“Hmm…”

From Lucy Knisley’s Stepping Stones.

After her parents got divorced, Jen soon found herself moving out of the city with her mom to the small Peapod Farm upstate.  Jen misses her dad and living in the city, but the presence of her mom’s new boyfriend, Walter, isn’t making Jen’s new life any better.  Constantly assigned chores, Jen is unimpressed with Saturdays spent at the local farmer’s market, frequent arguments with Walter, and the isolation of life on the farm.  Finding a secret hideout in the barn, friendly kittens, and fluffy new chicks are all positive elements of Jen’s new home, but when Walter’s daughters, Andy and Reese, start coming to spend weekends at Peapod Farm, Jen feels more alone than ever. Although close in age, Jen and Andy don’t get along well as Jen finds Andy bossy and annoyingly perfect in math and money management.  Throughout the summer, Jen finds herself at odds with her mom and Walter’s family, but when Jen helps the homesick Reese laugh her sadness away, the three girls soon discover that they have more in common than they ever imagined… and that the farm might just be the perfect place to grow together.

Kinsley’s illustrations are bright and attractive, easily giving life to the characters and places presented. The main character is honest in her struggles and emotions, making her navigation of new blended family relatable.  The way Walter’s character treats the protagonist and the repeated excuses provided for him is rather concerning, but the character development is slightly more understandable as the story is autobiographical.  Overall, Stepping Stones is a sweet quick read that reminds readers of the unexpected benefits of family, both old and new.