ladyk2387's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
athena_child's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
Great middle grade novel. Love the diverse cast and my dad appreciates the Beatles references!
jenlabrador's review against another edition
5.0
This book touched on everything: bullying, fitting in, friendship, redemption, mothers, immigrants, self loathing, cultural shame, racism, grief--oh, so much and so well done!!
Kelly does this so accurately that it was actually painful for me to read because it was so much like my own growing up. Her story is so similar to what nonwhite kids go through when they are surrounded by only white people, particularly the shame of who they culturally are and the confusion over who they want to be. Kelly also really nailed the Filipino mom and home, haha!
I like how Kelly refrains from using the typical bullying cliches but instead explores everyone's desire to not necessarily fit in but to not be ALONE.
I'd recommend this book to 7th grade and above. Even though it is geared to middle schoolers, the emotional weight of her themes delivered with her subtle yet profound storytelling would also appeal to high schoolers as well.
Kelly does this so accurately that it was actually painful for me to read because it was so much like my own growing up. Her story is so similar to what nonwhite kids go through when they are surrounded by only white people, particularly the shame of who they culturally are and the confusion over who they want to be. Kelly also really nailed the Filipino mom and home, haha!
I like how Kelly refrains from using the typical bullying cliches but instead explores everyone's desire to not necessarily fit in but to not be ALONE.
I'd recommend this book to 7th grade and above. Even though it is geared to middle schoolers, the emotional weight of her themes delivered with her subtle yet profound storytelling would also appeal to high schoolers as well.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful book, but due to some stuff in there, I can't rate it more than 4 stars.
Let's start with the good stuff first. I really liked Analyn/Apple for most of the book. Her struggle to fit in, her troubles with her mom, her trouble with expectations it all felt real and I was really cheering for her to stay positive through this all.
I also loved her love for her guitar, for the Beatles and for trying to keep the memory alive of her dad. Her dad, who died so long ago, and who her mother tries hard not to think about.
I liked the fact that Analyn/Apple is from the Philippines, and I love how she tried to keep holding on her identity, but also trying to become more American. Her problems at school, and the way people bullied her was really real and I while I don't approve of bullying or mean people, I do appreciate this was added. I would have found it all weird if she was accepted just like that.
I loved the setting, it was really interesting, but at times also a tiny bit boring.
The twist near the end (No spoilers), but I really liked that. I didn't expect that to be the case. Wow, nicely added. :)
Now for the stuff I didn't particularly like. I didn't like Analyn/Apple in the beginning, how she just stood by laughing or not saying anything while her friends were making jokes and saying mean things about other people. Sure, she changed in the later parts, but this part? I didn't particularly like. Though I guess it was needed so that she could grow and could show us how amazing she is.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom throughout the book. I can imagine why she is so grumpy, and I can understand that her mom isn't always the smartest about things, but seriously? She was just mean and rude. Never once thinking that maybe her mom is hiding a big loss, that her mom is sad, but doesn't want to show it. That her mom is trying to raise her kid in the best way possible.
And her quest to get a guitar? Meh. It was also a bit anticlimactic that she could
But, all in all, I really liked this book. It was realistic, it was fun and while Apple/Analyn is at times a bleh character, she is real, she is growing up and I was cheering for her throughout the book. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Let's start with the good stuff first. I really liked Analyn/Apple for most of the book. Her struggle to fit in, her troubles with her mom, her trouble with expectations it all felt real and I was really cheering for her to stay positive through this all.
I also loved her love for her guitar, for the Beatles and for trying to keep the memory alive of her dad. Her dad, who died so long ago, and who her mother tries hard not to think about.
I liked the fact that Analyn/Apple is from the Philippines, and I love how she tried to keep holding on her identity, but also trying to become more American. Her problems at school, and the way people bullied her was really real and I while I don't approve of bullying or mean people, I do appreciate this was added. I would have found it all weird if she was accepted just like that.
I loved the setting, it was really interesting, but at times also a tiny bit boring.
The twist near the end (No spoilers), but I really liked that. I didn't expect that to be the case. Wow, nicely added. :)
Now for the stuff I didn't particularly like. I didn't like Analyn/Apple in the beginning, how she just stood by laughing or not saying anything while her friends were making jokes and saying mean things about other people. Sure, she changed in the later parts, but this part? I didn't particularly like. Though I guess it was needed so that she could grow and could show us how amazing she is.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom throughout the book. I can imagine why she is so grumpy, and I can understand that her mom isn't always the smartest about things, but seriously? She was just mean and rude. Never once thinking that maybe her mom is hiding a big loss, that her mom is sad, but doesn't want to show it. That her mom is trying to raise her kid in the best way possible.
And her quest to get a guitar? Meh. It was also a bit anticlimactic that she could
Spoiler
instantly play it. I don't believe that one bit. Maybe there are prodigies like that, but it just felt weird that she needs to do a lot of things to get somewhere, but can instantly play guitar.But, all in all, I really liked this book. It was realistic, it was fun and while Apple/Analyn is at times a bleh character, she is real, she is growing up and I was cheering for her throughout the book. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
Apple Yengko is tween girl stuck between multiple identities. At home she is the daughter of an Filipino mother and a deceased father. Everything at home is tinged with Filipino culture and values. Apple's mother wants her to spend her time with friends and studying instead of learning a musical instrument. At school Apple is part of a small clique of girls attempting to navigate the social ladder at school and remain off of the "Dog Log". Apple's expulsion for the clique and subsequent untouchable status leads her to make some decisions about the company she keeps and what she wants to stand for.
kaloughl's review against another edition
5.0
Omg I loved this!! I've read a few of Kelly's books previously but this is my favorite so far. I loved Apple's love of music (The Beatles!) and how all she wanted to do was play the guitar. My heart hurt at the excessive bullying in her school, especially the racist, anti-Asian name calling. I loved how Apple learned to make new friends and found even better friends that supported her talent and her quirks. The fact that Evan's immediate acceptance of Apple's mom lead Apple to be proud of her Filippino heritage just about exploded my heart. Apple's tendency to call out people's IFs (interesting facts) was so cute and Kelly just PERFECTLY captured the awkward/hurtful/love filled/confusing middle school years.
The new audiobook release narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano was so good. Capistrano perfectly captured the essence of Apple and her friends (though part of me really wanted some singing by the end!).
The new audiobook release narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano was so good. Capistrano perfectly captured the essence of Apple and her friends (though part of me really wanted some singing by the end!).
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Apple has always wanted to play music like her idols, the Beatles and her dead father. While she desperately attempts to get a guitar and become a song writer, her mother stops her at every turn. With kids at school making fun of her for her race and appearance, Apple thinks that a guitar will solve everything. She learns about herself and her interactions with others along the way.
I thought this was a great first book. I enjoyed the characters and the story.
I thought this was a great first book. I enjoyed the characters and the story.
msseviereads's review against another edition
4.0
I could not stop listening! Read this one with my ears— thanks libro.fm! I loved the story, but these kids made me soooo mad! And where were the adults who observed or overheard this bullying in the hallways and classrooms. It was so frustrating for me to read—
But I loved the last bit of the book end how it all worked out— another great book by Erin Entrada Kelly!
But I loved the last bit of the book end how it all worked out— another great book by Erin Entrada Kelly!