lornarei's review against another edition
4.0
It was a very good read. Maybe an odd thing to remark on, but I am surprised there is not an Alzheimer's Disease - Juvenile Fiction subject tag on this. Her grandfather's decline is a major theme throughout the book. The situation and her reactions to first NOT knowing what was going on with him and then her reactions when she is told could be very helpful to a young reader dealing with this in their own family. It's also what made it a tearful read for me. The author even talks about it in her note and gives a shout-out to the Alzheimer's Association.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
A bittersweet look at the difficulties of change in your family and in becoming a middle schooler. Merci would like a new bike, but she would like most things to stay the same: her camaraderie with her grandfather, playing kickball at recess, being friends with lots of different people rather than just who is deemed cool by the Queen Bee. It's a tough time, and we walk with Merci through those first few months of 6th grade. Very good.
sandraagee's review against another edition
4.0
Solid. I always like a story where
Spoiler
a bully gets her comeuppance. So satisfying.Spoiler
I listened to the audio so I don't have the ability to go back and check right now, but did anybody actually apologize to Merci for keeping her in the dark about Lolo's Alzheimer's? I was so bothered by this on Merci's behalf throughout the book. For the record this is not a case of bad writing, just characters making a well intentioned but not terribly kind choice.kristinamskinner's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good story. The family was tightly-knit, which I liked. The main character is a strong female and faced her trials well.
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
Captures the essence of middle school perfectly: the troubles of fitting in among, the frustration of butting heads with your parents, puberty and the confusing aspects of people around you developing crushes and acting weird. It also tackles classism and the experience of being poor in an environment where everyone else is rich and the alienation that comes with it. I loved or loved to hate the characters and watching Merci grow was satisfying.
bethgiven's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book for its unique setting: a multigenerational family, immigrants from Cuba, going through a time of change within their family. I did feel like it got a little long for a middle-grade novel (“no offense,” as Edna would say!) But I did like the characters and enjoyed spending time with them. This isn’t the best Newbery-winner I’ve read, but I appreciate the diversity it brings to the award.
If you like this one, you might also like Front Desk; it takes place a generation earlier on an opposite coast, but it’s also about the immigrant experience.
Parents/clean readers: these middle schoolers occasionally take the Lord’s name in vain, but otherwise this is a clean read.
If you like this one, you might also like Front Desk; it takes place a generation earlier on an opposite coast, but it’s also about the immigrant experience.
Parents/clean readers: these middle schoolers occasionally take the Lord’s name in vain, but otherwise this is a clean read.
resslesa's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely book about the trials of getting older and the everyday struggles of a girl at school and with her family. Loved it. Deserving of the Newbery for its lovely relatability and fun characters. Fun fact-Brendan Kiely and Lamar Giles were the beta readers for the book.
sasbybelle's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great read about learning how to accept yourself and be who you are in order to “fit in” with the people who are just right for you as friends.
roseannearchy's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0