jackie_beyondthebookends's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I love the idea of this story and there was so much about it that I loved. The exploration of a multi racial identity from a teenagers point of view is unique and powerful. However, there were also things I felt were missing from this coming of age story. There were key moments that were skipped over that took away from the emotional nature of the story.
raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
>YESSSS
>Immersive
>Unique POV & voice
>Didn’t want to put it down & couldn’t stop thinking of it
>Love Nevaeh and her straight boy best friend.
>It’s about family, found family, and community
>While both sides of her family is religious, it’s not about religion.
>There’s no ”saving her soul” tug of war fight going on between the different religions
>Typical young love, realistically rendered
>Former childhood friend turned enemy
>Mother suffering through a depressive episode
>Sexual assault journaled about
>Love how the mother’s journal was resolved
>Rabbi that I surprisingly liked
>The mini Rabbi in training is adorable
>Colorism illustrated and handled well, especially re: burdens on black women
>All the women are amazing in their own ways
>As are Nevaeh’s uncle and grandfather
>That bat mitzvah!!!!
>There are a lot of elements that others have made whole books out of alone, and they’re juggled beautifully. Everything was given the proper space or weight. Kids have a lot to contend with these days and Nevaeh gets overwhelmed but the narrative doesn’t.
>Perfect for fans of Nicole Yoon, Elizabeth Acevedo’s work, especially The Poet X,
>There are several other 2019 books that sound like perfect comps too, but I haven’t read them yet, like: The Revolution of Birdie Randolph, Full Disclosure, Let Me Hear a Rhyme, This Time Will Be Different, I Wanna Be Where You ARe.
>Immersive
>Unique POV & voice
>Didn’t want to put it down & couldn’t stop thinking of it
>Love Nevaeh and her straight boy best friend.
>It’s about family, found family, and community
>While both sides of her family is religious, it’s not about religion.
>There’s no ”saving her soul” tug of war fight going on between the different religions
>Typical young love, realistically rendered
>Former childhood friend turned enemy
>Mother suffering through a depressive episode
>Sexual assault journaled about
>Love how the mother’s journal was resolved
>Rabbi that I surprisingly liked
>The mini Rabbi in training is adorable
>Colorism illustrated and handled well, especially re: burdens on black women
>All the women are amazing in their own ways
>As are Nevaeh’s uncle and grandfather
>That bat mitzvah!!!!
>There are a lot of elements that others have made whole books out of alone, and they’re juggled beautifully. Everything was given the proper space or weight. Kids have a lot to contend with these days and Nevaeh gets overwhelmed but the narrative doesn’t.
>Perfect for fans of Nicole Yoon, Elizabeth Acevedo’s work, especially The Poet X,
>There are several other 2019 books that sound like perfect comps too, but I haven’t read them yet, like: The Revolution of Birdie Randolph, Full Disclosure, Let Me Hear a Rhyme, This Time Will Be Different, I Wanna Be Where You ARe.
woodennord's review against another edition
4.0
I initially rated this as a Five-Star, but after later review and a comb through my reading progress I've decided to lower it.
This book is full of experience, most of which I can never relate to. It's full of a single mixed girl's experience that is complex and messy and so, so real. Naveah is far from perfect, and I think that's my only gripe with this book.
I love complex characters that I don't always end up liking, but I feel like Naveah spent so much time making mistakes and not nearly enough time fixing them. I don't feel like Stevie should have had to be the person to apologize first. Jesus and Rabbi Sarah are some of the only characters I like, and Rabbi Sarah is the only character with actual development. I felt like this book was missing the real personal connections that people make.
But I could never rate it lower because it was full of culture and reality and so much that I didn't know anything about. I haven't got a single Jewish or Black person in my entire family. So I have no clue about the struggles both face on a daily basis. I can't rate it lower because I learned so much.
This book is full of experience, most of which I can never relate to. It's full of a single mixed girl's experience that is complex and messy and so, so real. Naveah is far from perfect, and I think that's my only gripe with this book.
I love complex characters that I don't always end up liking, but I feel like Naveah spent so much time making mistakes and not nearly enough time fixing them. I don't feel like Stevie should have had to be the person to apologize first. Jesus and Rabbi Sarah are some of the only characters I like, and Rabbi Sarah is the only character with actual development. I felt like this book was missing the real personal connections that people make.
But I could never rate it lower because it was full of culture and reality and so much that I didn't know anything about. I haven't got a single Jewish or Black person in my entire family. So I have no clue about the struggles both face on a daily basis. I can't rate it lower because I learned so much.
morganbrabender's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this story of a biracial teenager (black and Jewish) struggling to figure out who she is and where she fits. There are so many strong themes and lessons in this story and I learned a lot reading Nevaeh’s story. I also loved listening to Bahni Turpin narrate
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic. You can tell this is an #ownvoices mixed race novel because the experiences feel so, so real--the struggles with each part of oneself, the feeling of "not enough" of either, and the day to day difficulties of fitting in on both sides of the family. I haven't read anything like this before. Highly recommend it equally to anyone looking for a window as to those looking for a mirror!
chandraleereads's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I really liked this book, it was an emotional and thoughtful coming of age story. There were a few side character stories/descriptions that I didn’t dig as much (ex: Did Jerry’s body need to constantly be commented on?), but it was still a book I would recommend to most.
mandyist's review against another edition
DNF at 72%. I just can't deal with the extremely selfish protagonist and her best friend anymore, the caricature characters, the insta-relationship with the rabbi and with the love interest or the fact that they're rehearsing the Pesach Seder in January. I had a very similar upbringing to the main character - brought up Methodist and required to embrace my Jewish roots at 13. Unlike Nevaeh, I met great resistance from the Jewish community and I had to prove my matrilineal right to Judaism to allow me to enter the community. I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned in the book. Mostly, I wanted a book with Jewish representation and also dual-religion representation but this book wasn't the one for me.
zoya_neela's review against another edition
4.0
Born into two worlds, two traditions, two religions - where do you belong? Which one will accept you, or will you always be an outsider in both? As the world becomes 'smaller', as people live in closer proximity, children are going to come into a world that will struggle to place them in a box.
It was easy for me to relate to some of the emotions and situations that were explored in this story.
It was easy for me to relate to some of the emotions and situations that were explored in this story.
nanikeeva's review against another edition
2.0
very solid first 2/3 but then deteriorates from there
karty_v's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Honestly I HATE books that focus on racial or sexual topics simply because often times the authors make it into something cheesy or only scratch the superficial surface of the topic. However, this book (along with The Hate U Give & Dear Martin) has done an amazing job! I'm black but due to my lighter complexion I could pass. Growing up with a brown mother was hard at times. I didn't always know where i stood in the larger black community... This book did an amazing job showcasing Neveah's internal struggle.
Although i thoroughly enjoyed this book, i had several complaints:
1. Samuel's girlfriend- i understand her dad's cheating ended the marriage but Ashley's character was just so irritating. As the other woman she's trash but her manipulating Samuel and getting her dream of being a reality houswife with a show was irksome.
2. Neveah lying about her dad to Jesus- i just want this whole "I have to lie about my past to get a fresh start" trope to be done with
3. Abby & the whole posting the partially nude pic of Neveah... It seemed like it was just a plot device to usher in Neveah FINALLY using her passing platform to stand up for Jesus.
Honestly I HATE books that focus on racial or sexual topics simply because often times the authors make it into something cheesy or only scratch the superficial surface of the topic. However, this book (along with The Hate U Give & Dear Martin) has done an amazing job! I'm black but due to my lighter complexion I could pass. Growing up with a brown mother was hard at times. I didn't always know where i stood in the larger black community... This book did an amazing job showcasing Neveah's internal struggle.
Although i thoroughly enjoyed this book, i had several complaints:
1. Samuel's girlfriend- i understand her dad's cheating ended the marriage but Ashley's character was just so irritating. As the other woman she's trash but her manipulating Samuel and getting her dream of being a reality houswife with a show was irksome.
2. Neveah lying about her dad to Jesus- i just want this whole "I have to lie about my past to get a fresh start" trope to be done with
3. Abby & the whole posting the partially nude pic of Neveah... It seemed like it was just a plot device to usher in Neveah FINALLY using her passing platform to stand up for Jesus.