madeline14's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Lesbophobia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Gaslighting, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Antisemitism, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Outing, Classism, and Suicidal thoughts
anna_wa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Updated review (June 21, 2021):
I'm continuing what I started last summer and re-reading books I have shelved as 'favorites' to decide if they are still favorites or not. I was concerned about this one when I first opened it because a lot of the first books I looked to for queer representation aged poorly. And depending on which person you ask, this one might have aged poorly for others too, but for me it is still a favorite.
Astrid lives in a terribly homophobic town with terrible friends, a terrible mother, a terrible sister, and a far-too-relaxed dad. If you are looking for a book that is happy go lucky this is not your book. It was published in 2012, when gay marriage wasn't even legal yet. It's hard for me sometimes to remember what that was like, because most of k-12 is blocked out of my memory at this point, but. It wasn't a fun time. It wasn't a horrendous time either because things were starting to change and gay marriage was being legalized in some states even if not all, but it wasn't great.
My point being that, this book is honest. It tells the story of a girl who is trying her best to figure out what her sexuality is, or why she even needs to label her sexuality in the first place, when she's surrounded by so many people pushing her to make a decision and make a decision NOW. And it better be the right (that is, straight) decision or else. To escape the pushiness and lack of love she feels around her own family and friends, she sits on the picnic table outside and sends her love up to the passengers on the planes she sees in the skyline. This way, she says, someone who needs her love will have it and will not demand anything in return.
I read a quote very recently that said "if you are angry at the characters, it's a good story; if you are angry at the author, it's a bad story" and I feel like it very much applies here. The characters (other than Asterid) are all trash-heads, but the story was wonderful and for that it has earned another eight years on my favorites shelf. ;) <3
Original review (June 8, 2013):
I wasn't gonna review this book because I didn't feel like I had anything worthwhile to say about it (still not sure I do) but when a book plays with my emotions this much I feel like I have to write something about it.
Anyway...
I'm not gonna lie. There were times when I wanted to quit this book because the characters angered me so much (minus Astrid) but A.S. King's writing was so good that I had to keep reading, no matter how angry I might've been.
So this book is about Astrid Jones. Her family is a mess to say the least. Her mother cares more about her other daughter (Ellis) and rarely, if ever, pays any attention to Astrid. Her father is smoking pot so often that he barely pays any attention to anyone. Ellis is alright (at first) but she goes along with basically everything her mother says because she doesn't wanna lose her love.
Her two best friends, Kristina and Justin, are on the Homecoming court and have a secret that would probably make them lose their reputations as the best couple in school.
With all of the questions in her head and not knowing who to trust, Astrid turns to the passengers. She sits on a picnic table, looks up at the sky, and sends love to the passengers. That way, she says, no one can take it from her because she gives it to people she feels need it more than her.
This is a truly original and well-written novel. I recommend it to anyone. Even if you feel as though you wanna throw the book out the window because most of the characters (again, minus Astrid) don't understand, keep reading. Because it's a really good book.
I'm continuing what I started last summer and re-reading books I have shelved as 'favorites' to decide if they are still favorites or not. I was concerned about this one when I first opened it because a lot of the first books I looked to for queer representation aged poorly. And depending on which person you ask, this one might have aged poorly for others too, but for me it is still a favorite.
Astrid lives in a terribly homophobic town with terrible friends, a terrible mother, a terrible sister, and a far-too-relaxed dad. If you are looking for a book that is happy go lucky this is not your book. It was published in 2012, when gay marriage wasn't even legal yet. It's hard for me sometimes to remember what that was like, because most of k-12 is blocked out of my memory at this point, but. It wasn't a fun time. It wasn't a horrendous time either because things were starting to change and gay marriage was being legalized in some states even if not all, but it wasn't great.
My point being that, this book is honest. It tells the story of a girl who is trying her best to figure out what her sexuality is, or why she even needs to label her sexuality in the first place, when she's surrounded by so many people pushing her to make a decision and make a decision NOW. And it better be the right (that is, straight) decision or else. To escape the pushiness and lack of love she feels around her own family and friends, she sits on the picnic table outside and sends her love up to the passengers on the planes she sees in the skyline. This way, she says, someone who needs her love will have it and will not demand anything in return.
I read a quote very recently that said "if you are angry at the characters, it's a good story; if you are angry at the author, it's a bad story" and I feel like it very much applies here. The characters (other than Asterid) are all trash-heads, but the story was wonderful and for that it has earned another eight years on my favorites shelf. ;) <3
Original review (June 8, 2013):
I wasn't gonna review this book because I didn't feel like I had anything worthwhile to say about it (still not sure I do) but when a book plays with my emotions this much I feel like I have to write something about it.
Anyway...
I'm not gonna lie. There were times when I wanted to quit this book because the characters angered me so much (minus Astrid) but A.S. King's writing was so good that I had to keep reading, no matter how angry I might've been.
So this book is about Astrid Jones. Her family is a mess to say the least. Her mother cares more about her other daughter (Ellis) and rarely, if ever, pays any attention to Astrid. Her father is smoking pot so often that he barely pays any attention to anyone. Ellis is alright (at first) but she goes along with basically everything her mother says because she doesn't wanna lose her love.
Her two best friends, Kristina and Justin, are on the Homecoming court and have a secret that would probably make them lose their reputations as the best couple in school.
With all of the questions in her head and not knowing who to trust, Astrid turns to the passengers. She sits on a picnic table, looks up at the sky, and sends love to the passengers. That way, she says, no one can take it from her because she gives it to people she feels need it more than her.
This is a truly original and well-written novel. I recommend it to anyone. Even if you feel as though you wanna throw the book out the window because most of the characters (again, minus Astrid) don't understand, keep reading. Because it's a really good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, and Rape
Minor: Biphobia, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
D slur, F slur, R slur, Holocaust jokes by horrendous boys, Underage Drinking, Conversion Therapy (mentioned briefly at the end), bullies spreading rumors about incest but no actual incest, G slur (the slur against Romani people)
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