What do You think about Mick Harte Was Here (2009)?
It packed as much of a punch this time as it did when I was a kid. Very well written. A voice a child would relate to. Very great way for a child to deal with their thoughts/emotions as they start coming to grips with the reality of mortality and uncertainty. I would also keep this on hand for kids who are going through the grieving process... though, of course, use judgement and discretion because it is a very very triggering book.I found myself relating very much to my own grieving process. Small sentences had profound truths. Even six years later, I'm glad to have words to put to some of those difficult feelings.
—Camilla
Just to warn you: the narrator lies when she says, “…this isn’t the kind of book where you meet the main character and you get to like him real well.” Believe me, you’ll meet him, and you’ll like him real well. The book has so many lessons within it; whatever lesson you need to “hear,” is the lesson you’re going to get. Its simple use of words allows one to feel the “emotional punch,” without being distracted by unnecessary text. It’s short, so there isn’t any filler. The narrator shares various moments of understanding and insight, bursts of anger and sadness. Phoebe, the narrator, goes on a roller coaster, and so do we. We are not only focused on how the narrator deals with grief, but we get a peek into how her parents are faring. As a reader, it was interesting to think about how I would deal with my own grief. Would I react like Phoebe, the mom, or the dad? All in all, I highly recommend it. Even if you've never lost a close loved one, you'll still be able to relate to it on so many other levels.
—Irish Tagamolila
Dang, You know that a book is good when Grant acually feels bad for a fictional character. This the case for Mick Harte was Here. It's a, dare I say, heartbreaking book about a girl and her family having to deal with the deppresion of the death of their son/brother. Mick crashes into a car and sofie, his sister, blames herself for it because Mick asked if she could take his bike home for him. Instead she refused because of the fight that they had earlier. Throughout the story people keep telling that they are sorry and she replies "for what?" In the book she remembers key flashbacks of the time when Mick was still alive. It's good, really good and is short and sweet. If you see this anywhere get it.
—Grant Garsi
