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literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful, sparse tanka poetry again, but the pandemic plot feels less compelling than the first story. Even though readers likely all lived through some type of covid experience, it's less relatable, more of a checking off of events. The poems taken individually are lovely, emotional, with much to unpack, so maybe a slower analysis in a student book club will make a more meaningful, enjoyable read.
cocoanut7's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Weird to read a story about Covid when I lived it. I think it will help some people process the situation. For me, I didn’t exactly want to relive Covid again. But very well done. Loved the poetry format.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
stephanie_happylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
While I appreciated this book, the middle grade audience this is intended for will not really remember COVID lockdown.
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Written in the TANKA poetry form (something I have recently discovered that I LOVE), this book is such a homage to Covid. Going inside the emotions of that time from masks (and making masks at home), to virtual school, to "essential" workers being exposed to COVID. Craving normalcy when the world was further reeling from racial violence, killer bees...in my state an earthquake.....I can absolutely pause, reflect, and remember these last 2 plus years. Calling it "the invisible beast" was truly an accurate description.
Covid truly knew no boundaries. People of all races, genders, sexes, and finances were affected. But this time hit us all differently. I wasn't one who was accused of being a thief when I wore a mask. (My skin color did not affect how people perceived me). I wasn't one who had loved ones get sick by the grace of God. But we all lived it. "Chronicling" it is an example of windows and mirrors. You know the ones we talk about in children's literature. ;)
It is going to be the material of books for years to come. But when they are written like Nikki Grimes....I'm okay with this! And for those who wonder about it being called a "sequel"....it did not read that way for me.
Covid truly knew no boundaries. People of all races, genders, sexes, and finances were affected. But this time hit us all differently. I wasn't one who was accused of being a thief when I wore a mask. (My skin color did not affect how people perceived me). I wasn't one who had loved ones get sick by the grace of God. But we all lived it. "Chronicling" it is an example of windows and mirrors. You know the ones we talk about in children's literature. ;)
It is going to be the material of books for years to come. But when they are written like Nikki Grimes....I'm okay with this! And for those who wonder about it being called a "sequel"....it did not read that way for me.
avatarstorm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I don’t usually read poetry, but this was so timely and relevant and lovely. What a great recap of the awful time that was summer 2020.
A very quick read that is touching and powerful.
A very quick read that is touching and powerful.
msethna's review against another edition
4.0
I am always on the lookout for books to hand my reluctant reading students, ones that will grab them from the start and that they can connect with. Garvey in the Dark is a fast paced story about a family’s experience during the beginning of COVID. Loved the tanka formatting and the real life connections.
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Police brutality, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sunflowerjess's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A heart-wrenching, intense but not too intense dive into the experience of a young boy during the COVID lockdown. This book is written with a lot of sensitivity and heart, and at the same time does not diminish or blow off the uncertainty, fear, and confusion that people felt during the early months of the pandemic, especially young people around Garvey's age.
tcgarback's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Critical Score: B-
Personal Score: C
Reading Experience: 📘📘📘(3/5)
I only read this because I got it free for interning at the Boston Book Festival and it is super short.
Basically a straight drive down memory lane. Unfolds like a series of journal entries from the early days of the pandemic. Not exactly a pleasant experience.
Really plain. Needed Grimes to do more with her premise. But this works as a cool time capsule of sorts.
Critical Score: B-
Personal Score: C
Reading Experience: 📘📘📘(3/5)
I only read this because I got it free for interning at the Boston Book Festival and it is super short.
Basically a straight drive down memory lane. Unfolds like a series of journal entries from the early days of the pandemic. Not exactly a pleasant experience.
Really plain. Needed Grimes to do more with her premise. But this works as a cool time capsule of sorts.