Three Blue Hearts written by Lynne Kelly and reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: Three Blue Hearts is a touching story about twelve-year-old Max, who escapes the overwhelming expectations of his father, a prominent Texas politician, by spending the summer in a small beach town with his mom. Max's mom is doing research on the eroding shoreline of Lafitte Island.  Eager to reinvent himself, Max adopts the name Milo and seeks to be someone who is strong, free from embarrassment and out of his father's shadow. His fresh start takes an unexpected turn when he discovers an injured octopus washed ashore after a storm. With the help of a local wildlife center and his new friends, Emmett and Ollie, Max rescues the octopus. Ollie names the octopus Ursula, and Max promises to care for her until she is ready to return to the sea. As Max and Ursula's bond deepens, he learns valuable lessons about strength, compassion, and self-acceptance. The story showcases Max’s growth, as he navigates friendships and his love for animals. Lynne Kelly skillfully intertwines a heartfelt coming-of-age tale with intriguing facts about wildlife, particularly octopuses, highlighting their intelligence and unique characteristics. I have to say that I learned a lot about an octopus. The book ultimately explores themes of identity and belonging, emphasizing that sometimes, one finds their place in the most unexpected circumstances. The cover art is striking and beautiful.  The octopus arms weave through the title words and the purple and pink evoke island life.  Lynne Kelly's last three books have amazing cover art.  I would not be able to pick a favorite.

Straight Talk for Librarians: There could be a lot of creative programming around this book that fosters a love for reading and animals. The book offers numerous opportunities for thematic activities, such as animal care workshops, where students can learn about marine life and the responsibilities that come with caring for pets and wildlife. It would be a great choice for a middle grade book club. Additionally, incorporating STEM activities related to marine biology, such as exploring the anatomy and behavior of octopuses, can enhance student engagement and learning. There could be fun octopus crafts and octopus themed book displays.  I think students will also enjoy learning about other towns in the world that are now underwater.  If you are an IB school, there are some great IB Learner Profile connections to being principled and being a risk-taker. I just recently became a fan of Lynne Kelly's books and attended a talk and book signing.  She came to our district for an author event arranged and organized by our school district and Bloomfield Township public library collaboration.  All her books are a great choice for a middle school library and with her focus on animals, they are sure to be popular.  Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's books for an ARC of this book.