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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting Author: Jean Mills Publisher: Red Deer Press
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 8-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: No Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I purchased it because we have several knitters in our school and I thought it would appeal to them. I picked it up to read because I loved the cover! If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Knit one, pearl two, read three!
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Review:
This novel focuses on the character of Bliss Adair, a knitting and math genius. Bliss works at her parent's yarn shop, String Theory (got to love that name!) at the knitting help desk. I love Bliss’s character. She is quiet, smart, and comfortable in own skin. She has great parents, a cool aunt, and wonderful friends who understand her. As an observer of life and people, she hears things as people talk around her. In some instances, she hears things she would rather not! Bliss struggles with what to repeat and tell. Sorting out these feelings and deciding how to be a good friend, listener, and student creates the backdrop for Bliss's story. As she navigates her junior year in high school, she gets selected for a competitive math team and develops feelings for her partner in competition. One piece of advice that Bliss’s mom gives her as a young knitter and worrier...”don’t look too far ahead.” I think this is the main theme of the story. As you navigate through life do not think too far ahead, or don’t worry about what you have no control over! I thought this was a very meaningful message for young people. The secondary characters are also strongly developed, and Bliss has a strong core of friends that help her navigate life! I think this would be a great book discussion book for knitters or math geeks. It made me want to take up knitting.
Number of party hats:
For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website