June 4
2021
Dear Sweet Pea, by Julie Murphy
Dear Sweet Pea, by Julie Murphy
Title: Dear Sweet Pea
Author: Julie Murphy
Genre/ issues: Middle Grade. Contemporary fiction. Queer fiction. Family and relationships.
Shop local where you can: For Australian readers, you can find this book on Booktopia, or support your local independent bookstore. US readers, check out Bookshop.org.
I’ve had Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy sitting on my shelf for a while now, and in an attempt to whittle down my work-related TBR, tossed it into my carry-on bag before I headed to the airport yesterday. I’m so glad I did! A sweet, lovely, joyful gem of a book. I was expecting it to be YA, but instead discovered a middle grade book full of heart and humour.
Patricia DiMarco is known as Sweet Pea by everyone in her life – and her life is a little weird right now. She’s in a constant battle of insults with her former best friend, her divorced parents have set up almost identical houses 2 doors apart so that her life can stay “normal”, and her eccentric next door neighbour who writes the local paper’s advice column has just asked her to carry out a detailed and frankly a bit strange house-sitting and mail sorting job while she’s away.
It’s all going kind of ok … but then Sweet Pea recognises the hand writing on one of the letters that is sent to her neighbour seeking advice. Of course, she decides to answer it herself … and what follows is a sweet narrative about changing friendships, dealing with prejudices, and accepting people for who they are.
I read this in a couple of hours on the plane last night, and had the biggest smile on my face when I finished it. Great for upper primary readers, or teens/ adults who want a sweet, diverse, and delightful quick read.
#TamaraReads #2021readingchallenge 70/2021
Happy reading,
