What I Carryby Jennifer Longo, #39 review

Publication date : 21 January 2020

For readers of Robin Benway’s Far From the Tree, a powerful and heartwarming look at a teen girl about to age out of the foster care system.

Growing up in foster care, Muir has lived in many houses. And if she’s learned one thing, it is to Pack. Light.
Carry only what fits in a suitcase.
Toothbrush? Yes.
Socks? Yes.
Emotional attachment to friends? foster families? a boyfriend? Nope!
There’s no room for any additional baggage.
Muir has just one year left before she ages out of the system. One year before she’s free. One year to avoid anything–or anyone–that could get in her way.

Then she meets Francine. And Kira. And Sean.

And everything changes.

What I Carry is a powerful story about a girl, Muiriel who grew up in the government foster care system. She was given up for adoption as a baby and she’s been living in different homes ever since. Now, with her freedom within her sight and one last foster home before she turns 18 and age out of the system, Muir is about to find herself in a series of overdue goodness from the universe.

Her foster mother, Francine is a woman who doesn’t have any children of her own and opts to foster. Her license is expiring and her last foster child will be Muiriel. Their relationship is a slow burn. Even though Francine is a woman of comfort and brimming with warmth, Muir doesn’t open up to her quickly due to her past experiences.

Taylor swift : we could leave the Christmas lights up till January
What I Carry : YAS
twitter in February : Swifties, it’s time to put the Christmas lights away
Francine from What I carry: NOOOOOOOOOoooooooo

Incorrect quote , Francine loves Christmas

All alone in a new town, Muir discovers Blackbird cafe which immediately became a haven to her and that’s where she met her first friend – Kira.

Kira is an artist, she is a body of walking art and hands that create beautifulness as she goes. I am in love with her character, I can’t tell you how much I yearn for her to be happy and create art! She’s the bestest of the best for Muiriel. And then there’s Sean, a boy who loves nothing more than to hike into the wilderness and stay there (much like our girl Muir). Sparks fly and swords clash, What I Carry will make you want to devour the entire book in a single seating.

This is a book about loss, heartbreak, love and the realness of life. it is also about how the foster system is a trap and it seldom works. There’s no win in the system, only the rarest of opportunities if you wish upon a star at the right moment. Then, your wish may come true, or not.

Thank you to @times.reads for sending me this book. The book cover is to die for, much like the style of Kira’s art and there are some trinkets that relate to the tear-jerking story.