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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
Two-day read - very sweet, realistic for sure, and heartbreaking, too. There are at least four threads in this quick read - readers can read it again with a different focus. There’s the best friend, Zee (a violinist), the new friend, Asa, Zee’s dad, and Mom’s new friend. Each one has a purpose in the book, and 11-year-old-wannabe-drummer April has difficulty dealing with all the changes, as anyone would.
Langley does a great job in this book capturing all of the emotions of starting a new school year and changes that come with growing up. The way this book was written in verse made it easy to read and follow. I was moved by pace of the story and feeling the emotions for each character. The music background in the book made it feel like you were reading at a rhythm and I couldn’t put it down. Will recommend this book to students going through hard changes, dealing with loss and understanding empathy.
3.5
There’s a lot happening in this books. April tries to do it all, and at times it seemed appropriate, but at others it was a little too much.
There’s a lot happening in this books. April tries to do it all, and at times it seemed appropriate, but at others it was a little too much.
A powerful MG novel written in verse. I think the way this was written was beautiful and so easy to get through. I read this in one sitting. The topics this deals with is wonderfully done, grief, family, friendship it all felt so authentic. Loved the inclusion of music and the ambitions and differences between April and Zee. Would recommend for younger and older audiences as it’s just overall a great read.
powerful MG novel written in verse. I think the way this was written was beautiful and so easy to get through. I read this in one sitting. The topics this deals with is wonderfully done, grief, family, friendship it all felt so authentic. Loved the inclusion of music and the ambitions and differences between April and Zee. Would recommend for younger and older audiences as it’s just overall a great read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the earc!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the earc!
I mean, this is sad as all hell, but it's very very good.
4.5 stars
This story was about change, specifically change in middle schooler April's life. Her best friend from birth is going to a different school, her mom, for the first time, seems interested in someone, her new friend at school seems to have the most abysmal attendance, and she's decided she wants to really learn how to play the drums. From the blurb, you know what happens and her life is turned upside down.
I went back and forth with the rating but finally decided to round down. I think what would truly have made it 5 stars would have been if I hadn't known what was going to happen before I started reading it and if I had listened to it read instead. When it comes to poetry and verse, I prefer listening rather than reading. This story is particularly suited for that as it is written in free verse. But although we are left hopeful for April and her family, as well as Asa, I feel like we don't know enough about whether Papa Zee will ever be okay.
That said, I loved this and ended up reading it in one sitting. But because I knew what was going to happen, I was reading the first half just waiting for the shoe to drop. I did love the adult lgbtq+ representation from April's mom and girlfriend (I don't see that enough in children's lit), and it was a good way to introduce a positive change to April's life (even if she didn't initially see it that way). I also liked the issues with Asa and although I didn't agree with the choices April made (why didn't she just tell her mom what she saw?), I do understand the guilt that led her to make these choices.
And of course, the music! I loved how music was such a huge part of her life and her relationship with Papa Zee. I was so glad she had a chance to hear Zee play his violin piece and only wish we could have heard it! As I was reading, I ended up looking up Sheila E videos (especially the one with Prince) and listening to them!
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story was about change, specifically change in middle schooler April's life. Her best friend from birth is going to a different school, her mom, for the first time, seems interested in someone, her new friend at school seems to have the most abysmal attendance, and she's decided she wants to really learn how to play the drums. From the blurb, you know what happens and her life is turned upside down.
I went back and forth with the rating but finally decided to round down. I think what would truly have made it 5 stars would have been if I hadn't known what was going to happen before I started reading it and if I had listened to it read instead. When it comes to poetry and verse, I prefer listening rather than reading. This story is particularly suited for that as it is written in free verse. But although we are left hopeful for April and her family, as well as Asa, I feel like we don't know enough about whether Papa Zee will ever be okay.
That said, I loved this and ended up reading it in one sitting. But because I knew what was going to happen, I was reading the first half just waiting for the shoe to drop. I did love the adult lgbtq+ representation from April's mom and girlfriend (I don't see that enough in children's lit), and it was a good way to introduce a positive change to April's life (even if she didn't initially see it that way). I also liked the issues with Asa and although I didn't agree with the choices April made (why didn't she just tell her mom what she saw?), I do understand the guilt that led her to make these choices.
And of course, the music! I loved how music was such a huge part of her life and her relationship with Papa Zee. I was so glad she had a chance to hear Zee play his violin piece and only wish we could have heard it! As I was reading, I ended up looking up Sheila E videos (especially the one with Prince) and listening to them!
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow!! What an amazing, beautiful, heart-wrenching, bittersweet story. I enjoyed every second of it!