Reviews

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

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brianna_4pawsandabook's review against another edition

4.0

First off, I totally see why people love this book. While this isn't a new favorite of mine, I did enjoy it (as much as you can enjoy a book of this topic). I think that the author definitely made a choice witholding the event that was the catalyst for this cross country run. And at the beginning I didn't really like it because I felt like it was being teased, but like I was missing a big part of the story. But it did really pay off at the end and the end of the book was very rewarding and powerful. My biggest critique of the book was just that I didn't resonate or connect to the main character. Her grandpa though... man he was my favorite character of all time! Italian Grandpas are the best!

kaitp617's review against another edition

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4.0

i really just don't have words for this. this was one of the hardest books i have ever read, but not because it's not good or well-written--it is VERY well-written--it's just so fucking hard to read. my heart hurt the entire time. my heart broke with every page. but while Annabelle's heart healed slowly throughout her journey, so did mine. i can't stress enough how important this book is. i can't stress enough how heartbroken, how enraged, how upset this book made me, but in a good way. deb caletti did a fantastic job. i really just don't have any words.

please read this. please read this. please read this

snowonthebeachhx's review

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for school <3

positivelybooked's review

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5.0

Definitely going to use this in my future classroom!

tishreads's review against another edition

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4.0

I read a version of this book with an updated cover and I much prefer the new cover. It definitey has more "teen" appeal. This story had me laughing and crying. It definitely packs and emotional punch, but is overall a story of overcoming obstacles and inspiring others to make lasting change through your everyday actions. Beautiful writing, lovable characters, and unputdownable.

This book required me to use 5 bookmarks. One for where I was currently at, and 4 to keep track of quotes I wanted to share (No spoilers, I promise!):

"It's hard to be all that you can be on carrot sticks and criticism." (p. 94)

"Anxiety is like being in freeway traffic all the time. There's the constant sense of dodging and darting, seeking your chance to cut in, the irritation of others pulling ahead of you. You hit the accelerator; slam the brakes. You scout and scan for danger." (p. 185).

"She does not read it the way she and Kat used to read books - devouring them with the speed of two people famished for words, ideas, and beautiful sentences that make you feel everything... She has missed books, but she's been afraid of them, same as music. Books make you feel things hard. They hit the tender spots. Books remind her of her and Kat, but also of her old self, too, the mostly carefree self. The girl who was just so happy to come home from the library with a big stack of new stuff to read. Books were dangerous." (p. 205)

"Love is corny, when you get right down to it. It has two left feet. It trips over itself, because it is so large that it's awkward. It's sort of silly, done right. After all, how do you convey something that huge? Big signs made with colored markers and printer paper taped together. Plastic leis bought from Party for Less." (p. 294-295)