tothelibraryandbeyond's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
clementineecho's review
4.0
In summary, ZJ is the son of a football star and has to deal with the medical aftermath of a career full of concussions.
Woodson manages to include so many different elements that would draw in a variety of readers, making this a fab middle-grade class book. It is short too! So very accessible.
She's got a touching family dynamic! Friendships! Sports! Music! Dealing with adversity! Something for everyone and nothing edgy, so it is appropriate for everyone in the classroom.
Woodson manages to include so many different elements that would draw in a variety of readers, making this a fab middle-grade class book. It is short too! So very accessible.
She's got a touching family dynamic! Friendships! Sports! Music! Dealing with adversity! Something for everyone and nothing edgy, so it is appropriate for everyone in the classroom.
booksbooksbooks_27's review
3.0
Not as good as Brown Girl Dreaming but still a sweet story told in Woodson’s signature free verse.
amy_louise's review
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
a_ab's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
5.0
Beautiful and heartbreaking book. It's raw and real, and I feel like it should be part of every American middle school curriculum.
ckwartler's review
4.0
I love this author. I discovered her this year and I’ve read three or four of her books. I savor her — meaning I make sure to read three books before I read another — because I want to rediscover the joy of her poetic prose that I love so much.
This is a quick read. It’s YA fiction but I loved it as if it were an adult read. She is just so wonderful - there are no words.
This is a quick read. It’s YA fiction but I loved it as if it were an adult read. She is just so wonderful - there are no words.
wordwoman's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
marynolanpleckham's review against another edition
4.0
A novel in verse on Libby - was a little bit hard to get the formatting understandable. A kid's perspective on the long term damage of professional football on his dad's brain and neurological system. Well done, quick read, impactful.
jordanak03's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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