Blackbird Fly in Mock Newbery 2026

Feb 24, 2020 Kirsten rated it liked it

I’d like to slap all the bullies in this book. Sadly, it’s probably a pretty accurate look at life in middle school. It felt like the dynamics haven’t changed much from when I was there. Not my favorite of Erin Entrada Kelly’s novels; it seemed to end too abruptly. Interesting, however, to see her development as a writer. I’m looking forward to reading her latest novel, Lalani and the Distant Sea, for our Mother/Daughter Book Group next month.

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Nov 22, 2015 Mary Louise Sanchez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: debut-authors, realistic, underrepresented-cultures

Even though twelve-year-old Analyn (Apple) Yengko moved to Louisiana from the Philippines when she was four, she finds it difficult to fit into the middle school culture that emphasizes conformity. What makes it worse is that her best friend, who wants to be popular, informs Apple that Apple is third on the "Dog Log" along with other unattractive kids.

Apple copes with her circumstances by turning to music, particularly the Beatles music, and especially the music written by her favorite Beatle--G ...more

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Dec 19, 2015 Julie rated it really liked it

This book was kind of an emotional read for me. Young Apple immigrated with her mother from the Philippines when she was a toddler, after the death of her father. Now facing middle school, Apple is surprised by the silly games she finds herself entangled in. One friend turns on her suddenly, and another is busy trying to pretend nothing is happening. Boys get involved, and Apple is at a loss for what to do -- so she retreats. What she doesn't expect is to find another friend so quickly, and she ...more

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Oct 10, 2015 Debbie Tanner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: chapter-books, realistic-fiction, family-stories, text-to-self, social-issues, making-a-change, small-moments, compare-contrast, text-to-text-connections, feelings

This is a really terrific story about a girl from the Philippines growing up in a small town in Louisiana named Apple. She worries a lot about what people think about her and is embarrassed that her mom doesn't speak English well and cooks weird (Filipino). When some boys start to tease her, she gets more angry at her mother and herself and withdraws even more. A new boy,Evan, moves to their small town and in desperation, she asks him to a dance and after a rocky start, they become friends. He h ...more

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Nov 21, 2015 Julie Williams rated it really liked it

Apple knows 3 interesting facts about herself. She hates her nickname apple, she is embarrassed by her mother and her culture and she wants to play guitar. Sprinkled with some typical middle grade trops - changing friendships, discovery of boy/gril relationships / bullying - this book explores Apple's coming to terms with her heritage and making friends in spite of the bullying and teasing she is enduring.

I finished the book rather quickly but almost abandoned it near the beginning. I felt the b ...more

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Jan 30, 2016 The Reading Countess rated it really liked it

Shelves: realistic-fiction

Readers, especially girls at that challenging age, should be reminded of how special we all are. Trite, I know, but true. Somehow, girls receive the message that if you don't fit into a square box that you are less desirable, admirable, and redeeming. It seeps into the very core of their being and doesn't truly disappear until much, much later. Books like Blackbird Fly help to whisper to young readers that being unique makes you...well, not fit into a square box. And that's okay. It's better tha ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Brandi Rae Fong rated it it was ok

Shelves: diverse-characters, diverse-author

More like 2.5 stars...

I'm definitely in the minority here, but there were a few things that really kept me from enjoying this book.

In terms of the good, I liked Apple a lot, and was really rooting for her. The progression of her friendships, both with Alyssa(?) and Gretchen and with Heleena and Evan, were developed realistically.

However...I had a hard time withe the fact that (view spoiler) ...more

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Aug 11, 2017 Marie rated it really liked it

Probably 4 1/2 stars. It was really hard to read about the bullying. I think everyone needs a friend like Evan!!!

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Jun 14, 2019 Krystal rated it really liked it

Really enjoyed this book

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Feb 12, 2015 Claire rated it liked it

Shelves: 9-to-11-year-old-readers, 10-to-12-year-old-readers, bullying

Spot on portraying the casual cruelty that children vying for social position exert. Both boys and girls; Apple bears the brunt of the social machine. Thankfully she has Evan, a truly nice, even tempered boy in her class who sees a nice girl for what she is; a friend and who proves himself to be a friend time and again.

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