nairam1173's review
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This one was a bit rough for me at the beginning, because it doesn't matter what dogma you ascribe to--preaching will always read as preaching. I wonder, too, if the fact that I was homeschooled (for education reasons, not religious ones) still makes me unaware of how bad (?) history curricula can be in public schools. It feels like really, REALLY old news that teaching on Columbus needs a lot more depth. But maybe the shiny story is still more prevalent than I realize.
The further I got in the book, however, the more was impressed I was with the development of the characters, and how the book allowed itself to be about MORE than censorship, and link why it's important to other topics, and other areas in which we need more truth, like the willingness to emotionally express ourselves. Mac's Grandad in particular was a wonderful character and strong moral center. It still felt at times like a "teachable moments" in story-form but I appreciated when it went beyond that to explore its characters and its themes in truly human ways and not just as talking points.
The further I got in the book, however, the more was impressed I was with the development of the characters, and how the book allowed itself to be about MORE than censorship, and link why it's important to other topics, and other areas in which we need more truth, like the willingness to emotionally express ourselves. Mac's Grandad in particular was a wonderful character and strong moral center. It still felt at times like a "teachable moments" in story-form but I appreciated when it went beyond that to explore its characters and its themes in truly human ways and not just as talking points.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and War
starla_anne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Antisemitism, and Abandonment
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