journeywithrosie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I went into this book blindly. Even so, I knew how it was going to end because of the foreshadowing scattered throughout the book. I thought the ending wouldn't effect me because I knew it was coming, boy was I wrong.
This may be a middle grade, but it is a mature take on a coming of age story and how friendships can help you discover who you are in a world that desires to suffocate your creativity and individuality. I thought the portrayal of grief was realistic, and the resolution in the end brought me to tears.
This book is based in the 1970's, so it is of course riddled with fatphobia. There were a lot of instances where I was frustrated with certain characters. Also, the audiobook randomly plays obnoxious music that really took me out of the story. But I could not in good conscious give this book any less than 4 stars. Really well written and beautiful.
This may be a middle grade, but it is a mature take on a coming of age story and how friendships can help you discover who you are in a world that desires to suffocate your creativity and individuality. I thought the portrayal of grief was realistic, and the resolution in the end brought me to tears.
This book is based in the 1970's, so it is of course riddled with fatphobia. There were a lot of instances where I was frustrated with certain characters. Also, the audiobook randomly plays obnoxious music that really took me out of the story. But I could not in good conscious give this book any less than 4 stars. Really well written and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
agatha_hopkins's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
polargare's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
blitz_ramna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don't remember the last time I read a book that has made me cry, even after finishing the last few pages.
At first, Jesse Aarons was not a well-liked character. I thought he was dull and small-minded until I kept on reading. Then did I understood why he was the way he was. I actually grew to like him in the end.
As for Leslie, I loved her imagination and the way she helped Jesse to slowly be himself without feeling shunned and an outcast.
I admired their friendship, even if it was short lived.
At first, Jesse Aarons was not a well-liked character. I thought he was dull and small-minded until I kept on reading. Then did I understood why he was the way he was. I actually grew to like him in the end.
As for Leslie, I loved her imagination and the way she helped Jesse to slowly be himself without feeling shunned and an outcast.
I admired their friendship, even if it was short lived.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, and Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse
claudine2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, and Grief
a2_rache11's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
booknerdz28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Child death
They make the main character slightly to obsessed with one of his teachers in my opinion.goobslayer9019_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think this is a really powerful book that should be shown to children everywhere! There are a few flaws though. The book is leaking with fat phobia. Every character in the book that has a bad personality also happens to be overweight. There's no need for this in any novel and it is angering that is so present in a children's novel. The friendship between the two main characters is done beautifully and it really hits you at the end of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Child death
bseigel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
alesehunter's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Child death
Moderate: Child abuse