The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing
by
Molly B. Burnham
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Penguin Random House
Imprint
Dial
ISBN
9780593406663
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
An enchanting middle grade about navigating the odd spaces between grieving and everyday living, and learning to carry sadness in one hand, and joy in the other.
Ten-year-old Dottie Bing is a problem-solver and question-asker who is never more gleeful than when she’s encountering a new dilemma-- whether it’s her own, or someone else’s. But when her Grandpa Walter comes to stay (and stay, and stay!) he brings the biggest question that Dottie has ever encountered: How do you heal a broken heart?
You see, Grandpa Walter is grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Dottie's Grandma Ima. Even though she knows every solution starts with a question, for the first time in her life, Dottie isn't sure what to ask.
Black-and-white illustrations.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
208
Trim Size
8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Dewey
F
AR
3.8: points 5
Lexile
600L
Genre
Fic
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Apr 2023
Book Genres
Realistic Fiction
Topics
Grief. Grandfathers. Treehouses. Family life. Friendship. School. Anger. Emotions and feelings.
Standard MARC Records
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
School Library Journal
Library Journal
Gr 3-7-Burnham has crafted a delightful story about grief and the joy of friendship featuring 10-year-old Dottie Bing. Recently widowed Grandpa Walter comes to stay with Dottie, her parents, her four-year-old sister, Jazzy, and MacFurry, their spunky cat. While Dottie mourns the loss of Grandmother Ima, her neighborhood friends are dealing with their own challenges. Miles's parents are getting divorced, and Sam's mom is having a baby. Their group project of building a tree house brings them all together to deal with their feelings in a genuine and communal way. Sparse but appealing black-and-white illustrations help bring the dazzling cast of characters to life, and humor is infused in all the right places so the plot never feels too heavy (the lunch monitor Mr. Park who goes by "Mr. Shark" because, "I never stop moving, and I'm always watching you," is an especially fun addition). The characters appear white; readers learn that Sam is trans, but it's not part of the primary arc. VERDICT An endearing story about grief and friendship that will resonate with readers. Recommended for public and elementary school libraries where realistic fiction is popular.-Carrie Voliva?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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