Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

12 reviews

alainajreads's review against another edition

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

4.0

This was a beautifully written and touching middle-grade novel in verse about 13-year-old Reha who feels torn between her parents’ expectations and her own wants until a tragic diagnosis turns her family’s life upside down. The exploration of Reha’s complex relationship with her parents adds depth as she processes her mother’s diagnosis, and through her friendships and a budding romance, she finds her inner strength. I found the 80s pop culture references a little shoehorned in and at times the pacing felt too quick and I would’ve liked more of Reha’s thought processes but overall it was a bittersweet brief read that makes heavy topics accessible to its young audience.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content

bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Xenophobia

mattyb's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma

Minor: Medical content

kibbles15's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad

• 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

5.0

Beautiful and sad coming of age story. Highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent

pika_chuu's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

4.0

I cried. Sooo sad my heart ached. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent

amberinpieces's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief

Minor: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

kayladaila's review against another edition

emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infertility and Blood

Minor: Bullying, Racism, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy

atamano's review

emotional sad medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Blood and Medical content

library_kb's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

4.5

This is a book that made me tear up. It is about an Indian American girl in the 80s who is trying to navigate life between two cultures--her parents and their expectations and her friends and surroundings. She wants to become a doctor, but the one issue is that she cannot stand the sight of blood. Her mom is diagnosed with leukemia and has to go through treatments which don't work the way they are supposed to. This is an emotional book--it is short (209 pages) but it packs a punch. Definitely recommend for all kids 6th and up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer

Moderate: Grief and Death of parent

puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent