pchb's review
5.0
Julia Watts is the most underappreciated queer YA writer working today. She was a trailblazer with "Finding H.F." (2001!) and remained relevant with "Quiver." "Needlework" might be my favorite of hers to date. Her writing about being queer in Appalachia and the rural South is so beautiful and nuanced. I loved Kody and his love of quilting and Dolly Parton. The exploration of his mother's opioid addiction wasn't glossed over but not demonized, either. Despite the somewhat-dreary subject matter, I walked away from "Needlework" hopeful, just like with Watts's other books and that is her special talent.
mxemma's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
katewrites's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
cloulesss's review
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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? No
3.0
mishale1's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wow. I can’t believe this book has been lingering on my tbr stack for so long and when I finally started reading it I could not put it down. I literally read the entire first half of the book before even putting a bookmark in the book.
This book is beautifully written and the characters feel so real. I can’t imagine anybody not loving sweet Kody. He spends most of his time with his grandmother and loves Golden girls and Dolly Parton. He’s the kindest, most loyal guy and he’s always the one taking care of everyone else. He doesn’t expect anyone to love him just as he is. He keeps the fact that he’s gay a secret because he doesn’t want to upset his grandmother who is his caregiver. Kody’s mom is absolutely heartbreaking. His mom has addiction issues. She’s not able to care for Kody or his little brother. She’s not able to care for herself. But Kody’s grandmother makes sure her daughter has food on the table, a roof over her head and that her utilities are on. And Kody tries his best to help his mother sober up. Poor kid. Kody does not get to be a teenager.
Kody lives in a very small town. It’s very poor, it’s very religious. Kody really doesn’t judge anyone harshly for anything. My heart broke for Kody, he’s good to absolutely everyone and expects nothing in return.
One day a stranger reaches out to him on social media and it changes his life in every possible way. I won’t spoil it by saying who it is or the secrets that get uncovered as a result. But the secrets do cause Kody to wonder whether his life can be more than it already is.
This book is very sad at times but very hopeful at other times and it’s just absolutely beautifully written.
This book is beautifully written and the characters feel so real. I can’t imagine anybody not loving sweet Kody. He spends most of his time with his grandmother and loves Golden girls and Dolly Parton. He’s the kindest, most loyal guy and he’s always the one taking care of everyone else. He doesn’t expect anyone to love him just as he is. He keeps the fact that he’s gay a secret because he doesn’t want to upset his grandmother who is his caregiver. Kody’s mom is absolutely heartbreaking. His mom has addiction issues. She’s not able to care for Kody or his little brother. She’s not able to care for herself. But Kody’s grandmother makes sure her daughter has food on the table, a roof over her head and that her utilities are on. And Kody tries his best to help his mother sober up. Poor kid. Kody does not get to be a teenager.
Kody lives in a very small town. It’s very poor, it’s very religious. Kody really doesn’t judge anyone harshly for anything. My heart broke for Kody, he’s good to absolutely everyone and expects nothing in return.
One day a stranger reaches out to him on social media and it changes his life in every possible way. I won’t spoil it by saying who it is or the secrets that get uncovered as a result. But the secrets do cause Kody to wonder whether his life can be more than it already is.
This book is very sad at times but very hopeful at other times and it’s just absolutely beautifully written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Drug abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Murder, Pedophilia, and Racial slurs
jcd1013's review
4.0
I do love random library finds.
I really enjoyed this book. The voices were authentic and the story was heartfelt and complex. You could sense the despair of how rural white America is falling apart, but there was a lot of hope too. I also loved that it wasn't a romance - while Kody is gay, it's his relationships with his family and his friends that are the focus, and that's so rare in YA literature.
I really enjoyed this book. The voices were authentic and the story was heartfelt and complex. You could sense the despair of how rural white America is falling apart, but there was a lot of hope too. I also loved that it wasn't a romance - while Kody is gay, it's his relationships with his family and his friends that are the focus, and that's so rare in YA literature.
marieke_du_pre's review
4.0
Imagine: being sixteen and gay. Loving Dolly Parton and The Golden Girls. Living in rural white Kentucky. Loving quilting and cooking. And the church is the center of existence.
Imagine: seeing your mom at the Walmart begging for money. Caring for her when she’s high. Worrying when she’s gone for days. And your dad is in jail.
Imagine: finding out a family secret, and meeting a girl. A Black girl who accepts Kody for who he is. A sweet feminine gay boy.
This queer YA story is different from many others. It’s not about finding your identity or sexuality and accepting yourself. It’s not about falling in love for the first time.
This story is about Kody, who has a harsh life and still manages so well. Who lives with his grandma because his mom is an addict. Who brings his mom to NA and compares it to walking your scared kid for the first day to kindergarten. Who’s clearly gay. But the conservative and religious people in rural white Kentucky don’t acknowledge it. Because everyone is straight, right?
The dialogues are in Southern American English (I didn’t even know there was an official name), primarily spoken in rural areas by white Southerners. Although I’m not an American, it made me understand the environment where Kody lives a little better.Closed excavated mines. A lot of unemployed people. Lots of addicts. Kids living with their old-fashioned and devout grandparents. The sticker ‘Make America great again’ visible on many cars. Mmm ...
Even though Kody’s life is harsh and complicated, the story is quite easy to read. I loved Kody and Macey, they were both so sweet and kind, and Kody was so strong. Sometimes maybe a little too strong for his age. Reacting so calmly on certain events; sometimes he seemed more like an adult instead of a teen. But maybe that’s how you react when you’ve been through so much. I received an ARC from Three Rooms Press and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Even though Kody’s life is harsh and complicated, the story is quite easy to read. I loved Kody and Macey, they were both so sweet and kind, and Kody was so strong. Sometimes maybe a little too strong for his age. Reacting so calmly on certain events; sometimes he seemed more like an adult instead of a teen. But maybe that’s how you react when you’ve been through so much. I received an ARC from Three Rooms Press and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.