Roll

The takeaway from this story--that it's good to be honest about your interests instead of pretending to be someone you're not for the sake of popularity or approval--is so important for all young readers. Great reminder to accept oneself with kindness. The novel will have extra appeal for those who likes comic books or birds--but anyone will likely enjoy the humorous voice and relatable friendship issues.

ROLL is a fantastic read: great dialogue, true middle grade voice, quirky and interesting details about pigeons and life.Ren (full name Lauren, but please don't call him that) Hall has just moved into a new house in the country. It's actually an old house--his grandparents--and it's still full of their things. However, it's only 8 miles from his old home so he'll still go to the same school and still see his best friend all the time. It's not like his best friend has grown three inches and is suddenly hanging out with the cools kids at the pool or anything. Right? Maybe.When out for a run one morning, Ren sees birds falling from the sky. He has stumbled upon the sport of pigeon rolling and Sutton, a girl with flaming red-orange-yellow dyed hair and a knack for telling the truth. Sutton has moved from far away (Washington DC) and her father is in the hospital after a terrible car accident. Little by little, Ren learns that it's okay to accept changes as he and his friends grow up. Highly recommended.

What a wonderful little book! I was really impressed with how well life for Midwestern kids was depicted as well as the young characters themselves. Nice kids all, but with real feelings about the changes that life brings. Nothing stereotypical. I was also impressed with the depiction of what it is like for kids to grow up living outside of a community--making interactions with their friends a big deal needing parents to transport and cell phones to talk to friends. Parties are big deals for kids that are out of the loop.Ren, the main character presented a lot of information that added to my enjoyment of the book--It seems like about 60 years since I have thought about Little Lulu comic books.The best part of course is learning a bit about pigeon rolls. What an art and what a wonderful pastime. Thanks for the book. Looking for more from you.

What a charming, heartfelt story of friendship for middle schoolers. Miller's account of Lauren "Ren" Hall's move to the country, and the inadvertent fallout with his his long-time best friend rings true. Then Ren meets the free-spirited girl next door who is wise beyond her years. Oh, she also has her own flock of rolling pigeons. With his strained friendships, an increasingly tense relationship with his dad, and his newfound hobby—pigeon rolling, Ren's summer will be anything but ordinary. Roll is a perfect read, no matter the season.

Roll makes you want to keep turning page after page. With Miller's quick sense of humor, you're pulled into the story. Her detailed writing makes you feel like you are right there with the characters breathing, smelling and hearing the sounds of a southern Minnesota summer. She has a way of making you feel like you are right back in middle school and a flood of hilarious memories washes over you. What a compelling novel! A great read for all ages.