Honestly Elliott
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Honestly Elliott is a story by Gillian McDunn (Caterpillar Summer, The Queen Bee and Me) about a sixth-grade boy who has ADHD. Elliott's prone to outbursts when he feels overwhelmed, either breaking out in tears or casting insults in someone's direction. His parents are divorced and have different methods of parenting; his mom tends to be more patient, whereas his father leans towards lecturing Elliott, causing a feeling of inadequacy in his son. Themes of neurological difference, problem solving, living with divorce, and remarriage are addressed in this tender book. A pregnant woman becomes ill and is rushed to the hospital.
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What's the Story?
In HONESTLY ELLIOTT, a boy named Elliott Sawyer is struggling in his sixth grade class. Not only is he unable to keep up with his classwork, but he's finding hard to make and keep friends. He's having trouble controlling the direction of his mind, which gets jumbled like a bowl of spaghetti. But he loves to cook, and he's confident that cooking is his calling in life. Being in a kitchen is where he feels most at home, especially in his mom's home, where the colorful walls and sprawling plants surround him in a cozy cocoon. He feels less at home at his dad's house, where his dad and stepmom keep everything in perfect order. To add to the tension there, his stepmom is pregnant, which makes Elliott nervous. When he's tasked with completing a huge project in school, he's paired with a popular girl who pushes him to become a more flexible version of himself. Will Elliott learn to trust himself? What will the new baby mean to his place in his father's home?
Is It Any Good?
This eloquent and emotional story addresses the challenges of having your brain work differently than that of your peers. Honestly Elliot is lovingly written from the perspective of a kid with ADHD; it also explores family life in two homes that have different values and styles. There are lots of obstacles for this unlikely hero to overcome. He's a kid who loves to cook, but his father disapproves. His friends aren't acting like friends, and he's ultimately afraid of being upstaged by a new baby in the family.
Kids will appreciate the quick pace and relatable scenarios. There are some moments that might elicit a tear as well. The intimacy of the first person makes it easy to root for Elliot, even when he's acting like a jerk. "I can't help it," is a refrain that people who have loved ones with ADHD hear often, but this expertly told story helps the neurotypical reader understand why.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cell phones in Honestly Elliott. Is Elliott's dad being a good role model for cell phone use?
Elliott sees a counsellor to help him cope with anger and frustration. What are ways that you take care of your mental and emotional health?
Elliott admires a celebrity chef who, it turns out, is prone to bullying. Are there shows that you watch where bullying is accepted?
Book Details
- Author: Gillian McDunn
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Cooking and Baking, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Middle School
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Bloomsbury
- Publication date: March 1, 2022
- Number of pages: 263
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Awards: ALA Best and Notable Books, Common Sense Media Award
- Last updated: January 30, 2023
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For kids who love tales of kids with ADHD and middle school stories
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