Author: Lis Anna-Langston
Publisher: SparkPress
Released: October 24^th, 2020
Received: Blog Tour
Warnings: Loss, grief

I received a copy of Gobbledy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Guys, I have to tell you something: Gobbledy has got to be the sweetest and most endearing book I’ve read all year. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read around the holidays, this is it.

Dexter and Dougal Duckworth have been trying their best to cope with the loss of their mother, but with the holidays coming up, that is easier said than done. That is, until Dexter finds a golden rock, which is really an alien egg.

An alien they dubbed Gobbledy. Little Gobbledy got lost on Earth, and now Dexter and Dougal are stepping up to take care of their new best friend. Even if he does eat everything in sight.

“She said that when stars die, they sometimes leave a black hole behind to remind everyone they were alive once.”

Gobbledy is a sweet and endearing holiday read. One that isn’t afraid to tackle the complicated and oft painful nature of love and loss. It’s refreshing to see the subject so openly discussed about here, especially given everything else going on.

This really is an enchanting middle grade novel, one that I truly wish had been available when I was that age. I’d like to believe that it would have helped me a lot, thanks to the frank conversations both children were capable of having, both with each other, and with themselves.

If I’ve made this sound like a somber book, that was not my intent. Gobbledy is just as funny as it is poignant. The amount of adventure (and shenanigans) Dexter, Dougal, and Gobbledy get into is absolutely hilarious. Words cannot describe how funny it was at times.

The characters in this book were a delight all on their own. Both boys had unique (and strong) personalities, while Gobbledy is…well Gobbledy truly is one of a kind! Then there’s the supporting cast, like Mr. D, the now single father. I loved that Gobbledy actually took the time to portray the grieving process for him as well as the boys.

What my rambling post is trying to say is this: Gobbledy is a delightful novel, perfect for the holiday season. It might also be one of the best novels I’ve ever seen, when it comes to depicting grief at such a young age. I hope it helps someone out there, I really do.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Book Despository

About The Author:

Lis Anna-Langston was raised alongside the winding current of the Mississippi River on a steady diet of dog-eared books. She attended a creative and performing arts school from middle school until graduation and went on to study literature at Webster University. She is a Parents’ Choice Gold and a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Winner. She draws badly and sings loudly, and loves ketchup, starry skies, and stories with happy endings aliens. Lis Anna-Langston lives in Columbia, South Carolina.