isamerel's review against another edition
4.0
This book inspired me to want to get up on my feet and do something with them before it's too late (but we all know that won't happen anytime soon... Too busy reading). I was touched by this book- I'm an athlete and have always wondered how it would feel if something like this happened to me, so the story kept me interested the entire time I was reading it.
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A great, realistic fiction read. It's definitely a "feel good" story and perfect gentle read for young teens.
emilybriano's review against another edition
5.0
maciegil's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book about a year ago and i read it because my teacher put this quote on the board from the book:
“If the mind's not strong, the body acts weak, even if it's not. If the mind says it's too cold or too rainy or too windy to run, the body will be more than happy to agree. If the mind says it would be better to rest or recover or cut practice, the body will be glad to oblige.”
Now as a former (maybe future) cross country runner i do understand the severity of trying to run when you think you can’t and how you need to put your body in charge instead of your brain in order to be strong when running.
This book is such an important force in teen lit because it is relatable. Its not relatable because its about a runner who looses her leg, but rather its relatable because of the aftermath of that. She becomes very numb and even gets slightly outcasted because of things outside of her hands (like how she lost her leg". It is essentially a more tragic version of things that happen to real teenagers. What i mean by this is the numbness Jessica feels when she looses her leg is similar to the sadness, anger, etc that many other teenagers experience in high school from things like loosing a friend. So not only does this book send a message for disabled teens/amputees that they are not alone, it also sends a message to the majority of people that are near the age group of the main character.
The character development is also very pleasing. I love it because Jessica, being a runner, took the loss of her leg similar to that of someone losing someone she loved. That is what is so powerful about this book is its not just about a teen girl who looses her leg, its about someone who loses something so important to them that they don't know what to do with their life anymore. Jessica can't run, which was her favorite thing to do, and she has to learn to live without it.
I loved this book so much I even went and read another book by the same author (Flipped) and it was also fantastic. I will save that for my review on that book.
“If the mind's not strong, the body acts weak, even if it's not. If the mind says it's too cold or too rainy or too windy to run, the body will be more than happy to agree. If the mind says it would be better to rest or recover or cut practice, the body will be glad to oblige.”
Now as a former (maybe future) cross country runner i do understand the severity of trying to run when you think you can’t and how you need to put your body in charge instead of your brain in order to be strong when running.
This book is such an important force in teen lit because it is relatable. Its not relatable because its about a runner who looses her leg, but rather its relatable because of the aftermath of that. She becomes very numb and even gets slightly outcasted because of things outside of her hands (like how she lost her leg". It is essentially a more tragic version of things that happen to real teenagers. What i mean by this is the numbness Jessica feels when she looses her leg is similar to the sadness, anger, etc that many other teenagers experience in high school from things like loosing a friend. So not only does this book send a message for disabled teens/amputees that they are not alone, it also sends a message to the majority of people that are near the age group of the main character.
The character development is also very pleasing. I love it because Jessica, being a runner, took the loss of her leg similar to that of someone losing someone she loved. That is what is so powerful about this book is its not just about a teen girl who looses her leg, its about someone who loses something so important to them that they don't know what to do with their life anymore. Jessica can't run, which was her favorite thing to do, and she has to learn to live without it.
I loved this book so much I even went and read another book by the same author (Flipped) and it was also fantastic. I will save that for my review on that book.
lindseygrant's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it, just glad they did not make the whole book in the hospital.
readingpro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
abbycasey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
The writing was good. It just wasnt for me.
logdog42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This is a perspective that I don't often see. I don't know that I've ever read a book from the perspective of a person with a physical disability. So, I'll have to work on that.
This is a beautiful story! With a beautiful ending. You should read it
This is a beautiful story! With a beautiful ending. You should read it