Title: The Ripple Effect by Rebecca Caprara

Genre: middle grade, children’s fiction

Keywords: pranks gone wrong, social media, kindness chains, family, growing up, small town, cozy

Content Warnings: dementia (on screen and frequent occurrences)

Reading The Ripple Effect was like playing Jenga in the best way. Caprara carefully places each block that builds the small town of Kettleby, allowing readers to get to know a wide cast of characters from all walks of life. The story follows Zella Trudi, whose characterization will resonate with weird kids everywhere, as she tries to figure out how to leave a lasting impact on her elementary school before leaving for middle school. As we follow Zella’s journey to achieve “GOAT” status for her school prank, a familiar knot of dread can be felt by readers as the Jenga bricks grow more and more precarious. When the tower inevitably collapses, Caprara works to create something beautiful from the wreckage, with Zella learning that her impact on her community does not start or end with just her. 

The Ripple Effect takes the time to develop its world, which I find necessary so we can truly feel the impact of the end of the book. Without taking the time to let us know all the characters, there would be a missing sense of community that is necessary for the main message of the story. 

I can easily see schools reading The Ripple Effect for book clubs, with a variety of project ideas available, from creating their own ice cream menus to developing their own #RippleEffectChallenge. What educators need to know going into this book is that it’s a longer read, with plenty of room for discussion about character development and predictions. I don’t know how well the social media theme will resonate with kiddos, but as an adult, I found it erred on the side of charming, not cringey. 

For adult readers, pick this book up if you want to relive that feeling of transition and change from youth, when you realized that the world was so much more than what you can see in front of you. The entire final act left me with warm fuzzies and renewed my sense of optimism, a feeling that is desperately needed in the stressful times we live in. Be ready to crave ice cream by the end! It’s the dead of winter right now, and all I can think about is a tasty scoop of Raspberry Ripple. 

If The Ripple Effect were an ice cream flavor, I think it would taste of orange blossom syrup and pistachios, unique, sweet, light, and a little nutty at times. Thank you Charlesbridge via NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!