A portrait of a family unit in flux for patient, thoughtful readers.
—Kirkus Reviews
Knowles has created a delightful story for upper-elementary and middle-grade students, albeit dramatic and emotionally difficult in spots. . . . The ending is happy, though it isn’t tidy, nor should it be. For readers struggling through divorce or having a hard time in school, Maple’s story will resonate.
—Booklist
Knowles (Meant to Be) works Maple’s anxieties and her messy, often conflicting feelings about her parents’ deteriorating relationship into an emotionally complex tale that, through the protagonist’s introspective first-person voice, smartly considers parental and sibling dynamics and art’s restorative nature.Loose-lined b&w spreads from Maple’s sketchbook, rendered by Fawkes (Charlotte Bronte Before Jane Eyre), offer moments of levity throughout.
—Publishers Weekly
Another Jo Knowles classic—Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying is a compelling and honest story that will tug at heartstrings and tickle the funny bone. Playful art by Glynnis Fawkes in the form of Maple’s comics further deepens the story as she navigates the emotional roller coaster of friendships and family.
—Debbi Michiko Florence, author of the Jasmine Toguchi series and Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai
A beautiful, honest portrayal of kids trying to find their footing as their parents’ marriage gets rockier and rockier. So many kids will find themselves in these pages and find their own way through as a result. Tender and timeless.
—Ann Braden, author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus and Flight of the Puffin
Jo Knowles has a way of getting right to the heart of things and telling the truth in her stories so that it wraps readers in a hug. Readers will embrace Maple, worry for her family, and cheer for their success at the end.
—Donna Gephart, author of Lily and Dunkin and Abby, Tried and True
A dazzling blend of humor and heart, this novel captures the messy journey of growing up in a complicated family situation. It’s a deeply touching story, the kind that lingers long after its end. I adored Maple and her siblings—no doubt readers will, too.
—Jennifer Richard Jacobson, author of Small as an Elephant
There’s a line in this book—‘It’s a complicated feeling’—and nobody tackles the sad/funny, hard/easy, quietly complex lives of their young characters better than Jo Knowles. Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying is a soft-spoken triumph of a book.
—Chris Tebbetts, coauthor of the #1 New York Times best-selling Middle School series
Not all parents are great parents, but does that mean you love them less? Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying explores this complex question with grace, empathy, and a pitch-perfect middle-grade voice.
—Nora Shalaway Carpenter, award-winning author of The Edge of Anything and Fault Lines
Thoughtful, artistic Maple grabbed my heart from the very beginning. Packed with humor, tenderness, and wonderful, supportive characters who are there for Maple when she needs them most, Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying is a book that kids will treasure. I could not put it down.
—Erin Dionne, author of Secrets of a Fangirl
Heartbreaking and honest. Tender and true. Jo Knowles paints an enduring portrait of the complex nature of family that will stay firmly rooted in your heart.
—Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of the Newbery Honor Book One Big Open Sky
Another beautiful and important middle-grade novel from Jo Knowles. The hearts of young readers are really going to ache for Maple and her siblings as they deal with the fallout from the issues their parents are struggling with. The art of Glynnis Fawkes adds a ton to the book. So good!
—Colby Sharp, educator, blogger, and coauthor of Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids
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