Reviews with content warning for Classism - As You Walk On By

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

As You Walk On By by Julian Winters

12 reviews

chrisb913's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was not expecting the emotional rollercoaster this book sent me on. I really loved our group of individuals from the party and was so enamored with the unique voice Julian was able to give to so many of these characters. It was incredible to see such a large number of troubles/issues teens have to face on a regular basis, but even more so being able to see them from the perspective of POC and/or LGBTQIA+. While reading I did find the beginning to be a little slow to setup, but after you reach a certain point, I did feel like the setup was necessary and served the story well. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and definitely want to check out more books by Julian Winters.

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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tinysierra's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The kind of diversity I wish The Breakfast Club had.

A book about the weight of societal and familial expectations, the difficulty of natigating high school friendships, and the importance of following your own path.

Funny, charming, cheesy, emotional, real.

TW: Car Crash fatality mentioned

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jencolumb0's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I picked this up, initially, because I heard Mr. Winters speak on a panel held by a local bookstore and liked what I heard. This is a super solid coming-of-age story about integrity that also has central lessons about inequalities that Black - and, particularly queer Black people - continue to face in the US, that pretty much every white and/or hetero person in the country could stand to read. The last 100 pages or so reminded me of Netflix’s Heartstopper, so plenty of warm-fuzzies to go along with the stuff everyone needs to hear. (And points for the solid bi rep.)

The drug/alcohol elements in this book struck me as somewhat unrealistic for modern day (and could possibly serve as a sticking point for some parents). However, upon further inspection, this element could actually be a low-key homage to early aughts teen sleaze to accompany the low-key love letter to 90s Black TV and film that’s baked into this book as well. While I don’t think it adds anything substantive to the book, it also doesn’t lend much (other than demonstrating responsibility through unwavering use of DDs . . . which is not the only avenue to the Driving While Black teaching moment for the reader) . . . which is why I bring it up as an unnecessarily polarizing element in a book that needs to get in as many white and/or hetero hands as possible.

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20sidedbi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

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evelynyle_88's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

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kaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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starrysteph's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I was thoroughly charmed by As You Walk On By.

We follow high schooler Theo, who is dreaming of a perfect prom night. But when his so-called best friend dares him to prompose to his crush at a party, everything goes wrong. He runs away from fellow partiers and contemplates everything he once thought he had figured out - but as peers stumble into his hiding spot one-by-one, he forges new connections and rediscovers himself.

The ensemble cast of characters are all thoughtfully fleshed-out, and while the story is narrated by Theo each person still gets their own strong arc. I loved how his new friends challenged Theo (he learns a lot about apologies & growth), but also truly hear & see him (as he shares his experiences as a gay Black boy in a predominantly white magnet school).

The teenage dialogue felt incredibly realistic & not too heightened or cheesy. I found the situations relatable and honest, and teared up quite a few times over the course of the novel.

Theo and his friends grapple with parental expectations, queer identities, first loves, and grief & loss. They learn to choose friendships wisely, and when it is right to challenge someone to grow and learn versus when it is time to remove someone from their life.

Theo’s relationship to his father (a single dad) was particularly well done - and both of their memories of his grandmother who had passed away before the start of the story were so touching.

Every once in a while I come across a book that I dearly wish would be available in all high school classrooms. This is one of them - I think every teenager could relate to, reflect on, and adore the story.

CW: bullying, death of a loved one (friend & grandparent), homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, sexism, misogyny, racism, classism, drug use, microaggressions, car accident

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grimdark_dad's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.0

Leave it to Julian Winters to finally pull me out of my sad book reading streak. Finally, the rom-com that I really needed! Honestly, it's what I've come to expect from a Julian Winters book. There were definitely the Breakfast Club vibes that were promised here, as well as a cute promposal and just all around general teenage romance drama.

A good majority of this book takes place at the same party, and you come to realizations kind of as Theo comes to them. Especially about his friends. The relationships felt realistic, and the drama wasn't too much. There are some well developed side characters, and it's easy to get lost in the cast. It's just an all around enjoyable book, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're look for a good YA romance!

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