afro8921's review against another edition
3.0
Ms. Flake painted a convencing portrait of parents rising above their limited self knowledge to give their daughter a chance at a better life.
ginnikin's review against another edition
2.0
it was fine. I liked that autumn was so open about her feelings. I didn't like that she had to give up wrestling. I wanted someone to realise how important it was to her and help her have that as well as better grades.
tehani's review against another edition
5.0
A quick read, but really enjoyable, covering some great themes including disability and learning problems.
kshaw's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 ⭐ These was so cute heartfelt, I even a teared up a bit. The emotions of this story so extreme you couldn't help but be pulled in.
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
mixed! i liked autumn and i was neutral on adonis -- i could talk myself into empathy but he was kinda a jerk the whole novel long. tbf tho autumn was basically stalking him, like i was honestly surprised it went the romance route because he was pretty clear he wanted nothing to do with her
i do super appreciate the cover though, like how many books do you know with black disabled narrators that actually represent them accurately on the book jacket? if the answer's more than this one, please leave a comment because for real, i want to read what you're reading. 3 stars
i do super appreciate the cover though, like how many books do you know with black disabled narrators that actually represent them accurately on the book jacket? if the answer's more than this one, please leave a comment because for real, i want to read what you're reading. 3 stars
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
This reads a little like an urban lit version of Pride and Prejudice, but Adonis is even less likeable than Darcy!
Told in alternating chapters, Autumn is a barely literate, barely numerate wrestler who is an amazing chef and is in love with Adonis. Adonis was born without legs and raised to be self-sufficient, he's also one of the top students in the class and the Assistant Coach for the wrestling team. Their story could have been a wonderful story about two teens from completely different worlds and backgrounds and how they come together (as in what I think is the source material) but Adonis is just horrible.
It's not just the Darcian "better than thou" attitude, it's Adonis' internal monologue that was simply unlikeable. Why Autumn, who seems to be a genuinely nice person with a serious problem, would continue to like him is beyond me - even Lizzie gave up on Darcy, including after he declared his love "against his better nature and reason".
ARC provided by publisher.
Told in alternating chapters, Autumn is a barely literate, barely numerate wrestler who is an amazing chef and is in love with Adonis. Adonis was born without legs and raised to be self-sufficient, he's also one of the top students in the class and the Assistant Coach for the wrestling team. Their story could have been a wonderful story about two teens from completely different worlds and backgrounds and how they come together (as in what I think is the source material) but Adonis is just horrible.
It's not just the Darcian "better than thou" attitude, it's Adonis' internal monologue that was simply unlikeable. Why Autumn, who seems to be a genuinely nice person with a serious problem, would continue to like him is beyond me - even Lizzie gave up on Darcy, including after he declared his love "against his better nature and reason".
ARC provided by publisher.
markma's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ok. It was basically a romance. Otherwise it was good because the topic was pretty good.
This book is about a girl named Autumn and a boy named Aodnis. Aodnis is in a wheel chair because he was born without knees, calves, and feet. Autumn has a lot of trouble reading. This book is how they come together.
This book is about a girl named Autumn and a boy named Aodnis. Aodnis is in a wheel chair because he was born without knees, calves, and feet. Autumn has a lot of trouble reading. This book is how they come together.
nisanre's review against another edition
5.0
I am not sure I have fully settled into Sharon G. Flake's writing style, but I really love the diversity of her characters. There are so few books that make it into mainstream that have characters with disabilities at their forefront. This one has not one but two major characters and several minor characters that are both visibly and invisibly disabled. Her portrayal of Autumn, who has a reading disability (or at least is significantly behind in reading, she does not have an IEP) reminded me so much of the students I work with. There were even things that she or other characters said that I read to my class and said "tell me this is not you," and they all laughed and said "yeah, that's about right."
*Spoilers start here*
My only wish for this novel is that the transformation of Adonis was given more time to develop. While there were hints that it was going to happen, I feel like he made almost too sudden of a shift. Although, there are points at the end of the novel that show that he hasn't made a complete change and that he still needs some work, so it doesn't bother me THAT much.
Overall, this is the "quick read" book that I recommend above all others this year!
*Spoilers start here*
My only wish for this novel is that the transformation of Adonis was given more time to develop. While there were hints that it was going to happen, I feel like he made almost too sudden of a shift. Although, there are points at the end of the novel that show that he hasn't made a complete change and that he still needs some work, so it doesn't bother me THAT much.
Overall, this is the "quick read" book that I recommend above all others this year!
wrenlee's review against another edition
2.0
Welcome to Book City
Date: December 31, 2014
Spoilers Ahead
Headline
Pinned
Sharon G Flake
Award-winning author, Sharon G. Flake, presents a powerful novel about a teen boy and girl, each tackling disabilities.
Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to connect with people. But even with their differences, the two have one thing in common--they're each dealing with a handicap. For Autumn, who has a learning disability, reading is a painful struggle that makes it hard to focus in class. But as her school’s most aggressive team wrestler, Autumn can take down any problem. Adonis is confined to a wheelchair. He has no legs. He can't walk or dance. But he’s a strong reader who loves books. Even so, Adonis has a secret he knows someone like Autumn can heal.
In time, Autumn and Adonis are forced to see that our greatest weaknesses can turn into the assets that forever change us and those we love.
Told in alternating voices, Takedown explores issues of self-discovery, friendship, and what it means to be different.
City Calendar:
This is what happened during the week.
Autumn goes to her match and wins. Adonis foes on a date with Raven to the movies and sees Autumn is humiliated when soda is spilled on him by accident. Adonis tutors Roberto a seventh grader. Officials come to the school. Patricia/Peaches show them around. Autumn is in a match with James and wins. She wins in a tournament. Autumn starts volunteering at the library. She admits to Adonis that she loves him. Adonis teaches Autumn's math class. They work in the library together. Roberto gets Autumn a chess set. Autumn gives Adonis cupcakes and a movie ticket. Adonis dreams of Autumn. Adonis and Patricia talk to the seventh graders about leadership.
Autumn is kicked off of the wrestling team. Adonis notices how sad Autumn is. Autumn asks Adonis to tutor her. Adonis doesn't agree or disagree. Autumn quits working at the library. Adonis sees Autumn at tutoring. Autumn apologizes to him. She kisses him. Adonis teachers Autumn's class. Adonis sees Patricia cheating in math class. Adonis and Autumn kiss. Autumn confronts Patricia about the cheating. Autumn makes cupcakes for finals. She does a practice test in English and does better than before. She tells Adonis who kisses her and says I love you.
And that's what happened this week.
Personal Ads:
Adonis.
Smart. No legs. Fourteen years old. Ninth grade. Judgmental. Tutor. Not many friends. Reclusive. Team manager for wrestling.
Autumn.
Female wrestler. Fourteen. Cooks. Kind. Smiles a lot. Cheerful. Happy. Not very good at reading or math.
Opinions:
I really wasn't impressed by this book. I was reluctant to read it to begin with. I have to read it for my book trivia. But this wasn't very good...
The girl in a sport where mostly guys participate in is great. Go girls!
Now...onto my rant. I am all for feminism. I like that Autumn was good at it too. Not a pity case or anything. She tried her best to be in the sport. Except for school. She kinda...gave up in that area. I admire her strength in ignoring the males' taunts. I definitely wouldn't challenge her to a fight. Girl power.
The grammar. Oh my goodness. The word 'is' is dropped so many times.
There seems to be plot, but nothing really happens. I know that people do talk like it...but as a person who can't stand text language, this drove me crazy. I wanted to grab the characters by their lapels and shout at them to get their grammar together. I might not have perfect grammar, but I don't drop words. I smash them together. Or whatnot. But still! This drove me absolutely crazy.
The ending is confusing too. Did time pass? When did they end up together? How much time passed? It's rushed. And leaves me questions. When did she agree to all this tutoring? Man. That's crazy. None of the ending had much depth. It made not a lot of sense.
And the romance. Seriously. When does that come in? I thought Adonis hated Autumn. I don't see where that came from. Adonis hated Autumn. He mentioned that many times. Did he harbor an awkward crush? Hm. That was never mentioned. And he was adamant about his hate. And Autumn. Why do the girls put in so much work into the relationship when the guy doesn't? I don't get that. Poor Autumn was lost in her mind, thinking Adonis liked her. Poor girl... How did she win him over? It's never mentioned...
The characters aren't very good. They annoyed me. Adonis was whiny. A complainer. He complained about everything. And was negative. Not that I'm an optimist. I'm a pessimist myself. But I prefer reading about more optimistic characters. I know that not everyone is an optimist. (I'm a prime example after all.) But he was really negative. And why did he hate Autumn? Did Autumn do anything but like you? Do you have a problem with people liking you? Is that saying something? I'm confused by his character. He seems to dump the 'I hate Autumn' part and become Autumn's...boyfriend? What? When did that happen? How could he change so quickly? We didn't get any insight. And Autumn. Her grammar drove me nuts. But she was pretty kind. I didn't like that she completely gave up when she lost wrestling. You got to get back on the horse, as they say. Keep going. Don't let that stop you! She seems like a good character. In any other book...
Overall, I wasn't very impressed. It could have been better.
Weather:
Cloudy with a 75% chance of rain
2/5
Date: December 31, 2014
Spoilers Ahead
Headline
Pinned
Sharon G Flake
Award-winning author, Sharon G. Flake, presents a powerful novel about a teen boy and girl, each tackling disabilities.
Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to connect with people. But even with their differences, the two have one thing in common--they're each dealing with a handicap. For Autumn, who has a learning disability, reading is a painful struggle that makes it hard to focus in class. But as her school’s most aggressive team wrestler, Autumn can take down any problem. Adonis is confined to a wheelchair. He has no legs. He can't walk or dance. But he’s a strong reader who loves books. Even so, Adonis has a secret he knows someone like Autumn can heal.
In time, Autumn and Adonis are forced to see that our greatest weaknesses can turn into the assets that forever change us and those we love.
Told in alternating voices, Takedown explores issues of self-discovery, friendship, and what it means to be different.
City Calendar:
This is what happened during the week.
Autumn goes to her match and wins. Adonis foes on a date with Raven to the movies and sees Autumn is humiliated when soda is spilled on him by accident. Adonis tutors Roberto a seventh grader. Officials come to the school. Patricia/Peaches show them around. Autumn is in a match with James and wins. She wins in a tournament. Autumn starts volunteering at the library. She admits to Adonis that she loves him. Adonis teaches Autumn's math class. They work in the library together. Roberto gets Autumn a chess set. Autumn gives Adonis cupcakes and a movie ticket. Adonis dreams of Autumn. Adonis and Patricia talk to the seventh graders about leadership.
Autumn is kicked off of the wrestling team. Adonis notices how sad Autumn is. Autumn asks Adonis to tutor her. Adonis doesn't agree or disagree. Autumn quits working at the library. Adonis sees Autumn at tutoring. Autumn apologizes to him. She kisses him. Adonis teachers Autumn's class. Adonis sees Patricia cheating in math class. Adonis and Autumn kiss. Autumn confronts Patricia about the cheating. Autumn makes cupcakes for finals. She does a practice test in English and does better than before. She tells Adonis who kisses her and says I love you.
And that's what happened this week.
Personal Ads:
Adonis.
Smart. No legs. Fourteen years old. Ninth grade. Judgmental. Tutor. Not many friends. Reclusive. Team manager for wrestling.
Autumn.
Female wrestler. Fourteen. Cooks. Kind. Smiles a lot. Cheerful. Happy. Not very good at reading or math.
Opinions:
I really wasn't impressed by this book. I was reluctant to read it to begin with. I have to read it for my book trivia. But this wasn't very good...
The girl in a sport where mostly guys participate in is great. Go girls!
Now...onto my rant. I am all for feminism. I like that Autumn was good at it too. Not a pity case or anything. She tried her best to be in the sport. Except for school. She kinda...gave up in that area. I admire her strength in ignoring the males' taunts. I definitely wouldn't challenge her to a fight. Girl power.
The grammar. Oh my goodness. The word 'is' is dropped so many times.
There seems to be plot, but nothing really happens. I know that people do talk like it...but as a person who can't stand text language, this drove me crazy. I wanted to grab the characters by their lapels and shout at them to get their grammar together. I might not have perfect grammar, but I don't drop words. I smash them together. Or whatnot. But still! This drove me absolutely crazy.
The ending is confusing too. Did time pass? When did they end up together? How much time passed? It's rushed. And leaves me questions. When did she agree to all this tutoring? Man. That's crazy. None of the ending had much depth. It made not a lot of sense.
And the romance. Seriously. When does that come in? I thought Adonis hated Autumn. I don't see where that came from. Adonis hated Autumn. He mentioned that many times. Did he harbor an awkward crush? Hm. That was never mentioned. And he was adamant about his hate. And Autumn. Why do the girls put in so much work into the relationship when the guy doesn't? I don't get that. Poor Autumn was lost in her mind, thinking Adonis liked her. Poor girl... How did she win him over? It's never mentioned...
The characters aren't very good. They annoyed me. Adonis was whiny. A complainer. He complained about everything. And was negative. Not that I'm an optimist. I'm a pessimist myself. But I prefer reading about more optimistic characters. I know that not everyone is an optimist. (I'm a prime example after all.) But he was really negative. And why did he hate Autumn? Did Autumn do anything but like you? Do you have a problem with people liking you? Is that saying something? I'm confused by his character. He seems to dump the 'I hate Autumn' part and become Autumn's...boyfriend? What? When did that happen? How could he change so quickly? We didn't get any insight. And Autumn. Her grammar drove me nuts. But she was pretty kind. I didn't like that she completely gave up when she lost wrestling. You got to get back on the horse, as they say. Keep going. Don't let that stop you! She seems like a good character. In any other book...
Overall, I wasn't very impressed. It could have been better.
Weather:
Cloudy with a 75% chance of rain
2/5