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lealeab5's review
3.0
Nine-year-old David lost his mother a year ago. Primrose, 13, has a dysfunctional mom. Together they strike up an unlikely friendship that helps give them both what they need most.
readelnotdancel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
howifeelaboutbooks's review
3.0
This book grabbed my attention because of the simple cover - with a lack of title! I thought it was unique. That simplistic style carried over into the writing itself. The characters are realistic and well-developed, and while the writing is nothing fancy, it works better to get the story across. The characters are 9 and 13, and it's easy to get swept away in their world while still being aware of the hardships they are struggling with.
barbras's review
2.0
I get that the author is trying to portray how the children's hardships shaped their behavior. However, I feel like the book didn't do a good job at all in helping us sympathize with said behavior to see the hurt underneath. Secondly, the kids' interest didn't gel at all with what current day children would like. I mean.. yo yos are still out there yes, but not so popular that you run into people by chance using them on the sidewalk. And Beetle Bailey as a favorite comic strip in a newspaper that a kid looks at regularly? Not likely. Even in 2007 when it was written. This among other things were just so jarring for the time period that it took me out of the story. Also, the main character was very "young" for 9 in what he understood and how he thought.
Finally, I would skip the audiobook in favor of reading it. What is it with so many audiobook readers reading children as super whiny and babyish? It happened with Fuzzy Mud too. Ugh. Listen to Guy Lockard's reading in books like "Ghost" or "As Brave as You" for a fantastic kid narrator.
Finally, I would skip the audiobook in favor of reading it. What is it with so many audiobook readers reading children as super whiny and babyish? It happened with Fuzzy Mud too. Ugh. Listen to Guy Lockard's reading in books like "Ghost" or "As Brave as You" for a fantastic kid narrator.
carissaabc's review
2.0
not really my favorite type of book. it is small and does have an attractively designed book jacket, but the story is … just not my favorite thing. two odd-ball characters with mother issues (one is dead, one is negligent) find each other, become prickly friends and find healing through their friendship. it seems well-written, just meh to me.
librarysue's review
2.5
I happened upon this at a book sale and found it an odd read: a nine year old motherless boy and a thirteen year old free spirit of a girl (whose own mother may be certifiably nuts) form a curious alliance one summer, staying up all night long, alternating scrapping with each other and being kind. NO kids these days have the freedom that these two did. I wasn't much moved.
lard7's review
3.0
Lots of fun, endearing moments, but most of the time I was pretty annoyed with how spiteful the two main characters were.