Chirp

By Kate Messner

"[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: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Feb 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781547602827

Kate Messner

Kate Messner is an award-winning author whose many books for kids have been selected as Best Books by the New York Times, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound, and Bank Street College of Education. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.

Reviews for Chirp

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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