dazzle_spider_reader_1212's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Classism, and Cancer
ethan_bridgesgarcia's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m sure I’ll get a lot of hate for this but my God! the longest allegory for depression in the world awarded goes to this book. Also why did it take forever to answer all of the mysteries? And why was it so flat? I didn’t enjoy any of the characters and the idea for a fantasy was very misleading. Almost DNF.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Classism, Mental illness, Addiction, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
annabutm's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Grief, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cancer
noa_llea's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
it's such a warm, comforting book. i read the entire book in one, wonderfully rainy afternoon, which was the perfect setting for this book. it's absolutely heartbreaking, but there is some comfort in the heartbreak. the book doesn't end with a perfect happy ending, but there is some resolution and so much character development that you feel like it had the right ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
_teoeo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Was really excited about the book, thought it would be at least 4 out of 5 stars. As this review shows I'm a bit disappointed. Finley seems not 11 but at least 14 (if not older) and I think the is a bit unnecessary and not on a child-level but teenager-level. But I still like the allegory in the everwood-chapters and I love the poetic writing. There are a lot sentences or parts that are worth to be quoted.
Spoiler
crush thing between her an Jack
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism and Fire/Fire injury
glacialis's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
flordemaga's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A thoughtful book that almost is magical realism, but what it really is is a complex look at family, love, secrets, and mental illness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Child death, and Classism
inkedinpages's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This middle grade read by Claire Legrand follows Finley Hart as she navigates her transition to her estranged grandparents home for the summer. While staying at Hart House for the summer, Finley finds solace in The Everwood, a magical realm with knights, pirates, and of course, the Queen. Finley enlists the help of her cousins to save The Everwood and at the same time, finds new ways of saving herself.
It's not often that I find myself reading middle grade fiction, but more and more, it seems like when I do I quickly fall in love. Every character in this sweet book struck a chord and I couldn't help but cheer for them all. This seemed to be the perfect read to open 2022 with as it tackles hardship, mental health, resiliency and courage all while keeping things light and fun. I didn't know it was possible but Legrand did it beautifully.
For those who loved Bridge to Terabithia and We Were Liars, this is another story that will captivate you from the beginning.
It's not often that I find myself reading middle grade fiction, but more and more, it seems like when I do I quickly fall in love. Every character in this sweet book struck a chord and I couldn't help but cheer for them all. This seemed to be the perfect read to open 2022 with as it tackles hardship, mental health, resiliency and courage all while keeping things light and fun. I didn't know it was possible but Legrand did it beautifully.
For those who loved Bridge to Terabithia and We Were Liars, this is another story that will captivate you from the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Cancer
bubothereader's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Some Kind of Happiness might be the most moving book I’ve read all year. I cried a few times while poring through its pages. This is one of the best descriptions of childhood depression and anxiety that I’ve ever read. It’s so important for the Middle Grade audience to read—especially if they see themselves in Finley.
It’s a beautiful story of family discovery and secrets, and how they wrap together through the years. It speaks of divorce, friendships, and betrayal.
The language for a Middle Grade novel is so elegant—Finley is precocious and collects words. Told in her perspective, the heightened vocabulary only accentuates her character. Not to mention, Finley weaves chapters from her own story throughout the novel to give us the secrets she can’t say herself.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can’t recommend this book enough. Absolutely beautiful and important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
olivia_piepmeier's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I can’t remember how long ago or even how this crossed my path, but I could tell from the description it felt very familiar. Having read it, it definitely lived up to that expectation. I mean, there was no major family secret drama in my childhood, just the concept of a kid having mental health issues but not knowing what it was, divorced parents, big imagination, etc. Honestly the mental health bit felt a bit too real sometimes. I wish I had this as a kid! It still felt satisfying to read as an adult from this perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death and Death