Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon G. Flake

Synopsis:

Bestselling and award-winning author Sharon G. Flake delivers a mystery set in the 1950s that eerily blends history, race, culture, and family. Octobia May is a girl filled with questions. Her heart condition makes her special--and, some folks would argue, gives this ten-year-old powers that make her a "wise soul." Thank goodness for Auntie, who convinces Octobia's parents to let her live in her boarding house that is filled with old folks. That's when trouble, and excitement, and wonder begin. Auntie is nontraditional. She's unmarried and has plans to purchase other boarding homes and hotels. At a time when children, and especially girls, are "seen, not heard," Auntie allows Octobia May the freedom and expression of an adult. When Octobia starts to question the folks in her world, an adventure and a mystery unfold that beg some troubling questions: Who is black and who is "passing" for white? What happens when a vibrant African American community must face its own racism?And, perhaps most important: Do vampires really exist? In her most unusual and probing novel yet, Sharon G. Flake takes us on a heart-pumping journey.

Rating:★★★★

Review:

This was my 3rd audio book experience and my faith in audio books has been restored. I haven't read a middle grade novel in a while so I was a little scared I wasn't going to like this but god was I wrong.

Sadly, it did take me about 8 chapters to get into the story but that could have been due to me doing other stuff while I was listening to this and possibly nothing to so with the actual plot. I laughed so hard at Octobia's & Jonah's shenanigans it was ridiculous and I was pretty invested in the neighborhood mystery. (Side note: I don't know about anyone else but I got major "Hey Arnold" vibes.) Also, I did get through this whole audio book in 1 day at 1.5 & 1.75 speed so, it is a pretty quick read and it was just that captivating to me.

One of the things I loved the most was that this book also had it's teaching moments mixed in with the "fun" mystery solving. I recommended this to everyone, even if you're hesitant about middle grade.

WARNING!!!! This book is set back in the day so the N word (negro) is used, not often or over killed, just throughout the dialect of that time period, just in case this may bother some readers.