scorpstar77's review
4.0
So in this book, 15-year-old Baxter Green is the kid who never forgets. Ever. Nothing ever. He had a head injury when he was 3, and he's remembered everything he ever saw, heard, or experienced since then. Naturally, when his mom's crappy ex-boyfriend Dink found out, he took advantage by forcing Baxter to memorize credit card numbers so he could steal. And naturally, when Dink got caught and Baxter testified against him...and stole the stolen cash from his office...that pissed Dink off. So when Dink is paroled, Baxter and his mom move to a randomly (not really) town in Minnesota. There, Baxter tries to start over as a normal kid at school, hiding his ability, and also tries to win the affection of his ecologically passionate crush...who he just happened to fall in love with in kindergarten. Only she doesn't remember him at all.
The book was well-written and interesting. I was rooting for Baxter, and honestly was happy to see a YA novel written from a boy's perspective to begin with, as they're kind of rare. Having never been a teenage boy, I can't speak to how realistic his thoughts and actions in the book are, but they struck me as reasonably accurate for a smart, sensitive teen boy. And the cover art is kick-ass - I would find myself picking up the book to read it and just staring at the cover for a while before actually cracking open the book. The only thing criticism I have is that it felt like the book was trying to do too much, like there were too many elements to the story. If there had been more focus on the memory thing, or the running from the bad guy thing, or the environmental message thing...just one of those would have been an adequate companion to the complex teenage love feelings story, but all of them kind of diluted the purpose until I wasn't really sure what the main thrust of the book was. Even so, I found the Baxter compelling and the writing excellent, so I still liked the book!
The book was well-written and interesting. I was rooting for Baxter, and honestly was happy to see a YA novel written from a boy's perspective to begin with, as they're kind of rare. Having never been a teenage boy, I can't speak to how realistic his thoughts and actions in the book are, but they struck me as reasonably accurate for a smart, sensitive teen boy. And the cover art is kick-ass - I would find myself picking up the book to read it and just staring at the cover for a while before actually cracking open the book. The only thing criticism I have is that it felt like the book was trying to do too much, like there were too many elements to the story. If there had been more focus on the memory thing, or the running from the bad guy thing, or the environmental message thing...just one of those would have been an adequate companion to the complex teenage love feelings story, but all of them kind of diluted the purpose until I wasn't really sure what the main thrust of the book was. Even so, I found the Baxter compelling and the writing excellent, so I still liked the book!
theartolater's review
4.0
One of the more fascinating types of people I know of are those who cannot forget anything. Those who remember every moment of every day and can recall it at any point.
Unforgettable is about a teen from a troubled family with just that condition. It means that his father involved him in a scam, exploiting the condition. It means a new girl in his new town where he doesn't know anyone is actually someone from his past. It means a lot that he has to deal with.
This was a good, quick read. A really interesting way of presenting the outcast of sorts, handling family and life dramas with a different wrinkle. Glad I had read it, at the end of the day.
Unforgettable is about a teen from a troubled family with just that condition. It means that his father involved him in a scam, exploiting the condition. It means a new girl in his new town where he doesn't know anyone is actually someone from his past. It means a lot that he has to deal with.
This was a good, quick read. A really interesting way of presenting the outcast of sorts, handling family and life dramas with a different wrinkle. Glad I had read it, at the end of the day.
kristid's review
3.0
Earlier this year I read a novel called Forgotten by Cat Patrick about a girl who can't remember anything. Then I read the summary for Unforgettable and was instantly intrigued. What if you were the exact opposite of the character in Forgotten? What if you remembered everything?
That’s exactly what Baxter does, he remembers everything. Not only remembers certain events, but also experiences the emotions and feelings that happened at the same time. Can you imagine experiencing the pain of loosing someone dear to you repeatedly?
Initially I thought it might be cool to remember everything, but as the story progresses it’s easy to see how it can be a burden as much as it’s a gift. It makes Baxter a little more awkward than usual, but I don’t think you have to have an incredible memory to feel awkward as a teenager.
This story is about a lot more than dealing with Baxter’s condition. It’s about self discovery and first love. It’s about interpreting the life around us and our experiences.
Unforgettable is a great story, with a an age old message and a unique character.
That’s exactly what Baxter does, he remembers everything. Not only remembers certain events, but also experiences the emotions and feelings that happened at the same time. Can you imagine experiencing the pain of loosing someone dear to you repeatedly?
Initially I thought it might be cool to remember everything, but as the story progresses it’s easy to see how it can be a burden as much as it’s a gift. It makes Baxter a little more awkward than usual, but I don’t think you have to have an incredible memory to feel awkward as a teenager.
This story is about a lot more than dealing with Baxter’s condition. It’s about self discovery and first love. It’s about interpreting the life around us and our experiences.
Unforgettable is a great story, with a an age old message and a unique character.
nagam's review
4.0
In my quest to read more books with male characters, I was intrigued by Baxter – a boy who wishes there were some things he could forget, even though it was impossible due to his perfect photographic memory. He wishes he could forget how Dink screwed up he and his mom’s lives when he used Baxter for his memory to steal credit card information. With Dink just out of jail, he’s sure to come after them again because Baxter has something he’s sure Dink wants. One thing he’s glad he cannot forget is his kindergarten crush, Halle.
Halle moved away to the small mining town where Baxter and his mom relocate. Coincidence? Not so much. He hopes to reconnect with her without her recalling him as the boy who could recite her favorite television shows verbatim when she was five. Luckily for Baxter, Halle’s family still lives in the same town; he pretends to mess up on tests and is assigned a tutor who turns out to be none other than our leading lady. Baxter walks a fine line between allowing Halle to get to know him without revealing too much about his past. He doesn’t want to be seen as a freak.
While he’s trying to figure out his relationship with Halle and make new friends, he’s tortured by memories of Dink. Small hints that the ex-convict knows their whereabouts start to surface and Baxter doesn’t know how to handle his fear. Does he tell his Mom? Is Dink just trying to scare him? Should they move again and will he have to leave Halle behind just when he’s reconnected with her?
This book made me think so much – I am not one of the people who has memories from when I was super young. I just don’t. While Baxter did, he could never turn them off. He relived emotions and tough moments; scents evoked certain flashbacks. His mind was constantly running a loop of memories. Though I wish there were more I could remember about my past, I’ve decided I’m quite content with what I can because only the important events, people, and defining moments stay with me.
So what would you choose if you had the choice – to remember it all or to have fragmented memories? Read Baxter’s story and see if that helps you decide…
[Review originally posted at Rather be Reading]
juliaogden's review
2.0
I loved the Gatsby parallels (though as an English teacher, I think 9th grade is pushing it for most kids--even 11th graders struggle with the book).
I'm not sure I ever got a real feel for who Baxter is. His voice wasn't very strong. Yet Fitzgerald was criticized in his day for his characterization of Gatsby for much the same reason, and Baxter sees himself as a Gatsby parallel...
I loved all the plot ideas in this book, but the writing didn't always do them justice.
As an adult who reads a lot of YA, I'm always on the look-out for fleshed-out adult characters...this book had opportunities, but the grown-ups were pretty flat.
I'm not sure I ever got a real feel for who Baxter is. His voice wasn't very strong. Yet Fitzgerald was criticized in his day for his characterization of Gatsby for much the same reason, and Baxter sees himself as a Gatsby parallel...
I loved all the plot ideas in this book, but the writing didn't always do them justice.
As an adult who reads a lot of YA, I'm always on the look-out for fleshed-out adult characters...this book had opportunities, but the grown-ups were pretty flat.
martha_schwalbe's review
3.0
I had a strong connection to this book because I'd been listening to a piece about people who have incredible memories on the radio. My grandma had a really good memory, she could remember what she ate and where she ate it. She could also remember names and places but I don't know if she could remember exact dates and what the whether was like.
Baxter is a freshman at a new school and doesn't fit in, not unlike many of our students. He takes off on an adventure that is interesting.
I'd like to get this book into the hands of a freshman boy to find out what he thinks.
Baxter is a freshman at a new school and doesn't fit in, not unlike many of our students. He takes off on an adventure that is interesting.
I'd like to get this book into the hands of a freshman boy to find out what he thinks.
ntwillow's review
5.0
This book helped me see into the mind of a friend of mine, no matter how many differences or similarities there may be between them and this book, I know they will discover their inner strengths and find out who they truly are, just like the character in this book named Baxter.
dkhunt's review
3.0
I received this book in a FirstReads giveaway.
Breezed right through this easy-going, nicely written tale of a teenage boy with an extraordinary memory coming to terms with high school, the girl of his(undimmed kindergarten)dreams, and whether his ability is a blessing or a curse. The straightforward nature of the narrative makes it highly accessible to young readers, and the engaging descriptions and inventive details, such as the synesthesia that causes the main character to experience voices as images or smells, delight the older reader. An excellent read.
Breezed right through this easy-going, nicely written tale of a teenage boy with an extraordinary memory coming to terms with high school, the girl of his(undimmed kindergarten)dreams, and whether his ability is a blessing or a curse. The straightforward nature of the narrative makes it highly accessible to young readers, and the engaging descriptions and inventive details, such as the synesthesia that causes the main character to experience voices as images or smells, delight the older reader. An excellent read.
kellyhager's review
4.0
Baxter can't forget anything. No, really. Ask him what he did on March 3, 2004, and he can tell you. It doesn't make him popular, but it makes getting good grades pretty easy. But things aren't great. He and his mom just moved to Minnesota, because he had to testify against her ex-boyfriend. (Said ex-boyfriend, Dink, had a credit card theft ring going. And you know what's really helpful in those rings? Someone who can remember things...like, say, credit card numbers.) So yeah, he's in Minnesota...and it's not really an accident that they're there. The girl he had a crush on when he was little just so happens to live in that town...
I really enjoyed this book. It's hard not to love Baxter, and the concept is very unique. I also loved Halle (the girl he had a crush on). Because of that crush, Baxter gets involved in the school's environmental club, which was the subplot I liked best. The town where they live has a high rate of mesothelioma (cancer caused by asbestos) and it's believed to be linked to the mine that employs pretty much everyone in town, one way or another. It causes a huge conflict of interest, because if the mine were to close, the town would die. But thanks to the mine, the cancer rate is huge in the town, so odds are the town will die anyway.
I wish this book were longer, because parts of it (everything with Dink, really) felt rushed, and I would've liked to see more of Halle and Baxter.
Still, this is a really sweet, fun story and I hope there will be a sequel.
I really enjoyed this book. It's hard not to love Baxter, and the concept is very unique. I also loved Halle (the girl he had a crush on). Because of that crush, Baxter gets involved in the school's environmental club, which was the subplot I liked best. The town where they live has a high rate of mesothelioma (cancer caused by asbestos) and it's believed to be linked to the mine that employs pretty much everyone in town, one way or another. It causes a huge conflict of interest, because if the mine were to close, the town would die. But thanks to the mine, the cancer rate is huge in the town, so odds are the town will die anyway.
I wish this book were longer, because parts of it (everything with Dink, really) felt rushed, and I would've liked to see more of Halle and Baxter.
Still, this is a really sweet, fun story and I hope there will be a sequel.
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