Review: Fuzzy Mud

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Book description:


"Be careful. Your next step may be your last."

Fifth grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi and seventh grader Marshall Walsh have been walking to and from Woodbridge Academy together since elementary school. But their routine is disrupted when bully Chad Wilson challenges Marshall to a fight. To avoid the conflict, Marshall takes a shortcut home through the off-limits woods. Tamaya reluctantly follows. They soon get lost, and they find trouble. Bigger trouble than anyone could ever have imagined.
In the days and weeks that follow, the authorities and the U.S. Senate become involved, and what they uncover might affect the future of the world.


Review:

I found this advanced copy of Fuzzy Mud very suitable for middle grade children. The story and characters go through a range of important topics that 5th grade & up children will find easy to relate to in their every day realities. Topics such as bullying, changing attitudes among peers, fitting in / not fitting in, are touched on as well as parenting and home life issues. Care for others, as well as caring for our environment, are topics presented in this suspenseful children's story.

The characters have many decisions to make that can have extraordinary results on their wellbeing and the world around them. I was provided a copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. Excitement and mystery are intertwined with the life lessons in this book to keep the story moving at an appropriate pace for young readers.

This is the first book I have read by Louis Sachar. I will be sharing this read with my 9 year old, who already confronts issues of unfairness, bullying, and changing roles among his friends as they grow older together. A middle aged child can gain a lot of understanding from this book, such as why some children may be acting mean to them, rather than just reacting to the unkindness with more unkindness. Understanding can possibly help as it does in this story. I found the story to be hopeful and encouraging.



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