after_hours_reader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
readingwithlibby's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, how wholesome. This book was so beautifully written and I really did love every word. It felt very immersive and it was wonderful to read a book set in another culture that isn’t primarily focused on it being a different culture!! I loved the dynamics between Clara and the adults in the village, and her friendship with Rudy really touched my heart. I really understood how it feels to be struggling at a young age and everyone around you look at you like you’re crazy instead of trying to help you understand what’s wrong and so I related to Clara in a way, though our experiences are very different. I also loved the twist near the end. I was kind of expecting it, but not at the same time. Overall I throughly enjoyed it!!
melissakate96's review against another edition
3.0
this book took me a WHOLE YEAR to finish, yes a whole year!! while I had things going on in my real life which really slowed down my reading, I just felt like this book wasn’t pulling me in enough for me to want to keep reading (hence why it took so long to finish).
towards the end where the twist happened, I feel like it picked up for me there which sucks because there were only a few chapters left after that. overall this book was a great middle grade read and my personal rating is 3.5/5 stars ⭐️
towards the end where the twist happened, I feel like it picked up for me there which sucks because there were only a few chapters left after that. overall this book was a great middle grade read and my personal rating is 3.5/5 stars ⭐️
tanya_raeds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
genuinely enjoyed it
amberinpieces's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child death, Bullying, Death, and Death of parent
lydinor's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
artbymonimack's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
5.0
cutesycream's review against another edition
4.0
"We have to face what we're afraid of or it will consume us”
Mind-blowing. I really didn't expect the plot the twist, I was really surprised. I liked the story set, in Sycamore, where the residents knew each other. This kept me in mind of my birthplace, a small town unknown to the masses yet so quiet and safe. I liked how later after the plot twist, families and neighbors in Sycamore grew to love and strengthen their intimacy.
I learned from this story that some events that have gone past can no longer be altered, no matter how painful, no matter how wrong they may be, you should not blame yourself, just learn from the mistake and pray then it will be enough. If you continue to regret and contemplate without acceptance, there can be no end.
Mind-blowing. I really didn't expect the plot the twist, I was really surprised. I liked the story set, in Sycamore, where the residents knew each other. This kept me in mind of my birthplace, a small town unknown to the masses yet so quiet and safe. I liked how later after the plot twist, families and neighbors in Sycamore grew to love and strengthen their intimacy.
I learned from this story that some events that have gone past can no longer be altered, no matter how painful, no matter how wrong they may be, you should not blame yourself, just learn from the mistake and pray then it will be enough. If you continue to regret and contemplate without acceptance, there can be no end.
mpr2000's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful and poignant story about friendship and grief; told in the perspective of a 12 year old girl who doesn’t want to remember but she has to if she wants to heal her wounds.
This is not a simple book, it’s so full of layers and important facts that you’ll be thinking about it for a long time, I’ll only say that I read it in one sit, I couldn’t stop reading!
I’ve always been a voracious reader, but I’ll admit that the books that I read when I was young were more superficial and not so powerful and deep. Because even if this is a fiction story, the core is real and it makes the reader compare the situation in their life with the ones in the book, putting some fresh perspective on the problems we have. This is a children’s book, but I don’t think it has to be read only by them, adults can learn a lot of interesting things in this book and realize that the children’s perspective is always valid and we should respect their way to act, not rushing things.
I really don’t want to make any spoilers of the story, only that this is a beautiful book that I’ll be recommending to any reader, believe me, is a must read!
This is not a simple book, it’s so full of layers and important facts that you’ll be thinking about it for a long time, I’ll only say that I read it in one sit, I couldn’t stop reading!
I’ve always been a voracious reader, but I’ll admit that the books that I read when I was young were more superficial and not so powerful and deep. Because even if this is a fiction story, the core is real and it makes the reader compare the situation in their life with the ones in the book, putting some fresh perspective on the problems we have. This is a children’s book, but I don’t think it has to be read only by them, adults can learn a lot of interesting things in this book and realize that the children’s perspective is always valid and we should respect their way to act, not rushing things.
I really don’t want to make any spoilers of the story, only that this is a beautiful book that I’ll be recommending to any reader, believe me, is a must read!