Dreaming of Flight

Dreaming of Flight

  • Downloads:7986
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-05-05 08:21:40
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Catherine Ryan Hyde
  • ISBN:B09B71DKXC
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

An unexpected connection becomes the saving grace for two unlikely friends in a heart-stirring novel about love, loss, and moving forward by a New York Times and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author。

Never knowing his parents, eleven-year-old Stewie Little and his brother have been raised on a farm by their older sister。 Stewie steadfastly tends the chickens left by his beloved late grandmother。 And every day Stewie goes door to door selling fresh eggs from his wagon—a routine with a surprise just around the corner。 It’s his new customer, Marilyn。 She’s prickly and guarded, yet comfortably familiar—she reminds the grieving Stewie so much of the grandmother he misses more than he can express。

Marilyn has a reason for keeping her distance: a secret no one knows about。 Her survival tactic is to draw a line between herself and other people—one that Stewie is determined to cross。 As their visits become more frequent, a complicated but deeply rooted relationship grows。 That’s when Stewie discovers how much more there is to Marilyn, to her past, and to challenges that become more pressing each day。 But whatever difficult times lie ahead, Stewie learns that although he can’t fix everything for Marilyn or himself, at least he’s no longer alone。

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Reviews

Jan

I really enjoyed this book。 I became vested in the characters, especially Stewie and Marilyn。 It was a sweet, moving story。 Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book。 I recommend it, and will read more of this author。

Nicola

Dreaming of Flight is a very sweet story。 The main character, Stewie, is just precious。 He has had some hard times for such a young child but continues to see the best in others。 He lives with his special needs brother and his sister。 All in all, a very tender, heart touching story。Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review。 All opinions expressed are my own。

Cheryl

A grand story of eggs and chickensCatherine Ryan Hyde is a master storyteller and I have found it really doesn't matter what she tells her stories about。 In this case it's a young boy, eggs, and chickens - and a woman that tries very hard (unsuccessfully) not to be involved in his young life。Stewie Little is 11 years old, lives with his older sister and brother since his parents died when he was very young, and raises his beloved late grandmother's chickens。One day as he's selling eggs door to d A grand story of eggs and chickensCatherine Ryan Hyde is a master storyteller and I have found it really doesn't matter what she tells her stories about。 In this case it's a young boy, eggs, and chickens - and a woman that tries very hard (unsuccessfully) not to be involved in his young life。Stewie Little is 11 years old, lives with his older sister and brother since his parents died when he was very young, and raises his beloved late grandmother's chickens。One day as he's selling eggs door to door, he meets an irascible older woman who reminds him of his late grandmother and develops a relationship with this woman that changes his life。I loved the characters, the storyline, and this author's work, as always。 I highly recommend DREAMING OF FLIGHT。I received this book from Lake Union Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review。 。。。more

Linda Neilson

Delightful readingSo refreshing to read a really good book。 Loved Stewie。 So trusting and loyal。 And a very satisfying ending。 Enjoy。

Melanie McGrade Davidson

Books written by Catherine Ryan Hyde are all incredibly introspective and thought-provoking, and always invoke deep emotion within me。 I haven’t read a book written by her that I haven’t loved, and each one has stayed with me for a long, long time, just like this one will。 This author has a way of creating characters that I am drawn to and feel connected to, and ones that I want to read about and get to know better, such as Stewie and Marilyn。 Watching their relationship grow was so beautiful, a Books written by Catherine Ryan Hyde are all incredibly introspective and thought-provoking, and always invoke deep emotion within me。 I haven’t read a book written by her that I haven’t loved, and each one has stayed with me for a long, long time, just like this one will。 This author has a way of creating characters that I am drawn to and feel connected to, and ones that I want to read about and get to know better, such as Stewie and Marilyn。 Watching their relationship grow was so beautiful, and the love that formed between them was incredible。 The more time spent together, the more they helped one another heal and move past the effects of their past and current circumstances。 The dialogue between them is so deep, so ruminating, so reflective。 What they say to each other isn’t so much as the words actually spoken, but goes deeper than that to what is unspoken but yet so loud。 Their quirky personalities and traits make the forming friendship between the two a little more rocky, but yet is what makes that bond even stronger once it’s it built。 They help each other through troubled times, ultimately leading to lessons learned and stronger love between family and friends。I absolutely loved this book so much and highly recommend that everyone read it。 #dreamingofflight 。。。more

Ruth

I have loved every book that I've read so far from Catherine Ryan Hyde, and this one did not disappoint。 Her characters always touch my heart。 Eleven-year old Stewie has never known typical family life having lost both parents while still a baby and more recently his beloved Gam。 He is a sensitive young boy who always feels responsible for everyone else's well-being and feelings。 When he gets to know one of his egg customers who reminds him of Gam, the author once again proves that family does n I have loved every book that I've read so far from Catherine Ryan Hyde, and this one did not disappoint。 Her characters always touch my heart。 Eleven-year old Stewie has never known typical family life having lost both parents while still a baby and more recently his beloved Gam。 He is a sensitive young boy who always feels responsible for everyone else's well-being and feelings。 When he gets to know one of his egg customers who reminds him of Gam, the author once again proves that family does not always require a blood relationship。 Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy to read and review。 。。。more

Gayle

This author writes about ordinary people who do extraordinary things。 They have this nugget of compassion that not everyone has, and it allows them to attend to the needs of others, to take care of others in the natural progression of their lives。She writes about people who might be at a disadvantage in life, but who realize that they might make a little bit of a difference in the lives of others who are at a disadvantage。 Stewart Little is eleven years old。 He cares deeply about many things, es This author writes about ordinary people who do extraordinary things。 They have this nugget of compassion that not everyone has, and it allows them to attend to the needs of others, to take care of others in the natural progression of their lives。She writes about people who might be at a disadvantage in life, but who realize that they might make a little bit of a difference in the lives of others who are at a disadvantage。 Stewart Little is eleven years old。 He cares deeply about many things, especially his Gam's chickens and the eggs they provide。 But most especially the chickens。 Stewie sells the eggs for four dollars a dozen。 They're especially fresh and worth the money, he believes。 Stewie's parents have died, as has his grandmother who took Stewie and his brother and sister in。 The weight of caring for the family now rests on Stewie's sister, Stacey。 There is also Theo, Stewie's brother, who has the symptoms of being developmentally disabled。 A lot of responsibility for Stacey。 Marilyn, an elderly woman, has a need for Stewie's compassion and care。 In the course of this book, Stewie becomes more than just a boy in Marilyn's neighborhood。 Marilyn has her own problems, but Stewie is there to lend a hand。 Stewie is a helper, first and foremost, and Marilyn needs his help。 How many times can a person say that this is the best book Catherine Ryan Hyde has ever written? I guess about as many times as she writes a book。 。。。more

Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews

Heartwarming is the word that kept coming to mind while I was reading Dreaming of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde。 I loved this book。 It didn’t give me all the warm fuzzies like some books do, it just made my heart warm。 Stewie was a boy that reminded me a little of myself and I totally understood all that he was facing and just wanted to wrap him in my arms and give him a big hug。Stewie lost his parents when he was a baby and he doesn’t have any memories of them。 His grandmother died just before Heartwarming is the word that kept coming to mind while I was reading Dreaming of Flight by Catherine Ryan Hyde。 I loved this book。 It didn’t give me all the warm fuzzies like some books do, it just made my heart warm。 Stewie was a boy that reminded me a little of myself and I totally understood all that he was facing and just wanted to wrap him in my arms and give him a big hug。Stewie lost his parents when he was a baby and he doesn’t have any memories of them。 His grandmother died just before the book started。 He has had a lot of loss in his young life。 I love Stewie because he values family even though he never had a large family。 Now, his older sister takes care of him and his older brother。 Stewie is just 11 years old when the book starts。 He is a character I can identify with。 I didn’t lose my parents but, I didn’t have siblings and we didn’t live near family。 I was always a bit jealous when kids came to school and spoke of family gatherings。 I wanted that。I usually don’t read reviews before I read a book and write my own review。 I happened to see a review online about this book and that reviewer said the book was too YA for her。 I’m glad that I put that out of my mind and read the book with an open heart。 There were many older characters in this book although, it was told through the eyes of Stewie。 I loved his values。 He didn’t tell lies and he always tried to do what he said he would。 The heart of this book is opening our own heart to someone who is different from us, older than us and seeing what opportunities that are right in front of us to make our lives better and other peoples lives at the same time。 There are a lot of lessons to be learned in Dreaming of Flight。 。。。more

Susan (The Book Bag)

I absolutely fell in love with Stewie! This amazing eleven-year-old has an overabundance of compassion and love in his soul。 He takes everything to heart and cares so much for everyone in his young life—everyone and everything from his dead grandmother's chickens to the crotchety old woman he meets on one of his egg runs。 When Stewie meets Marilyn, he feels like he has gotten a little piece of his Gam back。 Both are a bit brusque and crabby, but he loved his Gam so much and misses her everyday。 I absolutely fell in love with Stewie! This amazing eleven-year-old has an overabundance of compassion and love in his soul。 He takes everything to heart and cares so much for everyone in his young life—everyone and everything from his dead grandmother's chickens to the crotchety old woman he meets on one of his egg runs。 When Stewie meets Marilyn, he feels like he has gotten a little piece of his Gam back。 Both are a bit brusque and crabby, but he loved his Gam so much and misses her everyday。 And there is something about Stewie that grabs Marilyn's heart and she can't help but open up to him。 They are so good for each other。 As their relationship grows, both of their worlds spin out of control。Dreaming of Flight is another masterpiece by the fabulous Catherine Ryan Hyde。 She continues to write beautiful, heartwarming stories with caring characters that will touch your soul and make you want to be a better person。 I highly recommend this one。 I know it's a story that I will not soon forget。 。。。more

Kle

A story about a boy, the chickens he tends because they remind him of a grandmother he lost, and his efforts to take care of others all the while grieving his own losses。 While this book has loss in it, it is not a hard or draining read。 But rather a gentle, insightful, humorous story of the imperfect connections that can sustain us if we let them。

Kamber Woodworth Derosier

I am a big fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde。 I can count on her for heartfelt stories and she did not disappoint。 The story is told from the point of view of Stewie (an 11 year old with a lot of feelings he doesn’t know how to handle and that he doesn’t want to talk about) and Marilyn (a cranky forgetful senior citizen with secrets of her own)。 Their odd friendship develops and Stewie learns a great deal about friendship, love and loss。 This was a great coming of age story that I would think is approp I am a big fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde。 I can count on her for heartfelt stories and she did not disappoint。 The story is told from the point of view of Stewie (an 11 year old with a lot of feelings he doesn’t know how to handle and that he doesn’t want to talk about) and Marilyn (a cranky forgetful senior citizen with secrets of her own)。 Their odd friendship develops and Stewie learns a great deal about friendship, love and loss。 This was a great coming of age story that I would think is appropriate for middle school and up。 。。。more

Kindle Worm

Stewie has suffered great loss in his life, never knowing his parents and now losing his beloved grandmother, he vows to keep her hens alive。 Being a fixer, he wants to help everyone in need。 When out selling his eggs, he meets a woman that reminds him of his grandmother, he immediately wants to help her out。 Marjorie isn’t a warm and fuzzy person, but neither was his grandmother, she also has a secret she hopes to keep hidden。 When she realizes Stewie is also harboring a secret, soon the two ar Stewie has suffered great loss in his life, never knowing his parents and now losing his beloved grandmother, he vows to keep her hens alive。 Being a fixer, he wants to help everyone in need。 When out selling his eggs, he meets a woman that reminds him of his grandmother, he immediately wants to help her out。 Marjorie isn’t a warm and fuzzy person, but neither was his grandmother, she also has a secret she hopes to keep hidden。 When she realizes Stewie is also harboring a secret, soon the two are helping each other。 When Stewie finally realizes that there are some problems he just can’t fix, it’s a big learning curve。 When tragedy strikes once again and Stewie can’t fix things, it’s others that step up to help fix Stewie! Catherine Hyde just has a way with bringing heart touching stories to life and Stewie and Marjorie are two characters that won’t be forgotten anytime soon! Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book。 。。。more

Maureen Mayer

This is one of my favorite reads this year!Stewie Little has a big heart for an eleven-year-old boy。 After losing his parents as a baby and now his grandmother, he and his brother are left to be raised by their older sister。 All he has left of his grandmother are her chickens, and he tends to them with the utmost care。 He also goes door to door selling their fresh eggs, but one day he visits a house he’s never been to before。 There he meets Marilyn, a gruff and guarded woman who ironically remin This is one of my favorite reads this year!Stewie Little has a big heart for an eleven-year-old boy。 After losing his parents as a baby and now his grandmother, he and his brother are left to be raised by their older sister。 All he has left of his grandmother are her chickens, and he tends to them with the utmost care。 He also goes door to door selling their fresh eggs, but one day he visits a house he’s never been to before。 There he meets Marilyn, a gruff and guarded woman who ironically reminds him of his grandmother。 She has good reason to keep her distance from others, but she can’t help but be drawn to the sweet young boy and he to her。 One thing I absolutely adored about this book was the relationship between Stewie and Marilyn。 Stewie is such a sweetheart and while he doesn’t always pick up on the meaning behind certain things, Marilyn is patient and takes the time to explain things to him。 Stewie in turn helps Marilyn as she has become more forgetful with age。 He looks past her prickly demeanor (something he is familiar with), and allows her to fill a void that was left behind by his deceased grandmother。 As the story progressed, I couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion。 Here we have two individuals who might have been overlooked because they were different or struggled in a way that isn’t always understood by others。 But they took a chance on one another and the relationship that bloomed was so beautiful。 Highly recommend this book (as well as anything by Catherine Ryan Hyde)!*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review。* 。。。more

RoshReviews

In a Nutshell: I kept swivelling across 4 and 4。25 and 4。5 for this book。 The ending made sure it was a 4。5。 Loveable characters, beautiful story, soothing writing。 Story:Eleven year old Stewart Little (Like the mouse, but not like the mouse) has never known his parents。 He lives on the farm with his elder sister Stacey (a nurse in training) and his elder brother Theo (student, suffers from cerebral palsy)。 Stewie spends his free time taking care of his late grandma’s hens and selling their “fre In a Nutshell: I kept swivelling across 4 and 4。25 and 4。5 for this book。 The ending made sure it was a 4。5。 Loveable characters, beautiful story, soothing writing。 Story:Eleven year old Stewart Little (Like the mouse, but not like the mouse) has never known his parents。 He lives on the farm with his elder sister Stacey (a nurse in training) and his elder brother Theo (student, suffers from cerebral palsy)。 Stewie spends his free time taking care of his late grandma’s hens and selling their “fresh eggs” at a premium price in his village。Marilyn is a crotchety old lady living at the far end of the village。 She has a secret and to keep it, she maintains a firm distance from everyone。 When the paths of those two individuals intersect, Stewie sees in Marilyn a version of his beloved grandmother and he is determined to win her over。 Marilyn is equally determined not to connect with his boy who doesn’t seem to leave her alone。 How will the relationship between these two dissimilar people move ahead? The book is written in a limited third person narration from the points of view of Stewie and Marilyn。 Where the book worked for me:😍 It's a story set in the contemporary timeline yet it has such a beautiful old-world feel to it。 I loved those “good old days” vibes coming from every page。😍 The characters are so wonderfully etched。 The story is clearly that of Stewie and Marilyn and both of these are quite complex individuals。 On the surface level, Stewie seems like any ordinary eleven year old but as he has grown up only with his grandma, there is a maturity in his thinking that isn’t common to his age group。 His underlying insecurity, his firm need to help everyone, his passion for his hens, and every other quality of his will ensure that Stewie will go down as one of the sweetest boys in modern fiction。 😍 I loved the sibling bond across Stacey, Theo and Stewie。 While there is only a little page space dedicated to the two elder siblings, it is enough to make them shine。 I would have loved to know more about the two of them, of course, but this was Stewie’s story and any shift in focus would have diluted the impact of the main plot。😍 Though it has a child protagonist, the book deals with loss and grief beautifully。 There are quite a few lines that just made me want to stop reading and mull over them in my head。 It was a very wise book in a way。😍 It is such an unusual story of friendship that transcends age barriers。 😍 Special points for the way Theo’s cerebral palsy was incorporated in the story。 Many books that have physically-disabled characters go out of the way to show the “limitations” of the person and somehow end up treating the character with gloved hands。 But Theo is written almost like any other character。 Yes, there is a bullying situation but it was written in a very realistic way。 I loved how the author treated Theo exactly as she treated her other characters。 When Theo comes in the story, you don’t think “cerebral palsy” or “physically disabled”; you only think “Theo”。 That’s the power of the writing。 😍 The relevance of the title, and how it was incorporated throughout the story, either directly through the flight-restricted hens, or indirectly through so many characters who are ‘dreaming of flight’ but caught by the limitations of their situations。 😍 The ending。 Nuff said。😍 I completed this 300 pager in a day。 Always a plus point for me if this happens。 Where the book still worked for me but might not work for others:⚠ The book is tagged as “general fiction” or “women’s fiction”。 But I received strong vibes of middle-grade fiction from it, and not just because of its main protagonist being an eleven year old。 The simplistic writing style, the rambling tone, the situations, the characters, the emotions – all point to a children’s book。 Luckily for me, I adore children’s fiction so this difference in genre didn’t make any dent in my enjoyment。 But it may not work for those looking a complex adult fiction。 Sometimes, you feel like picking up a book not for thrills or prose or complexities。 You just need a soothing book, a calming book, a touching book, an emotional treat。 That's the time you pick this book up。 It is a beautiful coming-of-age story with minor flaws that you will be happy to overlook because of the sheer warmth contained within its pages。 Definitely recommended when you are tired of the real world and want to lose yourself in a satisfying fictional story with loveable and memorable characters。This wasn’t my first Catherine Ryan Hyde novel, and it certainly won’t be my last one。4。5 stars。My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Dreaming of Flight”。 This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book。***********************Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever!, for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun。 。。。more

Barbara Powell

Stewart (Stewie) Little is being raised by his older sister and his disabled brother after their parents are killed in a car crash when he was a baby。 Their Gram raised them after their parents died but she too passed away last year。 When she was alive Stewie used to help her with the chores and his favorite was tending to the hens and collecting their eggs。 After she passes he continues to care for them, with even more care as he realizes how fragile life is。 He is a peculiar and serious boy wh Stewart (Stewie) Little is being raised by his older sister and his disabled brother after their parents are killed in a car crash when he was a baby。 Their Gram raised them after their parents died but she too passed away last year。 When she was alive Stewie used to help her with the chores and his favorite was tending to the hens and collecting their eggs。 After she passes he continues to care for them, with even more care as he realizes how fragile life is。 He is a peculiar and serious boy who sells the fresh eggs to the neighbors。 On one day he goes to a new house out of his usual routine and meets Marilyn, an older lady, and they form an unlikely friendship that benefits both of their lives as well as the lives of those around them。 This story was sweet and uplifting and kind and really makes you appreciate all the blessings that you have。 Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review。 。。。more

Margaret Yelton

Wow what an emotional read this one was, I was captured from the first couple pages and found it hard to put this book down。 How could one little boy endure so much heartbreak, and yet look for the positivity in this world。 I have read several of this authors books, but I have to say I think this maybe my favorite of them all。 I definitely would recommend this book to others。I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, I am under no obligation to leave a favorable review the opinion expre Wow what an emotional read this one was, I was captured from the first couple pages and found it hard to put this book down。 How could one little boy endure so much heartbreak, and yet look for the positivity in this world。 I have read several of this authors books, but I have to say I think this maybe my favorite of them all。 I definitely would recommend this book to others。I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, I am under no obligation to leave a favorable review the opinion expressed here are my own。 。。。more

Linda Leone

Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again! Her books are always full of emotion and this one is as well。Stewart Little (not Stuart Little the mouse, although the book does play a part in this story) is a boy who is a bit lost after his grandmother dies。 She wasn't always the nicest woman, but she was his。 Stewie has had a lot of loss in his life and he feels things very deeply。Stewie is a hard worker and cares for his late grandmother's chickens and sells the eggs out of his wagon。 One day Stewie meets Catherine Ryan Hyde does it again! Her books are always full of emotion and this one is as well。Stewart Little (not Stuart Little the mouse, although the book does play a part in this story) is a boy who is a bit lost after his grandmother dies。 She wasn't always the nicest woman, but she was his。 Stewie has had a lot of loss in his life and he feels things very deeply。Stewie is a hard worker and cares for his late grandmother's chickens and sells the eggs out of his wagon。 One day Stewie meets Marylin a somewhat grumpy older woman who reminds him a little of his grandmother。 They form an unusual bond。 To say any more would spoil the book。I just loved Stewie and his brother Theo。 I felt for his sister Stacey trying to raise two boys and work full time as well to make ends meet。 Stewie helps out the family too with his egg money。Buckle up for another heartfelt tale by Ms。 Hyde。Many thanks to netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc。 。。。more

Carla Suto

DREAMING OF FLIGHT by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a heartwarming and poignant story of loss, love and second chances that engaged me from beginning to end。 It is full of all the things I love about this author’s books – compelling and imperfect characters, unlikely inter-generational relationships and warmth between humans and animals。 Eleven-year-old Stewie Little never knew his parents because they died when he was very young。 He and his brother have been raised by his older sister who struggles to DREAMING OF FLIGHT by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a heartwarming and poignant story of loss, love and second chances that engaged me from beginning to end。 It is full of all the things I love about this author’s books – compelling and imperfect characters, unlikely inter-generational relationships and warmth between humans and animals。 Eleven-year-old Stewie Little never knew his parents because they died when he was very young。 He and his brother have been raised by his older sister who struggles to makes ends meet for this unconventional little family。 After losing his beloved grandmother, Stewie tirelessly tends to his Gam’s chickens and sells their eggs to the neighbors to help offset costs。 One day on his route, Stewie meets Marilyn, an older woman who is prickly and sometimes unkind, just like his Gam was。 He doesn’t know that Marilyn has secrets of her own。 The unlikely pair form an unexpected and complicated bond that change them both forever。 They both learn important life lessons from each other and pass that wisdom on to those around them。 I truly enjoyed this heartfelt and uplifting story and highly recommend it。 Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy。 。。。more

Di

This book is about Stuart Little。 Not the mouse but the other Stuart Little。 This 11 year old boy goes by Stewie and he sells eggs (very fresh eggs) that his chickens have laid。 Stevie is a very pragmatic little boy, he's an old soul in a little boy's body。 Stewie has recently lost his grandmother and is feeling that loss deeply。 During his egg deliveries, he meets Marilyn。 She is an older lady who reminds Stewie of his grandmother。 They forge a strange relationship。 But, Marilyn is holding back This book is about Stuart Little。 Not the mouse but the other Stuart Little。 This 11 year old boy goes by Stewie and he sells eggs (very fresh eggs) that his chickens have laid。 Stevie is a very pragmatic little boy, he's an old soul in a little boy's body。 Stewie has recently lost his grandmother and is feeling that loss deeply。 During his egg deliveries, he meets Marilyn。 She is an older lady who reminds Stewie of his grandmother。 They forge a strange relationship。 But, Marilyn is holding back many secrets。 And Stewie has a couple of his own。 The book touches on subjects such as grief, friendship, and trust。 The story evolves and the relationship between Stewie and Marilyn develops。 Each fills a need in the other。 They learn life lessons from each other。 In fact, the reader can pick up some good life philosophies by reading the book。 They learn caring and compassion。 Stewie is a little boy whom I would love to meet and hug。 Marilyn is a crusty old lady on the surface but Stewie manages to chip away at the outer crust。 I love the compassion Stewie shows towards Marilyn, I love how he relates to her。There are other characters in the book but, to me, they are incidental。 Stewie and Marilyn are the core of the story。 I'm afraid that some may read this book and find it on the saccharine side。 But, I love a book that makes me feel good after I read it。 This one certainly does。 With the horrible stuff going on in the world, this book was just what I needed!Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an Advance Readers 。。。more

Erin

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review。 Curling up with the latest novel from Catherine Ryan Hyde is like receiving a hug from your favorite person。 Once I started this novel about the reluctant friendship between 12 year old Stewie Little( yes, like the mouse but he's never read the book or watched the movie) and an elderly woman named Marilyn。 Still reeling from the loss of his beloved Gam, Stewie is instantly drawn to the woman that rem Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review。 Curling up with the latest novel from Catherine Ryan Hyde is like receiving a hug from your favorite person。 Once I started this novel about the reluctant friendship between 12 year old Stewie Little( yes, like the mouse but he's never read the book or watched the movie) and an elderly woman named Marilyn。 Still reeling from the loss of his beloved Gam, Stewie is instantly drawn to the woman that reminds him of his only grandparent。 But Marilyn has a secret and she is afraid that if Stewie gets too close, the police will soon be knocking on her door and take away her freedom。 It's a heartwarming and wholesome story that had me in tears( but there's nothing new about that)!Goodreads review published 28/04/22Expected Publication Date 03/05/22 。。。more

Srivalli Rekha

Publication Date: 05th May 20224。5 Stars One Liner: Heartwarming! Stewie is an adorable and hard-working eleven-year-old living with his older sister, Stacy, and brother, Theo。 He sells farm-fresh eggs and prides himself on the quality of freshness of his eggs。 During one such selling trip, he meets Marilyn, an elusive, rude old lady。 She reminds Stewie of his dead Gam (grandmother), and he forms an instant attachment to her。 Marilyn isn’t looking for friends or family。 She has secrets of her ow Publication Date: 05th May 20224。5 Stars One Liner: Heartwarming! Stewie is an adorable and hard-working eleven-year-old living with his older sister, Stacy, and brother, Theo。 He sells farm-fresh eggs and prides himself on the quality of freshness of his eggs。 During one such selling trip, he meets Marilyn, an elusive, rude old lady。 She reminds Stewie of his dead Gam (grandmother), and he forms an instant attachment to her。 Marilyn isn’t looking for friends or family。 She has secrets of her own。 But how can she resist a young boy with soulful sad eyes and an honest face? Stewie feels everything deeply while Marilyn tries not to feel anything。 Their bond grows over the days, but the secrets are revealed。 It can tear them apart or bring them even closer。 What I Like: •tStewie is a cutie pie。 I loved that kid。 He is highly sensitive and feels everything a bit too much。 But his heart is pure and innocent。 •tIt’s easy to connect to Stewie’s vulnerability, helplessness, fear, and pain。 He may seem like a sort of perfect kid, but he is a work in progress (I’ve been using this term a lot)。 •tMarilyn does remind me a little of Ove, but she is her own person。 The resemblance ends with them being grumpy yet kind。 •tThe book picks up pace after 45%。 It goes even fast after 80%。 Some of it seems more like it’s written for middle graders (in fact, I would recommend this book to MG readers) and uses an easy solution。 But it doesn’t dilute the emotions。 •tOh, boy, I got teary-eyed and almost cried towards the end。 Stewie’s vulnerability was heartbreaking and healing。 Strange but true。 •tStewie and Theo have such clarity of thought and approach to their lives。 Sometimes they appear older than their age。 Yet, I kept thinking of Stewie as a nine-year-old。 This is the second book where I picturized a pre-teen as an eight or nine-year-old, so guess my estimation is a little off。 •tI relate quite a lot to Stewie’s thought process in certain aspects。 Though he is a confused and sad little boy, he has great clarity about other issues。 His concepts are specific and detailed (even if he goes a little overboard at times)。 •tThe book has some touching quotes (though I didn’t mark them)。 It also tends to ramble, but the rambling suits the characters。 What Could Have Been Better:•tThe book takes its own time to get going。 It’s character-driven and makes sense that the initial focus would be on establishing the characters and the setting。 That said, I finished it in 2。5 days (appx。 3 hours)。 •tThere isn’t much detail about how Stewie took care of his hens。 We know he loves them, but love doesn’t clean the coop or feed the birds。 There are a couple of scenes, but I wanted a little more。 (This is mostly because I happened to be researching chicken feed and found it rather funny。 Do you know we can feed chicken pasta and scrambled eggs to chicken?) •tThe book’s primary focus is on Stewie and Marilyn。 That means Stacey and Theo pop in and out of the story。 I wished there was more about them。 They were just as beautiful, and getting to know them would have been a lovely experience。 To sum up, Dreaming of Flight is a heartwarming and sweet book with an adorable little boy。 It’s not perfect but is a great choice if you want to read something that touches the heart。 This is my first book by the author, and I intend to read most of her other works。 Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 All opinions expressed are my own。#NetGalley #DreamingofFlight*****PS: The blurb needs trimming and rewriting。 A fellow reviewer mentioned it, and I agree。***** PPS: I debated rating it 4 or 5 stars but went with 5 because the book did make me teary-eyed。 I’m partial to books that move me。 It doesn’t happen often。 。。。more

Monica Mac

Stewie Little lives with his older brother Theo and his adult sister Stacey, who is their guardian。 He never knew his parents, they died when he was very young, and his grandmother recently passed away。 Stewie is an unusual child, who is quite serious and takes on the worlds problems。 He makes a bit of money by selling eggs, door to door, which helps out the household budget。 Whilst Stewie is selling his eggs, he runs into the grumpy Marilyn, whom he gradually befriends。 The friendship between t Stewie Little lives with his older brother Theo and his adult sister Stacey, who is their guardian。 He never knew his parents, they died when he was very young, and his grandmother recently passed away。 Stewie is an unusual child, who is quite serious and takes on the worlds problems。 He makes a bit of money by selling eggs, door to door, which helps out the household budget。 Whilst Stewie is selling his eggs, he runs into the grumpy Marilyn, whom he gradually befriends。 The friendship between these two is very sweet indeed :) Both Stewie and Marilyn have secrets that the other doesn't know, but both secrets are eventually revealed, which leads to an array of difficulty。 I don't want to spoil what happens in this book; needless to say, it is a gentle tale of a boy who is grieving, and an older lady who is going through some pretty confronting things in her life too。 This author has a lovely way of dealing with thorny subject matters。 There is talk of death and dying in this book, be warned。I would have liked to have learned a little more about Stacey, it has to be said。 I loved the last quarter of the book in particular, it went in a direction I didn't expect and it really warmed my heart :)I give this book 4。5 stars。Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing。 。。。more

Gail C。

This isn’t a magical story, but it almost seems like one。 Take a nine year old boy who has experienced great loss in the first few years of his life。 Add a woman with Alzheimer’s Disease who is hiding from the authorities and put them together, you might expect either fireworks or a hasty retreat from one or the other。 After all, what do they have in common?Instead, the story delves into what happens when the child, unaware of the adult’s secret, tries to ensure she doesn’t come to harm because This isn’t a magical story, but it almost seems like one。 Take a nine year old boy who has experienced great loss in the first few years of his life。 Add a woman with Alzheimer’s Disease who is hiding from the authorities and put them together, you might expect either fireworks or a hasty retreat from one or the other。 After all, what do they have in common?Instead, the story delves into what happens when the child, unaware of the adult’s secret, tries to ensure she doesn’t come to harm because of Alzheimer's。 The results are a combination of disappointments and difficulties that will pull at the reader’s heartstrings, and unexpected success and joyful occurrences that will lift spirits and remind the reader there is still hope in the world, and it largely depends on us and our approach to people and life。A book not to be missed, you may cry at times and feel like celebrating at others。 The story is gently told by Catherine Ryan Hyde in a way that holds the reader's interest, keeps them reading past time to stop and do other things, and in the end, leaves them with a sense of hope and positivity。There are sad, tear-producing happenings within the book, but these are countered with joy and hope that can lift the spirit and impart new hope to the reader。 It is easy to read, but still it is a book best read when there is time dedicated to reading that will allow the reader to fully experience the emotions being elicited by the book。 Highly recommend this as a book to read to enrich your own emotions。My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance copy for review。 The opinions stated here are entirely my own。 。。。more

Rosalind

Another great read from this author as I raced through after the initial difficulty of seeing where it was going。 The characters were well defined and was the plot felt uplifting and touching and full of emotion。 It made a change from my usual thrillers。 Thanks to NetGalley for ARC。

Brenda

Stewie Little was eleven years old and after school, he’d deliver the fresh eggs he’d collected that morning from his grandmother’s hens。 They were very fresh eggs and his customers liked them better than shop bought eggs。 The day he met Marilyn at the house at the end of the street, Stewie decided she reminded him of his beloved grandmother who’d passed the year before。 Although Marilyn was guarded and prickly, Stewie liked her。 Slowly they came to know one another until the day Marilyn was tak Stewie Little was eleven years old and after school, he’d deliver the fresh eggs he’d collected that morning from his grandmother’s hens。 They were very fresh eggs and his customers liked them better than shop bought eggs。 The day he met Marilyn at the house at the end of the street, Stewie decided she reminded him of his beloved grandmother who’d passed the year before。 Although Marilyn was guarded and prickly, Stewie liked her。 Slowly they came to know one another until the day Marilyn was taken away…Stewie lived with his sister Stacey and brother Theo as their parents had died when Stewie was a baby。 Stacey did her best to care for her siblings, and Stewie’s egg money helped。 Visiting Marilyn was important to Stewie and their discussions were lively。 But he knew Marilyn had problems in her life – he just wasn’t sure how he could fix them。 He wasn’t sure what was in his future either。Dreaming of Flight is another exceptional novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde which I loved。 Stewie is a very literal child, questioning everything with his caring nature。 He’s an adorable child, a perfect character for the story alongside his hens, his siblings and his friends, all of whom are adults。 Everything I’ve read by this author, I’ve loved, and fortunately for me, I have a lot more to read yet。 Highly recommended。With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

(Energy)

This might be a tricky review to write, as it would be easy to spoil certain aspects of the book。 I would recommend not reading reviews before reading this, but you’re here now, so at least read this one。 What an emotional book!Stewie is an exceptional boy。 He’s faced so much loss in his young life and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders。 But he has his brother, sister, and Gam’s chickens, and his small world is better because of that。 So when he meets Marilyn, she reminds him of hi This might be a tricky review to write, as it would be easy to spoil certain aspects of the book。 I would recommend not reading reviews before reading this, but you’re here now, so at least read this one。 What an emotional book!Stewie is an exceptional boy。 He’s faced so much loss in his young life and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders。 But he has his brother, sister, and Gam’s chickens, and his small world is better because of that。 So when he meets Marilyn, she reminds him of his Gam because she, too, has her own unique brand of cranky。 So it makes sense for these two to form a friendship。 I like Marilyn。 I think she’s someone that Stewie needs in his life。 He doesn’t always go about things traditionally, and Marilyn is a person who can help him see things and work things out。 Stewart speaks up when he doesn’t understand things because he wants to learn。 He loves and feels so deeply。 What he has to say is thoughtful; it’s deep and moving。 The most important note I made while reading this was, “Why can’t I stop crying?” I cried for the last 1/5th of the book。 It’s like Ryan Hyde peeked into my life and repeatedly wrote it in Stewie。 It hurt, it was emotional, and it wrecked me。 This is such a beautiful book。 I highlighted so many things Stewie said to others that I feel will stay with me a long time。 Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for sending this very special read along。 。。。more

Linda

👦👵Loved it! Such life lessons told with simplicity🤗Dreaming of Flight is uplifting and healing, a story of friendship, love and loss with pre-teen Stewie Little at the center。 He's suffered loss, gets bullied for his different ways and has few material things in life。 Stewie seeks the company and approval of a customer for his cottage egg business and just a small gesture of kindness leads to a friendship that changes lives。I loved this simply-told story。 Stewie is a very sensitive boy who despe 👦👵Loved it! Such life lessons told with simplicity🤗Dreaming of Flight is uplifting and healing, a story of friendship, love and loss with pre-teen Stewie Little at the center。 He's suffered loss, gets bullied for his different ways and has few material things in life。 Stewie seeks the company and approval of a customer for his cottage egg business and just a small gesture of kindness leads to a friendship that changes lives。I loved this simply-told story。 Stewie is a very sensitive boy who desperately misses his grandmother and the attention and affection she brought to his life。 He loves the hens his grandmother raised and left him。 There's a very touching interlude with Stewie caring for an older hen that really got to me。 Just the first of many events in this story that moved me。 As he proceeds through life, Stewie innocently affects others with his earnest honesty, polite manners and devotion to his elderly friend。 And the magic of a smile, a bit of praise or a friendly gesture brings joy。This is not by any stretch the first Catherine Ryan Hyde novel I've enjoyed but it's one of my favorites to date。 Her characters grapple with big issues in a way that's so relevant and relatable。 This story inspires while acknowledging the hardships and inevitabilities of life。Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion。 。。。more

Andrew Langert

This is a very uplifting story by a great author who tells such stories better than anyone。 CRH again has created appealing characters and a heart-warming compelling plot。Stewie Little, an 11-year-old boy is the main character。 He lost his parents before he was old enough to know them and was raised by his grandmother until she passed away。 So now an older sister is the head of the household for Stewie and a physically handicapped older brother。 Stewie is quite industrious, taking care of his la This is a very uplifting story by a great author who tells such stories better than anyone。 CRH again has created appealing characters and a heart-warming compelling plot。Stewie Little, an 11-year-old boy is the main character。 He lost his parents before he was old enough to know them and was raised by his grandmother until she passed away。 So now an older sister is the head of the household for Stewie and a physically handicapped older brother。 Stewie is quite industrious, taking care of his late grandmother's hens and selling their eggs to neighbors。Stewie strikes up a relationship with an older woman (Marilyn) who is helping babysit for a single mom。 Marilyn at first resists Stewie's friendship but eventually warms up to him。 This is a very enjoyable read and it was fun watching Stewie win the hearts of others while coping with voids in his life caused by the losses of close family so early in his life。I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley。 。。。more

*TUDOR^QUEEN* (on hiatus)

Five Shiny StarsAfter reading this author's book "Stay" years ago and absolutely loving it, I snapped up any of her new releases。 Unfortunately, subsequent offerings had an uneven track record, garnering 4 and 3 star reviews from me。 So even though I had this advance reader copy on deck for six months, I wasn't exactly looking forward to reading it。 And then the magic happened: this has to be my best fiction read of 2022!!Perhaps it's the similar formula Catherine Ryan Hyde employed in her excel Five Shiny StarsAfter reading this author's book "Stay" years ago and absolutely loving it, I snapped up any of her new releases。 Unfortunately, subsequent offerings had an uneven track record, garnering 4 and 3 star reviews from me。 So even though I had this advance reader copy on deck for six months, I wasn't exactly looking forward to reading it。 And then the magic happened: this has to be my best fiction read of 2022!!Perhaps it's the similar formula Catherine Ryan Hyde employed in her excellent book "Stay" repurposed here that enchanted me。 A young, somewhat sad, thoughtful, extremely sensitive boy makes an emotional connection with an elderly woman and finds solace。 Eleven year old Stewie Little (calls to mind the classic book & movie) lost both his parents when he was a baby, so because he never knew them he doesn't miss them。 However, he was very close to his Gram who taught him how to raise chickens。 She's already deceased as the book begins, and he is quite serious about caring for these chickens and retrieving their eggs。 He uses his red Radio Flyer wagon to transport cartons of these eggs to neighboring patrons, selling them for higher prices than those available in stores。 He honestly knows that his eggs are of a higher quality and are fresher than those in the stores, and has a convincing sales pitch to that effect。 He splits the profits with his older sister Stacey who is going to nursing school and trying her best to fill in as parent to her younger brothers。 Rounding out the family is older brother Theo who has a physical disability requiring him to wear leg braces。 As the book begins, Stewie is finishing up delivering his eggs when he encounters a new potential customer in a home he never tried before。 He is arrested by her appearance in the doorway because she reminds him so much of his deceased Gram, who he is still pining for。 She is rather to the point and serious in the way she deals with Stewie, but he responds well to this, as his Gram was much the same in how she dealt with him。 For an eleven year old, Stewie's like a little man, and his forthrightness, seriousness and sense of integrity is so admirable and refreshing, especially for one who has already lost so much in his short life。 The dialogue the author employs for each character is so enlightening, taut and meaningful。 While reading this book I felt like I was learning important lessons about life。 It made my heart light glow and I was moved to tears numerous times。 I won't reveal any more to this story, because it is meant to be savored in full by the reader。 Just know that this is a very beautiful story and I feel Blessed to have read it。Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley。 。。。more

Dorie - Cats&Books :)

The blurb for this book is well done including “Never knowing his parents, eleven-year-old Stewie Little and his brother have been raised on a farm by their older sister。 Stewie steadfastly tends the chickens left by his beloved late grandmother。 And every day Stewie goes door to door selling fresh eggs from his wagon—a routine with a surprise just around the corner。 It’s his new customer, Marilyn。 She’s prickly and guarded, yet comfortably familiar—she reminds the grieving Stewie so much of the The blurb for this book is well done including “Never knowing his parents, eleven-year-old Stewie Little and his brother have been raised on a farm by their older sister。 Stewie steadfastly tends the chickens left by his beloved late grandmother。 And every day Stewie goes door to door selling fresh eggs from his wagon—a routine with a surprise just around the corner。 It’s his new customer, Marilyn。 She’s prickly and guarded, yet comfortably familiar—she reminds the grieving Stewie so much of the grandmother he misses more than he can express。”I think that the blurb almost tells too much of the story, I prefer to go in “semi-blind” but I do look at my friends' star rating。 That’s why I always try to be honest even if it lands me in OUTLIER LAND!!Parts of the book included some heavy topics such as grief, learning to trust again, being open with your emotions, etc。 The main character, Stewie, is a treat to read about。 Who could not love this little boy, he’s almost too perfect to believe! I’m going to go with the following guide for this one:MY PROS: *Absolutely wonderful main character, I wish I would have known a little more about how he gets along at school, although they do touch on that。*The premise of a young character and an older woman finding something they share isn’t new but it’s very well done in this book。 There is so much older people and children can learn from each other!CONS:*The pace was slow。 However this is a new author for me and she may have been “showing how mundane Stewie’s life really was??”*I would have liked to know more about his relationship with his brother and sister。I wondered about whether Stewie was autistic and how much it affected his personality。All in all that is a nice and easy read which I think I would classify more as YA, it’s certainly appropriate for ages 13 and up。I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley。 It was my pleasure to read and review this title。 。。。more