Olivetti by Allie Millington – This one had been sitting on my TBR for a while, I was instantly drawn in by the idea of a typewriter as a narrator. And thanks to Libby’s no-wait availability, I finally dove in!
Once the cherished typewriter of the Brindle family, Olivetti has slowly been pushed aside as the kids grow up and screens take over. Forgotten by most, he’s remembered only by Ernest—a quiet, thoughtful boy with a love for words and dictionaries, who often feels out of step with his family.
But when Ernest’s mother pawns Olivetti and then mysteriously disappears, the family must come together to figure out what happened. And Olivetti? He decides it’s time to break the sacred code of typewriters – and communicate directly with the Brindles to help bring her home.
This is a beautifully tender, charming, and hopeful story about family, love, and what it means to feel seen and valued. If you have a middle grade reader – or you’re just in the mood for a short, heartfelt read – Olivetti is a gem.
Content Warning: cancer
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Narrated by Christopher Gebauer and Simon Vance (4h 33m), the dual narration perfectly captures the wisdom of Olivetti and the innocence of childhood. A total delight in audio.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Book Smart Kate 