SOMEONE'S GONNA END UP CRYING by Jo Knowles

 

Maple is getting ready for what she hopes will be a great summer. She hopes her dad will follow through on his promise to build her a treehouse in the big maple tree she was named after. He promised last summer, but then he ended up being too busy. 

It seems like Maple's parents are always fighting. When the arguing starts, everyone knows that Dad will eventually take off for parts unknown and return at some point no one can guess. Maple's siblings Rory and Gabe never seem too worried. This last time though, their dad said he was going to get ice cream and now it's been long enough that Maple fears he might never be coming back.

Maple uses her sketchbook to express her frustrations. She also has a couple of great friends, but it's difficult to open up and reveal what's happening in her family when she isn't even sure herself.

SOMEONE'S GONNA END UP CRYING by Jo Knowles explores family dynamics, promises broken, and uncertainty. Illustrator Glynnis Fawkes provides pictures that represent Maple's sketchbook feelings. Knowles has created a novel perfect for middle grade readers who need help understanding the complexities of family and emotional ups and downs.