Chirp

Written by Kate Messner

Narrated by Merissa Czyz

"[A] deftly layered mystery about family, friendship, and the struggle to speak up."—Laurie Halse Anderson, bestselling author of Speak and Shout

 

From acclaimed author Kate Messner comes the powerful story of a young girl with the courage to make her voice heard, set against the backdrop of a summertime mystery.

 

When Mia moves to Vermont the summer after seventh grade, she's recovering from the broken arm she got falling off a balance beam. And packed away in the moving boxes under her clothes and gymnastics trophies is a secret she'd rather forget.

 

Mia's change in scenery brings day camp, new friends, and time with her beloved grandmother. But Gram is convinced someone is trying to destroy her cricket farm. Is it sabotage or is Gram's thinking impaired from the stroke she suffered months ago? Mia and her friends set out to investigate, but can they uncover the truth in time to save Gram's farm? And will that discovery empower Mia to confront the secret she's been hiding—and find the courage she never knew she had?

 

In a compelling story rich with friendship, science, and summer fun, a girl finds her voice while navigating the joys and challenges of growing up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books
• Release date: Feb 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980067535

Kate Messner

Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty books for young readers, including The Brilliant Deep, the Over and Under series, the History Smashers series, and more. Kate is the 2022 recipient of the Empire State Award for excellence in children’s literature. Her science-themed picture books have been honored with the Green Earth Book Award and the Riverby Award for Natural History Writing and have been finalists for the American Academy for the Advancement of Sciences/Subaru SB&F prize for excellence in science writing. A former middle school teacher, Kate now splits her time between Lake Champlain and Florida’s Gulf Coast. Learn more at katemessner.com.

Reviews for Chirp

[lou_intheberkshires · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Absorbing middle school story about a girl learning to trust herself & be able to reach out to others. I'll recommend this a lot, as soon as the library opens again. Nice to read about Burlington VT.

[jennybeast · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really well done story -- loved how the maker space and kids Launch experience empowered students to create and help their families. Loved how consistent "me, too" theme was woven throughout and how Mia came to terms with her own experience. Loved learning about crickets as a food source. Interesting, entertaining, and with a certain amount of Nancy Drew can-do power. Also, calling out extremely good mystery novels by contemporary authors of color was gracefully done.

[lindamamak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

How does Mia handle moving back to her old town, help her Grandmothers Cricket Farm and deal with a secret that is holding her back from moving on

[lflareads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am so grateful to have received an ARC of Chirp by Kate Messner from Netgalley. Kate Messner is one of the gurus of teaching ELA that I respect, follow, and incorporate her ideas into my lessons. Her summer writing camp for teachers encourages us as educators to explore our own writing and try new techniques.

Chirp is an amazing and touching story of Mia, who is struggling with secrets and hurt. Mia spends the summer in Vermont at her Gram’s cricket farm. She hopes to rest and snack her summer away, but soon changes directions as she joins Warrior Camp and Launch Camp. Launch Camp is similar to Shark Tank and Warrior Camp is a gymnastics camp. Mia loved gymnastics, until she suffered an injury to her arm, but also her mindset. At Warrior Camp, Mia makes friends and becomes detective when Gram’s cricket farm is suffering from surprising controversial events happening.

Launch Camp is an amazing opportunity for the girls to support the success of Gram’s cricket farm, as Gram is not ready to sell her dream and retire. The girls work together to create a sales pitch that will better serve the cricket farm and keep Gram doing what she loves. Mia takes on leadership roles and the team works together seamlessly, until...

Throughout the novel, the reader learns more about crickets and reasons we should try them as a protein source. I found it interesting that female crickets are silent and the males actually make the sounds we hear. Although, throughout the read, I wanted to tell the females to speak up just as Mia does.

Chirp should be included in every middle school classroom, as young people find their voice, make a difference, and overcome challenges with confidence once their voice is heard. I will definitely add Chirp to my 7th grade classroom. Chirp brings young people together standing up for one another, guiding as they find their voice, and overcoming obstacles to be the best self they can be!

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mia moves to Vermont to be closer to her Grams' and her cricket farm. She's recovering from a gymnastic injury and walking away from a sport that no longer feels safe to her for a couple reasons.
Her mom makes her join an activity - she does Launch Camp and Warrior Camp. Along the way over the she discovers new friends, solves the mystery of who is sabotaging her grandma's business, regains faith in her own strength. A quick read with an engaging cast of characters and a strong story.

[skstiles612 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book. Mia and her family move to Vermont to be near and help her grandmother who had recently had a stroke. When they arrive her mother is determined to help her grandmother slip into retirement. Mia's grandmother has other plans. She has a cricket farm that she plans to expand. Unfortunately, someone seems to be sabotaging her crickets.
Mia, a former gymnast, has been told she must join two different day camps. She makes friends, finds a way to help her grandmother, and most importantly finds herself, and her courage to speak up. This is a book that is so important for middle school students. Middle grade years are when students are learning who they are. It is also one of the most vulnerable times for them. So many are taken advantage of at this age and some get lost and never find themselves. In Mia's case she finds her voice and the courage to help someone else. This is an absolute must read.