kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the voiciest books I've ever read. And such striking verse!
leasummer's review against another edition
Please seek out diverse reviews.
I love a novel in verse. This is a lyrical, young adult story of friendship and obstacles of growing up.
I love a novel in verse. This is a lyrical, young adult story of friendship and obstacles of growing up.
christring's review against another edition
i saw mahogany l. browne perform poetry in 2019 and I knew I had to read this book. it did not disappoint!
the_mickstape's review against another edition
3.0
Great poetic devices and voice, but I felt lost in the structure of the novel. Some of scenes felt out of order and this might be because of some of the present tenses. Overall, I enjoyed the coming of age novel.
mwidmer23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
beorn_101's review against another edition
4.0
Verse novels really aren't my thing, but for this book it helped enhance the story so much. It reads almost like a stream of thoughts, scattered, eclectic, with a rhythm filled with anxiety. It lends energy and emotion to an already powerful story.
I really loved that this was a story about growing apart from a childhood friend, about discovering who you are, about the anxiety of meeting new people when you aren't comfortable with yourself. It's an experience I think nearly anyone can relate to, but one I don't often see depicted.
Our protagonist is strong while also unsure of herself. It is an interesting balance. Throughout the story she grapples with sexism, particularly related to the boys in her life treat her on the basketball court. I'm not a sports person myself, but I could relate to the feeling of clarity and being that came with her playing. It also grapples with issues of race, income, and family, which sort of all swirls together in the main characters issues of insecurity.
Overall I really enjoyed this, it isn't my usual type of read, but it had amazing imagery, dialogue and conflict that fit with the teen characters, and was a quick read. Well worth reading for anyone who enjoys realistic novels that could help remind us of that awful period of life called being a teenager.
I really loved that this was a story about growing apart from a childhood friend, about discovering who you are, about the anxiety of meeting new people when you aren't comfortable with yourself. It's an experience I think nearly anyone can relate to, but one I don't often see depicted.
Our protagonist is strong while also unsure of herself. It is an interesting balance. Throughout the story she grapples with sexism, particularly related to the boys in her life treat her on the basketball court. I'm not a sports person myself, but I could relate to the feeling of clarity and being that came with her playing. It also grapples with issues of race, income, and family, which sort of all swirls together in the main characters issues of insecurity.
Overall I really enjoyed this, it isn't my usual type of read, but it had amazing imagery, dialogue and conflict that fit with the teen characters, and was a quick read. Well worth reading for anyone who enjoys realistic novels that could help remind us of that awful period of life called being a teenager.
ferretfaculty's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
reading_ro's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75