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onthemiddleshelf's review against another edition
5.0
What a phenomenal book! Addie's story was awe inspiring and heart felt. I really appreciated the own voices (from the author) perspective on autism and how it is viewed in the schools and through adulthood as well. This is just such a poignant story for our time about acceptance and support and how we can lift others up instead of tearing them down. It is also a book about how we can learn from our past mistakes individually and as a society. All the stars to this one. I will most definitely be having my own kids read it as well.
serrendipity's review against another edition
5.0
"The ocean needs all kinds of fish," Keedie says quietly. "Just like the world needs all kinds of minds. Just one would be really dull, wouldn't it?"
I know what she's trying to say. "I suppose."
"Even on days like today," she says, turning a page for me: a coral reef with so many colorful fish. "Even today, I still wouldn't change you and I wouldn't change me."
5/5. 10/5. Absolutely wonderful, poignant, emotionally intense book that had me sobbing near the end.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when readers don't like a book -- for example, [b:Long Live the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas|57190803|Long Live the Pumpkin Queen Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas|Shea Ernshaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647272472l/57190803._SY75_.jpg|89388998] or [b:By the Book|58950845|By the Book (Meant to Be, #2)|Jasmine Guillory|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633851071l/58950845._SX50_.jpg|92387440] -- and they dismiss it as "juvenile." The writing is "juvenile," the plot is "juvenile." It's clearly meant as an insult -- as if the book could have been so much better if it had just been....? I don't know...more adult? Because that's the opposite of 'juvenile,' right?
If you don't like a book, that's 100% fine. I don't like plenty of books. But come up with a better reason/explanation than it's "juvenile." If the writing is bad, or just not to your taste, again that's fine -- but it's not necessarily juvenile.
Because here, McNicoll wrote a book that is technically "juvenile." It's classified as "juvenile" or middle-grade fiction, published by a "For Young Readers" imprint, and features an 11 year-old protagonist. But the story is anything but juvenile, and I hate that false equivalency -- that if something is 'juvenile' it's automatically 'less than,' or 'simpler' or 'not as stimulating.'
I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone and everyone -- it's the type of book that (1) exposes you to a different perspective; (2) causes you to (hopefully) sit with your own privilege for a minute and (3) makes you want to be a better human. Not nice, but good.
I've never "added to cart" faster.
I know what she's trying to say. "I suppose."
"Even on days like today," she says, turning a page for me: a coral reef with so many colorful fish. "Even today, I still wouldn't change you and I wouldn't change me."
5/5. 10/5. Absolutely wonderful, poignant, emotionally intense book that had me sobbing near the end.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when readers don't like a book -- for example, [b:Long Live the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas|57190803|Long Live the Pumpkin Queen Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas|Shea Ernshaw|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647272472l/57190803._SY75_.jpg|89388998] or [b:By the Book|58950845|By the Book (Meant to Be, #2)|Jasmine Guillory|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633851071l/58950845._SX50_.jpg|92387440] -- and they dismiss it as "juvenile." The writing is "juvenile," the plot is "juvenile." It's clearly meant as an insult -- as if the book could have been so much better if it had just been....? I don't know...more adult? Because that's the opposite of 'juvenile,' right?
If you don't like a book, that's 100% fine. I don't like plenty of books. But come up with a better reason/explanation than it's "juvenile." If the writing is bad, or just not to your taste, again that's fine -- but it's not necessarily juvenile.
Because here, McNicoll wrote a book that is technically "juvenile." It's classified as "juvenile" or middle-grade fiction, published by a "For Young Readers" imprint, and features an 11 year-old protagonist. But the story is anything but juvenile, and I hate that false equivalency -- that if something is 'juvenile' it's automatically 'less than,' or 'simpler' or 'not as stimulating.'
I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone and everyone -- it's the type of book that (1) exposes you to a different perspective; (2) causes you to (hopefully) sit with your own privilege for a minute and (3) makes you want to be a better human. Not nice, but good.
I've never "added to cart" faster.
eleanorjane_17's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Although this is a children's book it is one of the most inspiring things I've read. As an autistic girl myself I could relate to so many of the challenges and also joys of living life as an autistic person and sometimes how isolating that feeling can be. Everything is so accurate to how I sometimes feel on a daily basis and I think it really shows the realities of being autistic and a lot of these things I don't think are well known.
This has been one of my most inspiring books I've read this year and through Addie I have learned to love the different things about me thank you Elle Mcnicholl for this absolutely stunning book now on to read Keedie!
This has been one of my most inspiring books I've read this year and through Addie I have learned to love the different things about me thank you Elle Mcnicholl for this absolutely stunning book now on to read Keedie!
wintah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
very good, cried just a little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Medical trauma
mmskrzyp's review against another edition
5.0
I know this book is for children but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this seen and understood by a novel. Tears have been shed, laughter have been heard. I’m very happy that I bought a physical copy so it can stand proudly on my shelf and be shared with friends.
mmirjamm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kmt1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kanncarlson's review against another edition
3.0
A little too old of a pick for nighttime reading with my 5.5 year old but a wonderful story I hope she will find more meaningful later on in her development. This story follows a young girl with autism struggling to fit in in her small, rural town. Our protagonist loves learning and one day learns that her town took part in witch trials in the past. She discovers that the women accused of witchcraft were really just people who were different... Like her. She makes it her mission to get her town to create a memorial for those who were killed. A great story to give any middle grade reader a peek into the life of someone neurodivergent.
niyyahwriting's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing middle grade story that shows, so well, what it means to be shoved into a box you don't fit in. McNicoll wove the history of the witch trials in a small town outside of Edinburgh expertly into an autistic girl's struggles and successes with family, friendship, and school. The story is so realistic and moving, I couldn't find fault with it and immediately went to look for more by this author.
mackie_24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated