Title: August or Forever | Author: Ona Gritz | Genre: Chapter Book | Publisher: Fitzroy Books | Release Date: February 14, 2023 | ISBN: 9781646033072
Publisher’s Book Summary: Ten-year-old Molly has always loved having a sister, but sisters are supposed to live together, right? Molly certainly thinks so. Unfortunately, her older half-sister Alison lives on a whole other continent. Their video chats are great, and Molly is thrilled when Alison’s hand-written letters arrive in the mail like surprise gifts.
Still, it’s not enough, not compared to what other siblings have. That’s why when Molly finds out that Alison is finally coming to visit over the summer, she devises a plan to get her sister to stay. But then Alison arrives with plans of her own, a fragile heart gets broken, and Molly stumbles upon a painful piece of her sister’s past. Molly has always loved having a sister, but this is the August when she’ll learn what it really means to be one.
My Thoughts: It’s always exciting to get a preview of a book before its release — this one is due for publication on February 14, 2023. As a sister who lives a continent apart from my own sister, this story was immediately relatable and tugged at my heartstrings. In August or Forever, Molly dreams of having her sister move back home after she graduates from university overseas. But Alison is more than a decade older than Molly and lives with her mother in England. She’s looking forward to a unique opportunity to work on her art with a renowned teacher when she returns to the U.K. Molly’s family unit — their father and his new wife — have their own lives in the U.S. Molly’s best friend is part of a big family with all the ups and downs that come from having siblings. As Molly works through her own emotions, she learns what it means to be a family and, most importantly, how special it is to have and to be a sister. The story also touches upon topics such as the different family structures, the death of a young friend and the joy of art. August or Forever is an emotional rollercoaster that centers on the ever-changing dynamics of family.
About the Author:
Ona Gritz is the author of two previous children’s books, including Tangerines and Tea, My Grandparents and Me, a Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Alphabet Book of the Year and Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine Teacher’s Pick. Her essays and poems have been published widely. Recent honors include two Notable mentions in The Best American Essays, a winning entry in The Poetry Archive Now: Wordview 2020 project, two 2021 Pushcart nominations, and a 2022 Best of the Net nomination.
Learn more about her work at onagritz.com.
Giveaway: Enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of August or Forever, autographed by Ona Gritz, and a glass heart necklace (like one that figures prominently in the story)!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A signed, paperback copy of August or Forever
A glass heart necklace
Nine (9) winners receive:
A signed, paperback copy of August or Forever
Or click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/2023/02/august-or-forever-by-ona-gritz-awareness-tour. Good luck!
Tour Schedule
| Wednesday, February 1, 2023 The Children’s Book Review A book review of August or Forever Thursday, February 2, 2023 The Fairview Review A book review of August or Forever Friday, February 3, 2023 Writer with Wanderlust A book review of August or Forever Monday, February 6, 2023 The Momma Spot A book review of August or Forever Tuesday, February 7, 2023 The Growing Readers Podcast An author interview with Ona Gritz Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog A book review of August or Forever Thursday, February 9, 2023 My Reading Getaway An author interview with Ona Gritz Friday, January 10, 2023 J.R.s Book Reviews A book review of August or Forever Monday, February 13, 2023 Bookshelfmama An Instagram post of August or Forever Tuesday, February 14, 2023 The Children’s Book Review A booklist featuring August or Forever Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Cover Lover Book Review An article by author Ona Gritz Thursday, February 16, 2023 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers An article by author Ona Gritz Friday, February 17, 2023 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of August or Forever Monday, February 20, 2023 Life Is What It’s Called An author interview with Ona Gritz | |
A sincere thank you to the author for a review copy of the book read in partnership with The Children’s Book Review.
Stephanie Ward 