Stepping Stones (Peapod Farm, #1) by Lucy Knisley: A Nostalgic Dive into Change and Growing Pains
Isn’t it uncanny when an author seemingly peeks into the attic of your childhood home? That feeling washed over me as I delved into Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley. It was as if she had rummaged through my old diary from ninth grade, capturing my tumultuous emotions about change, divorce, and a whole new family dynamic. I couldn’t help but wonder—how did she know I once had a voodoo doll dedicated to my mom’s boyfriend, too?
In this delightful middle-grade graphic novel, we follow Jen, whose world flips upside down when her mother, consuming herself in a new romance and a burgeoning passion for farming, drags the reluctant young girl along for the ride. My heart ached for Jen, who constantly corrects the well-meaning but oblivious Walter, only to hear him refer to her as “Jenny” regardless. It was like a mirror reflecting my frustrations from that time when my mother tried to sweeten the bitter taste of our family’s split by thrusting us into a new reality we were not ready for.
Knisley’s portrayal of childhood flexibility amidst turbulence struck a warm chord. Sure, kids often want to return to the familiar, but their resilience shines through, if only after a little necessary chaos—like my own attempts to exorcise my frustrations onto a well-used voodoo doll, replete with lipstick-stained rashes. Such moments of rebellion served as temporary relief and provided the gut-wrenching humor that Knisley captures with wit and insight.
Knisley’s writing style is both inviting and relatable. The pacing flows beautifully as she intertwines Jen’s personal struggles with lessons about adaptability and acceptance. The illustrations are a joyful mix of vibrant colors and expressive characters, perfectly complementing the narrative and enhancing the emotional impact. One moment that particularly made me chuckle was when Walter proudly declares his love for gardening, completely oblivious to the groans of his new family.
The way Knisley captures the spectrum of emotions associated with adjusting to new parental relationships resonates deeply. Through her authentic storytelling, she allows readers to re-examine how we navigate our feelings toward change. As I reminisced over my own personal experiences, I couldn’t help but appreciate her portrayal of youth and the sometimes-unwelcome transitions that accompany growing up.
I wholeheartedly recommend Stepping Stones to parents, kids teetering on the edge of adolescence, or anyone who has grappled with the disarray of family dynamics. It beautifully serves as a reminder that, amidst the chaos of new relationships, we can always find a path forward—one perhaps paved with good humor, love, and maybe even the occasional doll with a few too many needle pricks!
Ultimately, this reading journey through Knisley’s pages not only transported me back to my own struggles but also reminded me that flexibility is a skill we cultivate through life’s many challenges. Whether we poke fun or simply endure, embracing change can lead to unexpected joys, and sometimes, to an entirely new life on the farm.
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