sarah984's review
funny
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There's a lot to like about this book but my overall experience with it was just average. Most of the storyline really worked for me (except near the end, which just felt kind of silly and out of place) and I liked having points of view from characters in different parts of the system. However there is one character who feels SO author-voice to me, like just halting the plot for lectures directly from the author, and a couple of the points of view were written in ways that felt borderline racist (especially the way the Mexican character's accent is written out).
Spoiler
Yessie's little field trip
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Rape, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Mental illness, Fatphobia, Racism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment, Blood, Car accident, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Vomit, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Police brutality, and Bullying
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Ableism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism, Adult/minor relationship, and Homophobia
samtastic02's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, Death, Racial slurs, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Transphobia and Lesbophobia
alicia_th's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
pratt_kat23's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
dom_madz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
danicapage's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: When I realized there were seven POVs, I was nervous! Like how would I keep track of seven POVs, and then I was worried about the fact the POVs didn’t seem connected together.
I shouldn’t have worried! Wow this was a brilliant book. It is extremely well written. Each character has such a strong voice and I could picture them easily. I had no problem keeping them straight.
It was a funny book and also super sad and also thought provoking. I won’t give any spoilers so it’s hard to say too much about this book.
I went in with zero idea of what happened in this book. And honestly, that’s what you should do too. Super thought provoking important read. Can’t speak highly of it enough.
Content warning: for 18+ due to mature themes. Language. Rape/abuse, neglect, physical abuse, some sexual content.
Love,
Danica Page
You can read more of my reviews at http://danicapagewrites.com or by connecting with me on Instagram @danicapage.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: When I realized there were seven POVs, I was nervous! Like how would I keep track of seven POVs, and then I was worried about the fact the POVs didn’t seem connected together.
I shouldn’t have worried! Wow this was a brilliant book. It is extremely well written. Each character has such a strong voice and I could picture them easily. I had no problem keeping them straight.
It was a funny book and also super sad and also thought provoking. I won’t give any spoilers so it’s hard to say too much about this book.
I went in with zero idea of what happened in this book. And honestly, that’s what you should do too. Super thought provoking important read. Can’t speak highly of it enough.
Content warning: for 18+ due to mature themes. Language. Rape/abuse, neglect, physical abuse, some sexual content.
Love,
Danica Page
You can read more of my reviews at http://danicapagewrites.com or by connecting with me on Instagram @danicapage.
carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
The voices in this novel, and the stories they tell, are incredibly vivid and authentic. I debate 4 and 5 stars here, but ultimately found the story too bleak at times, and at times didactic -- as if the author wanted to make sure her readers understands every side of the issues. Still, I couldn't put this down and think the teen readers I know will be furious at how powerless their disabled counterparts can be under the wrong caretakers.
trippalli's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
A gripping and emotionally moving story about folks who have to live in assisted living. Specifically a range of kids and teenagers from 8:00 to early twenties... This tail really feels realistic and the kids voices are grounded and down to earth and the caregivers and people who work there. Some of them are also disabled are also just very real and lovable people who I wanted to read about more after the book ended. I want to know what they do next and there's also some people in this book who are just vile, but at least in this story a lot of them get what they deserve but not all of them. It's very realistic that way and this is the story I think would make great educational reading except there is also a vivid horrible rape And that's pretty unbearable to read about. But it does happen to these people who are institutionalized .... It's just terrifying
Overall though, the book has so many uplifting characters and compassionate characters and happy moments and moments of jubilation and accomplishment that I really did enjoy listening to the audiobook of this story
Overall though, the book has so many uplifting characters and compassionate characters and happy moments and moments of jubilation and accomplishment that I really did enjoy listening to the audiobook of this story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Rape, Child abuse, Child death, Ableism, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
jolynne's review
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A work of fiction that could very well be true. You meet many characters that are part of this institution for disabled youth. You get to know many awesome human beings but along with that also comes the lowest of the low who are allowed to do what they do because generally these institutions are set up to be profit makers.