The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

Maudie is the key character in this story. I just adore her and her thoughts and reactions to everything around her. Her feelings are very relatable, and even though she is categorized as "different", she is such a lovely person.

Summer is coming up and Maudie is excited to spend time with her dad in California. But this time around, something is different - she has to keep a worrisome secret about her life with her mom and stepdad. Maudie is not a fan of her stepdad's anger and the way he treats her physically and emotionally. Her mom is all into the internet and uses her daughter's disability to act out the role of a long-term autism-sufferer hero-mom, even when she is, in reality, a terrible and neglectful parent.

Title: The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

Author: Sally J. Pla

Publisher: Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins

When Maudie is staying with her dad in a cabin, an unfortunate forest fire destroys most of their personal belongings. They move to her dad's friend's camper, which takes Maudie out of her comfort zone and she meets new people. Quite unexpectedly, she gets into surfing; she longs to surprise her dad by winning a surfing competition. So sweet!

I felt that the stepdad is picturized as a little too much at times, and her real dad is a little too perfect, like never getting angry and always being patient and kind. Along similar lines, I felt Maudie's mom was characterized to be too cruel as she misused her daughter herself and allowed others to do the same.

📚 This story is beautifully written, concise, and it touches the heart.

📚 The author has incredibly characterized neurodivergent Maudie! She seems to have quite a magical and delicate touch when building such a "different" kid character who is special.

📚 I would say this book would be perfect for ages 9/10+ - middle grades and up

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