a good addition to library collections for middle grade readers.