Scan barcode
elizabertha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
I liked it more than I expected. It’s for a younger audience, but still had some really good lines that hit. This book covers a lot of sensitive material, but approached it nicely and left me thinking. Listened to the audiobook narrated by the author!
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Police brutality
kristinallard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Minor: Police brutality
aliyas_encanto's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Gun violence
captainrenjamin's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Toxic friendship
unicorngirl's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Racism and Police brutality
pagecalico's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual harassment
dragon_lord's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Slavery
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In regards to the plot, I really liked how the author included dichotomies and complex elements to portray the affects of racism on communities and the realities of interpersonal relationships. I appreciated how the fact that racism is not just some explicit, violent ideology, but also a subtle subconscious thing that impacts how you can treat people around you without even overtly thinking it. Additionally, I think Watson did a good job exploring the concept of privilege and intersectionality. For example, Sam and Jade had similar socioeconomic statuses and they sort of bonded over that, yet Sam still wasn’t willing to see that Jade experienced further challenges because of her skin color, which almost destroyed their relationship until they made up at the end of the novel when Sam realized she was wrong. I also thought that Watson’s presentation of how people within the same racial group can have varying levels of privilege even if they all experience racism. I thought it was especially interesting how she portrayed the tension between Maxine and Jade/Jade’s family because of Maxine’s wealth, but they were able to find common ground over shared cultural traditions and values. In this dynamic, I thought Jade’s mom was a very interesting, complex character because her insecurities and fears about providing for Jade were challenged when Maxine came into her life, and she lashed out because of how protective she was.
Finally, I really liked how the book showed that despite (or possibly because of) the harsh consequences of racism on Jade’s community, they still proved that they can find and create opportunities for joy, fellowship, innovation and creativity. I think that is a very powerful message when so many white people, including activists/allies, have difficulty moving past the fact that Black people, women especially, are capable of creating powerful, positive things and aren’t just limited to experiencing sadness, grief and anger. While this story does deal with heavy subjects, I think it simultaneously shows the power of community organizing, mutual aid and education that has the potential to create change in the real world.
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Police brutality
3lea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
crabbytaco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Police brutality