guida315's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.0
kathrynwilliams's review against another edition
4.0
Read aloud with the boys. When I first read this book as a 9 year old I told my mother, "This book changed my life."
janessaalexis's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 3.75
This book feels nostalgic. Like I've read it before.
And part of that is the influence of having seen the movie prior to reading the book, for sure. I grew up with that movie.
But it was a quietly magical book. Not the best book I've read, but still something bright and beautiful.
This book feels nostalgic. Like I've read it before.
And part of that is the influence of having seen the movie prior to reading the book, for sure. I grew up with that movie.
But it was a quietly magical book. Not the best book I've read, but still something bright and beautiful.
olivertwist's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blitz_ramna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don't remember the last time I read a book that has made me cry, even after finishing the last few pages.
At first, Jesse Aarons was not a well-liked character. I thought he was dull and small-minded until I kept on reading. Then did I understood why he was the way he was. I actually grew to like him in the end.
As for Leslie, I loved her imagination and the way she helped Jesse to slowly be himself without feeling shunned and an outcast.
I admired their friendship, even if it was short lived.
At first, Jesse Aarons was not a well-liked character. I thought he was dull and small-minded until I kept on reading. Then did I understood why he was the way he was. I actually grew to like him in the end.
As for Leslie, I loved her imagination and the way she helped Jesse to slowly be himself without feeling shunned and an outcast.
I admired their friendship, even if it was short lived.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, and Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse
zo__ish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sailingqueen's review against another edition
1.0
Movie >> Book
I'm sorry that this was loosely based on true events. "my cancer and the tragic death of our son David's best friend, Lisa". I just felt that there could be some things that could've been left out...
As a child, you don't realize some of the weird things that happen in the movie:
Mainly the teacher picking up the student. For what reason? It's emphasized in the book though about everyone being jealous of Jesse because he's there with his teacher. It's just weird.
May Belle said she wanted to see her laid out over and over and then getting punched in the face...
What really threw me through a loop was 6-year-old (?) May Belle standing in her underwear and the interaction of her saying she's going to tell Momma that Jesse is staring at her and then Jesse says, "Yeah, well. Pretty girl like you. Can't hardly help myself." .........WHAT!!!
I'm sorry that this was loosely based on true events. "my cancer and the tragic death of our son David's best friend, Lisa". I just felt that there could be some things that could've been left out...
As a child, you don't realize some of the weird things that happen in the movie:
Mainly the teacher picking up the student. For what reason? It's emphasized in the book though about everyone being jealous of Jesse because he's there with his teacher. It's just weird.
May Belle said she wanted to see her laid out over and over and then getting punched in the face...
What really threw me through a loop was 6-year-old (?) May Belle standing in her underwear and the interaction of her saying she's going to tell Momma that Jesse is staring at her and then Jesse says, "Yeah, well. Pretty girl like you. Can't hardly help myself." .........WHAT!!!
randomusername06150713's review against another edition
5.0
Another one of the great books of my childhood...
This was the first book to ever make me cry. I mean, seriously cry. I was sobbing like my mother died when I read this book. It was one of those books that just grabs you and rips your heart out. (In a good way of course...) I loved this book so much, I stole it from my elementary school library because I loved it so much, I couldn't bare to return it. It's still actually sitting on my bookshelf. Can you imagine a book so good that it would drive someone to theivery?? Yeah, it was that good.
This was the first book to ever make me cry. I mean, seriously cry. I was sobbing like my mother died when I read this book. It was one of those books that just grabs you and rips your heart out. (In a good way of course...) I loved this book so much, I stole it from my elementary school library because I loved it so much, I couldn't bare to return it. It's still actually sitting on my bookshelf. Can you imagine a book so good that it would drive someone to theivery?? Yeah, it was that good.