sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. In this story, Addie makes the shift from being a strong girl craving social justice to being just as insecure as any other 7th grade girl. Yes, this makes her more realistic and three-dimensional. And Howe handles Addie's inner thoughts brilliantly. Taken alone I have no problem at all with this characterization. But part of me missed the edgy Addie who annoyed everyone with her comentary and good intensions in [b:Totally Joe|291895|Totally Joe|James Howe|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173460830s/291895.jpg|283211].
Told in verse. I liked the variety in the types of poems used.
Told in verse. I liked the variety in the types of poems used.
book_nut's review against another edition
4.0
Poignant and direct, not to mention very thought-provoking.
vrainh20's review against another edition
4.0
I liked Addie on the Inside! There I said it in the midst of negative reviews, crucify me. I had to read this book for my YA Lit class and received it on interlibrary loan at the very last second but read it over my lunch break. Its around 200 pages and written in verse so a VERY quick read. I just thought it was so well written and I loved Addie's thought process. I generally don't like verse but it fit this book's theme so well that I didn't have any trouble reading it at all. The LBGT povs were what really roped me in I loved James Howe's take on that from a middle schoolers perspective.
ibenmarie's review against another edition
5.0
This was both the best and the worst thing for me to read at the moment.
I feel so much for Addie. Oh, my friend, will it get better? yes, and no.
But it will keep going, and you will find your way, even if you did not know, that it was the way to go.
I feel so much for Addie. Oh, my friend, will it get better? yes, and no.
But it will keep going, and you will find your way, even if you did not know, that it was the way to go.
couillac's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe because Addie reminds me so much of who I was as well as who I wanted to be in middle school, but Howe's exploration of the internal workings of Addie hit really close to home. Amazingly authentic with poems that are varied and FUN to read. I could really see this book working in a middle school English class as a read aloud. Addie, who was a secondary character in Totally Joe, comes to life with extraordinary depth in this novel in verse. As in his previous book featuring these characters, Howe touches on bullying and the seemingly random antagonism of middle school that will ring true for so many teens of all ages. I see myself in Addie, so I'm probably biased, but this is definitely one of my best of the year. A lot of opportunities for good discussion in any middle school classroom, but an eye-opening and enjoyable read for young and older teens of varying experiences.
lambchops814's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good, honest portrayal of middle school life. Written in verse, great emotions. Good middle school read with perspective on being an outsider
bethanyparker's review against another edition
3.0
I hadn't read the two previous books in this trilogy, so I don't know if I'm missing any information needed to enjoy this novel to its fullest potential. I love books about girls who push back. I do, however, feel as though we need fewer books about cis white girls being bullied for "standing up for others" and more books about those who are actually being silenced. I also do not quite understand what the purpose of writing this in verse was other than it being more bang for their buck.
library_lurker's review against another edition
4.0
i find books written for seventh graders very soothing, even though i'm 32. i woulda loved this if it was around when i was the appropriate age. the poetic format mostly worked for me, sometimes it got a little cheesy or overblown, but generally i liked it.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series of the Misfits James Howe has put together. This is a group of friends who are sort of the outcast in 7th grade. What I appreciate is that each story, so far, is told from a different character and told in a way unique to them. Bobby was told like a normal novel, Joe was told like a homework diary project and Addie is told in poetry.
What I love is that James Howe has done his research. He takes just about every kind of poetry you can find and he uses it to effect sharing Addie's different emotions. There is Haiku and 8 word, 4 lines poetry and verse and anything you can think up. He uses it in specific ways. I loved it.
I felt like the poetry heightened the emotional impact of the story. The story about Addie is a simple story of standing up in school and being who you want to be verses fitting in or trying to balance those things.
I love the character of Addie. She is a strong and confident person who stands up for her beliefs even when it isolates her. Her stance, helps those kids who are shy and uncertain of who they are. I was that kid growing up and it was the Addie's in school who gave me a safe wing to shelter under that helped me get through junior high. Junior high is simply the worst. It was brutal, talk about survival.
This book also showcases Addie's doubts and struggles. She isn't just a strong leader and warrior. She has problems and aches and pains. It's nice to see that she is human. Her Grandma visits her and it's hard on her when she goes as that is the person to really support her. She is dealing with an unstable relationship with 2 stubborn people in it. It's all junior high drama, but very well done, in my opinion.
One problem with standing up for other people, is that other kids can lump you in with that group. Addie stands up for her queer friends and students and so people put her in that group as well and she isn't.
I never had the guts Addie had and I admire someone who is willing to speak up and stand up for what they believe. I was too scared to speak up back then, to be a target and I had to be called on to speak in class and I rarely gave an opinion. I was the wallflower. I admire those that speak out and share even if they will be made fun off. I need a reminder of the people like Addie in the world as I realize that I am sort of back in those old patterns that didn't help me. I need to find my voice again and grow my inner Addie.
This book was just what I needed right now. It's excellent.
What I love is that James Howe has done his research. He takes just about every kind of poetry you can find and he uses it to effect sharing Addie's different emotions. There is Haiku and 8 word, 4 lines poetry and verse and anything you can think up. He uses it in specific ways. I loved it.
I felt like the poetry heightened the emotional impact of the story. The story about Addie is a simple story of standing up in school and being who you want to be verses fitting in or trying to balance those things.
I love the character of Addie. She is a strong and confident person who stands up for her beliefs even when it isolates her. Her stance, helps those kids who are shy and uncertain of who they are. I was that kid growing up and it was the Addie's in school who gave me a safe wing to shelter under that helped me get through junior high. Junior high is simply the worst. It was brutal, talk about survival.
This book also showcases Addie's doubts and struggles. She isn't just a strong leader and warrior. She has problems and aches and pains. It's nice to see that she is human. Her Grandma visits her and it's hard on her when she goes as that is the person to really support her. She is dealing with an unstable relationship with 2 stubborn people in it. It's all junior high drama, but very well done, in my opinion.
One problem with standing up for other people, is that other kids can lump you in with that group. Addie stands up for her queer friends and students and so people put her in that group as well and she isn't.
I never had the guts Addie had and I admire someone who is willing to speak up and stand up for what they believe. I was too scared to speak up back then, to be a target and I had to be called on to speak in class and I rarely gave an opinion. I was the wallflower. I admire those that speak out and share even if they will be made fun off. I need a reminder of the people like Addie in the world as I realize that I am sort of back in those old patterns that didn't help me. I need to find my voice again and grow my inner Addie.
This book was just what I needed right now. It's excellent.