mmmarsyeee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.5
The book started out a little slow but after some time, the characters really grow on you. The story was a little heavy, dealing with divorces while growing up. It was a real tear-jerker, and Nola was such an excellent main character, my heart truly broke whenever hers broke. Her narration was so life-like, I felt like I really was in her shoes. The constant flashbacks really helped develop the world of the Swift boys and her. It was a great book to me, where every character had their own developments that warmed my heart.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Death of parent, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse
izthereader's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book A LOT. Kody Keplinger just has a way with words that no one else has. I love how she is able to put very important themes into an extremely fun story-line. This one was not any different. I wasn't sure if she could do it with a middle grade book but she did. Can't wait to read more from her. She has easily become one of my favorite authors.
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sonoraslater's review against another edition
It was good, and I liked the story... but I the ending wasn't my favorite.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Nola Sutton has grown up in one half of a duplex with the three Swift brothers on the other half. She considers them her best friends, especially Canaan, the middle brother, who is in her grade. But when their father suddenly leaves, the three boys deal with this in different ways, pulling away from Nola and each other. She tries everything she can to fix the situation, and is deeply hurt by the loss of her closest friends. A good story about friendship and loss, and what it means to be a good friend. Recommended for grades 4-8.
maryanne19's review against another edition
4.0
Very different from Kody Keplinger's other books, as this is middle grades. Sweet story of friendship.
mjenae's review against another edition
medium-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
3.75
The book accomplished it's purpose. I actually really enjoyed reading about Nola and the Swift boys, but I just had to give it a lower rating because even though three of the characters had great and noticeable character development, and even though it turned out in probably the best way it could've, and even though the ending was fantastic and it made me cry—I'm still very disappointed in how it turned out for one of the characters. I was frustrated—okay, yes, I was angry—at how Nola resolved one of the main conflicts in the book. She hurt my favorite character in what I felt was a quite unnecessary and naive move. So yes—the main beef I had with this book was its main character; she went against a lot of my own values, and it grated on my nerves.
(I still loved all the other characters, though. It's a worthwhile read.)
(I still loved all the other characters, though. It's a worthwhile read.)
thasbeeha's review against another edition
4.0
Its about the neighbour and the girl spending the summer break. And how the swift boys overcome the divorce of their parent.
federo999's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the main character of this book. She was strong even though she had many anxieties. She also wants to fix anything she can for anyone she loves, and is very observant. I thought she was a very well rounded character.
The cover of the book is a bit misleading. For one, the main character Lola, is seen as a chubby girl with a little low self esteem, but you don't get that from the cover. She is picked on about her weight, but she is very active in the book.
Also, I was surprised about the title, because the book is about how Lola loses her best friends and has to find a way to move on, while trying to fix what once was. Its a very coming of age novel, but from the title, and the cover, you would think that it is about their summer together.
I really enjoyed this novel, but it definitely was a tear jerker. The author was very good at getting the reader to understand how Nola was feeling.
The cover of the book is a bit misleading. For one, the main character Lola, is seen as a chubby girl with a little low self esteem, but you don't get that from the cover. She is picked on about her weight, but she is very active in the book.
Also, I was surprised about the title, because the book is about how Lola loses her best friends and has to find a way to move on, while trying to fix what once was. Its a very coming of age novel, but from the title, and the cover, you would think that it is about their summer together.
I really enjoyed this novel, but it definitely was a tear jerker. The author was very good at getting the reader to understand how Nola was feeling.
lizpatanders's review against another edition
2.0
Meh.
For me the two most unique things about this book were the setting and the reason why Mr. Swift left. I thought for characters who knew the latter part was dealt with in a way that was frank.
There is a really good overall story arc here about growing up, and there's a lot of great character development. However, there are definitely some less than believable things that happen in this plotline.
I'd say this is middle of the road. It's not exceptional, but not bad. A good choice for middle grade contemporary readers.
For me the two most unique things about this book were the setting and the reason why Mr. Swift left. I thought for characters who knew the latter part was dealt with in a way that was frank.
There is a really good overall story arc here about growing up, and there's a lot of great character development. However, there are definitely some less than believable things that happen in this plotline.
I'd say this is middle of the road. It's not exceptional, but not bad. A good choice for middle grade contemporary readers.