Book Review: You May Already Be a Winner by Ann Dee Ellis

Book: You May Already Be A Winner by Ann Dee Ellis
Genre: MG Contemporary
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


I've been reading a bunch of middle grade books for an award for which they are all nominated. This was my favorite of the bunch. I was totally charmed be everything about it! It probably doesn't hurt that I've loved everything I've read by Ann Dee Ellis. I think it's safe to say she is favorite.

This is the story about Olivia who lives with her little sister and her mom in a trailer park. Her dad has left them and so her mom is struggling to provide, which means Olivia and her sister are left alone to fend for themselves most of the time. When the book opens, she hasn't been to school for months because she's had to stay home with her sick sister. But, she finds a community in all the people that live around her, which is one of my favorite things about this book.

But not only that, she is very smart and resourceful and they do a sort of home-school on their own and have a great time. Olivia hopes it never ends.

But then one day her mom has to send her back to school, which is not great, but she deals. However, one day, she has to take her sister with and so she hides her in a closet. This is not really that great, yes?

Meanwhile, she's made a friend that's a boy who she loves quite a lot. Together they think up all sorts of adventures. But when she finds out he goes to her school, she is worried he will learn way too much about her. But in return, she starts to learn a lot more about him too.

It's kind of a sad "neglected" kid sort of story, but I loved the style and the quirkiness of everyone and the spunkiness of this main character. I flew through it without any slow moments. And loved it.

The setting is nearby my home and one day when I was in the neighborhood I actually tried to find the trailer park. Well, I found it, but not sure it's the one the story was based on, since the KOA is no longer there! LOL! But it was great because everything talked about in the book, I could picture. The bike path to the lake, the restaurants and stores mentioned, the rec center. Etc. Fun times.

I have a YA in the stacks by this author and I think I'm going to bump it up the list and read it soon.