Kids Book Review on Halfway to Harmony

Kids Book Review on Halfway to Harmony by Brecken

I’ve read 2 other books by Barbara O’Connor, How to Steal a Dog and Wish, and I really loved both of them. I actually did a book review on Wish if you want to check out what that one’s about. Anyway, last time I was at Barnes & Noble with my grandparents, I grabbed another book by her, Halfway to Harmony. It’s her newest one, like just released this year (2021) and she did not disappoint! This is a great book!

So, what’s it about?

There are 3 main characters: Walter, Posey, and Banjo (cool name). They all have things that they’re working on in their lives. For instance, Walter is 11 and is grieving over the loss of his brother. He has the same dreams over and over about him and can’t seem to really move on. He doesn’t know how.

Oh, he can lean on his friends? Nope. Walter doesn’t really have any friends and doesn’t quite seem to know how. Poor guy.

You may be thinking by now, “Man, this book is sad.” You’re right. It is in the beginning but don’t give up, you have to keep reading the book, it gets happier!

Okay, in comes Posey. She’s a girl who moves in next door to Walter. Posey to the RESCUE! She is outgoing and chatty-just what Walters needs to break him out of his funk. They immediately become friends, because she said so. Posey’s a little pushy but she’s so good for Walter.

It’s summer so Walter and Posey have their days to roam, discover the woods, and be adventurous. The story takes place in rural Georgia, in the town of Harmony. In the woods is where they meet Banjo. Banjo is an adult and is planning a huge, exciting adventure.

The line on the front cover of the book really sums it up, “Adventure is possible when you change the way you see the world.” I don’t want to spoil the adventure too much but the front cover does have a hot-air balloon on it. I must be drawn to hot-air balloons because I also liked the book The Twenty-One Balloons.

My favorite part!

It’s actually not one specific part in the book, it’s spread out throughout the book. Posey likes to quote and spit off random things from books she’s read. Her second favorite book (not going to tell you the first one) is Caesar Romanoff’s Rules for Making Friends. This book is perfect for them because she just moved there and needs to make friends AND Walter needs friends. They both get something out of this, and the reader does, too!

So, Posey tells the rules throughout the book. For instance, at the beginning of the book, right when they meet, Walter is talking pretty negatively and Posey says, “Oh good grief! You gotta think positive. That’s rule number one in my second favorite book…” 

Walter felt his heart lift even higher and his whole body seemed lighter. “I could probably use that book,” he told Posey.

“Oh, I know all the rules by heart. I’ll teach ’em to you and you can practice with me.”

And she does. 🙂 They are VERY GOOD rules to live by. I’m going to get that book (if it’s a real book) so I’ll let you know how it is.

My favorite character?

Definitely Posey. She funny, smart, and I like her. She seems like someone I could be friends with in real life.

Who’s Halfway to Harmony for?

I’m in 4th grade and it was fine. No huge, technical words. I think Barbara O’Connor is pretty good about that. This one was at about the same reading level as the other ones. Upper elementary/middle school is good because it does talk about death. I’m not sure the little kids would get what Walter is going through.

And it talks a lot about friendship, so if you like books with that theme, you’ll like this one. It’s a real-life book, it’s not a true story but a book where this could be true. It’s not science fiction or anything like that.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for reading our Kids Book Review on Halfway to Harmony! Let me know in the comments if you have read it (or plan to) and what you think!

And yes, all these pictures are me with a cast on. I broke my pinky playing goalie at soccer practice. Good thing I could still read but my mom had to type this all out! One more week and I’ll have it off!

*Looking for MORE Book Recommendations? Head to Book Talk, it’s book reviews by Kinley and Myself! I’m sure there will be something there that you like!

**Also, there’s a link below to make it easy for you to get this book! It’s an affiliate link, so we may or may not get a little something. But don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your support! Happy Reading!