wombat_88's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
justbkathleen's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
yarydoll's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
What if your parent trying to be the best parent they can be does the wrong thing? It's about standing up for the things that you believe in, especially in books. A very sweet read. Watch out for the three different and inter-related stories.
bakingbookworm's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
As I was putting together a book display in my library for Pride Month in June, I came across this grade school novel. This is a timely read that incorporates book banning, LGBTQIA2S+ representation and a sweet story about standing up for what is right.
The story has three parts:
- the impact of Donovan's mom's crusade to ban a book that his fifth-grade class is reading. I enjoyed how Levithan includes many important themes approaches his themes (identity, choice, acceptance, prejudice and the power of acceptance) and how he gives a depth and relatability to his characters
- excerpts from the banned book in question - The Adventurers - which was my least favourite part of the book. As an adult, these parts often felt more distracting than helpful, but young readers will probably enjoy them
- follows the budding friendship between Gideon and Roberto, who is new to the class
Answers in the Pages shows young readers:
- the power of words
- how everyone should feel free to be their true selves
- that differences are wonderful
- that marginalizing others is harmful
- acceptance is a powerful, powerful thing
This is a timely and highly relevant book with the recent book bans in the US.
It is also an entertaining read that introduces BIG ideas and incorporates lots of feelings as it teaches valuable life lessons and is a great way to bring young readers into the discussion of censorship.
avatarstorm's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I did not think I was going to like this nearly as much as I did! I'm loving the influx of lgbtqiap+ materials in middle grade books now, and this was so well done and loving.
As a librarian, I am constantly fighting for the right to read and hope that book bans against queer content eventually stops. This tackled the banning of a middle grade book that may or may not have lgbtqiap+ themes. I appreciate that the author made a point to say it didn't matter whether the characters in the fictionalized challenged book were gay or not because it shouldn't matter. There were lots of great quotes and arguments to express distaste for book bans - specifically against queer ones.
I'm usually not the biggest fan of intertwined stories because I like sticking with a single pov, but I absolutely loved how all three storylines came together in the end. When it clicked how they connected, my jaw dropped and my heart got so happy.
As a librarian, I am constantly fighting for the right to read and hope that book bans against queer content eventually stops. This tackled the banning of a middle grade book that may or may not have lgbtqiap+ themes. I appreciate that the author made a point to say it didn't matter whether the characters in the fictionalized challenged book were gay or not because it shouldn't matter. There were lots of great quotes and arguments to express distaste for book bans - specifically against queer ones.
I'm usually not the biggest fan of intertwined stories because I like sticking with a single pov, but I absolutely loved how all three storylines came together in the end. When it clicked how they connected, my jaw dropped and my heart got so happy.
piarat's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
phantasmwitch's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sgp05's review
It was okay. The cover is cute. I took me a while to get used to the chapter naming system, namely the confusion for there being three chapter ones. Donovan’s POV was interesting, I liked the wholesome romance in Gideon’s POV (and all of the turtles), but The Adventurers segments really dragged it down. It was just so zany and ridiculous and out of place, but I guess it gives context to Rick’s and Oliver’s relationship and whether it was romantic or not. Also, I feel like the fact that the ENTIRE school was accepting of the “gay” book and of queer people in general is kind of unrealistic? Like there should have at least been 1 homophobic student because of homophobic parents. Maybe it’s a Northern thing? This book actually shed light for me on the system of how books are banned since I didn’t really know the process. Anyways, book banning is censorship! Ban book banning!
textpublishing's review against another edition
The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Answers in the Pages
‘Compelling…Answers in the Pages is an uplifting portrait of the strength it takes to fight for your story. It’s an important book with an essential perspective on a vital, timeless question.’
BookPage (starred)
‘A timely and relevant release…Provides a window into a uniquely transitory age [and] ultimately celebrates the messiness of being human.’
School Library Journal (starred)
‘[A] nuanced novel that centres moments of self-discovery, working themes of acceptance, bravery, friendship and love into each of the three threads.’
Publishers Weekly (starred)
‘Answers in the Pages will empower young readers…Accessible, engaging…A celebration of quiet queerness, of self-discovery, of allyship, of the way books can open our world and spark adventures both real and imagined, of the fact that, whether we love our same-gender friends as friends or more than friends, we deserve to have our stories told and read and shared.’
Kekla Magoon, New York Times
‘Engrossing…Levithan skilfully dovetails the three stories into a dramatic conclusion with a few delightful surprises.’
Shelf Awareness
‘Gives voice to the young who just see a great book and characters who really care about each other. Timely, inspiring, perfect.’
Rebecca Williams, San Francisco Book Review
‘Levithan’s characters are multifaceted and well-drawn…It is refreshing to have such a sweet, fun story incorporate contemporary issues, and add to the list of books that queer young readers can find themselves in.’
Margaret Crohn, Read Plus
‘Pure reading joy…sophisticated, nuanced and layered. An exploration of friendship, self-acceptance and finding your authentic voice…Such important themes. And such a clever, compelling rendering of these.’
Kids’ Book Review
‘Heartfelt…Teaches us that we need to stand up for what we believe to be right.’
Sue Mauger, Glam Adelaide
‘A narrative that is as much fun as it is a poignant commentary on the state of lives for the LGBTQI+ community internationally…A vital book in the development of young people.’
NZ Booklovers
‘A touching story…Rich in themes, satisfying in characterisation, enlivened by a gentle wit…Should be in every school library and read by as many people as possible.’
StoryLinks
‘Compelling…Answers in the Pages is an uplifting portrait of the strength it takes to fight for your story. It’s an important book with an essential perspective on a vital, timeless question.’
BookPage (starred)
‘A timely and relevant release…Provides a window into a uniquely transitory age [and] ultimately celebrates the messiness of being human.’
School Library Journal (starred)
‘[A] nuanced novel that centres moments of self-discovery, working themes of acceptance, bravery, friendship and love into each of the three threads.’
Publishers Weekly (starred)
‘Answers in the Pages will empower young readers…Accessible, engaging…A celebration of quiet queerness, of self-discovery, of allyship, of the way books can open our world and spark adventures both real and imagined, of the fact that, whether we love our same-gender friends as friends or more than friends, we deserve to have our stories told and read and shared.’
Kekla Magoon, New York Times
‘Engrossing…Levithan skilfully dovetails the three stories into a dramatic conclusion with a few delightful surprises.’
Shelf Awareness
‘Gives voice to the young who just see a great book and characters who really care about each other. Timely, inspiring, perfect.’
Rebecca Williams, San Francisco Book Review
‘Levithan’s characters are multifaceted and well-drawn…It is refreshing to have such a sweet, fun story incorporate contemporary issues, and add to the list of books that queer young readers can find themselves in.’
Margaret Crohn, Read Plus
‘Pure reading joy…sophisticated, nuanced and layered. An exploration of friendship, self-acceptance and finding your authentic voice…Such important themes. And such a clever, compelling rendering of these.’
Kids’ Book Review
‘Heartfelt…Teaches us that we need to stand up for what we believe to be right.’
Sue Mauger, Glam Adelaide
‘A narrative that is as much fun as it is a poignant commentary on the state of lives for the LGBTQI+ community internationally…A vital book in the development of young people.’
NZ Booklovers
‘A touching story…Rich in themes, satisfying in characterisation, enlivened by a gentle wit…Should be in every school library and read by as many people as possible.’
StoryLinks
apark1186's review against another edition
4.0
This book hits the spot. There has been a lot of book challenges recently, and this is the perfect book to read if you have an opinion on that…pro or con.