rebeccasky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
whitneystark's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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
books4bee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
elliez's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
chandaferguson's review
I’ve been excited to read the debut novel, “What the Fireflies Knew” for quite some time, and the author, Kai Harris, soon coming to visit the library I work at was a wonderful incentive to do it now! This novel tells the story of young Kenyatta, who goes by KB, and the hardships she endures at the hands of others’ addictions, mental health struggles, racism, and poverty. It’s evocative, compelling, and impactful.
The voice of innocence and resilience that exists in young KB is stunning, and her growth through the things that happen to and around her is extremely insightful and inspiring. The prose is poignant, impassioned, and sentimental in a lot of ways. Lines like, “If I had to guess what it feels like to have your daddy watch you like that, I bet it feels like being lifted so high up in the air it feels like flying, but being held so right that no matter what happens, you know you ain’t gon’ fall. Kinda like it feels when Granddaddy holds my hands and listens to me talk, now that I think about it,” will absolutely warm your heart. It was a thoughtful reading process that I quite enjoyed, and I felt like the depictions and message of the novel were not only relevant, with realistic hardships, but hopeful and uplifting as well. It was enjoyable to know KB in such an intimate way, and even if parts of her story weren’t easy to read, her voice was a steady navigation that never wavered.
I love that this novel transcends genres to be both for adults and YA readers with a variety of important themes and life lessons. There were so many quotable moments, pages that had me in tears, and such authentic and complex portrayals of life and humanity. As KB learns to balance the lightness and darkness of life around her, it makes for an unforgettable experience that explores the wonders and depravity of life. From catching fireflies and caterpillars to truths about sisterhood, this book is full of beauty and depth that most readers will absolutely love and admire. It’s definitely glittered with moments of sadness and the cruelty of the world, but optimism perseveres through the character of KB and the remarkable conclusion to this novel.
Book 65/150
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The voice of innocence and resilience that exists in young KB is stunning, and her growth through the things that happen to and around her is extremely insightful and inspiring. The prose is poignant, impassioned, and sentimental in a lot of ways. Lines like, “If I had to guess what it feels like to have your daddy watch you like that, I bet it feels like being lifted so high up in the air it feels like flying, but being held so right that no matter what happens, you know you ain’t gon’ fall. Kinda like it feels when Granddaddy holds my hands and listens to me talk, now that I think about it,” will absolutely warm your heart. It was a thoughtful reading process that I quite enjoyed, and I felt like the depictions and message of the novel were not only relevant, with realistic hardships, but hopeful and uplifting as well. It was enjoyable to know KB in such an intimate way, and even if parts of her story weren’t easy to read, her voice was a steady navigation that never wavered.
I love that this novel transcends genres to be both for adults and YA readers with a variety of important themes and life lessons. There were so many quotable moments, pages that had me in tears, and such authentic and complex portrayals of life and humanity. As KB learns to balance the lightness and darkness of life around her, it makes for an unforgettable experience that explores the wonders and depravity of life. From catching fireflies and caterpillars to truths about sisterhood, this book is full of beauty and depth that most readers will absolutely love and admire. It’s definitely glittered with moments of sadness and the cruelty of the world, but optimism perseveres through the character of KB and the remarkable conclusion to this novel.
Book 65/150
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
alexworlund's review
emotional
hopeful
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? No
3.5
constantcatreader's review
3.0
⚠️⚠️SPOILERS⚠️⚠️
I expected this book to focus more time on the problems KB had, and how she worked through the problems. I understand this book is supposed to be coming of age when dealing with these issues; however, it didn’t seem to talk about much redemption until towards the end for a few pages. Maybe that was the point the author wanted to make, but I felt like so much was focused on all the negative and the negative kept piling up. It wasn’t what I expected. The author writes well, I loved the characters, the overall story was promising, and the ending holds promise, but I wish it hadn’t ended there. I felt cheated out of watching KB grow up and deal with the problems at hand. She didn’t even get to live with granddaddy even though her mom apparently forgave him. Nothing felt set right to me at the end. I was left with emotional damage! I need part 2 to feel better.
⚠️There are many triggers in this book:⚠️
• death of a parent
• drug and alcohol abuse
• child non-consensual touching
• parental fighting
• homelessness
• rehab and depression of a parent
• running away from home
• racism
• kissing/touching cousins
I expected this book to focus more time on the problems KB had, and how she worked through the problems. I understand this book is supposed to be coming of age when dealing with these issues; however, it didn’t seem to talk about much redemption until towards the end for a few pages. Maybe that was the point the author wanted to make, but I felt like so much was focused on all the negative and the negative kept piling up. It wasn’t what I expected. The author writes well, I loved the characters, the overall story was promising, and the ending holds promise, but I wish it hadn’t ended there. I felt cheated out of watching KB grow up and deal with the problems at hand. She didn’t even get to live with granddaddy even though her mom apparently forgave him. Nothing felt set right to me at the end. I was left with emotional damage! I need part 2 to feel better.
⚠️There are many triggers in this book:⚠️
• death of a parent
• drug and alcohol abuse
• child non-consensual touching
• parental fighting
• homelessness
• rehab and depression of a parent
• running away from home
• racism
• kissing/touching cousins
missprint_'s review
3.0
This being a book for the adult market does make more sense and contextualize all the crap these girls go through but I feel like--even for a book set in 1995--we should be beyond this bonding through sexual assault story. Like why does coming of age also have to come with trauma in literary fiction?
Not a favorite. Better on audio that it would have been in print for me and I can sort of see the appeal but I am definitely not the right audience to appreciate this one.
Not a favorite. Better on audio that it would have been in print for me and I can sort of see the appeal but I am definitely not the right audience to appreciate this one.
bookswjess's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0