Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Jordie and Joey Fell from the Sky
Author: Judi Lauren
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: Twins in Foster Care, Gay character
Recommended For…: middle grade readers, contemporary, aliens
Publication Date: April 19, 2022
Genre: MG Contemporary
Age Relevance: 11+ (bullying, child abuse, child neglect, violence, homophobia, animal abuse, PTSD, running away)
Explanation of Above: There is some bullying mentioned in the book, as well as one scene where a fight is shown between two characters. There is some slight mention of homophobia in the book and mentions of animal abuse (nothing shown for the animal abuse). PTSD is shown in the book in regards to remembering a past traumatic event and child abuse and neglect are shown and mentioned in the book. Most of the story revolves around the twins and a friend running away from home and it shows the consequence of that.
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Pages: 230
Synopsis: Twin brothers Jordie and Joey have never met their parents. Maybe it’s because they aren’t from this planet?
When another kid at school tried to force Jordie to show him the “crop circles” on his back that prove he’s an alien, it was Joey who took the kid to the ground. And when the twins got kicked out of their foster home because Joey kissed the other boy who lived there, it was Jordie who told him everything would be okay. And as long as Jordie and Joey are together, it will be. But when the principal calls their current foster mother about a fight at school, the boys know she’ll be done with them. And, from spying in their file, they also know they’re going to be separated.
Determined to face the world side by side rather than without one another, Jordie and Joey set off to find their birth parents. From Arizona to Roswell to Area 51 in the Nevada desert, the twins begin a search for where they truly belong. But Jordie’s about to discover that family isn’t always about the ones who bring you into the world, but the ones who help you survive it.
Review: For the most part I liked this book. The book is about our MC who believes his real family are aliens and that him and his twin brother were dropped off on Earth before they were taken hostage by the government. The MC is determined to find his family and, after an incident at school, the twins and a friend run away from home to find the twins’ family. I really liked the story overall and I felt like it would be relatable to kids who are in a similar situation as the twins. The book shows a lot of darkness in that situation, but has a hopeful message by the end. The character development is good and the world building is fair. I also want to commend the book for having resources in the back of it for people, especially children, to contact if they are in similar situations as the twins find themselves in.
However, I felt that the book lacked in some areas. I felt like the book was too fast paced for the story and there were some stuff that wasn’t explained well in my opinion. I also felt like the author didn’t know how to end the book and it went on for a bit longer than it should have maybe? It was weird and the book maybe needs another round of revision to perfect it.
Verdict: It was good!
Book Info:
Jordie and Joey Fell From the Sky by Judi Lauren
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary
Publishing Date: April 19, 2022
Synopsis:
Twin brothers Jordie and Joey have never met their parents. Maybe it’s because they aren’t from this planet?
When another kid at school tried to force Jordie to show him the “crop circles” on his back that prove he’s an alien, it was Joey who took the kid to the ground. And when the twins got kicked out of their foster home because Joey kissed the other boy who lived there, it was Jordie who told him everything would be okay. And as long as Jordie and Joey are together, it will be. But when the principal calls their current foster mother about a fight at school, the boys know she’ll be done with them. And, from spying in their file, they also know they’re going to be separated.
Determined to face the world side by side rather than without one another, Jordie and Joey set off to find their birth parents. From Arizona to Roswell to Area 51 in the Nevada desert, the twins begin a search for where they truly belong. But Jordie’s about to discover that family isn’t always about the ones who bring you into the world, but the ones who help you survive it.
Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59040556-jordie-and-joey-fell-from-the-sky
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jordie-and-joey-fell-from-the-sky-judi-lauren/1140064581?ean=9781631635816
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Jordie-and-Joey-Fell-from-the-Sky-Judi-Lauren/9781631635816
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781631635816
About the Author:
Judi Lauren was born in the Midwest and misses those winters. She now resides in an area where the bugs are way too large. She has an unnatural obsession with Chicago, Dean Winchester, and Friends (the TV show.)
Judi is represented by Heather Cashman of Storm Literary Agency, where she writes books for kids and teens about family, friendship, and surviving impossible things.
In her spare time, she also works as an editor at Radish Fiction. You can connect with her on Instagram @judilauren.
Author Links:
Website: https://judilauren.com/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/judi__lauren
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judilauren/?hl=en
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21824664.Judi_Lauren
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