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34 pages 1 hour read

Sharon Creech

Heartbeat

Sharon CreechFiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2004

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Book Brief

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Sharon Creech

Heartbeat

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2004
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Setting

Small town, USA • 2000s

Publication Year

2004

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

NP

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Super Short Summary

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech follows 12-year-old Annie, who loves running and finds it grounding as her world changes. As her family prepares for a new baby and her aging grandfather struggles with memory loss, Annie navigates her evolving sense of identity, friendships, and the cyclical nature of life, encapsulated by her 100-day project of drawing an apple daily. The book addresses themes of illness and aging.

Heartwarming

Inspirational

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

10,514 ratings

70%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech is praised for its lyrical prose, relatable characters, and unique narrative style combining free verse and traditional storytelling. It effectively captures the emotional nuances of adolescence. Some readers, however, find its pace slow and the plot thin. Overall, it is a touching and insightful read, especially for younger audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Heartbeat?

Readers who cherish heartfelt, poetic tales of self-discovery and family will enjoy Sharon Creech's Heartbeat. Ideal for fans of Lois Lowry's Number the Stars and Patricia MacLachlan's Sarana's Secret, it captivates with a blend of lyrical prose and relatable coming-of-age themes.

4.2

10,514 ratings

70%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Setting

Small town, USA • 2000s

Publication Year

2004

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

NP

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