Things Seen from Above
Kids discover a quirky loner's talent in lovely, kind story.
Parents say
Based on 1 review
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Shelley Pearsall's Things Seen from Above is a deeply empathetic story with an uplifting message about kindness and celebrating differences. Young readers can likely relate to sixth-grader April volunteering to be a Buddy Bench friend so that she can avoid an awkward social situation at lunch, and can get great insight into fourth-grader Joey, who walks in circles and spends his recess alone. April navigates a lovely balance between helping Joey realize his gift and protecting him once the rest of the town sees it -- a lesson about outside pressure on kids that adults would do well to remember. While it's written from April's perspective, the characters are well rounded, the premise is entirely relatable, and conversations are written with an authenticity that readers will enjoy.
Community Reviews
Realistic AND magical
Report this review
What's the Story?
In THINGS SEEN FROM ABOVE, April volunteers to be at the Buddy Bench so that she can avoid her awkward lunchtime situation with other sixth-graders. On her first day, she's drawn to watching Joey, a fourth-grader who spends recess alone, usually walking in circles in the wood chips until laying down on the playground with his eyes closed. When April tries to talk to him and gets no response, even Mac, the school counselor in charge of the Buddy Bench program, has no answers. Veena, new to the school and also feeling out of place, joins April and they talk through ways to help Joey. But a chance revelation from Mr. Ulysses, the school janitor, changes everyone's perspective and helps the entire community see Joey's special gift.
Is It Any Good?
This is a rare story that speaks authentically to the way many late elementary school kids are feeling. Friendships start changing, things get a little harder to navigate than when they were younger, and they begin to feel left out. The message in Things Seen from Above is as clear as the writing, and its simplicity is its strength. Author Shelley Pearsall ensures that the kids speak like real people, and both the vocabulary and structure of the book are exactly right for this age group. Above all that, it's a beautiful story about kindness, friendship, and looking beyond the obvious to find others' true gifts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how their own schools and communities might react to Joey's behavior in Things Seen from Above. Are there kids at your school who might feel like Joey?
Which adult is most like Mr. Ulysses at your school?
What other books or movies have characters like April and Joey?
Book Details
- Author: Shelley Pearsall
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: February 4, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 272
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: March 30, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
-
All of the Above
Kids build a big tetrahedron, lasting friendships.
-
Here in the Real World
Funny, relatable tale of tweens gardening in the ruins.
-
Weird Little Robots
Girls find friendship and love of science in engaging story.
For kids who love stories of middle school and kids on the autism spectrum
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate