Book Review: Mustaches for Maddie

Book info

Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She's been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it's curled against her chest and she's constantly tripping over her feet. But that's probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right?

When Maddie's arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She's understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears--all of them--at the hospital, at home and at school.

She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie's bossiness turns into bullying.

And as Maddie's surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don't get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her?

It will take all of Maddie's vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her.

Links to purchase: Amazon

My Thoughts About This Book:

Oh how this book is so cute! I really haven't thought that in quite a while. This book is adorable, cute, quirky, and meaningful. This book is something that is needed in a world filled with so much turmoil and sadness lately. I didn't realize that Maddie in this book was real. Or at least that the character was based on her. I am glad to see this girls heart, soul and spirit are real. The world needs more Maddies. She has so many good character traits. She is strong, quite tough, with a huge heart, a grand imagination, and a wicked sense of humor. She loves mustaches, and let's all be honest who doesn't? She loves them because they make people laugh. Maddie loves to make people laugh.

The story follows Maddie who unfortunately is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Suddenly her world is changed and she is faced with an incredible life-threatening challenge. She never loses her sense of humor through everything. She realizes that she doesn't have to go through this alone and that so many people love her. Everyone is there for her and ready to help when she needs it. The know her love of mustaches they begin to send her pictures wearing these silly things. It really helps her cheer up.

This is one of the best middle-grade novels I have read in quite a while. I normally don't enjoy books that have a theater aspects in them. Normally I find them overdone and boring. This one is really interesting. The class is having several different plays. They all are auditioning and unfortunately, Maddie must deal with a mean girl. This girl doesn't want her to audition for a certain part. She must make a decision and deal with the aftermath. I believe she handles it in a very mature way.

These authors have such a way with words. The story is fast-paced and the book will make you laugh. It is also a tear-jerker, so keep a tissue box nearby. This book will warm your heart, and instantly become a favorite.

Disclaimer: I received this book in ARC format from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

About The Author:

Chad Morris coauthored Mustaches for Maddie with his wife, Shelly Brown. It is based on the story of their daughter who faced a brain tumor with humor and optimism. He is also the author of the Cragbridge Hall series (The Inventor's Secret, The Avatar Battle, and The Impossible Race). Books in this series won the Utah Book award and the Silver Foreword INDIES award for Juvenile fiction. Chad also wrote one of the short stories in True Heroes: A Treasury of Modern-day Fairy Tales Written by Best-selling Authors. His story was based on JP Gibson, an amazing boy who faced cancer with courage, heart, and a basketball dream. 

Chad grew up wanting to become a professional basketball player or a rock star. (Inspired by Animal from The Muppets, he has been banging on drums since he was eight years old.) Neither of those plans quite panned out. After high school, he left the Rocky Mountains to live in Brazil for a few years then returned home to write and perform sketch comedy while going to college. He graduated from BYU with a couple of degrees and became a teacher and a curriculum writer

A native to the ocean and transplanted to the mountains, Shelly Brown has always loved children and books so it made sense when she started writing books for children. In her spare time she helps her husband, author Chad Morris, write MORE children's books. In her extra-extra spare time she loves the theater and traveling. She is also one of the worst tap dancers you will ever meet. But she does it anyway.

She has no regrets, one husband, three chickens, five children, and sixty-four Pez dispensers.