megs2kool's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
melindagallagher's review against another edition
4.0
Pup is the youngest of 8. He is mediocre at best at schoolwork and no one seems to notice. He misses his brother who died 2 years ago and no one will talk about him. As Pup realizes that he has a talent at portrait photography, he learns more about himself and his family. Very touching and thought-provoking. A 2021 Sequoyah Nominee and a good book club pick.
jamieastone's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars--this was so good. I love that the premise of the story is based on Leonard Cohen saying art is a way to articulate the emergency inside us--and that a YA book even exists with a reference to Leonard Cohen! I also love a story about family dynamics. Pup was such a lovable character as the baby in this huge family, and the way the story unfolds for him to find his voice in the chaos of that huge family in the end is so great!
luckybydesign's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump for awhile - reading, but the books I was reading were just okay, not the kind of books you’d stay up late to read, or to sneak a few minutes between tasks to get a chapter in. And then came Sorry For Your Loss, by Jessie Ann Foley.
Sorry For Your Loss follows Pup (which is a nickname; his real name is James) and his huge family of 26 - he is the last of 8 brothers and sisters. The story follows Pup as he tries to come to grips with life a few years after his brother Patrick suddenly passed away. Pup’s family isn’t one to talk about uncomfortable things, and so Patrick’s name is never mentioned, and his high school graduation photo on the wall going up the stairs was replaced by an image of a baby angel. And because Patrick’s never mentioned, everyone in the family deals with his death on their own, leading often to catastrophic results. Pup seems doomed to a life of mediocrity as he numbly fights his way through life, but then one teacher, Mr. Hughes, his art teacher, takes a chance on him and one stunning photograph he’d taken. And in this one chance, Pup’s life begins to change.
Jessie Ann Foley is masterful with words and in immersing you in the lives of her characters. They feel so real. This made the experience of living with Pup for a bit feel like a delicious dip in someone else’s world for a while.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sorry For Your Loss follows Pup (which is a nickname; his real name is James) and his huge family of 26 - he is the last of 8 brothers and sisters. The story follows Pup as he tries to come to grips with life a few years after his brother Patrick suddenly passed away. Pup’s family isn’t one to talk about uncomfortable things, and so Patrick’s name is never mentioned, and his high school graduation photo on the wall going up the stairs was replaced by an image of a baby angel. And because Patrick’s never mentioned, everyone in the family deals with his death on their own, leading often to catastrophic results. Pup seems doomed to a life of mediocrity as he numbly fights his way through life, but then one teacher, Mr. Hughes, his art teacher, takes a chance on him and one stunning photograph he’d taken. And in this one chance, Pup’s life begins to change.
Jessie Ann Foley is masterful with words and in immersing you in the lives of her characters. They feel so real. This made the experience of living with Pup for a bit feel like a delicious dip in someone else’s world for a while.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
bheadley's review against another edition
5.0
Oh I loved this book! I big crazy family, 8 kids with Pup as the youngest, and his oldest sibling is 27 years older. Pup is in high school, failing his art class, not really applying himself and reaching his full potential. Did I mention these kids all live within 2 miles of mom and dad’s house. Everyone is up in everyone’s business, weekly dinner that MOM still makes for all these grown kids with growing families of their own. Pup’s sisters are all way older, where he even has a nephew who is older and cooler than him (in the same hs). A year prior to the story, the brother just older than him died from a fluke illness while at college and everyone is still reeling from that.
I just want to say I really enjoyed this story of family drama, courage to not give up on people you love, and unexpected talents. My heart is full from this story.
I just want to say I really enjoyed this story of family drama, courage to not give up on people you love, and unexpected talents. My heart is full from this story.
taypow's review against another edition
4.0
YA books always seem to hit the nail on the head. A gripping story of loss, grief, and the inevitable reality of moving forward.
rcaivano's review against another edition
Pup is the youngest of 8 children in a loud, close, tight knit family. Three years ago his brother Patrick died and everyone in his family has their own way of dealing with it. Pup is in a support group at school, his brother Luke is drinking himself to death, his mother just ignores the fact that his brother is gone. But Pup wants to talk about him, wants to open up to his family. When he is assigned a photography assignment at school, he decides to take pictures of everything that is important to him, and he takes the opportunity to work through his feelings about his brother's death and the impact its had on his family. This was a beautiful book about sorrow and grief and how everyone has their own way of dealing with it. But you have to rely on the people that are closest to you to help you through the darkest times.