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Yes! We’ve gotten to Theo! Like Mr. Raymond was saying, the introduction was really good. That hook definitely got me reading the chapter. I was immediately interested in what Theo was talking about. I hadn’t even thought of the Easter colors but that makes sense too. 

Yeah, Theo’s relationship with his parents is written pretty well. As a girl who was put in karate when I was 10, and my dad successfully embarrassed me by buying the wrong gi, I get what Theo is talking about. His reticence to hang out with the other kids is so relatable. I find it hard in general to just randomly… go up to people. Especially kids I’ll be seeing every Tuesday and Thursday, was it? But yeah! Anyway, I really like when kids don’t tell their parents what’s going on. It adds to the mystery and gives me a jolt of anticipation, as a kid myself. In this case, I like that he told his mom. And I like that his mom read his “diary” (LOL) and admitted to it. My mom definitely would. I think she has, actually. Anyway, it’s good, because it encourages kids to talk to their parents about stuff going on in their lives. I know that when I was a 5th grader, I took Gord’s books like the Holy Grail. I definitely would have, had a situation like that arose. (arisen?)

Jaws is awesome. Theo’s dad, I understand him. He’s trying to be a good dad, but he just doesn’t understand his son. But he’s trying. The conflicts are introduced very bluntly and I appreciate that.

Nah, I’ve only ever seen COVID mentioned in one book–OPERATION DO-OVER. It was so mind-boggling the first time (not bad weird, I was just surprised) but it makes sense. This is Realistic Fiction. I suspect I’ll be seeing a lot more of it in books now, since all of the books traditionally written then will have been published by now.

Yeah, about the heavy topics, I agree. Gord really does have a superpower at writing funny stuff with the right hint of serious, or serious stuff with the right hint of funny. What can I say? He’s SUPERGIFTED! But yeah, MIXED UP does have the same sort of vibe. I’m glad Gord is introducing these kinds of things in books. They’re kind of UNTEACHABLE topics–okay, I’ll stop. But seriously! Kudos!

Be blessed,

Jade

P.S. (I hope more people see this too. Will definitely tell my friends. I’d honestly forgotten my love for reading! So glad this has gotten me to remember–or else, I woulda had to get SCHOOLED. (I’m absolutely hilarious. I know.))