avajade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
It only made me cry a smidge, but it did. Excellent book. The characters felt real and sometimes raw.
lanica's review against another edition
5.0
PERSONAL REVIEW: I LOVED this book!
LIBRARIAN REVIEW: It's not for everyone. Adults might be bored, unless they are trying to get into the mind of a school aged kid. It's aimed at a high school or middle school audience...or at teachers. It's a feel-good novel about hard luck and hard lives in the school years, which is pretty common these days. But, this book really captures the feel of being an outsider without screaming about the main characters being outsiders.
The great thing about this book is that we watch each of the characters live through their own problems without realizing that everyone else has problems, too. It's so 'real'. Kids don't often see what's going on in the lives of anyone else but themselves, and that is the point to this book. Look around...everyone has problems. You're not alone, even when you are completely alone.
There is no sex, no drugs, no rock & roll. Just three kids living life as it comes at them. It's safe for all ages, and I would recommend it for any school library, book club, or reading list.
Also, I listened to this book on audio and the narration was exceptional.
LIBRARIAN REVIEW: It's not for everyone. Adults might be bored, unless they are trying to get into the mind of a school aged kid. It's aimed at a high school or middle school audience...or at teachers. It's a feel-good novel about hard luck and hard lives in the school years, which is pretty common these days. But, this book really captures the feel of being an outsider without screaming about the main characters being outsiders.
The great thing about this book is that we watch each of the characters live through their own problems without realizing that everyone else has problems, too. It's so 'real'. Kids don't often see what's going on in the lives of anyone else but themselves, and that is the point to this book. Look around...everyone has problems. You're not alone, even when you are completely alone.
There is no sex, no drugs, no rock & roll. Just three kids living life as it comes at them. It's safe for all ages, and I would recommend it for any school library, book club, or reading list.
Also, I listened to this book on audio and the narration was exceptional.
librarylisa614's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book- from the very realistic characters to the positive messages about learning. The only negative was that I spent most of the book feeling like a loser because I didn't know what "Bluefish" meant and I thought I was missing out on some slang that I should have been familiar with, until it was finally explained near the end. Although there was the ongoing storyline about coping with death, I would potentially recommend to a mature sixth grader, but I don't think I would go much younger than that.
alistofsydneys's review against another edition
5.0
I love this if I had had the time I would have read it in one sitting. I love the way Pat Schmatz writes the book by the way she puts Travis thoughts down on the page for us readers to understand. Great job Pat Schmatz.
sab_reads14's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Grief, Cursing, and Child abuse
Minor: Drug abuse
barbn's review against another edition
4.0
A great middle school novel! Middle school characters with real kid problems and no objectionable content.
This novel would be a great way to study allusions. It could be paired with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish or Zusak's The Book Thief.
This novel would be a great way to study allusions. It could be paired with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish or Zusak's The Book Thief.
jayinbee's review against another edition
5.0
It was an emotional ride but it's a very gratifying, quick read, at the same time. A story about kids dealing with the struggles of life and loss, relationships, home lives, bullies, anger, and school. The characters are much more believable than they are in many YA books. I loved the references to The Book Thief too. Also, can we just take a moment to celebrate a book written about teenagers where they don't fall into the ultimate love with one another and never look back for the rest of their lives? I read plenty of books that get super sappy and I begrudgingly accept that, but this is a much more realistic depiction of teen life.
kxc319's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Grief
tcbueti's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this. Reminded me a little of Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt, since Travis is a kid who could choose to get into trouble but is really trying not to.[bc:Okay for Now|9165406|Okay for Now|Gary D. Schmidt|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327889281s/9165406.jpg|14044509] He lives with his newly-recovering alcoholic grandfather, and they've just moved out of their home in the country, losing track of their beloved hound dog, Rosco, in the process. In his new school, he meets the irrepressible Vida, aka "Velveeta", who basically forces him to be her friend. And then his English teacher, Mr. McQueen, figures out Travis' secret, as we do if we forgot the reviews: Travis can't read. (I really like how the author hints at this but doesn't tell us flat out, because Travis is good at hiding it, has been hiding it for years.) Mr. McQueen, unlike previous teachers, finally gets Travis to believe that he can learn to read, and they begin.
In alternating chapters, we get glimpses into Velveeta's life, and what she's lost; she and Travis become friends who know basically nothing about one another, because each one is too afraid to reveal his or her own situation. This changes, so gradually, in fits and starts, with missteps. I think this aspect of the book might make kids wonder what their classmates might be hiding. Does everyone have secrets? The sassy Vida is a great character.
I liked how dyslexia is shown, in very concrete terms--it's not a question of TRYING, the words just mean nothing, blur together, even when Travis knows them individually. Another great thing about this book is how Travis gradually learns to make choices about dealing with his anger and frustration; he knows he can beat up some bullies, but he only lets them know that he could (in order to protect another kid) and then doesn't.
Terrific book.
In alternating chapters, we get glimpses into Velveeta's life, and what she's lost; she and Travis become friends who know basically nothing about one another, because each one is too afraid to reveal his or her own situation. This changes, so gradually, in fits and starts, with missteps. I think this aspect of the book might make kids wonder what their classmates might be hiding. Does everyone have secrets? The sassy Vida is a great character.
I liked how dyslexia is shown, in very concrete terms--it's not a question of TRYING, the words just mean nothing, blur together, even when Travis knows them individually. Another great thing about this book is how Travis gradually learns to make choices about dealing with his anger and frustration; he knows he can beat up some bullies, but he only lets them know that he could (in order to protect another kid) and then doesn't.
Terrific book.