khadijah3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mrsbond's review against another edition
3.0
Story follows 9 year old David as he adjusts to life without his mother who has recently passed away. He and his father move from Minnesota to Pennsylvania. There David befriends Primrose, a 13 year old girl who has her own mother issues. Together they learn to overcome their grief and sadness. A well crafted story that keeps the reader hooked.
shighley's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more. It's realistic fiction that didn't seem realistic enough. There are some very sweet touches ( love the parts about the library and bedtime stories). I don't think the grandmother would have gone all summer without noticing that David snuck out regularly, or that she wouldn't have more interaction with him. I wonder if Spinelli intentionally waited a few chapters in to tell us their ages, so that we would try to figure them out on our own. The scene where David "finds" Primrose in the leaves was confusing at first, and I would have thought that someone in town would have reported the kids out and about.
Interestingly enough, this is the second book in a row I read that had characters going to unusual lengths to get his/her mother back, although the other one was more supernatural. The end did a nice job of wrapping things up- almost too easily.
Interestingly enough, this is the second book in a row I read that had characters going to unusual lengths to get his/her mother back, although the other one was more supernatural. The end did a nice job of wrapping things up- almost too easily.
melanna's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Two troubled kids- one whose mother died and his dad isn’t around and one whose mother is around but a little nuts. Find each other and make friends.
These relationships are all unhealthy, and make me want to hug each one of them.
These relationships are all unhealthy, and make me want to hug each one of them.
elelove7's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kaceyjoy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lilcoppertop's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
jacks623's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
tiggerrd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0