By Michelle Cuevas (author)
Paperback Not Available
View All Editions (2)
In a nutshell: black holes and family relationships
There are two black holes in Stella’s life: the first is the one she finds hiding in a cardboard box, names Larry (“short for Singularity, which I’d read is a place of infinite gravity at the heart of a black hole”) and takes home to look after. The other is the death of her father, which has left her completely grief-stricken and unable to confide in family or friends.
As Stella tries to cope with her loss and to feed her new pet, she resorts to throwing anything that reminds her of her father into Larry. It’s only when her new puppy is accidentally swallowed up that she heads in too. Exciting, surreal but with a firm sense of its own internal logic, this is both a quirky and satisfying fantasy adventure and a poignant exploration of grief.
Stella’s idiosyncratic approach and support from her little brother Cosmo keep the tone light even when the subject is at its most painful.
One to recommend to fans of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge and Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford. ~ Andrea Reece
A girl's friendship with a lonely black hole leads her to face her own sadness in this original, funny, and touching middle grade novel for fans of Crenshaw and Flora & Ulysses. When eleven-year-old Stella Rodriguez shows up at NASA to request that her recording be included in Carl Sagan's Golden Record, something unexpected happens: A black hole follows her home, and sets out to live in her house as a pet. The black hole swallows everything he touches, which is challenging to say the least-but also turns out to be a convenient way to get rid of those items that Stella doesn't want around. Soon the ugly sweaters her aunt has made for her all disappear within the black hole, as does the smelly class hamster she's taking care of, and most important, all the reminders of her dead father that are just too painful to have around.
Read the full description
A girl's friendship with a lonely black hole leads her to face her own sadness in this original, funny, and touching middle grade novel for fans of Crenshaw and Flora & Ulysses . When eleven-year-old Stella Rodriguez shows up at NASA to request that her recording be included in Carl Sagan's Golden Record, something unexpected happens: A black hole follows her home, and sets out to live in her house as a pet. The black hole swallows everything he touches, which is challenging to say the least-but also turns out to be a convenient way to get rid of those items that Stella doesn't want around. Soon the ugly sweaters her aunt has made for her all disappear within the black hole, as does the smelly class hamster she's taking care of, and most important, all the reminders of her dead father that are just too painful to have around.
It's not until Stella, her younger brother, Cosmo, the family puppy, and even the bathroom tub all get swallowed up by the black hole that Stella comes to realize she has been letting her own grief consume her. And that's not the only thing she realizes as she attempts to get back home. This is an astonishingly original and funny adventure with a great big heart.
Praise for Confessions of an Imaginary Friend:
`Cuevas's novel brimming with metaphors, gorgeous imagery, and beautiful turns of phrase considers the fate of devoted but invisible companions. Have tissues on hand for the bittersweet ending.' Publishers Weekly, starred review
`Alternately amusing and philosophical, this quirky read will get kids thinking about love, loss, and life' Booklist
Michelle Cuevas graduated from Williams College and holds a master of fine arts in creative writing from the University of Virginia. She lives in Massachusetts.
the best books for 7-9 year olds
A girl's friendship with a lonely black hole leads her to face her own sadness in this original, funny, and touching middle grade novel for fans of Crenshaw and Flora & Ulysses. When eleven-year-old Stella Rodriguez shows up at NASA to request that her recording be included in Carl Sagan's Golden Record, something unexpected happens: A black hole follows her home, and sets out to live in her house as a pet.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. Not Available.
The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole was written by Michelle Cuevas and published by Rocky Pond Books an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group
The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole has 224 pages
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.