Snow One Like You

Mia can’t wait for the Winter Festival—it’s what her hometown of Flurry, Vermont, is famous for. Plus, maybe she can work up the courage to show the cute new boy, Yoshi, how much fun snowball fights can be. There’s just one problem: the weather forecast isn’t predicting a single snowflake before the big day. And what is a Winter Festival without snow?  

Canceling the festival would spell disaster for the local businesses, including the cozy inn that Mia’s family runs. With the town in chaos, Mia is suddenly at odds with Yoshi and her best friend, Lark. Can Mia save the festival in time . . . or is she in for a wintry mix of troubles? 

Snow One Like You is a playful book that focuses on Mia’s first crush. Since Yoshi is new to Flurry, Mia has the opportunity to introduce him (and the reader) to the fun snow-filled Winter Festival. However, with no snow in the forecast, Mia and Yoshi will have to jump into action and find a way to save the festival! 

While the book focuses on Mia and Yoshi’s relationship, her family also plays a significant role. Mia’s parents are divorced and have remarried, but all of the adults are cordial to each other. This is one of the reasons that Mia is so upset when she overhears a conversation about her mother being forced to sell the inn and move away. Mia worries about moving and not being able to see her father or her half-sisters. Mia’s fear increases the stakes involved in making sure the Winter Festival doesn’t get canceled.  

Snow One Like You has a diverse cast of characters that includes Mia’s best friend Lark, who has cerebral palsy. Lark is an admirable character because she isn’t afraid to answer questions about her cerebral palsy and she doesn’t let cerebral palsy stop her from being an athlete, who can rock climb and swim. Unfortunately, Snow One Like You misses the opportunity to incorporate any cultural identity into the characters.  

Snow One Like You is a cute romance that is perfect for middle-grade readers. Middle-grade readers will enjoy the flirtatious romance that concludes when Yoshi kisses Mia, but only after Yoshi asks for permission. The book also shows the importance of honest communication and empathy for others. For example, Mia’s stepfather tells her, “Everyone is dealing with their own heartaches and their own trouble, and just because they’re smiling doesn’t mean they’re okay.” This theme is reinforced through several of the characters and there is a brief mention of an adult seeing a therapist. 

Snow One Like You introduces readers to the romance genre by focusing on Mia’s crush in a way that is appropriate for younger readers. The character-driven plot is easy to follow; however, the book has a slow start. Neither the plot nor the characters are unique, but readers will enjoy seeing how Mia deals with her first crush and other friendship problems. Snuggle up with more winter-themed books by reading Secret Snowflake by Taylor Garland, Cold As Ice by Sarah Mlynowski, and Kat Wolfe On Thin Ice by Lauren St. John. 

Sexual Content  

• Mia talks about her first crush. For example, after talking to Yoshi, Mia thinks, “Flirting is . . . kind of fun. In addition to being terrifying.”  
• Yoshi asks Mia if he can kiss her. Mia “lean[s] forward, his words propelling me, and my lips brush against his. . . He smiles that tiny, hidden smile that I like so much, and then he leans forward until his lips hover over mine again.” The kiss is described in a paragraph. 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• Heck is used occasionally. 
• OMG, oh my God, and other variations are used occasionally. 
• Several times, Mia calls herself a dork, a dolt, and an idiot. One time, she thinks, “I’m so dumb.” 
• After Mia calls herself an idiot, one of her sisters starts screaming, “Idiot! Idiot!” 
• When Lark gets angry, Mia texts, “That was kind of crappy of me. I’m a terrible friend.” 

Supernatural 

• None

Spiritual Content  

• Mia thinks of her parents (mom, dad, step-mom, and step-dad) all getting along. “For the millionth time, if there is any weirdness between [her parents] . . . they push it out of sight. 
• While babysitting her three young sisters, Mia is exhausted. “I’m personally praying that I can get through their bedtime before I face-plant into my own bed.”  
• Mia’s stepmom, Shannon, “would wear yoga pants if she were the churchgoing type.”