Inside Hudson Pickle

Reviewed by: Kara Reiman - Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 19, 2018

Review

"Inside Hudson Pickle" by Yolanda Ridge follows the life of Hudson, a seventh grader who lives with his single mom. The book starts with a bang! Hudson is woken up by his mom because his uncle's apartment caught fire and they need to go pick him up. You then meet his Uncle Vic, an older musician who seems to have something to hide from the firefighters investigating the fire. Hudson is having a tough time. He was cut from the hockey team (which he neglected his friends to be on), his asthma is acting up, he may not make the basketball team, and his mom won't tell him anything about his mysterious father. The book keeps you hanging, wondering what's up with the fire at his uncle's apartment, what does Uncle Vic have to hide, why won't his mother talk about his father, why is she reluctant to get Hudson genetic testing? I wouldn't say that it is a must-buy for your library, but if your middle grade realistic fiction books are popular, this would be a good addition. ~Reviewed by Katherine Radke

Overall Book Score: very good