amelia_douglas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism
tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Ableism and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
willowtree7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I was not prepared for what happened to Adrien. It wasn’t like a huge out of left field moment, but I still wasn’t expecting it to happen when it did. I’m so glad he made it out okay. Even if he didn’t, Cora grew so much from his accident that I feel like she’d matured enough to better handle his passing if she needed it.
This book messed me up just as much as AKOS. Would highly recommend.
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, Ableism, Cancer, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent
visorforavisor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’ve never seen such a beautiful exploration of the fact that we are seen as our best when we seem the least autistic.
Cora and Adrien fulfil one of my favourite tropes ever (autistic-and-ADHD friendship), and are so perfectly written. There’s such a joyful celebration of ND kids in this book and it really gave me hope. Cora is what I wish I’d been at that age.
Thoroughly recommend.
Moderate: Ableism and Car accident
cole_louise's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Death
katiewhocanread's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Medical content, and Bullying
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I was hesitant about the book in the beginning because it started a bit slow for me, but the themes and values throughout the book hold true to the overarching message: Love who you are, always, no matter what.
I adored the characters of Cora and Adrian. Their friendship was special and unique and McNicoll did a great job creating depth and texture. This is one thing, if done right, that I really appreciate about middle-grade stories. The friendships can be so powerful.
I appreciate Adrian's outlook on life and the way he so unapologetically encourages and supports Cora.
Adrian's mother - love her.
And Cora, a truly strong, powerful female main character. I enjoyed her development throughout the book and feel that her character has the ability to spark inspiration among young readers.
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cancer, Death of parent, Ableism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident and Medical content
someonelikeblue's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Ableism
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Bullying, Medical content, and Gaslighting
t_higgsreviews's review against another edition
5.0
CAWPILE = 9.29
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Car accident, Grief, Medical content, Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny and Terminal illness
femmenova's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I have so many other things to say about the book but I have yet to properly process it. All I know is that this book had me bawling my eyes out, snot in my mask on a public bus at 4 in the afternoon. I was clutching my chest to calm myself down.
Among many favorite powerful lines in the book, "children are not extensions of their parents." Absolutely powerful and empowering to have that read if I was a child, let alone an adult with *tada* parental issues! I don't want to expose on a public site why this book hit me the way it hit, I'm just a neurodivergent person who saw a little of child me in this book and it healed a tiny part of me that grieved the times an adult has made me felt inadequate.
Graphic: Car accident and Ableism