53 pages • 1 hour read
256
Novel • Fiction
North Carolina • Contemporary
2018
Middle grade
10-14 years
1020L
Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin follows 12-year-old Della Kelly as she navigates the challenges posed by her mother's schizophrenia while managing the family farm and maintaining friendships. As Della searches for a way to alleviate her family's struggles, she learns valuable lessons about love, acceptance, and resilience. This novel contains depictions of a person with mental health challenges and a child in emotional distress.
Melancholic
Emotional
Contemplative
Heartwarming
3,253 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Cindy Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow writes a heartfelt, lyrical middle-grade novel that deeply resonates with readers through its exploration of family and mental illness. The book's vivid, evocative prose and realistic portrayal of its young protagonist evoke empathy. Some readers, however, find the pacing slow at times and the ending somewhat predictable. Overall, it is a moving and thoughtfully crafted narrative.
Readers who enjoy Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin are typically preteens and young adults who appreciate heartfelt stories about family, resilience, and personal growth. Fans of Bridge to Terabithia or Because of Winn-Dixie will likely find similar emotional depth and relatable characters in Baldwin's work.
3,253 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Novel • Fiction
North Carolina • Contemporary
2018
Middle grade
10-14 years
1020L
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