mimeflower's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This book really resonated with me as someone who went through (completely different) trauma in childhood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Gun violence, Death, Mass/school shootings, and Child death
Minor: Emotional abuse and Bullying
neffcannon's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
hannahreadslotsofbooks's review
4.0
Tragic. This novel is tragic. I started this book in mid-June and had to pause for a bit because it made me feel so sad. The two main characters are Cora and Quinn and their stories alternate back and forth with each chapter. Quinn and Cora are best friends, but have drifted apart. This is due to Quinn’s brother, Parker, killing Cora’s sister, Mabel, in a school shooting. Neither can be around each other because it is too painful of a reminder of what happened that fateful day. Quinn believes that she and Cora can change things through time travel and they work together to try and find a wormhole so they can change the fates of their siblings. This story gave me Bridge to Terabithia vibes with the girls going to the woods in search of the wormhole and the tragedy that is the entire novel as well as Max’s storyline from Stranger Things this season. Quinn’s chapters start off with her writing to her dead brother. The letters are short, but are filled with sadness, confusion and anger much like Max’s letters to her brother, Billy. Quinn also feels responsible for the tragedy much like Max. The story is very well-written and really shows the emotions of the characters well. There is also growth in the characters and it doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but more of a hopeful tone, which I appreciate.
erickasparkles's review
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for access to an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
In The Shape of Thunder, twelve-year-old neighbors and former best friends Cora and Quinn alternate narrating what’s happened in the year since Quinn’s brother Peter shot and killed Cora’s sister Mabel at their school.
Author Jasmine Warga approaches a terrifying and heartbreaking subject with sensitivity and nuance. The book explores the girls’ relationships with family, friends, and teachers, mapping how these have changed since the shooting, Both Cora and Quinn have survivor’s guilt and struggle to accept all that they’ve lost. The book doesn’t solely focus on their grief, though. Warga has given the main characters rich inner lives with all of the complex and confusing emotions that come with being a pre-teen.
The girls are navigating their pain without the comfort of their lifelong friendship. Quinn desperately misses Cora while Cora feels it would be a betrayal of her sister to remain friends. When Quinn reads an article about time travel, she becomes convinced that together she and Cora can stop the shooting and go back to how things were before. Their renewed relationship is fragile as they attempt to change the past, though ultimately the book focuses on how they can change the future.
Warga doesn’t shy away from acknowledging that her novel may be hard to read. The book opens with a letter to readers explaining how books helped her make sense of the world when she was young. The Shape of Thunder explores a difficult topic that adults are reluctant to discuss with kids because of their own discomfort and fear — and does so in a poignant, thoughtful way. Warga also includes themes of race, culture, religion, and belonging, which are often overlooked in these types of stories. This is a worthwhile book for families to read and talk through together.
The Shape of Thunder is available for pre-order and ships on May 11, 2021.
Other books you might like
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Glimmer of Hope: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement from The March for Our Lives founders
In The Shape of Thunder, twelve-year-old neighbors and former best friends Cora and Quinn alternate narrating what’s happened in the year since Quinn’s brother Peter shot and killed Cora’s sister Mabel at their school.
Author Jasmine Warga approaches a terrifying and heartbreaking subject with sensitivity and nuance. The book explores the girls’ relationships with family, friends, and teachers, mapping how these have changed since the shooting, Both Cora and Quinn have survivor’s guilt and struggle to accept all that they’ve lost. The book doesn’t solely focus on their grief, though. Warga has given the main characters rich inner lives with all of the complex and confusing emotions that come with being a pre-teen.
The girls are navigating their pain without the comfort of their lifelong friendship. Quinn desperately misses Cora while Cora feels it would be a betrayal of her sister to remain friends. When Quinn reads an article about time travel, she becomes convinced that together she and Cora can stop the shooting and go back to how things were before. Their renewed relationship is fragile as they attempt to change the past, though ultimately the book focuses on how they can change the future.
Warga doesn’t shy away from acknowledging that her novel may be hard to read. The book opens with a letter to readers explaining how books helped her make sense of the world when she was young. The Shape of Thunder explores a difficult topic that adults are reluctant to discuss with kids because of their own discomfort and fear — and does so in a poignant, thoughtful way. Warga also includes themes of race, culture, religion, and belonging, which are often overlooked in these types of stories. This is a worthwhile book for families to read and talk through together.
The Shape of Thunder is available for pre-order and ships on May 11, 2021.
Other books you might like
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
Glimmer of Hope: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement from The March for Our Lives founders
shewritesinmargins's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
bloomeran9's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
nlittlejohn's review
emotional
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? No
4.75
lauriehnatiuk's review
5.0
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publishers Balzer and Bray for an eARC copy of this book.
After reading Other Words for Home, I knew I would be reading any book written by Jasmine Warga regardless of the topic. The Shape of Thunder is another book, that when released and those fortunate to get an eARC, will be talking about because Jasmine Warga dares to go where no one has gone before.
School shootings are scary, real and happen not just in high schools, but those stories did not exist until The Shape of Thunder. Told in alternating voice Cora and Quinn, we get a glimpse into what two middle-school best friends go through after a school shooting. One lost a sister, one lost a brother. One was a victim, and one was the shooter. Now the two are trying to deal with the aftermath but no longer speaking to one another. One is trying to move ahead, and one is trying to fix the past. Despite the traumatic loss, the two do come together to forge ahead to right the wrongs and bring healing and hope to their families and themselves.
The Shape of Thunder is a book to be shared in classrooms to address and discuss privilege, racism, school shootings, and so much more. Topics like this are too often swept under the rug and pretended it never existed. Powerful, current and relevant, Ms. Warga once again has left us with lots to think about and left us with characters imprinted on our hearts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Gr6+
After reading Other Words for Home, I knew I would be reading any book written by Jasmine Warga regardless of the topic. The Shape of Thunder is another book, that when released and those fortunate to get an eARC, will be talking about because Jasmine Warga dares to go where no one has gone before.
School shootings are scary, real and happen not just in high schools, but those stories did not exist until The Shape of Thunder. Told in alternating voice Cora and Quinn, we get a glimpse into what two middle-school best friends go through after a school shooting. One lost a sister, one lost a brother. One was a victim, and one was the shooter. Now the two are trying to deal with the aftermath but no longer speaking to one another. One is trying to move ahead, and one is trying to fix the past. Despite the traumatic loss, the two do come together to forge ahead to right the wrongs and bring healing and hope to their families and themselves.
The Shape of Thunder is a book to be shared in classrooms to address and discuss privilege, racism, school shootings, and so much more. Topics like this are too often swept under the rug and pretended it never existed. Powerful, current and relevant, Ms. Warga once again has left us with lots to think about and left us with characters imprinted on our hearts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Gr6+
scoutabout's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
readingthroughtheages's review
5.0
A beautiful book about grief and healing, friendship, family, and identity. Warga is a master at her craft!