In this heartfelt story, Maya's settled life (being a soccer superstar with a happy family and great friends) is upended when her parents start to have problems. She's faced with the question whether her dedication to this sport is out of loyalty to her father and what it is she really wants. Maya tries to navigate her family's difficulties while finding meaning in fortune cookies, practicing her beloved flute, taking on a swimming challenge, and dealing with uncertainty on the soccer field. Maya is a relatable and lovable character that readers can't help but root for. Highly recommended read! ( )

First sentence: Even though I've never seen one in person, wood thrushes are my favorite bird of all time.

Premise/plot: Maya J. Jenkins has a vision of how she wants this summer to go. And it all begins with her winning MVP at the soccer banquet. She'll be a super-start at soccer camp. She'll prove her value and worth to everyone. She'll easily get invited to play on teams. She'll spend time with her closest friends with no friction. Her parents will quit fighting. But no matter how much she envisions this happily-ever-after or best-case-scenario version of events, reality is far, far, far different. And it all starts to fall apart over a few days. Her best friend gets MVP and, I believe, the very next day she learns that her parents will be doing a trial separation for the summer. Fortunately, she has a super-amazing-incredible Uncle to help her out. [Actually, her mother, her father, and her uncle are all really great at helping Maya or "MJ" out.]

This is the summer where Maya will begin to question who she is and what she wants....for example, does she really WANT soccer to be 'her thing'??? Does she want it be a time-consuming obsession??? Or is she merely 'friends' with soccer? What if she thinks about what she wants instead of what her parents want??? What if 'her thing' is music??? [Like her Uncle]

My thoughts: I enjoyed this coming of age middle grade novel. I love the focus on family and friendship. I think there's enough sports that those who seek out sports in their fiction will be satisfied yet for those who avoid sports won't be super-annoyed at all the sports talk. It's a hard balance between the two! I loved the level of characterization. The relationships felt so well done in this one. I particularly loved how she had a good, solid, close relationship with her parents and her uncle. It was great to see adults who clearly love her and value her work together to take care of her.

I definitely enjoyed this one. ( )

Maya is a spunky, athletic and creative middle school student. Maya has always loved fortune cookie fortunes and uses them as her daily mantra. She is very excited for the summer and soccer with her dad. Maya also has a secret love of music, but hides it away. However, her parents "surprise" her with a trial separation. Maya has a very authentic reaction as she struggles with change and growing up, She discovers she needs to follow her own heart and passions while finding out sometimes the future is not as easy as a fortune cookie. ( )