A relatable early reader that taps into important life lessons about friendship, grief, and talking through feelings.
Eleven-year-old Amelia has always had Calvin to talk to, but Amelia has no idea where he is. Calvin is a twenty-one-year-old chinchilla and has always been there for Amelia whenever she needed to talk about her problems-but he is no longer in his cage, and her parents just say he's in a "better place." Everything seems to go wrong now that she and her best friend Camilla have had an argument, and Amelia has missed the school talent show. Without Calvin, who does she talk to about her disappointments at school? Without Calvin, who does Amelia talk to about missing Calvin? She vows to become like the sugar apples in her backyard, rich on the inside and always hard to find.
And just when Amelia thinks there's nobody she can talk to, a new student, Iris, arrives. Amelia learns that it's always possible to meet new friends that can teach you that expressing oneself can happen in different ways, but it always starts with talking it out.
Industry Reviews
"Original, deftly crafted, and inherently interesting from start to finish." * Midwest Book Review *
"A sensitive and rich children's novel-a thoughtful, warm reflection on overcoming loss and embracing change." * Foreword Magazine *
"Debut author Oliveira's lush prose brings the Portugal setting to life and portrays Amelia's grief with realism. Her struggle to manage her emotions, as well as the deeper understanding she reaches of herself and the people around her, is endearing and rewarding. Balezza's b&w pencil illustrations appear throughout, adding nuance to Amelia's heightened feelings." * Publishers Weekly *
"This book is beautifully written with a poetic feel that's perfect for middle grade kids. Middle grade kids are often dealing with their big feelings about friendships, confidence, worthiness, loneliness, and sadness, and this story will capture not only theirs but anyone's heart." -- Gloria Amescua, author of Child of the Flower-Song People, a 2022 Americas Award Winner, a 2021 Junior Library Guild selection, an ALSC 2022 Notable Children Books, and a Pura Belpre Honor Book
"With language more poetic than prosaic, Oliveira tells Amelia's story for all the kids out there who have trouble expressing themselves. It will break and heal your heart all at once." -- Cookie Hiponia, author of We Belong
"Calvin and the Super Apples is a heartfelt, touching story about what it means to be a friend, coming to terms with loss and the emotional stages of grief." -- Samantha "Sam" Mina, Librarian/Influencer
"Plotted as crisply as a ballet, with all the down-to-earth details of family life, brimming with color and humorous asides, this is a book unafraid of dealing with the weight of grief that exists even within the young." -- Katherine Vaz, author of Saudade, Mariana (in six languages), Our Lady of the Artichokes, Fado & Other Stories, and Above the Salt (Flatiron Books/Macmillan, November 2023)
"This delicately told story deals with the weight of missing a treasured companion in a nuanced and balanced way through the eyes of a child who finds strength and comfort in new and unexpected ways. It will warm your heart!" -- Tina Athaide, author of Orange for the Sunsets and Meena's Mindful Moment
"Ten-year-old Amelia is sometimes awkward, often tongue-tied, and ALWAYS a bright shining star, even when she doesn't know it. Readers will adore her!" -- Lauren Myracle, author of best-selling books, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r
"Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a big warm hug of a debut, as wise as it is charming, and a wholehearted ode to friendship as it helps us to heal and reconnect." -- Adele Griffin, author of The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story
