Bloomability

This book is a great read for a middle schooler. Relatable in many ways. Wouldn’t recommend for elementary school children because so many references would be over their head. It’s very wordy but beautifully written so that a middle school student would appreciate it. I sure did. I truly enjoyed reading it to my granddaughter.

This book had lot of adventure, which I liked. I also liked how you thought you knew what was coming, but you really didn't. I think that it was such a good book that there should be a second one so that I could find out what happened to everbody. The book I feel has a really good story line and didn't get too carried away that it gets confusing. If you ask me, I was kind of sad to finish the book because it really did hold my attention ( not really in the beginning, by the 10th chapter though).

A lovely read for children to share with parents and to speak of diverse cultures.My daughter and I read the book first when it was her school assignment in the fifth grade. We loved it then and a few words, including bloomable entered our regular vocabulary. Now, in Europe and at the start of living for a while in Switzerland , we reread it together and plan to visit the school and other locations from the book.

I liked it. I hated the ending though, otherwise it was a good read. I hope you enjoy this book!

This is a charming account of an American girl in the care of her aunt and uncle adapting to life in an international boarding school in Switzerland. No complicated plot twists or anything, just a beautifully written story with a simple premise at the heart

Good read for young people. I was interested as my granddaughter and grandson will be attending that exact school. It gives a young reader the pros and cons of a boarding school, but very much impresses on them the need to open up to those who are different than yourself. I enjoyed reading it aloud to yet another younger granddaughter who wanted to know everything about her cousins upcoming schooling adventure.

It was a good read I had no idea what it was about before I read it so I walked in blind. We should all do that either a book walk into it blind you never know what you my find.

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Bloomability is the story of 13-year old Domenica, universally called Dinnie. Dinnie comes from a free-wheeling family that has lived in more places than Dinnie's age. Every six months or so, they up and move to a new place, on the trail of her father who chases 'opportunities' like kids chase butterflies.All goes well till, Dinnie's elder brother Crick lands up in jail for car theft and Dinnie's elder sister Stella becomes a teenage mom at age sixteen. And so, in swoop Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max- Dinnie's mother's sister and brother-in-law- and take Dinnie away from the mess, and to the pristine, beautiful slopes of rural Switzerland where Max has just landed a job as Headmaster of an elite world school.Thus begins Dinnie's second life. She is loved and respected by her Uncle and Aunt who never force their love on her and give her plenty of space to be herself. The school too, is similarly cool. Kids of all cultures and nationalities and economical backgrounds study there. The school has a unique syllabus with equally unusual teachers. For instance, the English teacher doesnt assign any reading or writing as homework- he issues 'thinking' homework and in the next class, he and the students debate and discuss their thoughts. They have a Global Awareness Month where students are barraged with discussions and classes and news on famine, sex trade, violence, terrorism, child abuse and other world problems. Having fellow students who have witnessed and experienced the brutality first-hand makes the reality that much more hard hitting. The kids feel responsible for some of these evils and more importantly, for setting them right.In this whirling eye-popping new world, Dinnie feels both lost and found. She wants to feel as though she belongs here, with kind Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max and her wonderful friends. She is wonderstruck by all the possibilities open to her at school, and bowled over by the Alpine beauty that surrounds her. But at the same time, she feels panicked that she is losing her grip on her old life. She is scared that her family will forget about her and learn to be happy without her, the way she is adapting to her new life without them.What will Dinnie do at the end of the school year? Will she go back to her old life in the USA to join her family whom she has sorely missed? Or will she settle down in Switzerland to embrace the new opportunities that beckon her? We never find out, since the book has an open ending. I found myself hoping and praying that Dinnie stays on in Switzerland!What I really liked about this book was the message of acceptance. Sandy and Max accept Dinnie as she is, making no claims on her. The teachers accept the kids' views and perspectives and allow them to question everything. Keisuke is never mocked for his weird (yet unnervingly bang-on accurate) English- while speaking about the gorgeous Belen, he says she is 'dead-drop beautiful' and 'she knocks my eyeballs'.This is a book that, to borrow a phrase from a book that I cant recollect, opens eyes, unplugs ears and fills the head with a sense of wonder. By showing all the variety that this world has- in people, places, cultures, viewpoints- it teaches (without preaching) how diversity can be enriching, not divisive. Highly recommended for kids aged 11-13 years and for parents and educators as well.Longer, more detailed review at my blog on Facebook

Lovely book! Very sweet, nice read!