lwhite52's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
abigailbat's review against another edition
5.0
Morgan lives in Central Nowhere, Nebraska. When life's too much for her, she drives out into the hills and screams her troubles into the sky. This year, her junior year, she's got a lot to think about. Her alcoholic dad verbally abuses her and her brothers. She's got a major crush on a gorgeous guy she works with (despite the fact that she's in a long-term relationship with a football player). Oh, yeah, and her next-door neighbor Tessa kissed her a couple nights ago. And she thinks she liked it.
I really, really liked this book. Morgan's voice fulled me in from the very beginning. She has a dry wit and a very dark humor that was startling and interesting. The novel is about gray areas and I loved that there were no easy answers. Highly recommended.
Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-review-sky-always-hears-me-and.html
I really, really liked this book. Morgan's voice fulled me in from the very beginning. She has a dry wit and a very dark humor that was startling and interesting. The novel is about gray areas and I loved that there were no easy answers. Highly recommended.
Read more on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-review-sky-always-hears-me-and.html
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
A damn near perfect book.
This book has one of the strongest voices I've read, coupled with a pitch perfect midwestern small-town setting. Morgan is passionate, driven, and a dreamer still firmly rooted to the ground (by choice and by force). She's witty without being sarcastic. She's truthful and insightful without being too smart for 17, too.
It gets everything right about everything there is to get right here.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/01/sky-always-hears-me-and-hills-dont-mind.html
This book has one of the strongest voices I've read, coupled with a pitch perfect midwestern small-town setting. Morgan is passionate, driven, and a dreamer still firmly rooted to the ground (by choice and by force). She's witty without being sarcastic. She's truthful and insightful without being too smart for 17, too.
It gets everything right about everything there is to get right here.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/01/sky-always-hears-me-and-hills-dont-mind.html
ifthebook's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked: the lesbian relationship was explored in a unique way. This was a straight girl who was confused by a kiss but then figured things out. She never spent a long time angsting about what it meant. Once she set her mind to it, she worked things out. I really liked that.
What I didn't like: the fortunes. I thought they were a little too gimmicky. Also, something about the book seemed a little predictable--small town-girl wants to get out into the big world but not everybody wants that.
I also didn't feel like all the different plot threads connected very well. There was her love life, there was her relationship with her father, her step-mother, and her grandmother, and there was her relationship with her brothers. None of the three really intersected much.
What I didn't like: the fortunes. I thought they were a little too gimmicky. Also, something about the book seemed a little predictable--small town-girl wants to get out into the big world but not everybody wants that.
I also didn't feel like all the different plot threads connected very well. There was her love life, there was her relationship with her father, her step-mother, and her grandmother, and there was her relationship with her brothers. None of the three really intersected much.
amarrymeinbostonacademic's review against another edition
4.0
This book was definitely closer to four stars than three. Similar to what my friend Isaiah said, it was a well written book but the end wasn't satisfying. The story didn't feel finished yet. Too many rather important events were all piled on at the end of the story and it felt that some of them weren't completely resolved.
As far as characters went , I thought that the main character, Morgan, was one of the best questioning characters I've seen out of all of the books I've read to date. She realistically considered that she could have been bisexual. I think this author wrote a very believable questioning character.
I also liked the set up of the different chapters being titled after the fortunes that Morgan's grandmother collected as a traveling musician. I thought that part was neat.
As far as characters went , I thought that the main character, Morgan, was one of the best questioning characters I've seen out of all of the books I've read to date. She realistically considered that she could have been bisexual. I think this author wrote a very believable questioning character.
I also liked the set up of the different chapters being titled after the fortunes that Morgan's grandmother collected as a traveling musician. I thought that part was neat.
caroni's review against another edition
5.0
The Sky Always Hears Me and The Hills Don't Mind is absolutely fantastic. Morgan's voice is unique and you will want to read this book only for this!
Morgan is a roughly regular teenager, she is a bit of a geek so she isn't very popular. She doesn't have any friends, just Girls To Sit By at lunch, her having a popular jock boyfriend was a bit of an accident, and now she is stuck with him whereas he's a bit boring. She has a crush on Rob who works as an assistant manager in the grocery store where she works (well, technically, she has more of a crush on his butt) and she was kissed by her friend Tessa a few nights before. Very complicated love life, indeed! She is a bit lost, especially since her dad is an alcoholic, and her step-mom kind of invisible and her brothers have very unique personalities. Morgan gives funny names to people and things and the only thing she wants is to get out of here fast. Her voice is grittily honest and it feels just like being in her head.
Morgan wants to write the Great American Novel as well as write fortunes. The entire book is filled with the fortunes she comes up with during the day. She has a very clear voice and her personality just comes through the narration. there are some truly laugh out loud moments in the book and there are some very touching ones (I read the book in one sitting in a café and I looked like an idiot laughing out loud and crying but oh well). Morgan is very close to her grandmother and she feels that she is the only one to truly understand her. When Morgan isn't feeling well, she takes her grandmother's car and drives up the hill and screams her frustration to the sky (hence the title).
The story is from the point of view of Morgan and how she is trying to help Tessa who is coming out. At the beginning Morgan doesn't really know if Tessa is just experimenting or if she is actually a lesbian. It is such a small and mostly narrow-minded town that when Tessa and another girl are found naked in the same bed, everyone assumes it is a "sleep-over" which is absolutely hilarious to read from Morgan's point of view, who knows it is more than that. Morgan has to deal with Tessa's crush on her and the fact that people think she is a lesbian too for being friends with Tessa. Morgan's position, as the straight friend of a lesbian in high school, is really fascinating to read. She herself wonders if she feels something for Tessa and she at times stands by her, at others doesn't know how to react. The reaction of everyone else to Tessa is very harsh but luckily she is one tough girl and can take care of herself, I really loved her character.
There are a lot of themes in this book and the most important one, I felt, was choosing a positive feeling rather than be mad, embarrassed, mean or spiteful. Morgan goes through the story making those choices and i really loved her for it.
I can't say much more not to spoil the story but Morgan's voice, the crazy (and quite realistic) personalities of most of the characters and the story will make you fall for this book. I cannot wait to read more by this author and I know that, the book being so fantastic, I will be rereading it soon!
Morgan is a roughly regular teenager, she is a bit of a geek so she isn't very popular. She doesn't have any friends, just Girls To Sit By at lunch, her having a popular jock boyfriend was a bit of an accident, and now she is stuck with him whereas he's a bit boring. She has a crush on Rob who works as an assistant manager in the grocery store where she works (well, technically, she has more of a crush on his butt) and she was kissed by her friend Tessa a few nights before. Very complicated love life, indeed! She is a bit lost, especially since her dad is an alcoholic, and her step-mom kind of invisible and her brothers have very unique personalities. Morgan gives funny names to people and things and the only thing she wants is to get out of here fast. Her voice is grittily honest and it feels just like being in her head.
Morgan wants to write the Great American Novel as well as write fortunes. The entire book is filled with the fortunes she comes up with during the day. She has a very clear voice and her personality just comes through the narration. there are some truly laugh out loud moments in the book and there are some very touching ones (I read the book in one sitting in a café and I looked like an idiot laughing out loud and crying but oh well). Morgan is very close to her grandmother and she feels that she is the only one to truly understand her. When Morgan isn't feeling well, she takes her grandmother's car and drives up the hill and screams her frustration to the sky (hence the title).
The story is from the point of view of Morgan and how she is trying to help Tessa who is coming out. At the beginning Morgan doesn't really know if Tessa is just experimenting or if she is actually a lesbian. It is such a small and mostly narrow-minded town that when Tessa and another girl are found naked in the same bed, everyone assumes it is a "sleep-over" which is absolutely hilarious to read from Morgan's point of view, who knows it is more than that. Morgan has to deal with Tessa's crush on her and the fact that people think she is a lesbian too for being friends with Tessa. Morgan's position, as the straight friend of a lesbian in high school, is really fascinating to read. She herself wonders if she feels something for Tessa and she at times stands by her, at others doesn't know how to react. The reaction of everyone else to Tessa is very harsh but luckily she is one tough girl and can take care of herself, I really loved her character.
There are a lot of themes in this book and the most important one, I felt, was choosing a positive feeling rather than be mad, embarrassed, mean or spiteful. Morgan goes through the story making those choices and i really loved her for it.
I can't say much more not to spoil the story but Morgan's voice, the crazy (and quite realistic) personalities of most of the characters and the story will make you fall for this book. I cannot wait to read more by this author and I know that, the book being so fantastic, I will be rereading it soon!
bykaitrose's review
5.0
The first review I read about The Sky Always Hears Me: And The Hills don't mind made it shoot right to the top of my wishlist. When Id finally got a copy, I couldn't wait to read it. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint me in any way.
Morgan lives in a town in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do except work, write crazy fortunes, and stare at Rob's butt. Well okay maybe more than that but those are Morgan's favorite things. And from descriptions of Rob, I wouldn't mind staring at his butt either. =]
The only big flaw in Morgan's plan is that she already has a boyfriend. Not a very smart boyfriend but still a boyfriend. Then add to that a cute boy, a kiss with a girl, and things really start to heat up in that tiny little town. Oh, and on top of all that she wants to write a great American novel and that can't happen where she lives, so what is she to do but find a way to get out?
I really did like Morgan. There were times I didn't agree with her thinking, when she was being stubborn and selfish, but it didn't make me dislike her. Morgan was just a good character all around. She was normal and relatable and quite funny. She had relationship, friendship, and family problems but she didn't let it get her down and ruin her dreams. In fact, it made her stronger.
Also, one of the best things about this book was how Kirstin Cronn-Mills incorporated so many issues that are very present in today's society but she didn't overdo it. There was homosexuality, bullying, sex, prejudices, and so much more. Normally it would seem a bit much for one book but somehow it wasn't. It was honest and real and just perfect.
Overall, I think The Sky Always Hears Me: And The Hills Don't Mind is something everyone will enjoy. It involves so many things relevant to today's teens and it portrays them all in a very enjoyable way. My warning to anyone who reads this is: don't read in a public place. You will find yourself getting some very odd looks when you start laughing out loud. So I definitely think you should add this one to your to be read list because if you give it a chance, I am sure you will like it. =]
Morgan lives in a town in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do except work, write crazy fortunes, and stare at Rob's butt. Well okay maybe more than that but those are Morgan's favorite things. And from descriptions of Rob, I wouldn't mind staring at his butt either. =]
The only big flaw in Morgan's plan is that she already has a boyfriend. Not a very smart boyfriend but still a boyfriend. Then add to that a cute boy, a kiss with a girl, and things really start to heat up in that tiny little town. Oh, and on top of all that she wants to write a great American novel and that can't happen where she lives, so what is she to do but find a way to get out?
I really did like Morgan. There were times I didn't agree with her thinking, when she was being stubborn and selfish, but it didn't make me dislike her. Morgan was just a good character all around. She was normal and relatable and quite funny. She had relationship, friendship, and family problems but she didn't let it get her down and ruin her dreams. In fact, it made her stronger.
Also, one of the best things about this book was how Kirstin Cronn-Mills incorporated so many issues that are very present in today's society but she didn't overdo it. There was homosexuality, bullying, sex, prejudices, and so much more. Normally it would seem a bit much for one book but somehow it wasn't. It was honest and real and just perfect.
Overall, I think The Sky Always Hears Me: And The Hills Don't Mind is something everyone will enjoy. It involves so many things relevant to today's teens and it portrays them all in a very enjoyable way. My warning to anyone who reads this is: don't read in a public place. You will find yourself getting some very odd looks when you start laughing out loud. So I definitely think you should add this one to your to be read list because if you give it a chance, I am sure you will like it. =]
wendybird's review
4.0
I got this book for my daughter but read it first. As you know I am a fan of YA books. This did not disappoint. And the author is awesome. I was given her name as a suggested author for my daughter who loves to read and who has recently come out. I contacted the Mrs. Cronn-Mills and sent along a note with the autographed copy of the book and was so kind.
I enjoyed the book a great deal too. The tone of the story, which is told by Morgan, was snarky and sarcastic bringing to mind Juno.
The story was very moving at time and at others quite humorous. Morgan lives in a small town where nothing ever happens. She has a step-mother, a father with a drinking problem, a terrific grandma, two brother and a boy friend with a tiny "peepee" she doesn't think she wants anymore. She works at a local grocery store and she is bored and wants out so she can write "the next Great American Novel". But then comes along Rob with his great ass and Tessa with her great kisses. In small town middle America this makes for a rough time. Rumors about her sexuality, the truth about why her dad drinks and trying to figure out to say what it is she wants makes for a wonderful read.
I enjoyed the book a great deal too. The tone of the story, which is told by Morgan, was snarky and sarcastic bringing to mind Juno.
The story was very moving at time and at others quite humorous. Morgan lives in a small town where nothing ever happens. She has a step-mother, a father with a drinking problem, a terrific grandma, two brother and a boy friend with a tiny "peepee" she doesn't think she wants anymore. She works at a local grocery store and she is bored and wants out so she can write "the next Great American Novel". But then comes along Rob with his great ass and Tessa with her great kisses. In small town middle America this makes for a rough time. Rumors about her sexuality, the truth about why her dad drinks and trying to figure out to say what it is she wants makes for a wonderful read.
megreadingbooks's review
4.0
In my journey through the Young Adult Fiction genre, I've found that my level of annoyance with a narrator is in direct proportion to just how closely that narrator resembles my teenage self. Thus, I caught myself rolling my eyes more than once at Morgan Callahan who, like me, comes from the sort of town where the gas station parking lot is a hip hang-out spot and there isn't much else for teens to do but drive around the back roads until they run out of gas money. And much like 16-year-old me, Morgan is consumed by her dream of fleeing "Central Nowhere" to write "The Great American Novel." While it sounds like this character (and my teenaged self) are in danger of being small-town cliches, the snarky narration in this voice-driven novel makes Morgan's teenage grandiosity feel more authentic and familiar than tired and corny.
That said, I sometimes found myself only marginally engaged with the central plot of Morgan's effort to navigate her many romantic entanglements. She has a boring boyfriend and she can't stop checking out her assistant manager's ass while she's stocking candy and straightening rows of baby food at her after-school grocery store job. This is further complicated by the kiss she shared with her neighbor Tessa, and the rumors about Morgan's sexuality that have already circulated around her super-conservative town before she has even had a chance to examine her own feelings.
The love triangle (or is it quadrangle? love parallelogram?) and the themes of sexual confusion are standard fare for YA novels and they are well-done here (though the Tessa plot sometimes felt a bit tangential and tacked-on.) But this novel becomes something more than just another YA romance when Morgan learns a family secret that forces her to reexamine her relationships with her bitter drunk of a father and the Grandmother whom she's always regarded as saintly.
The Sky Always Hears Me: And the Hills Don't Mind is at its most compelling when it's examining the ways sickness and abuse cycle through families, what it means to love someone who has done terrible things and just how much can be forgiven.
That said, I sometimes found myself only marginally engaged with the central plot of Morgan's effort to navigate her many romantic entanglements. She has a boring boyfriend and she can't stop checking out her assistant manager's ass while she's stocking candy and straightening rows of baby food at her after-school grocery store job. This is further complicated by the kiss she shared with her neighbor Tessa, and the rumors about Morgan's sexuality that have already circulated around her super-conservative town before she has even had a chance to examine her own feelings.
The love triangle (or is it quadrangle? love parallelogram?) and the themes of sexual confusion are standard fare for YA novels and they are well-done here (though the Tessa plot sometimes felt a bit tangential and tacked-on.) But this novel becomes something more than just another YA romance when Morgan learns a family secret that forces her to reexamine her relationships with her bitter drunk of a father and the Grandmother whom she's always regarded as saintly.
The Sky Always Hears Me: And the Hills Don't Mind is at its most compelling when it's examining the ways sickness and abuse cycle through families, what it means to love someone who has done terrible things and just how much can be forgiven.