kyliebliss's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.5
Wendy Mass is the author of some of my favorite stories, including Every Soul a Star and Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. 11 Birthdays is yet another cute middle grade novel with good life lessons that left me feeling warm and fuzzy afterwards. Nothing can take the place of my favorite Wendy Mass stories, but this Groundhog Day type middle school story was an enjoyable time!
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
This book was basically Groundhog Day without all the suicides. The writing was somewhat annoying (told in the present tense) and the plot was pretty predictable, but it was a quick read. I also felt that lots of Tweens could relate to the drama and angst of beginning to grow up, which was definitely the strongest aspect of the story.
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
Amanda and Leo have celebrated their birthdays together every year until a fight on their 10th keeps them from celebrating their 11th together. For Amanda her 11th birthday is one of the worst days of her life, and she's happy when it's over, but when she wakes up the next morning she discovers that it's her birthday again. As she continues to relive the day again and again she begins to wonder if tomorrow will ever come . . .
While having a day repeat over and over again is an interesting idea in theory, sometimes stories can get bogged down in execution from being too repetitive, with not enough variations in the day. Thankfully Amanda only has one day like that, and the story picks up quickly, especially when Leo gets involved. It's a cute story, and a well done audio production, definitely worth a listen.
While having a day repeat over and over again is an interesting idea in theory, sometimes stories can get bogged down in execution from being too repetitive, with not enough variations in the day. Thankfully Amanda only has one day like that, and the story picks up quickly, especially when Leo gets involved. It's a cute story, and a well done audio production, definitely worth a listen.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
2.0
A boy and girl used to be friends and now they're not. And now they're looping through their 11th birthday like Groundhog Day. Maybe there's some mystical history involved.
The characters didn't grab me, the sort of explanation for the looping felt flat, and I didn't really care about most of the "problems" these kids have. (Oh no, one of your good friends still likes you but has another friend too? Sob.).
I'm too much of a cynical adult to really enjoy this friendship story, but perhaps my student book club will have a better go of it. There should be good inferring and perspective taking lessons here.
The characters didn't grab me, the sort of explanation for the looping felt flat, and I didn't really care about most of the "problems" these kids have. (Oh no, one of your good friends still likes you but has another friend too? Sob.).
I'm too much of a cynical adult to really enjoy this friendship story, but perhaps my student book club will have a better go of it. There should be good inferring and perspective taking lessons here.
lindseygrant's review against another edition
4.0
What is going on? the same thing happens 11 times, it will all make sense in the end!
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
4.0
At first I thought that this book was going to be the birthday version of Groundhog's Day. I was definitely wrong. This book is filled with lessons about friendship, love, forgiveness, regrets, families, the struggles of being an adolescent. Both children and adults will love this book!
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Fun book! I listened to it on audio and the narrator did a really excellent job.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
Cute time-loop story (a la Groundhog Day), also about how your choices have consequences, and how people aren't always as predictable as we'd like to think them. Cute.
sandraagee's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet friendship story, almost like the kid version of "Groundhog Day." The premise is a touch wacky, but the character development is good and it's fun to see what Amanda and Leo do with their day when there are no consequences. I also appreciated this fairly realistic look at a boy/girl friendship at this age and the awkwardness that can sometimes come with it.