Product Details
- Title: Missing Okalee
- Author: Laura Ojeda Melchor
- Publisher : Shadow Mountain (September 7, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1629729329
- ISBN-13 : 978-1629729329
- Reading age : 8 - 11 years
- Grade level : 3rd - 6th
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***
Despite her sister's annoying perfection, Phoebe actually loves spending time with Okalee. They have one very special, secret tradition: River Day―when they hold hands and make their way across the cold, rushing Grayling River, to celebrate the first hint of spring. This year's River Day crossing, however, goes horribly wrong, and Phoebe's world is suddenly turned upside down.
Heartbroken and facing life without Okalee, Phoebe is more determined than ever to sing the solo in the school concert as a way of speaking to her sister one last time. But Phoebe's so traumatized by what happened, she's lost her beautiful singing voice.
Kat Waters wants the choir solo for herself and is spreading a terrible rumor about what really happened to Okalee on River Day. If Phoebe tells the truth, she believes her family will never forgive her and she may never get to sing her goodbye to Okalee. Even worse, somebody is leaving Phoebe anonymous notes telling her they saw what really happened at the river.
Missing Okalee is an empathy-building novel about the unbreakable bond between sisters and finding the courage to do what's right amid heartbreak and tragedy.
My Review
3.5-4 Stars
Missing Okalee was written very well but the storyline was a hard one to read. Older sister Phoebe knows her younger sister Okalee is liked more by her parents and the community. When the unthinkable happens and Okalee drowns with only Phoebe there to witness, her life changes forever.
Phoebe's mother blames her for Okalee's death. I felt so much for Phoebe because she was also being bullied by girls at school and by a stranger who said they saw what "really" happened. What a traumatic thing to happen in a twelve year olds life. As a teacher, I was appalled at what the administrations and teachers let happen to Phoebe at school. It seemed the bully was always getting away with her ill deeds and not paying any repercussions for them.
This book has such a sad feel to it that parents' should use their judgement before letting their kids read this or instead, read it with them. I can assure you that there will be a lot of things to discuss. Missing Okalee does show how different people process grief and pain as we could feel how Phoebe, her mom, and her dad all went through a different experience.
Things do come full circle, pretty quickly at the end but it's a rough emotional journey for the reader. I think this book would be better for teens than young kids to read on their own. (Trigger warnings:Parents should be warned about the drowning of the younger sister, severe bullying at school, and a suicide attempt)
Meet Author Laura Ojeda Melchor
***Purchase Missing Okalee HERE***
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