THREE BLUE HEARTS, by Lynne Kelly, Delacorte Press, Oct. 7, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A boy unexpectedly bonds with an octopus he rescues in Three Blue Hearts, a middle-grade novel by Lynne Kelly.
Max can’t seem to escape the big, looming shadow of his politician dad. But for the next few months, Max and his mom are going away to a quiet Texas beach town where Max can be someone else. Someone who doesn’t make dumb mistakes that embarrass his father—someone who knows how to be strong.
He stumbles on his fresh start right away, when he finds an injured octopus washed up onshore after a storm. With the help of a local wildlife center and a couple of new friends, Max rescues the octopus—who they name Ursula—and vows to take care of her until she’s ready to return to the sea.
But as their bond deepens and Max makes unexpected discoveries that turn his summer upside down, Max’s true strength will be put to the test. Can he keep his promise after all? —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press
Author Lynne Kelly is known for her “animal” books — Song for a Whale and The Secret Language of Birds — where a relationship with wild animals serves as a catalyst for helping a young person through life issues.
In the case of Three Blue Hearts, the animal in question is an octopus that Max finds washed ashore after a huge storm. Ursula is missing a tentacle and needs help. And as Max comes to her aid, he finds two friends Emmett and Ollie. All three kids are dealing with their own stuff and help each other work through it. Of particular interest is the father-son dynamic between Max and his overbearing father.
Kelly is a smart author who knows her audience. She pulls them in with details about animals — did you know that octopi have three hearts and blue blood? — and hooks them with authentic stories of personal growth, family and friendships.
Three Blue Hearts has a meandering pace that is helped by strong dialogue and not-too-long chapters. It’s a good choice for fans of stories featuring marine life.
Copyright © 2025 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.
