rryep's review
3.0
*Contemporary, *Psychological - Anxiety, *Friendship
+biPOC characters (main)
+Authors note
+Author has anxiety & heart problems - authenticity
+Interactive games
+biPOC characters (main)
+Authors note
+Author has anxiety & heart problems - authenticity
+Interactive games
msseviereads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Ava Andrews is a character that is easy to love -- and I was equally frustrated with her for not being stronger and empathetic with her because of her worries and anxieties.
Must have book for all middle school shelves! Would make a great read aloud!
Must have book for all middle school shelves! Would make a great read aloud!
emperor_e's review
4.0
Hmmmm maybe improv sounds like more fun than I thought……..also bonus points for mentioning an animated tv show. Good job, an overall enjoyable book for me.
emiline767's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
bethebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Own voices books are a delight
Great book about dealing with invisible disability, social anxiety gentrification, selective mutism, middle school, and friendship. It's so nice to read own voices books on these topics because instead of endless tropes the true depth of character is displayed. I also now want to do Improv like Ava!
Great book about dealing with invisible disability, social anxiety gentrification, selective mutism, middle school, and friendship. It's so nice to read own voices books on these topics because instead of endless tropes the true depth of character is displayed. I also now want to do Improv like Ava!
librariann's review
Only 13 pages in and I'm already like WHERE WAS THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS IN SIXTH GRADE. Would it have given me the language to advocate for my needs?
This:
And this:
This:
I sit in the aisle closest to the door. It's one of the accommodations in my 504 medical plan for school, which lists the things I do to manage my anxiety and heart condition. The ability to leave makes me feel less nervous about having to sit in a class.
And this:
I nod at Mr. Sukow but also raise my hand for the bathroom pass, an index finger pointed to the ceiling, the signal my teachers agreed on that I can use, no matter what else is going on in class. It's my get-out-of-jail card.
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Unfortunately I didn’t super enjoy my time with this one. Whenever I put it down I just didn’t feel compelled to pick it back up again. This might be because the pacing was slow and the narrative took a WHILE to set things up. I’m so bummed about it because I thought I would love it, seeing as I have anxiety and other invisible disabilities like Ava does.
The disability rep itself was great. The anxiety rep was very true to what my internal monologue looks like when my mental health isn’t so good. I can’t speak to the noncompaction cardiomyopathy rep but I could relate to the fact that people misjudged Ava because they either didn’t know she was disabled, or didn’t understand her disability.
I actually found myself liking the improv aspect and thought it was a realistic way of Ava learning how to manage her anxiety. I also thought the local activism was a good storyline, and liked how improv tied into it too. Functionally, it added depth to the narrative and to Ava’s character development, but more importantly it was great to see that behaviour modelled for young readers.
Finally, I did enjoy the last third a whole lot better than the first two thirds. But, despite all this praise, my rating ultimately came down to my enjoyment of the book, which was low overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Classism
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Excrement, Ableism, and Vomit
Major: gentrification, illness Moderate: HP references (2 total) Minor: earthquake, theft, divorceshelbells427's review
inspiring
slow-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
3.75
careinthelibrary's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.0
I liked the message about talking it out with bullies when they're just kids who are hurting and are scared. I liked how Ava found her confidence through improv and grew to appreciate her own voice. I hope the chronic illness and (invisible) disability rep will help kids see themselves and help others learn and understand better what peers are going through.
Otherwise this wasn't a favourite, middle of the road.
Otherwise this wasn't a favourite, middle of the road.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying
anxiety and anxiety attacks