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sydneyrp143's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
nicole_mud's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
What a lovely and hopeful story…!
gracieschnitker's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
2.5
kayteeem's review against another edition
Ware is 11, and had planned to live with his grandmother for the summer until she falls and breaks her hip. His parents are both working double-shifts to save for a down payment on a house, so he ends up at Summer Rec, which he despises. He's more of a loner, and would rather have time to exercise his imagination. He ends up never checking in to Rec, in favor of spending time in an abandoned church lot next door, which he imagines as a castle. There, he meets Jolene, who is using the space to grow papayas for extra money.
Over the course of the summer, they become friends, and work together on the papaya garden.
The summer interlude is threatened by developers who plan to knock down the old church to build a strip mall; Ware's parents, who don't understand him; local bird enthusiasts who see the vacant lot as dangerous to migrating birds (the empty parking lot looks too much like open water, and the birds will hurt themselves if they land there); and the end of summer itself.
Ware learns a bit more about himself and gains confidence, but is it enough to overcome the obstacles? Read and find out...
Over the course of the summer, they become friends, and work together on the papaya garden.
The summer interlude is threatened by developers who plan to knock down the old church to build a strip mall; Ware's parents, who don't understand him; local bird enthusiasts who see the vacant lot as dangerous to migrating birds (the empty parking lot looks too much like open water, and the birds will hurt themselves if they land there); and the end of summer itself.
Ware learns a bit more about himself and gains confidence, but is it enough to overcome the obstacles? Read and find out...
ninamanon's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very cute read, Ware is a great character. Well written, and a good exploration of self-acceptance.
tessakris's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Ware was a unique protagonist and I liked him. All of these kids though were like geniuses in certain subjects. I guess it usually is the kids who are quite that have hobbies that know an incredible amount of information about. It’s one I would recommend to my students but I don’t think most of them would be super into it- they’re into the Hunger Games mostly right now
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this empowering story about friendship, identifying your strengths, accepting yourself, and working hard to achieve a worthy goal. The characters are likable, the plot is unique, and the story is compelling. I didn't absolutely love the book, but I definitely liked it. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. Since I can't, I'll round up.
jenn_kidd's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!! One of my favorite books of the year so far!! Amazing story of friendship and finding/being true to who you are. My favorite quote: “Because you’re right. Bad stuff happens. But the real world is also all the things we do about the bad stuff. We’re the real world, too.” So much to love about this book. I honestly don’t even know where to begin!!
char9222's review against another edition
4.0
What a sweet book! Easy and light read, but very enjoyable. The message, that it's okay to be just the way are, is clear throughout the whole book - and that's wonderful.