Itch by Polly Farquhar
Published by Holiday House on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0823445526
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Isaac Fitch, aka Itch, has idiopathic angioedema — essentially, he gets really itchy, gets covered in hives, and no one knows why it happens. As if that wasn’t enough, a huge tornado ravages his town, his mom leaves on a two month trip to China, and his best friend has a severe allergic reaction to food that he gave her. Sixth grade is hard, but things seem extra difficult for Itch these days. At least he has a job at a pheasant farm he loves, but a friend is pressuring him to steal a bird from the farm, and Itch is conflicted about what to do. How far will he go to save his friendships, and what will he learn in the process — about his friends and about himself?

Overall, this book was good. It’s a well written, own voices story about friendship, family, conflict, and more. It’s a debut novel, and I’d recommend it for purchase and look forward to future books by this author. Recommended for middle grade readers, 4th-8th grade.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME