lanica's review against another edition
2.0
Nope.
I read this because it is a Mock Newbery title for our school. At page 141 I almost threw it out the window. I would have stopped reading, except I wanted to be able to fully discuss it with the kids at book club. It's 326 pages long. I did it, but it was a long and tedious slog.
Two things made this a failed read.
First - I am sick of books about twins and their amazing 'twinness'. I don't know if it's because I have identical twin sons, and so I 'see' them more than other people...or if there are more books on the market about twins...but, I am really tired of books that hint at the magic between twins. Too much. Overdone. Inaccurate. Cliche.
Second - So many words...no content. This book should have run about a third the length it did. The first half of the book is about how a family moves from a normal city to a perfect town. Why? We get hints about a tragedy. And then we get more information about how perfect teh town is and more hints about why they left the city. And more about the preftect town and more hints (but no development) of a sadness that they were trying to leave behind. Slow...slow...slow...and tiny bits of information are handed out in teeny tiny increments.
I am not a fan and will not be recommending this to anyone I know, student or adult.
Why 2 stars instead of 1? Because the wrap up - done in a few quick chapters...was on point and something worth reading.
I read this because it is a Mock Newbery title for our school. At page 141 I almost threw it out the window. I would have stopped reading, except I wanted to be able to fully discuss it with the kids at book club. It's 326 pages long. I did it, but it was a long and tedious slog.
Two things made this a failed read.
First - I am sick of books about twins and their amazing 'twinness'. I don't know if it's because I have identical twin sons, and so I 'see' them more than other people...or if there are more books on the market about twins...but, I am really tired of books that hint at the magic between twins. Too much. Overdone. Inaccurate. Cliche.
Second - So many words...no content. This book should have run about a third the length it did. The first half of the book is about how a family moves from a normal city to a perfect town. Why? We get hints about a tragedy. And then we get more information about how perfect teh town is and more hints about why they left the city. And more about the preftect town and more hints (but no development) of a sadness that they were trying to leave behind. Slow...slow...slow...and tiny bits of information are handed out in teeny tiny increments.
I am not a fan and will not be recommending this to anyone I know, student or adult.
Why 2 stars instead of 1? Because the wrap up - done in a few quick chapters...was on point and something worth reading.
internationalkris's review against another edition
4.0
Eventown is a story of a family attempting to escape the harsh realities of modern life by moving to the gentle and stable world of Eventown. But to be welcomed into this gilded community each resident must give up their most poignant and defining memories. This is a beautiful story of family and friendship with echoes of The Giver.>
jcarsrud's review
4.0
This was a sweet story about twins that moved to a mysterious town. Lots of love and some heartache. This would be perfect for a 5-8th grader that likes realistic fiction.
fionak's review against another edition
4.0
Conceptually, I really liked this but the pacing was hellish.
Note to self: check all of Haydu's books out from the library.
Note to self: check all of Haydu's books out from the library.
kjersten's review against another edition
4.0
**spoilers**
Overall this book was cute, but not what I expected. I picked it up on a whim at the library, but did not understand all of the symbolism illustrated on the cover until I finished the book. Really well thought-out and beautifully designed.
This book was a clearly middle school / elementary level take at some pretty serious issues, and there were some undertones from classics like The Giver and Farenheit 451 sprinkled throughout.
Elodee was a lovely protagonist. Honestly written and really fleshed out. Her love for cooking/baking was contagious, and the descriptions of her very specific creations really added a lot to the book creatively and emotionally. I also had a soft spot for her charming but not overwhelmingly/unrealistically so Dad. Zeena and her family brought needed warmth to the story as well.
If I could tweak anything about this book it would be the pacing. I appreciate the suspense of a good reveal, but for me the first 100 pages were interesting but almost not engaging enough. I will admit I had to flip ahead to figure out just a hint of what was going on, with the possibility of not finishing the book on the line.
I also found Elodee to be a bit too forgiving of Naomi. I understand that siblings don't get along perfectly, but throughout the majority of the book it was not a good example of sibling relationships. I wish Elodee had stood up for herself a bit more in that department to show younger readers that being treated that way is not okay.
All in all it was a cute read. The setting of Eventown is enchanting and brings up interesting points about society's view towards discomfort and differences. Is living "in a bubble" as happy as it seems?
Overall this book was cute, but not what I expected. I picked it up on a whim at the library, but did not understand all of the symbolism illustrated on the cover until I finished the book. Really well thought-out and beautifully designed.
This book was a clearly middle school / elementary level take at some pretty serious issues, and there were some undertones from classics like The Giver and Farenheit 451 sprinkled throughout.
Spoiler
The library bothered me the most. Made my skin crawl!Elodee was a lovely protagonist. Honestly written and really fleshed out. Her love for cooking/baking was contagious, and the descriptions of her very specific creations really added a lot to the book creatively and emotionally. I also had a soft spot for her charming but not overwhelmingly/unrealistically so Dad. Zeena and her family brought needed warmth to the story as well.
If I could tweak anything about this book it would be the pacing. I appreciate the suspense of a good reveal, but for me the first 100 pages were interesting but almost not engaging enough. I will admit I had to flip ahead to figure out just a hint of what was going on, with the possibility of not finishing the book on the line.
I also found Elodee to be a bit too forgiving of Naomi. I understand that siblings don't get along perfectly, but throughout the majority of the book it was not a good example of sibling relationships. I wish Elodee had stood up for herself a bit more in that department to show younger readers that being treated that way is not okay.
Spoiler
I also of course question the parents' decision to bring them to Eventown in the first place, and have their memories erased without their consent.All in all it was a cute read. The setting of Eventown is enchanting and brings up interesting points about society's view towards discomfort and differences. Is living "in a bubble" as happy as it seems?
jrfehr's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up. I continue to be mesmerized by Corey Ann Haydu. Her writing is so simply yet so beautiful. And it explains complicated emotional experiences in such a way that even adults want to keep listening. Love love love everything she writes
emilybriano's review
5.0
Oh wow. This book is so beautiful and sad and hopeful. It’s like a new generation’s The Giver, but somehow more personal and nearer to the experience of its readers than its predecessor.
What happens when we forget? Do we want to forget our worst (or best) memories?What does it mean to be perfect? How do we deal with pain? What is the role of imperfection and love and family.
All these questions and more in a middle grade novel that should be read by anyone at any age.
What happens when we forget? Do we want to forget our worst (or best) memories?What does it mean to be perfect? How do we deal with pain? What is the role of imperfection and love and family.
All these questions and more in a middle grade novel that should be read by anyone at any age.
dlsmall's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful book with such an intricate structure. That structure was tough to balance for maybe the first quarter, but Corey pulled it off.
turrean's review against another edition
4.0
I found this novel dark and lovely and understated and more than a little scary. It was unexpected, as well, because every time I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, it veered off somewhere else.
I spotted inconsistencies (e.g., grade level of the kids) and a bit of hand waving over HOW things happened (like the weather or skill at gymnastics) that made it harder to suspend my disbelief. The story was more *metaphorical* than I’d anticipated, as the exact mechanism by which things in Eventown happen is not explained at all. The book just wonders, if this thing were possible, should it be done?
But I loved it.
I spotted inconsistencies (e.g., grade level of the kids) and a bit of hand waving over HOW things happened (like the weather or skill at gymnastics) that made it harder to suspend my disbelief. The story was more *metaphorical* than I’d anticipated, as the exact mechanism by which things in Eventown happen is not explained at all. The book just wonders, if this thing were possible, should it be done?
But I loved it.
madsamp's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0