eleek0609's review
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Domestic abuse
megyeager's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This book packs a punch with a heavy plot but easy-to-read prose in a short book. This is very good for struggling readers who have moved beyond J.D. chapter books but aren't quite ready for something more challenging in terms of the lexicon. The way that the community came together in this book to care for Trav and make him feel safe is such a good message for kids who may be in a similar position.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This short audiobook packs a punch. Dead serious.
So, this story feels like the author plucked a moment of time out of Trev's life and showed us all the facets, as if showing off a jewel. Trev is so scared of what will happen when his stepfather (SF) gets released from jail that he works super hard to build his muscles. He wants to be able to throw hands the way his SF does so he can protect his mom from SF.
Trev thinks a lot and has several conversations with all his Uncles (not blood but still family) about throwing hands and escaping the projects. He's told over and over again, even by his teacher, that he has promise, and is warned again and again that throwing hands will destroy his chances of escape.
I think one of my favorite lines was from his teacher. She told him (paraphrasing here), "Do not let the promises you make ruin YOUR promise."
Now that I think about it, this story feels like the modern version of those books that now-dead philosophers wrote, where a main character goes around talking with others and learning what they believe in, and it's kind of more a moral treatise than a story. But this really works.
So, this story feels like the author plucked a moment of time out of Trev's life and showed us all the facets, as if showing off a jewel. Trev is so scared of what will happen when his stepfather (SF) gets released from jail that he works super hard to build his muscles. He wants to be able to throw hands the way his SF does so he can protect his mom from SF.
Trev thinks a lot and has several conversations with all his Uncles (not blood but still family) about throwing hands and escaping the projects. He's told over and over again, even by his teacher, that he has promise, and is warned again and again that throwing hands will destroy his chances of escape.
I think one of my favorite lines was from his teacher. She told him (paraphrasing here), "Do not let the promises you make ruin YOUR promise."
Now that I think about it, this story feels like the modern version of those books that now-dead philosophers wrote, where a main character goes around talking with others and learning what they believe in, and it's kind of more a moral treatise than a story. But this really works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Death
slayergirl3281's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
A deeply moving book about a young boy Trev who lives in the projects and witnesses his mother beaten by his stepfather. With his stepdad behind bars he must decided what he does with his hands. Does he learn to fight? Or does he continue to draw and do well in school?
This book is all about choosing your path in life and how the people around you help you grow, learn and pave the way through life. I found this book necessary to read because Maldonado illustrates life and struggles of a young boy in the projects so well.
(The only reasons I took a star off was for the unneeded Harry Potter reference. It is 2023 and we don’t need to be referencing a terf anymore, please use another book)
Cw
Bullying
Domestic abuse
Death of a parent (off page)
Fighting
This book is all about choosing your path in life and how the people around you help you grow, learn and pave the way through life. I found this book necessary to read because Maldonado illustrates life and struggles of a young boy in the projects so well.
(The only reasons I took a star off was for the unneeded Harry Potter reference. It is 2023 and we don’t need to be referencing a terf anymore, please use another book)
Cw
Bullying
Domestic abuse
Death of a parent (off page)
Fighting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Bullying
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