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Sashi Kaufman
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Sardines Kindle Edition

by Sashi Kaufman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
See all formats and editions

In this affecting middle grade debut, perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Lynda Mullaly Hunt, a boy finds unexpected friendship in a motley group of kids following a devastating loss.

Nothing’s been the same since Lucas’s older brother died. After the accident, Lucas’s mom disappeared without any warning, and his dad is struggling to cope. Lucas is pretty much alone—except for the other kids he meets at his middle school’s aftercare program.

There’s Cat, the star athlete; Robbie, the goofball; Anna, the popular girl; and Finn, the mysterious new kid. Between games of Sardines, a reverse hide-and-seek, the kids realize that each group member has a secret wish. If they work together, the group might be able to help make each person’s dream come true. But for that to happen, Lucas will have to find the strength to trust his new friends with his family’s secrets.

* 2023 Maine Literary Award Winner *

"You will fall in love with these characters and root for them each step of the way." —Ann Braden, author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus

“At once tender and funny, honest and smart.” —Megan Frazer Blakemore, award-winning author of The Water Castle

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    1 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 6
  5. Publisher
    Quill Tree Books
  6. Publication date
    October 18, 2022
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0062995612
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Full of honesty, humor, and hope. You will fall in love with these characters and root for them each step of the way." — Ann Braden, author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus

“At once tender and funny, honest and smart. The characters will squeeze into your heart.” — Megan Frazer Blakemore, award-winning author of The Water Castle

"Strong. A thoughtful and compassionate story of friends and family.” — Kirkus Reviews

"Fresh and relatable."  — Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to the hardcover edition.

About the Author

Sashi Kaufman writes books for kids and young adults, including The Other Way Around and Wired Man and Other Freaks of Nature. She's a middle school teacher in southern Maine, where she lives with her family. When she's not reading or writing, she likes to hike, explore, and eat ice cream. Visit her online at sashikaufman.com. --This text refers to the audioCD edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QMGQJJL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quill Tree Books (October 18, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 18, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2669 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Sashi Kaufman

Sashi Kaufman

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Sashi Kaufman is a middle school science and English teacher who lives in Portland, Maine with her husband and daughter. She loves contemporary YA, survival stories of all kinds, and journeys large and small. She is an amateur trash-picker and apologizes now if she has ever poached anything you did not mean to leave on the curb. She hates caraway seeds.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chrissy Casey
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
Lucas is starting 6th grade with a host of problems-his brother recently died, his mother left and his father is struggling to cope with everything. To make matters worse, he isn’t stuck going to the Teen after school care. There he meets Cat, Robbie, Anna and Finn. Slowly they become good friends, ones that can all depend on. Finn starts a contest with acorn caps and turning it in for a wish. Will the wishes come true? With a little help from their friends, their wishes just might!

This is quite a book! I couldn’t put it down. I was routings for the characters, especially Lucas! It had me in tears at the heartwarming end! A must read for middle grade to adults!
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ASH
5.0 out of 5 stars Middle school librarian highly recommends
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
I adored this story of friendship and family, wishes and needs. The characters felt real in their quirkiness, the school interactions felt real (says this middle school librarian— I could tell the author was intimate with the setting and not surprised to learn she was a teacher!), the problems felt real. This book grabbed my heart and held on tight.
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M.A. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Stand Out Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2023
A group of 6th graders form an unlikely friend group when they meet in the after school Teen Club at their local middle school. Stepping into the woods to play the game Sardines becomes the great metaphor for each of them stepping outside their personal silence about the burdens or pain they are carrying. This story reveals itself gradually while keeping a pace that keeps the reader turning the pages and delivering a powerful finale. It will restore the belief that burdens shared are easier to carry, and that while life is often painful it is bearable with friends who will stand with you. A clean read perfect for kids 4th grade and up. Beautifully crafted. Don't miss it- it's a winner!
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Enthuse_reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Feel good book
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
This book is full of emotions, sadness and satisfaction at the end. I know trust is hard to earn and Lucas couldn’t have gotten anywhere but from his weird friends from after-school. I felt sad for Lucas’s family and felt happy for him when he found true friendship from a popular kid, the athlete, the newbie and a regular kid. The game they played at the woods behind their school, Sardines, is interesting and I might seriously suggest to my teacher someday. I know opening up to your friends about your family’s dark secrets is not easy but trust is important. I think Lucas is brave and this wonderful story is also funny and full of great characters. Highly recommending this book!
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Susan L. Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a marvelous book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
Once I started reading Sardines, I could not put it down. The characters, the humor, the emotions were heartwarming. I laughed and cried a lot which felt great. Kaufman's imagination and her endearing characters make this book so memorable. These characters will live on in my heart. I can't wait to share it with my grandchildren! Fabulous reading!!!!
July 8, 2023 Update: I just read Sardines for the second time and loved it even more than the first time, which is saying a lot. It is such a satisfying and feel-good book. I may read it a third time!
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Carrie Newton
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal!
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2022
I LOVED it! I read it last night in one sitting. The characters were so well thought out and realistic- I could see pieces of lots of students I’ve had over the years in each of them. I identified with one of the parents- and I’m sure I won’t be the only one- but it was so awesome seeing them through their kids eyes. I also loved how it dealt with some tough topics, but handled them in such a kid friendly way so that the book wasn’t too dark. I was mentally writing all sorts of book club discussion topics and questions the whole time I was reading! Highly recommend this book to parents of kids in grades 4-7 and other teachers to use with your students.
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Gail S
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a satisfying uplifting read
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
First, I apologize to the author; I read the book through the library. However, I will now buy it because it’s a must have.

It feels so realistic, so true. Great characters and wonderful resolution. Made me want to forget the story - so I could read it again and have the first time reader experience over.

Highly recommend this book. Even at my advanced senior years
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