christopher_pickert's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
meganann1310's review against another edition
4.0
I was blessed enough to be sent a free kindle copy of this by H.D. Hunter for review. Firstly, I inhaled this novella in 45 minutes and, though it may be short, it is powerful. The first thing it made me want to do is hug my brothers! It’s beautiful, emotional and deals with the stigma surrounding mental health and learning disabilities in a gentle but insightful manner, as well as tackling identity and loss.
It’s so important that some books are mirrors, that we can open them and see ourselves, and that’s why it’s imperative that we have more diverse characters and authors represented in our literature. I’ve ordered 2 copies for school as it’s suitable for my year 7s (age 11) and I cannot wait to start recommending it.
It’s so important that some books are mirrors, that we can open them and see ourselves, and that’s why it’s imperative that we have more diverse characters and authors represented in our literature. I’ve ordered 2 copies for school as it’s suitable for my year 7s (age 11) and I cannot wait to start recommending it.
teachinatardis's review against another edition
5.0
This book fell into my life.
For most of this novella, the story is told by a narrator whose name we do not learn until the end. He pours himself out to us as he navigates his brother’s funeral. We know he loves his sister Aquila and that he has mixed feelings about his town, which is the only world he’s known. We learn that he sees himself as “special” in that “I’m in a different class than everyone else” kind of way and that knowledge has molded what he sees when he looks in the mirror. This book is beautifully written and shines with pride for black culture and the power of community. It also doesn’t shy away from pointing out how mental health is viewed in the black community and its effect on the narrator’s own story. It’s also one of the rare YA books that is easily categorized as a solid middle school read due to the lack of potentially offensive content. Books that become windows for readers who are like the characters and doorways for readers who are not...that feel authentic, not forced, and engaging, are special and deserve to be read, discussed, and passed along.
For most of this novella, the story is told by a narrator whose name we do not learn until the end. He pours himself out to us as he navigates his brother’s funeral. We know he loves his sister Aquila and that he has mixed feelings about his town, which is the only world he’s known. We learn that he sees himself as “special” in that “I’m in a different class than everyone else” kind of way and that knowledge has molded what he sees when he looks in the mirror. This book is beautifully written and shines with pride for black culture and the power of community. It also doesn’t shy away from pointing out how mental health is viewed in the black community and its effect on the narrator’s own story. It’s also one of the rare YA books that is easily categorized as a solid middle school read due to the lack of potentially offensive content. Books that become windows for readers who are like the characters and doorways for readers who are not...that feel authentic, not forced, and engaging, are special and deserve to be read, discussed, and passed along.
readingintheflx's review
4.0
The author reached out to me on IG and let me know about his book. This book was beautiful and covered a wide range of topics, from racism to mental illness. It was a fast read, and captivating. You do not know who the narrator is until the end, but you learn all about them and their struggles and successes as they reflect the weekend of their brother’s funeral.
readingintheflx's review against another edition
4.0
The author reached out to me on IG and let me know about his book. This book was beautiful and covered a wide range of topics, from racism to mental illness. It was a fast read, and captivating. You do not know who the narrator is until the end, but you learn all about them and their struggles and successes as they reflect the weekend of their brother’s funeral.
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