Reviews

Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson

evamadera1's review

5.0

Johnson crafted another winner with this one, a book with a main character who reads like the actual ten year old he is. Johnson lovingly handles his journey through his father's relapse and his own struggle to deal with his changing image of his father while balancing familial relationships with his mother and brother who have already lived through a time with their father/husband deep in the throes of addiction.

andrearbooks's review

3.0

This is the story of Anthony (Ant) who is preparing for a spades tournament. His family has a reputation of doing well in the tournament, so Ant feels extra pressure to perform well. In addition to navigating the spades tournament (and finding an unlikely partner in a new girl), Ant is working through a complicated family situation. The title of this one very much speaks to the focus of the book. Yes, there's the literal connection to a game of spades, and there's also coming to understand what hand life has given you and how to proceed. More than anything, this is Ant learning some difficult truths and coming to see certain people and situations were not what he thought. It's some tough stuff to work through, and the book is very much about how we often have to do this as humans. Thanks to Scholastic for the free copy of this October 2021 release.

anslow's review

challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

3.5

afro8921's review

4.0

Playing the cards your dealt is about friendship and new beginnings. It's about playing cards and changing partners. Ultimately, it's about finding the space to be yourself and to stand up for yourself and your family. I loved the word play and the friendships in this book. Great realistic fiction title.

b_jud's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.5

I LOVED this book. Dion Graham’s narration was fantastic, as always. 

overstuffedbookshelf's review

emotional medium-paced

4.0

elizabethkroberts's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

resslesa's review

5.0

Amazing! The audiobook is truly spectacular with Dion Graham giving an all-star voicing of the mysterious narrator. Such a beautiful and funny book that realistically portrays kids' struggles with grace. I love Varian Johnson always, and this book was outstanding! Definitely one for late elementary and onwards to read/listen. Can't wait to hear Varian at #ALAN21.

smorrison4's review

fast-paced

4.0

First, I love Dion Graham's voice and I will definitely look for more book narrated by Dion in the future.

Second, this was a great book. I love how many different topics are brought up in this book, alcoholism, gambling addictions, drug addictions, being raised by grandparents/aunts/uncles, and financial issues. These are all issues that children around the world have to deal with and can relate to. 
I also love that this book centers around family and community and that everyone in the family has learned Spades and there is a huge community tournament. 

I hope that games like Spades, Bid Whist, Hearts, Gin Rummy, Scopa, Cribbage, etc. are still played in households today. I grew up playing some of these games and I am so grateful that I learned how to play.

myeshatiara's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

Favorite Quote: “You’ve got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them.”~Kenny Rogers

Right away we are throwing into the world of spades, which is an African American tradition and I love it! I’ve never read a book that focuses on spades at all and to read a YA novel that does that is intriguing. 

The book is told from a third party perspective and I’m not sure I like it.

Ant is moving onto a new chapter in his life as he is in his last year of Elementary school. Becoming a young man. However I can tell there is an issue between his parents that some younger readers may not catchy on the first read. 

I do enjoy the deep dive into Ant’s best friend, Jamal and his family life and that they have them deal with real issues like addiction.