Reviews

Key Player by Kelly Yang

jerrineika's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This might be the best of the series so far. Being able to read as Mia and her friends work to create their version of the American Dream is amazing. It really goes to show that the “American Dream” means something different to everyone and that you should live based on your own metrics, not anyone else’s. That’s really reiterated with Mr. Yang’s and Jason’s story arc, which was an incredibly interesting and necessary arc. Learning about the guilt her carried from his parents’ deaths and how that influenced and there on out worked so well to make him less of a “villain” and more of a person, an immigrant who’s working to forge his path in America like everyone else in the story. There were so many little moments that really shaped this into such a great story. 

bbgoad's review against another edition

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? No

5.0

rants_n_reads's review against another edition

adventurous 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

bluewithstars's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This series gets better and better! Amazing stories, with incredible characters.  However, the real story is much more important. Essential reading.  

bberlanga's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

malloryeasterday15's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

graceelenora's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

4.0

rachreads925's review against another edition

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

grannyhanny's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I appreciate how Kelly Yang guides her middle grade readers through complex social issues in this series, but this book specifically tried to tackle waaaay too many themes all at once, and thus felt really distracted and disjointed.

bcat0124's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0