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knkoch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was a longer book I struggled to get through. It’s about a family of four grappling with the migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border (especially focused on unaccompanied children), and while I found it very informative and well researched, I felt disconnected often.
The structure of each chapter/subheading was grounded in archival terms, as the parents both do archival sound recording work. It felt like I missed many of the extra-textual connections there. I found the mother’s voice more compelling than the son’s, as the story shifted to his perspective in the second half. It’s so challenging to write from the perspective of a child, and I felt that as a 10 year old he was far too precocious and wise at first. The story becomes more engaging at the end, but for the reasons listed above, it didn’t really pay off for me.
The structure of each chapter/subheading was grounded in archival terms, as the parents both do archival sound recording work. It felt like I missed many of the extra-textual connections there. I found the mother’s voice more compelling than the son’s, as the story shifted to his perspective in the second half. It’s so challenging to write from the perspective of a child, and I felt that as a 10 year old he was far too precocious and wise at first. The story becomes more engaging at the end, but for the reasons listed above, it didn’t really pay off for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
sorrymom94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, and Death
carrotchimera's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Gun violence
ldandridge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At times a bit too esoteric, but overall a good read. The shifting perspectives and intertwining stories were a strength. While the story telling involving refugee and immigrant children is powerful and necessary, but the representation of native cultures could definitely have been better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism and Police brutality
cabuff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Genocide, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
shelby's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
marije's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
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