dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
This is a really tricky book, and I have struggled with how to review it. I think that, for the most part, it would be a great book for a white, hearing middle grader to read to have a sympathetic person guiding them through the disequilibrium and missteps of understanding race and (dis)ability. I think it would be good to have a model for how you can feel uncomfortable with topics, recognize that adults are avoiding uncomfortable topics, and decide they are important enough to talk about anyway. Jilly's growing understanding of able-ism and Deaf culture is helpful to watch, especially with the message that you can be interested and care about someone and still make mistakes. (But you have to learn from them!) Her awareness of racism and police violence against BIPOC has some great learning moments (it's a good thing she has that sassy black, lesbian aunt!)....but I think the books ultimately goes too far and does more harm than good. Fictional young people of color are struck down repeatedly in the book, and it feels like too much of a violent sacrifice to serve as catalyst for Jilly's awakening.
addi2012's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
lmarch's review
emotional
funny
informative
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? N/A
5.0
Speaking from the view of a heairing, white, 11 year old girl, this book is my fave book. I love love love the way Alex gino describes the diversity of life through jilly, derek, and all the other characters.😊😊😊
alexbe2ab4's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
bookstagramrepresent's review against another edition
fast-paced
I cannot star rate this book since it’s definitely not for me. It’s for white families/communities to have as a catalyst to talk about racism.Â
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
illy loves to read fantasy and connects with other kids just like her through a chat room. It is this online space where her true friends really reside, this is also where she turns when she has difficulties in her life. Jilly has heard about the police shootings on tv, which has caused tensions in her extended family. This is especially true when her married aunts and their biracial child attend family gatherings, and racist comments are made. Things become especially challenging when the family finds out that Jilly’s baby sister is deaf. Together they try to navigate the deaf community and figure out whether or not they should get the cochlear implants for the baby. Jilly turns to her friend Derek online, who so happens to be African American and deaf. While she thinks that asking Derek about her problems is okay because that is his experience, she doesn’t realize the racist/discriminatory issues she is creating. Jilly is falling for Derek and she needs to check herself, before she loses the one guy she totally has a thing for.
I enjoyed this book and thought that it brought great issues and layered them around the concept of microaggressions and contemporary racism. While many people believe that this work was heavy handed, as with George, I thought it was an important message. This book does fall more into telling the reader’s what to think, instead of showing them, but I still think it works.
illy loves to read fantasy and connects with other kids just like her through a chat room. It is this online space where her true friends really reside, this is also where she turns when she has difficulties in her life. Jilly has heard about the police shootings on tv, which has caused tensions in her extended family. This is especially true when her married aunts and their biracial child attend family gatherings, and racist comments are made. Things become especially challenging when the family finds out that Jilly’s baby sister is deaf. Together they try to navigate the deaf community and figure out whether or not they should get the cochlear implants for the baby. Jilly turns to her friend Derek online, who so happens to be African American and deaf. While she thinks that asking Derek about her problems is okay because that is his experience, she doesn’t realize the racist/discriminatory issues she is creating. Jilly is falling for Derek and she needs to check herself, before she loses the one guy she totally has a thing for.
I enjoyed this book and thought that it brought great issues and layered them around the concept of microaggressions and contemporary racism. While many people believe that this work was heavy handed, as with George, I thought it was an important message. This book does fall more into telling the reader’s what to think, instead of showing them, but I still think it works.
morbidcai's review against another edition
4.0
A great book to introduce children 10-12 year-olds to the racial injustice in this world.
It's a little too "nail on the head," and I did think that Jilly spoke way too young for her age, but Alex's audience is usually for a younger crowd. In general, children don't want to read about a main character who is younger than them, especially a tween. I do wonder if Derek is too mad for a teenager, but I am not a young black kid in America.
If you're looking for a way to start the conversation about how POC are being killed in the streets, this might a good read- for both you, as the caregiver, and for your child.
It's a little too "nail on the head," and I did think that Jilly spoke way too young for her age, but Alex's audience is usually for a younger crowd. In general, children don't want to read about a main character who is younger than them, especially a tween. I do wonder if Derek is too mad for a teenager, but I am not a young black kid in America.
If you're looking for a way to start the conversation about how POC are being killed in the streets, this might a good read- for both you, as the caregiver, and for your child.
clarkso6's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I liked that this gives a voice to young people dealing with ableism and racism and teaches them how to find their voice and deal with the difficulties of family not always being in line with your thoughts.Â
gurnoor's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Ableism, and Racism
Moderate: Child death
jkonopaski's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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