Mimi

by John Newman

Overview

Mimi's life is off the rails since the sudden loss of her mother. What will it take to pull her and her family together? A spot-on, witty, and genuinely moving novel.

One hundred and forty-nine days ago, Mimi’s mam died. Everyone’s given up. Dad keeps burning pizzas, and he doesn’t smile anymore. Sally wears only black now and has a terrible secret. Conor plays the drums all night and keeps the neighbors awake. The dog, Sparkler, hasn’t been walked in months. And that’s not even counting how terrible things are at school. But Mimi isn’t one to give up. In his solo novel debut, John Newman has crafted a story both touching and comic— a portrait of loss, compassion, and the power that comes from sticking together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763654153
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	08/23/2011
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	870L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

John Newman was born in Dublin and worked as a folklore collector, a civil servant, and an accountant before he became an elementary school teacher. He is the coauthor of eleven books for children. Mimi is his first solo novel. John Newman lives in Ireland.

Editorial Reviews

Irish author Newman's first solo effort and U.S. debut will win readers' hearts through the conversational tone and openhearted observations of elementary school–aged narrator Mimi, whose mother died 149 days earlier (she is counting) after being hit by a bus. Mimi's life has settled into something of a routine, with Mimi drawing comfort from her extended family and grandparents, but it's not enough: Mimi's family is falling down around her. Her father burns pizza every night for dinner; laundry and groceries have fallen by the wayside; Mimi does not brush her teeth, is late for school, and only does her homework on Wednesdays; and her older siblings, Sally and Conor, barely talk to Mimi or each other. Newman ably conveys a family hanging together by a thread; that Mimi, who is Chinese, is adopted is nearly incidental to the plot—until a climactic scene in which she stands up to a school bully. Closing chapters, set six months after the rest of the book's events, provide just enough hope to reassure readers without minimizing the struggles the family has overcome. Ages 8–10. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

A rich cast of deftly drawn supporting characters and a couple of subplots all add up to a warm, believable, and optimistic portrait of grief and connection.
—The Horn Book

Irish author Newman's first solo effort and U.S. debut will win readers’ hearts through the conversational tone and openhearted observations of elementary school-aged narrator Mimi, whose mother died 149 days earlier (she is counting).
—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Gr 4–6—Mimi's mother was killed in an accident 149 days ago, and the entire family-father, older brother, and older sister-is still grieving and unable to cope with daily life. The children's father sits at home all day and cooks burnt pizza for dinner, Sally has a horrible secret (according to her diary), and Conor plays drums until late into the night. Mimi can't get to school on time, doesn't do her homework, and misses Mammy terribly. She does regularly see her extended family, giving her some structure and continuity. And all is not dark in Mimi's life-she has a good friend who tells her jokes and stands up for her at school, supportive teachers, and a cousin who is a fun playmate, and the lighthearted bickering of her grandparents is humorous. But a tipping point is looming for this family, and it comes when Sally is accused of stealing from a neighborhood shop and runs away after a fight with their father. His worry and fear finally wake him up, and he knows he has to bring the family back together. With just enough humor to keep readers engaged and a protagonist to whom they can relate, Newman adeptly portrays a family on an emotional edge. He also subtly lets readers figure out that Mimi is Asian and adopted-it is not a big part of her story, just reality.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

School Library Journal

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