Book Review: Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder

Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 223
Ages: Middle Grade
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summary:

A magical breadbox that delivers whatever you wish for—as long as it fits inside? It’s too good to be true! Twelve-year-old Rebecca is struggling with her parents’ separation, as well as a sudden move to her Gran’s house in another state. For a while, the magic bread box, discovered in the attic, makes life away from home a little easier. Then suddenly it starts to make things much, much more difficult, and Rebecca is forced to decide not just where, but who she really wants to be. Laurel Snyder’s most thought-provoking book yet.

We’re all creatures of habit, kids especially, and when a major part of our life changes we will do nearly anything to keep change at a minimum. Rebecca just happens to find a magical way to try and put a hold on everything that’s being uprooted in her life. Her bread box is her portal to the life she once knew. From food to clothes to ways to bring her parents together again, she can make it all magically appear simply by putting in a request. But when she discovers that her requests aren’t quite as magical as she once thought her integrity is put on the line and suddenly she finds the intricate web of secrets she’s created are shattering, bringing even more changes and challenges to her already difficult life.

Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder centers around a young twelve year old Rebecca who’s parents recently separated due to her dad’s lack of drive to do pretty much anything. I couldn’t help but be angry at both of her parents initially. Her dad was obviously struggling and a bit on the lazy side where her mom was an over achiever trying to support the entire family. Obviously not the perfect mix for a great marriage. What I was stunned by though was her mom’s decision to uproot both of her children and move to an entirely different state altogether. Granted, I’m sure it’s not easy when finances come into play, but I was still surprised and a slightly angry with her mom. This definitely contributed to my desire for things to work out. I wanted Rebecca to get back home, to the friends she knew and home she loved. The discovery of the bread box, a magical means to acquire whatever would fit within it’s walls, was the perfect catalyst for the progression of the story. Because who doesn’t want the underdog to get everything their heart desires? I certainly did and it was fun watching her enjoy a whole new persona because of it.

Something most people don’t know about me is that when I was a little younger than Rebecca in Bigger than a Bread Box is that my parents also separated for a time. Fortunately for me, their separation was short-lived and they’ve been happily married ever since. During that time though I can honestly say that everything Rebecca felt was so true to how I felt at the time. The rawness, the hope and the heartache all rolled into one. Similar to her, I have younger siblings and the mixture of trying to show your certainty that things will be okay while trying to keep it all together on the inside was portrayed excellently.

What was wonderful about Bigger than a Bread Box was that it wasn’t only about a girl struggling through her parents separation and possible divorce, but it was also about adapting. We can’t always have a magical means to help us cope with difficult situations, though I certainly wouldn’t mind! Rebecca, despite moving and starting to another school manages to make friends and support her little brother. She’s not perfect, but we can all learn a bit from her experience, mistakes and perseverance.

Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder is a story that will fill your heart with hope and a bit of magic. All of us hope to avoid change and when it’s inevitable who wouldn’t want a bread box to reach into that would give us our heart’s desires? Laurel Snyder knows the heart and soul of young readers. Her writing shines in Bigger than a Bread Box through Rebecca’s conflicting array of emotions and actions. This is a book that revolves around the effects of the struggles of a breaking marriage, but also sheds light on the potential we all have within us to persevere and be better, not only for ourselves but those around us as well. I’d quickly recommend Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder to anyone looking for an incredible middle grade novel with a powerful story adults and young readers will both love.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 8 to 15 (Though adults will love this as well). Magic mixed with reality. A beautiful story of a girl struggling through her parents separation that discovers she may be able to persevere despite the help of a “magical” box.

Find Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder at the following spots:

Paperback (Out Sept.11,2012):

Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Barnes & Noble Nook | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Hardback:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

This book was purchased for our home library.
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