Gramps and the Shield Bugs

by Louise Peregrina

A shy young carer’s life is transformed when she is sent away to the country – and through her bravery and quick thinking becomes the unlikely village heroine.
 
Caz is fed up. Life has been tough since Dad left. Why does she always have to do everything? What is wrong with Mum? Why is her brother always so angry? 
 
When Mum is rushed into hospital she is packed off to stay in a cluttered cottage in the country with her grandfather, who she barely knows. What sort of man is he?
 
Despite her initial misgivings, Caz gets used to his old-fashioned ways and settles into the slower pace of village life, even having an exciting adventure along the way. The two form a close relationship; her trust and confidence builds as she learns about the natural world around her, while he learns a thing or two about the pressures of growing up in the modern world. 
 
In this emotional and ultimately uplifting story of family relationships, we see how older and younger generations can learn from each other. In just a week, life can begin to look a whole lot better.

• ISBN10: 1803139684
• ISBN13: 9781803139685
• Publish Date: 28 July 2022
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 11 September 2024
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing
• Imprint: Matador
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Gramps and The Shield Bugs is a charming and well written coming-of-age story for middle grade readers written by Louise Peregrina. Released 26th July 2022, it's 166 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a sensitively written story. When families break apart, and when parents are suffering and depressed, it inevitably affects the younger members of the family, often with more impact, given that they have fewer coping mechanisms and less power to make improvements. This story revolves around a family in crisis, and young protagonist Caz is sent to visit her paternal grandparents for a while.

It's written in first person point of view, through Caz's observations and feelings in an honest and age appropriate manner. I found Caz sympathetically written and compassionate. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, gifting, and home use.

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.