Scan barcode
deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
Great for middle grade. Being different & the bullying and the lists & discovering yourself & friends & talents
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful book, but due to some stuff in there, I can't rate it more than 4 stars.
Let's start with the good stuff first. I really liked Analyn/Apple for most of the book. Her struggle to fit in, her troubles with her mom, her trouble with expectations it all felt real and I was really cheering for her to stay positive through this all.
I also loved her love for her guitar, for the Beatles and for trying to keep the memory alive of her dad. Her dad, who died so long ago, and who her mother tries hard not to think about.
I liked the fact that Analyn/Apple is from the Philippines, and I love how she tried to keep holding on her identity, but also trying to become more American. Her problems at school, and the way people bullied her was really real and I while I don't approve of bullying or mean people, I do appreciate this was added. I would have found it all weird if she was accepted just like that.
I loved the setting, it was really interesting, but at times also a tiny bit boring.
The twist near the end (No spoilers), but I really liked that. I didn't expect that to be the case. Wow, nicely added. :)
Now for the stuff I didn't particularly like. I didn't like Analyn/Apple in the beginning, how she just stood by laughing or not saying anything while her friends were making jokes and saying mean things about other people. Sure, she changed in the later parts, but this part? I didn't particularly like. Though I guess it was needed so that she could grow and could show us how amazing she is.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom throughout the book. I can imagine why she is so grumpy, and I can understand that her mom isn't always the smartest about things, but seriously? She was just mean and rude. Never once thinking that maybe her mom is hiding a big loss, that her mom is sad, but doesn't want to show it. That her mom is trying to raise her kid in the best way possible.
And her quest to get a guitar? Meh. It was also a bit anticlimactic that she could
But, all in all, I really liked this book. It was realistic, it was fun and while Apple/Analyn is at times a bleh character, she is real, she is growing up and I was cheering for her throughout the book. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Let's start with the good stuff first. I really liked Analyn/Apple for most of the book. Her struggle to fit in, her troubles with her mom, her trouble with expectations it all felt real and I was really cheering for her to stay positive through this all.
I also loved her love for her guitar, for the Beatles and for trying to keep the memory alive of her dad. Her dad, who died so long ago, and who her mother tries hard not to think about.
I liked the fact that Analyn/Apple is from the Philippines, and I love how she tried to keep holding on her identity, but also trying to become more American. Her problems at school, and the way people bullied her was really real and I while I don't approve of bullying or mean people, I do appreciate this was added. I would have found it all weird if she was accepted just like that.
I loved the setting, it was really interesting, but at times also a tiny bit boring.
The twist near the end (No spoilers), but I really liked that. I didn't expect that to be the case. Wow, nicely added. :)
Now for the stuff I didn't particularly like. I didn't like Analyn/Apple in the beginning, how she just stood by laughing or not saying anything while her friends were making jokes and saying mean things about other people. Sure, she changed in the later parts, but this part? I didn't particularly like. Though I guess it was needed so that she could grow and could show us how amazing she is.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom throughout the book. I can imagine why she is so grumpy, and I can understand that her mom isn't always the smartest about things, but seriously? She was just mean and rude. Never once thinking that maybe her mom is hiding a big loss, that her mom is sad, but doesn't want to show it. That her mom is trying to raise her kid in the best way possible.
And her quest to get a guitar? Meh. It was also a bit anticlimactic that she could
Spoiler
instantly play it. I don't believe that one bit. Maybe there are prodigies like that, but it just felt weird that she needs to do a lot of things to get somewhere, but can instantly play guitar.But, all in all, I really liked this book. It was realistic, it was fun and while Apple/Analyn is at times a bleh character, she is real, she is growing up and I was cheering for her throughout the book. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
erine's review against another edition
3.0
A quick, enjoyable read. I think it hits the nail on the head in terms of how friendships can sour quickly, and it reads as very hopeful in terms of finding new friends. Maybe even too hopeful.
bookishrealm's review against another edition
5.0
Whew....grab your tissues for this one. I'm glad that I chose to read Kelly's debut as my first read by her because it makes me excited to see how her writing has progressed in later works. This was such a beautiful story. 4.5 Stars. CW: loss of parent, racial slurs, bullying
Blackbird Fly follows twelve year old Apple who faces the ups and downs of middle school after she is placed on the dog log at school. Not only does Apple consider herself to be different, but she also struggles with the fact that even after moving to the US, her mother still loves too cook Filipino food and doesn't always speak English well. Through a few ups and downs and her love for music, specifically the Beatles, Apple learns to find pride and joy in herself.
What Worked: EVERYTHING. This was such a gut wrenching book for me to read as a mom. There is this small part of me that worries about the troubles my daughter will face once she makes it to middle school. Kids can be cruel at times and readers see that with Apple. From her descriptions of eating carrots because she thought they would fix the slant of her eyes to being considered one of the most unattractive girls at school to being labeled as a dog eater because she's Asian, part of me felt as though Apple just couldn't get a break. But Kelly does this amazing thing where she introduces two additional characters that not only support Apple, but help her rebuild that confidence in herself and pride in her cultural background. Outside of Apple, Evan stole my heart. I remember encountering kids like him throughout my childhood, the ones who don't mind being different and encourage others to be comfortable in their own skin. After Apple "loses" her old friends, it was nice to see that Kelly included characters to give readers that glimpse of joy as Apple begins to see herself differently. This book is also for the music lovers of the world. I really enjoy The Beatles and had no idea that this book was named after their song "Blackbird Fly." There were sections of the book named after their music and I would literally stop reading the book to listen to the song. It was even more rewarding learning more about Apple's connection to their music. She's passionate about their music and learning to play the guitar and doesn't understand why her mother gives her so much pushback against getting her own guitar. The story comes full circle and ends with the most beautiful, heartwarming conclusion.
Overall, this was such a beautiful middle grade book. It definitely will make my favorites of 2023. This is one that a lot of middle grade readers will connect to in special ways. With beautiful writing and extensive character and plot development, this is one that you don't want to miss out on!
Blackbird Fly follows twelve year old Apple who faces the ups and downs of middle school after she is placed on the dog log at school. Not only does Apple consider herself to be different, but she also struggles with the fact that even after moving to the US, her mother still loves too cook Filipino food and doesn't always speak English well. Through a few ups and downs and her love for music, specifically the Beatles, Apple learns to find pride and joy in herself.
What Worked: EVERYTHING. This was such a gut wrenching book for me to read as a mom. There is this small part of me that worries about the troubles my daughter will face once she makes it to middle school. Kids can be cruel at times and readers see that with Apple. From her descriptions of eating carrots because she thought they would fix the slant of her eyes to being considered one of the most unattractive girls at school to being labeled as a dog eater because she's Asian, part of me felt as though Apple just couldn't get a break. But Kelly does this amazing thing where she introduces two additional characters that not only support Apple, but help her rebuild that confidence in herself and pride in her cultural background. Outside of Apple, Evan stole my heart. I remember encountering kids like him throughout my childhood, the ones who don't mind being different and encourage others to be comfortable in their own skin. After Apple "loses" her old friends, it was nice to see that Kelly included characters to give readers that glimpse of joy as Apple begins to see herself differently. This book is also for the music lovers of the world. I really enjoy The Beatles and had no idea that this book was named after their song "Blackbird Fly." There were sections of the book named after their music and I would literally stop reading the book to listen to the song. It was even more rewarding learning more about Apple's connection to their music. She's passionate about their music and learning to play the guitar and doesn't understand why her mother gives her so much pushback against getting her own guitar. The story comes full circle and ends with the most beautiful, heartwarming conclusion.
Overall, this was such a beautiful middle grade book. It definitely will make my favorites of 2023. This is one that a lot of middle grade readers will connect to in special ways. With beautiful writing and extensive character and plot development, this is one that you don't want to miss out on!
fernthepanda's review against another edition
5.0
A charming and realistic story about a girl, a guitar and a cruel list.
Teeming with the kind of heartbreaking realism that you wish were impossible in today's "enlightened" culture, this is one story that had me going through all kinds of "feels". I can't wait to get this into the hands of some of my teens. This is sure to find a place on some "favorites shelves".
A first book from Erin Entrada Kelly and I am really looking forward to her next.
Teeming with the kind of heartbreaking realism that you wish were impossible in today's "enlightened" culture, this is one story that had me going through all kinds of "feels". I can't wait to get this into the hands of some of my teens. This is sure to find a place on some "favorites shelves".
A first book from Erin Entrada Kelly and I am really looking forward to her next.
tortiedad's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I felt bad for Apple. It was one thing to be bullied, but to face the racism she did along with it., was hard to read about. I often wondered why she didn't talk to her mom, but then she is a kid. Kids often carry too much alone. In the end, I think Apple grew and figured out who she was. She learned to overcome and not care as much about the bullies. I did like that part of the story. How the group of misfits, not popular ones, became friends and a great support system for one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
owls_cats_books's review against another edition
4.0
This is a new to me author. I can't believe I haven't read her until now.
While the topics of this book are hard. The bullies are pure cruel. It was a great read. I felt so bad for Apple. I don't think I could have been as strong against the bullies as she was. Being on the Dog Log and how she overcame with two new friends, warmed my heart.
The ending, I did not expect. It just gave me the feel of mother and daughters. They just cannot communicate.
If you are a Beatles fan, you may enjoy this one. Music lover, or into a good coming of age story, I recommend this one to you.
While the topics of this book are hard. The bullies are pure cruel. It was a great read. I felt so bad for Apple. I don't think I could have been as strong against the bullies as she was. Being on the Dog Log and how she overcame with two new friends, warmed my heart.
The ending, I did not expect. It just gave me the feel of mother and daughters. They just cannot communicate.
If you are a Beatles fan, you may enjoy this one. Music lover, or into a good coming of age story, I recommend this one to you.
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
Reading the first third of this book made my heart hurt in so many ways. Poor Apple! She was so adrift, trying so hard to fit in that she forgot what made her special. Thank goodness she finally found friends who saw those qualities and helped her see them for herself.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
In true Erin Estrada Kelly fashion, her ability to convey the absurd phenomena that is adolescence to a painstakingly earnest yet agonizing degree shines above all else.
This is the third book I’ve read by her and I enjoyed it as much as I always do. That being said, it's pretty clear this is her first book. While she captures the mannerisms and behaviors of middle schoolers exceptionally well - as is typical - the other aspects of the story are not nearly as refined.
Apple has a lot of internalized racism due to being the only Filipino kid at her school and presumably the only, if not one of the very few, kids of color. She takes a lot of her self-hate out on her immigrant mother as she blames her for the bullying and discrimination she faces. The reason for her ire towards her mother is two fold. She resents her mother for making them move to Louisiana in the first place and her mothers’ view of America as heavily influenced by her Filipino upbringing runs counter to Apple’s lived experience. Apple has lived in America since she was 4 years old. As such she is quintessentially American in a way her mother does not understand nor desire to. While she still has her Filipino heritage, of course, she is not confident enough to see it for the boon it is.
There are many things that Apple shouldn’t feel embarrassed about - her mother’s accented English, the food they eat, their relatively meager funds compared to her so-called friends to name a few - as these are things that a great many kids can relate to in one way or another. However, that is only scratching the surface of the tension between the two.
I do not have immigrant parents so I’m speaking from a place of first hand knowledge of my own minority parents expectations. There is overlap but keep in mind each provides a distinct upbringing unique to the individuals involved.
As is common for minority parents - though it does seem to particularly stand out when looking at immigrant parents - Apple's mother can't connect with her emotionally. She substitutes discipline for care, exerting authority over Apple as a way to show her compassion but all it does is drive the wedge deeper since Apple only feels the contempt not the concern underneath. This cultural difference exacerbates the divide at every turn. The strong hold the former country has on the parent makes sense as the parent spent most of their life in that country absorbing those norms. It also is just natural for people to identify with their roots especially for minorities as we tend to be collectivist in manner. However, this strict adherence often puts them at odds with their kids because American ideals predominantly run directly opposed to those of collectivist cultures. The kids are caught in the middle as they are expected to follow societal standards they don’t have a personal attachment to while balancing the American way of life which is far more relevant due to the weight of its impact on their lives comparatively.
The nonfiction book Minor Feelings summarizes part of the reason for this disconnect well. Minor feelings are described as "the racialized range of emotions that are negative, dysphoric and therefore untelegenic built from the sediments of everyday racial experience and the irritation of having one's perception of reality constantly questioned or dismissed. Minor feelings occur when American optimism is enforced upon you which contradicts your own racialized reality thereby creating a static of cognitive dissonance". Apple is just starting to recognize these feelings and it’s a source of great stress for her since she lacks the proper support to cope. Her mother surely feels this on some level as well as it’s not exclusive to the younger generation, but as an adult she’s likely to have the emotional wherewithal to handle it whereas Apple is only a kid.
Her mother also buys into the misconception America is a meritocracy so she believes that school is the entire secret to getting ahead in life causing Apple to be kept from the one thing that might possibly combat her feelings of inadequacy: music.
All that being said, this plot thread unfortunately does not follow through. It’s very strong in the beginning only to peter off in the middle. I cannot emphasize enough how malicious Apple was to her mother in speech, but to a far greater extent in her negative thoughts about her. Even taking into account her mother’s hand in the widening gulf between them, Apple’s hostility borders on the obscene. It tapers off into mild intolerance from the middle on when it really should have stayed the same if not ratcheted up higher. As deeply opposed as Apple was to her mother it made no sense for her rancor to dissipate so rapidly. The issues I saw in the relationship were things that would not have fallen off without outside intervention or a huge blow up where Apple crossed the line to force the issue to a head. The unfolding of this plot is further hindered by the disappearance of her mother from the plot. What stands as a central theme in the beginning is abandoned in favor of focusing on Apple’s rising self esteem. That is an important facet of Apple’s arc, but since her low self esteem is anchored in it, it should have been addressed simultaneously.
Per the synopsis Apple gets dumped by her friends. She finds true, real friends along the way. But, one of her old friends is actually not all bad. She just lacks a backbone to stand up to the ringleader. I actually really liked this. Gretchen is weirdly a pretty good friend in her own way. Through her, Kelly is able to communicate the full messy scope of these kind of group friend dynamics. Gretchen is just a kid herself who is unsure of how to navigate these difficult circumstances. Though it’s not nearly enough, she does what she can. Gretchen certainly could stand up for Apple in a bombastic way. However, to a point it's important for Apple to advocate for herself instead. Apple is always going to be the best defender of her own personhood. Gretchen only sees part of Apple’s disquiet and Apple doesn't share her full feelings so the depth of her despair is not readily apparent for Gretchen to comment on, even if she wanted to.
What I didn’t like was how Gretchen’s feelings of hurt eventually superseded that of another wronged party.
Gretchen inevitably ends up on Alyssa’s bad side. She quickly comes under heavy fire for reasons out of her control and is ostracized by everyone. Apple reaches out to support her in her time of need.
On the other side of the coin, there was a girl Alyssa and a bunch of the popular kids bullied relentlessly. Apple never said anything directly, but she was guilty of standing by and even laughing.
Of course once Apple is kicked out of her group she and Halina become friends. Yet, Apple never actually apologizes to her despite her suffering through way worse than Gretchen does based on duration alone. Gretchen has a few days of malicious behavior directed at her. Halina has had at least a year. Regardless, the narrative shifts entirely to pitying Gretchen solely. Apple realizes she screwed up with Halina in text only to not take any sort of real accountability. It’s particularly noticeable because the other two characters she hurts in major ways receive meaningful acknowledgements of the harm she causes them.
I don’t believe Gretchen deserves to be bullied, but it's disappointing that the book takes pains to drum up support for Gretchen, who for all intents and purposes is an enabler, when Halina has done absolutely nothing wrong at all and she doesn't get a modicum of Apple’s commiseration.
Overall, this was a decent showcase just not the usual level of quality I’ve come to expect from Erin Entrada Kelly. Her average is still better than many other authors’ best so I’d definitely still recommend it. I’m only pointing out that if this is your first and you’re not feeling it there is better to come so don’t give up.
This is the third book I’ve read by her and I enjoyed it as much as I always do. That being said, it's pretty clear this is her first book. While she captures the mannerisms and behaviors of middle schoolers exceptionally well - as is typical - the other aspects of the story are not nearly as refined.
Apple has a lot of internalized racism due to being the only Filipino kid at her school and presumably the only, if not one of the very few, kids of color. She takes a lot of her self-hate out on her immigrant mother as she blames her for the bullying and discrimination she faces. The reason for her ire towards her mother is two fold. She resents her mother for making them move to Louisiana in the first place and her mothers’ view of America as heavily influenced by her Filipino upbringing runs counter to Apple’s lived experience. Apple has lived in America since she was 4 years old. As such she is quintessentially American in a way her mother does not understand nor desire to. While she still has her Filipino heritage, of course, she is not confident enough to see it for the boon it is.
There are many things that Apple shouldn’t feel embarrassed about - her mother’s accented English, the food they eat, their relatively meager funds compared to her so-called friends to name a few - as these are things that a great many kids can relate to in one way or another. However, that is only scratching the surface of the tension between the two.
I do not have immigrant parents so I’m speaking from a place of first hand knowledge of my own minority parents expectations. There is overlap but keep in mind each provides a distinct upbringing unique to the individuals involved.
As is common for minority parents - though it does seem to particularly stand out when looking at immigrant parents - Apple's mother can't connect with her emotionally. She substitutes discipline for care, exerting authority over Apple as a way to show her compassion but all it does is drive the wedge deeper since Apple only feels the contempt not the concern underneath. This cultural difference exacerbates the divide at every turn. The strong hold the former country has on the parent makes sense as the parent spent most of their life in that country absorbing those norms. It also is just natural for people to identify with their roots especially for minorities as we tend to be collectivist in manner. However, this strict adherence often puts them at odds with their kids because American ideals predominantly run directly opposed to those of collectivist cultures. The kids are caught in the middle as they are expected to follow societal standards they don’t have a personal attachment to while balancing the American way of life which is far more relevant due to the weight of its impact on their lives comparatively.
The nonfiction book Minor Feelings summarizes part of the reason for this disconnect well. Minor feelings are described as "the racialized range of emotions that are negative, dysphoric and therefore untelegenic built from the sediments of everyday racial experience and the irritation of having one's perception of reality constantly questioned or dismissed. Minor feelings occur when American optimism is enforced upon you which contradicts your own racialized reality thereby creating a static of cognitive dissonance". Apple is just starting to recognize these feelings and it’s a source of great stress for her since she lacks the proper support to cope. Her mother surely feels this on some level as well as it’s not exclusive to the younger generation, but as an adult she’s likely to have the emotional wherewithal to handle it whereas Apple is only a kid.
Her mother also buys into the misconception America is a meritocracy so she believes that school is the entire secret to getting ahead in life causing Apple to be kept from the one thing that might possibly combat her feelings of inadequacy: music.
All that being said, this plot thread unfortunately does not follow through. It’s very strong in the beginning only to peter off in the middle. I cannot emphasize enough how malicious Apple was to her mother in speech, but to a far greater extent in her negative thoughts about her. Even taking into account her mother’s hand in the widening gulf between them, Apple’s hostility borders on the obscene. It tapers off into mild intolerance from the middle on when it really should have stayed the same if not ratcheted up higher. As deeply opposed as Apple was to her mother it made no sense for her rancor to dissipate so rapidly. The issues I saw in the relationship were things that would not have fallen off without outside intervention or a huge blow up where Apple crossed the line to force the issue to a head. The unfolding of this plot is further hindered by the disappearance of her mother from the plot. What stands as a central theme in the beginning is abandoned in favor of focusing on Apple’s rising self esteem. That is an important facet of Apple’s arc, but since her low self esteem is anchored in it, it should have been addressed simultaneously.
Per the synopsis Apple gets dumped by her friends. She finds true, real friends along the way. But, one of her old friends is actually not all bad. She just lacks a backbone to stand up to the ringleader. I actually really liked this. Gretchen is weirdly a pretty good friend in her own way. Through her, Kelly is able to communicate the full messy scope of these kind of group friend dynamics. Gretchen is just a kid herself who is unsure of how to navigate these difficult circumstances. Though it’s not nearly enough, she does what she can. Gretchen certainly could stand up for Apple in a bombastic way. However, to a point it's important for Apple to advocate for herself instead. Apple is always going to be the best defender of her own personhood. Gretchen only sees part of Apple’s disquiet and Apple doesn't share her full feelings so the depth of her despair is not readily apparent for Gretchen to comment on, even if she wanted to.
What I didn’t like was how Gretchen’s feelings of hurt eventually superseded that of another wronged party.
Gretchen inevitably ends up on Alyssa’s bad side. She quickly comes under heavy fire for reasons out of her control and is ostracized by everyone. Apple reaches out to support her in her time of need.
On the other side of the coin, there was a girl Alyssa and a bunch of the popular kids bullied relentlessly. Apple never said anything directly, but she was guilty of standing by and even laughing.
Of course once Apple is kicked out of her group she and Halina become friends. Yet, Apple never actually apologizes to her despite her suffering through way worse than Gretchen does based on duration alone. Gretchen has a few days of malicious behavior directed at her. Halina has had at least a year. Regardless, the narrative shifts entirely to pitying Gretchen solely. Apple realizes she screwed up with Halina in text only to not take any sort of real accountability. It’s particularly noticeable because the other two characters she hurts in major ways receive meaningful acknowledgements of the harm she causes them.
I don’t believe Gretchen deserves to be bullied, but it's disappointing that the book takes pains to drum up support for Gretchen, who for all intents and purposes is an enabler, when Halina has done absolutely nothing wrong at all and she doesn't get a modicum of Apple’s commiseration.
Overall, this was a decent showcase just not the usual level of quality I’ve come to expect from Erin Entrada Kelly. Her average is still better than many other authors’ best so I’d definitely still recommend it. I’m only pointing out that if this is your first and you’re not feeling it there is better to come so don’t give up.