For while I have generally found main narrator (and protagonist) Magnolia Grace’s (Maggie’s) voice strong, personally relatable and also generally age appropriate in scope, I also do tend to consider that for especially Maggie’s mother, author Nanci Turner Steveson has at least in my opinion quite if not actually totally verbally over-exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness and focused almost exclusively on negatives of character and behaviour (and really to such an extent that when at the end of Georgia Rules Maggie’s mother then changes her mind, starts actually listening to her daughter and that Maggie indeed wants to stay in Vermont and get to know more about her deceased father, I for one and as an adult reader certainly have had some major trouble suspending my doubt and actually accepting that the mother has suddenly done a 180 degree turn and become loving, accepting and willing to make compromises, as yes, her almost miraculous transformation from ridiculous self centred harpy to almost textbook like maternal perfection so to speak really does make me more than shake my head and roll my eyes).Ĭombined with the fact that throughout Georgia Rules I do believe that we as readers are also almost constantly being hit over our proverbial heads with majorly heavy duty issues, tragedies and the like, I really cannot say that my reading experience with Georgia Rules has been all that enjoyable. Truth be told is that I do feel more than a trifle conflicted regarding Nanci Turner Steveson’s 2017 middle grade novel Georgia Rules.

In her search for answers, Maggie will learn that families are like patchwork quilts, sewn together by love, and all the more beautiful for their different colors. Suddenly Maggie has questions too-questions about her father, and why Mama kept him away for so long. The Parkers are loud and wild, ask lots of questions, and don't follow any of the rules Maggie grew up with in Georgia. Then Maggie meets the Parker family-two moms, six kids, plus a pony.

But now here she is, in a tiny Vermont town where everybody sings the praises of the father Maggie never knew. She never wanted to move with her mama to the farm her daddy owned before he died. Magnolia Grace never wanted to leave Georgia.

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year Perfect for fans of One for the Murphys and The Penderwicks, this poignant and moving middle grade novel tells the story of a girl who moves to a new town and meets an unforgettable family-one that will change her and her mother’s lives forever.

Georgia Rules by Nanci Turner Steveson