www.crackingthecover.com
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • Picture
      • Ages 0-3
      • Ages 2 and up
      • Ages 3 and up
      • Ages 4 and up
      • Ages 5 and up
      • Ages 6 and up
      • Ages 8 and up
      • Author Interviews
      • Bedtime Stories
      • Gift Guide
    • Middle Grade
      • Author Interviews
      • Ages 6 and up
      • Ages 7 and up
      • Ages 8-12
      • Ages 9-12
      • Ages 10 and up
      • Gift Guide
    • YA
      • Author Interviews
      • Reviews
      • Adult Crossover
      • Gift Guide
    • Seasonal
      • Back to School
      • Black History
      • Chinese New Year
      • Christmas
      • Earth Day
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Father’s Day
      • Mother’s Day
      • Gift Guide
      • Halloween
      • Spring
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Winter
      • Women’s History
    • News
    • Giveaways
    • Events
    • About
      • Review/interview policy
      • About our reviewers
    www.crackingthecover.com

    Betty Culley’s Natural Genius of Ants explores grief, forgiveness

    0
    By Jessica on May 17, 2022 ages 8-12, Middle Grade
    Natural Genius of AntsTHE NATURAL GENIUS OF ANTS, by Betty Culley, Crown Books for Young Readers, May 10, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)

    A boy and his family learn about grief and forgiveness while caring for an ant farm in Betty Culley’s The Natural Genius of Ants.

    Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.

    In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm — just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn’t want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don’t come with directions. So, the kids have a lot to learn — about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong. —Synopsis provided by Crown Books for Young Readers

    I loved Betty Culley’s Down to Earth and was excited to read The Natural Genius of Ants. Culley’s writing is smooth and accessible. She knows her audience and tells her story with a gentle touch.

    Culley’s own experiences a pediatric nurse in Maine, and from keeping her own ant farm and caring for a carpenter ant queen helped shape The Natural Genius of Ants, lending an authenticity that might otherwise be missing.

    At the center of the story is Harvard, a likeable character who just wants to make sure his dad gets better. Many readers will relate to having a parent experiencing sadness/depression. And Harvard’s doggedness to make things better should resonate beyond his particular situation.

    I love the message that grown-ups make mistakes, too, and that the consequences are not always cut and dry.

    The Natural Genius of Ants is a heartfelt novel that weaves science into daily life.

     

    Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Jessica
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Jessica Harrison is the main reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. Prior to creating Cracking the Cover, Jessica worked as the in-house book critic for the Deseret News, a daily newspaper in Salt Lake City. Jessica also worked as a copy editor and general features writer for the paper. Following that, Jessica spent two years with an international company as a social media specialist. She is currently a freelance writer/editor. She is passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices.

    Related Posts

    Christina Soontornvat’s Last Mapmaker is fantastic MG adventure

    Kate Egan’s Golden Ticket tackles academic anxiety, self worth

    Ann Burg’s Flooded: Requiem for Johnstown is worth your time

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • instagram
    • amazon
    • bloglovin
    • rss
    • mail
    Subscribe by email
    Follow
    Recent Posts
    June 23, 2022

    A Secret Princess is entertaining Frances Hodgson Burnett mashup

    June 23, 2022

    Helena Ku Rhee’s Rosa’s Song celebrates friendship, community

    June 22, 2022

    Alyson Noël’s Stealing Infinity is bingeworthy modern YA fantasy

    June 21, 2022

    Christina Soontornvat’s Last Mapmaker is fantastic MG adventure

    June 20, 2022

    Kate Egan’s Golden Ticket tackles academic anxiety, self worth

    Archives
    Categories
    On Writing

    “The dance with words and the way the hair on the back of my neck raises when it works right is what I live for.”

    —Gary Paulsen

    “I write because I exist. Because I read. Because I breathe.”

    —Lindsay Eager

    “Books are kind of like the sense of smell: inhale one page and memories come rushing back.”

    —Keir Graff

    Cracking the Cover is a website dedicated to picture, middle-grade and young-adult books. It features reviews, author interviews and other items of interest. PLEASE NOTE: We are not currently accepting self published books for review.

    Copyright © 2010-2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

    Reviews Published Professional Reader 2016 NetGalley Challenge 100 Book Reviews

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.