ashleyziegler's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... just wow... I'm completely in awe... This book is downright amazing. It was NOTHING I expected to be... There are so many different point of views in this book. It's about bullying. It's about depression. It's about suicide. It's about kids feeling like they don't matter. It's about bullying getting away when it should be stopped. It's about strength. It's about standing up for yourself. I'm completely inspired, and this author nailed it. This has become one of my favorite books.
It really breaks my heart what happens in the book, just because it hits a little close to home, but other than that... it has truly inspired me. I would give this book 10 stars if I could.
It really breaks my heart what happens in the book, just because it hits a little close to home, but other than that... it has truly inspired me. I would give this book 10 stars if I could.
memica's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome book, I nearly started crying. Everyone who reads it should love it. It shows how bullying isn't nice :) The chars are nice and so is the story.
jbaronn's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
syvictors's review against another edition
3.0
Synopsis:
Noelle is bullied at school, and neglected by her mother at home. So when she finally reaches a breaking point and attempts to commit suicide, an unlikely boy is the only thing that can save her from herself.
My Reaction:
I usually really enjoy Susane Colasanti's novels, but this one isn't my favorite one. I think the reason for that is that you feel a little uncomfortable while reading it. I kept trying to put myself in the situations Noelle would be in, but it was too... horrifying. Not blood and gore horrifying, more like, I can't ever think of myself in this situation. Or, I hope I never have to deal with this type of thing. This book has the ability to open people's eyes and make a big impact on how you view the world around you.
Warnings:
Mild Sexual Content
Some Partying
Mild Violence
Noelle is bullied at school, and neglected by her mother at home. So when she finally reaches a breaking point and attempts to commit suicide, an unlikely boy is the only thing that can save her from herself.
My Reaction:
I usually really enjoy Susane Colasanti's novels, but this one isn't my favorite one. I think the reason for that is that you feel a little uncomfortable while reading it. I kept trying to put myself in the situations Noelle would be in, but it was too... horrifying. Not blood and gore horrifying, more like, I can't ever think of myself in this situation. Or, I hope I never have to deal with this type of thing. This book has the ability to open people's eyes and make a big impact on how you view the world around you.
Warnings:
Mild Sexual Content
Some Partying
Mild Violence
hldillon's review against another edition
4.0
I think this book is well written from a high school girls perspective. It sheds new light to bullying in high school and the damage/ harm it can cause.
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
3.0
"What's in front of you, is not necessarily the entire story."
NOT ENOUGH JULIAN! THAT.IS.ALL! ;)
Also, last line of page 133 says this: "Life would be so much easier if fictional boys were real." True.Story. ;)
This book may be small but it has the potential to make a big impact. It affected me personally because the subject matter is something I could identify with.
The summary and the cover leads the reader to believe it's a book about teenage romance with a few difficult issues thrown in but it isn't. The romance aspect is minor compared to the overall message of the book which is epic. Noelle has endured a life of neglect both at home and at school. She's so beaten down she can't even see that her boyfriend, Matt might not be the best choice for her. Julian, (the best part of the story in my opinion) is the boy she really wants to be with is beginning to show serious interest in her but he can't possibly like someone like her, can he?
Julian is smart, kind, beautiful and rich, all the things that Noelle is not. Her BFF Sherae tells her she deserves to be with someone like him but Noelle can't fathom that. If he knew the truth about her life, the secrets she keeps in order to make it through each day, he would see she really isn't worth it, or so she believes. She's not the only one at school who suffers in silence and when the bullying finally goes too far and a friend suffers the heartbreaking consequences, Noelle must decide what kind of life she really wants to live. Choosing to keep quiet is no longer an option but standing up for what's right means risking everything. It's a risk she's not sure she's willing to take but as she begins to realize, the things we want most in life are always worth the risk.
Susane encourages readers with a bit of her own story and lets them know that once High School passes, things change, life gets better and it really does. Seeking help for whatever you're struggling with is SO IMPORTANT. Help is available.
NOT ENOUGH JULIAN! THAT.IS.ALL! ;)
Also, last line of page 133 says this: "Life would be so much easier if fictional boys were real." True.Story. ;)
This book may be small but it has the potential to make a big impact. It affected me personally because the subject matter is something I could identify with.
The summary and the cover leads the reader to believe it's a book about teenage romance with a few difficult issues thrown in but it isn't. The romance aspect is minor compared to the overall message of the book which is epic. Noelle has endured a life of neglect both at home and at school. She's so beaten down she can't even see that her boyfriend, Matt might not be the best choice for her. Julian, (the best part of the story in my opinion) is the boy she really wants to be with is beginning to show serious interest in her but he can't possibly like someone like her, can he?
Julian is smart, kind, beautiful and rich, all the things that Noelle is not. Her BFF Sherae tells her she deserves to be with someone like him but Noelle can't fathom that. If he knew the truth about her life, the secrets she keeps in order to make it through each day, he would see she really isn't worth it, or so she believes. She's not the only one at school who suffers in silence and when the bullying finally goes too far and a friend suffers the heartbreaking consequences, Noelle must decide what kind of life she really wants to live. Choosing to keep quiet is no longer an option but standing up for what's right means risking everything. It's a risk she's not sure she's willing to take but as she begins to realize, the things we want most in life are always worth the risk.
Susane encourages readers with a bit of her own story and lets them know that once High School passes, things change, life gets better and it really does. Seeking help for whatever you're struggling with is SO IMPORTANT. Help is available.
honeycupreads's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this book when I was about 13 and I still own it so I decided to give it a reread after about 10 years. I really enjoyed this book. There are improvements that could be made of course but overall I think this is a great story and something that can help young people. I do think the cover is a bit misleading however because although there is a bit of romance the overall theme of this story is mostly about bullying and the effects of bullying. This is a very easy read in the sense that it is quite short and fast paced however it does talk about some heavy topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Bullying, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Suicide