kellerm's review
4.0
This was a good book. But I'm not sure it's elementary material. Good for middle school. A little girly. Main characters are middle school. Spin the the bottle is included.
noodelydia's review
4.0
Read this book looking for things to give my little sisters to help broaden their view of the world and the perspectives of people who are not like the protagonists of the books they normally read (white, cis, hetero, etc). Didn't expect to be moved to tears by Sonia at the end wondering about her dad. Didn't realize I wondered about people leaving and why people did things that hurt made me and made me question whether they loved me and how they could claim to still love me - and how those people never sat down to talk about that or try to explain what was going on.
jilljarvis's review
4.0
I so enjoy a middle grade book that is packed full with a life lesson that many adults haven't seemed to grasp. The way that Hiranandani walks Sonia through the process of finding her more true self is amazing.
clg2022's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
mggmmggm's review
4.0
Originally posted at The Solitary Bookworm
The idea behind The Whole Story of a Half a Girl seems to be generic since this angle has been done a lot of times. Parents (in this case it's Sonia's dad) loses job, kid goes to change but eventually accepts things wouldn't be the same and makes the most out of it. It's been done in other books, movies, etc. Regardless of that, I still went ahead and was really curious how the author would put a spin to this.
Sonia is half Indian and Jewish. She goes to a great school and she seems content until her father loses his job. All of a sudden, Sonia and her sister needs to transfer and adjust to their new status to get by. Sonia is an OK lead for me. There were times that she came out strong and times that I was pissed at her attitude. It seems like Sonia is mainly confused of what she needs to do or what is expected of her but as her character develops, you'll see a different and mature Sonia in the end. Kate was actually confusing. Kate is shallow yet halfway through the story she seemed ok. Nothing to complain about her character but I had a lot of questions though.
Alisha was a character I would love to have read more about - if the author played with her character I think the story would have been much better, gave it more dimension. The whole idea and message was delivered though I would have enjoyed it more if the author fine tuned a couple of loose cords here and there like the lack of exploration as to Kate's character and family. She seemed rich from what I have read but her parents doesn't have stellar jobs so I was thinking how they manage.
This book doesn't just talk about what life is in high school. We all know what it is like to be in that (high school) situation. The Whole Story of a Half a Girl isn't just that but rather it is a novel that gives us an insight of what a person feels to be part of the minority. It discusses issues that are sensitive and very important to give awareness to. This is actually a great book for young readers BUT for me, needed a little improvement in some areas. Regardless the minor issues, The Whole Story of a Half a Girl has good potential. A good book to give your kid or gift to your friends.
The idea behind The Whole Story of a Half a Girl seems to be generic since this angle has been done a lot of times. Parents (in this case it's Sonia's dad) loses job, kid goes to change but eventually accepts things wouldn't be the same and makes the most out of it. It's been done in other books, movies, etc. Regardless of that, I still went ahead and was really curious how the author would put a spin to this.
Sonia is half Indian and Jewish. She goes to a great school and she seems content until her father loses his job. All of a sudden, Sonia and her sister needs to transfer and adjust to their new status to get by. Sonia is an OK lead for me. There were times that she came out strong and times that I was pissed at her attitude. It seems like Sonia is mainly confused of what she needs to do or what is expected of her but as her character develops, you'll see a different and mature Sonia in the end. Kate was actually confusing. Kate is shallow yet halfway through the story she seemed ok. Nothing to complain about her character but I had a lot of questions though.
Alisha was a character I would love to have read more about - if the author played with her character I think the story would have been much better, gave it more dimension. The whole idea and message was delivered though I would have enjoyed it more if the author fine tuned a couple of loose cords here and there like the lack of exploration as to Kate's character and family. She seemed rich from what I have read but her parents doesn't have stellar jobs so I was thinking how they manage.
This book doesn't just talk about what life is in high school. We all know what it is like to be in that (high school) situation. The Whole Story of a Half a Girl isn't just that but rather it is a novel that gives us an insight of what a person feels to be part of the minority. It discusses issues that are sensitive and very important to give awareness to. This is actually a great book for young readers BUT for me, needed a little improvement in some areas. Regardless the minor issues, The Whole Story of a Half a Girl has good potential. A good book to give your kid or gift to your friends.
lindalou's review
3.0
A great middle school book that deals with being a mixed race person and mental illness in the family.
couillac's review
3.0
The first part of this novel feels very rushed: Sonia's dad loses his job, the family adjusts, and then she has to start a new school. I think I missed connecting with Sonia as a character because of this accelerated pace. I would have appreciated seeing Sonia over the summer before school, waiting for the inevitable first day. Once it slows down, though, this is a thoughtful and distinctive exploration of a lot of powerful topics. Sonia realistically struggles to define herself after her new classmates start questioning her racial background. Meanwhile, her father struggles with depression and her mother begins takes on more work, distancing herself from Sonia when she needs her mom the most. In addition, Sonia falters between the possibility of life as a cheerleader and as part of a popular but predominantly white/mainstream crowd and the potential of friendship with a budding African-American writer with whom she feels more comfortable being her alternative self. Questions of class and wealth are also tackled, but all in an organic way that raises the book above the level of a simple problem novel. Though it starts out weak, the ending, with some threads still unresolved, is satisfyingly realistic and hopeful. Sonia's journey throughout is authentic and natural, and the characters, even the adults in her family, are complex and interesting. A solid slice of realistic fiction that covers a number of very relevant topics while still being a good read.
jackelz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
"I am half Indian, half Jewish, and now I'm half a cheerleader!"
After her father loses his job, Sonia Nadhamuni finds herself yanked out of private school and thrown into the unfamiliar world of public education. For the first time, Sonia's mixed heritage makes her classmates ask questions — questions she doesn't always know how to answer. She’s trying to make new friends, while also adjusting to having an out-of-work parent.
And she begins to wonder whether her two halves, no matter how different, can make her a whole.
Sonia was such relatable character. Everyone in her new school was separated by black or white, and she wasn’t sure where she fit in. She asked the burning question Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? (sn: Everyone needs to read that book!) Did you know Indians were considered Caucasians? I didn’t.
This story was definitely giving me Mean Girls vibes, but better. I thought the author did a fantastic job challenging microaggressions and having the tough conversations. I loved the themes of cultural identity, family, and friendship, and the discussion of mental health.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Racial slurs
chloesumner1317's review
2.0
I originally picked this up because I thought it would be great to have a book dealing with a mixed race teen, since I am of mixed race as well. However, a few things left me...unsettled, about it.
First, I didn't realize Sonia would be so young, she was only 11. The issues you face and how you talk about them differ drastically in middle school and high school, so I would have liked to see her a little bit older, in order to relate to her better.
Also, I didn't feel like the addition of the environment change from private to public school was necessary to propel the plot. You could have stuck Sonia into middle school from regular elementary school and it would have been easier for girls to relate to her. We have schools like that in my city, and I'm friends with people that go to them, and when they transferred to public schools it wasn't nearly as bad for them (I'm slightly biased, though, because IB is an international program so most people have more cultural sensitivity. Most people). So I feel like it was unnecessary drama.
And the ending was very frustrating for me. I felt like there was no bridge between who Sonia was and popular American culture, that the author was saying "It's not possible to be true to your roots and also be popular/a cheerleader." Which, in my opinion, is NOT the message this book should send. EMBRACE dual heritage, but do not let it be your defining characteristic in that way. I just really didn't agree with the value I gathered from the author.
I wanted to like this book. I really did.
First, I didn't realize Sonia would be so young, she was only 11. The issues you face and how you talk about them differ drastically in middle school and high school, so I would have liked to see her a little bit older, in order to relate to her better.
Also, I didn't feel like the addition of the environment change from private to public school was necessary to propel the plot. You could have stuck Sonia into middle school from regular elementary school and it would have been easier for girls to relate to her. We have schools like that in my city, and I'm friends with people that go to them, and when they transferred to public schools it wasn't nearly as bad for them (I'm slightly biased, though, because IB is an international program so most people have more cultural sensitivity. Most people). So I feel like it was unnecessary drama.
And the ending was very frustrating for me. I felt like there was no bridge between who Sonia was and popular American culture, that the author was saying "It's not possible to be true to your roots and also be popular/a cheerleader." Which, in my opinion, is NOT the message this book should send. EMBRACE dual heritage, but do not let it be your defining characteristic in that way. I just really didn't agree with the value I gathered from the author.
I wanted to like this book. I really did.
mixedreader25's review against another edition
5.0
3/21/21 (5) - I’ve been trying to reconnect with my inner child by reading middle grade books. This one packed quite a punch. I honestly don’t remember books being this way when I was younger. Or maybe I didn’t read books like this. Either way, this story emphasizes the importance of being accepted for who you are and how cultural diversity is viewed by society. Even as a young child. I felt for Sonia in many parts of this. I could’ve finished this in one sitting.