BLOG TOUR: How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby

 I am really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby. I received an advanced copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Nicole Melleby for letting me be a part of the tour and giving me the chance to read this book.

Title: How to Become a Planet

Author: Nicole Melleby

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: May 25, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: For Pluto, summer has always started with a trip to the planetarium. It’s the launch to her favorite season, which also includes visits to the boardwalk arcade, working in her mom’s pizzeria, and her best friend Meredith’s birthday party. But this summer, none of that feels possible.

A month before the end of the school year, Pluto’s frightened mom broke down Pluto’s bedroom door. What came next were doctor’s appointments, a diagnosis of depression, and a big black hole that still sits on Pluto’s chest, making it too hard to do anything.

Pluto can’t explain to her mom why she can’t do the things she used to love. And it isn’t until Pluto’s dad threatens to make her move with him to the city—where he believes his money, in particular, could help—that Pluto becomes desperate enough to do whatever it takes to be the old Pluto again.

She develops a plan and a checklist: If she takes her medication, if she goes to the planetarium with her mom for her birthday, if she successfully finishes her summer school work with her tutor, if she goes to Meredith’s birthday party . . . if she does all the things that “normal” Pluto would do, she can stay with her mom in Jersey. But it takes a new therapist, a new tutor, and a new (and cute) friend with a checklist and plan of her own for Pluto to learn that there is no old and new Pluto. There’s just her. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a strong and important book, and I'm really glad I read it. It deals with important topics in a really meaningful way. Pluto's journey throughout this book was so emotional and impactful. I can see this story being an important one to so many readers.

Pluto has depression. She struggles with her depression. Her mother struggles with it too. It did such a great job of showcasing that struggle and how families can help each other. 

This was such a sweet story about such an important topic. I'm really glad I read it. I really liked the way that it was written. It just did a good job. 

Nicole Melleby is a born-and-bred Jersey girl with a passion for storytelling. She studied creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently teaches creative writing and literature courses with a handful of local universities. When she’s not writing, she can be found browsing the shelves at her local comic shop or watching soap operas with a cup of tea.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and Nicole Melleby for letting me be a part of the tour. You should definitely give this one a read.