Reviews

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

msmarshallrambles's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

capyval's review against another edition

I stopped listening after finishing chapter 5. I can't stand the narrator of the audiobook. I might try the book again, although I'm unsure, because anyways, the protagonist cares too much about looks and romantic love, and that bores me.

zbrarian's review against another edition

4.0

One of the best own voices books I’ve read in a while. Effie’s voice shines through as does the authors. Learning how a disabled teen navigates the roads of the world, and how she finds her own voice, and fights, for what she believes in in order to succeed. I love the two best friends, Harper and Cam and with them, how Effie can just be her. They never see her as a friend with a disability, but just as a friend. And that’s all Effie ever really wanted. The blossoming relationship between her and Wilder was so sweet and never detracted from the story. I listened to this on audio and it was done so beautifully by the actress, Ali Stroker, who herself is disabled, and has never met that get in her way of achieving success, and everything she’s done. The interview between the narrator and the author was so much fun to listen to.

juliabeaumont's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

katiemcgregor's review against another edition

hopeful informative lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.0

I’m not going to lie, as someone who never, personally, placed much weight on the college decision I’ve always had a hard time relating to books whose plots center around this subject. However, as someone with a disabled sibling who has put up with a lot and gone to great lengths to be able to finally continue on with higher education I appreciate a book like this. While the experiences I’ve witnessed in my personal life differ from Effie’s, I do think her perspective is valuable, frustratingly accurate, and important in this world. Accessibility in most public spaces and on campuses is not anywhere near what it should be. I experienced a string of mobility-affecting injuries in college and, while they didn’t permanently affect my ability to get around, that temporary experience was very eye opening to the lack of accessibility on campus. I can empathize with Effie in my own small way.

I think there’s a lot of good in this story. The character growth arc was great. It didn’t totally blow me away as a coming-of-age romance but I do think it’s an important read and enjoyable overall.

dsantistama08's review

3.0

3.85⭐️

Un contemporary molto carino su Effie, questa ragazza all’ultimo anno delle superiori presa tra la decisione del college, amicizie, famiglia e la sua cotta, Wilder.
Mi è piaciuto leggere del punto di vista di Effie, una ragazza disabile e che fa uso della sedia a rotelle, che affronta una serie di situazioni e sfide quotidiane (che per lei sono un giorno come un’altro) che molte persone danno per scontate ma non lo sono, non per tutti. Non interfacciandomi personalmente o vedendolo in parenti o amici stretti, molte cose erano per me all’oscuro, ed una lettura del genere, per quanto young e semplicissima possa essere, è davvero illuminante ed apre gli occhi su tante circostante e altro che altrimenti non avrei saputo o proprio pensato. Purtroppo ci sono ancora tante difficoltà che non sarebbero tali se solo ci fossero più inclusione ed un sistema che non considera tutto ciò che riguarda i disabili come un’opzione o un’aggiunta. Dovrebbe essere realtà. Ma non lo è ancora, o meglio non dappertutto.
Per quanto riguarda la storia in se, è molto cheesy ed il romance non è chissà quanto presente, contrariamente a quello che avevo immaginato, ma comunque bello. Solo, verso la fine fine l’ho trovato un po’ ripetitivo nei pensieri e discorsi riguardo il futuro della protagonista ma, mi sono un po’ commossa lo stesso? Si.
Direi libro approvato.

nedge's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

megyeager's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

I only give this book a 4.75 because I only give 5 stars to books I want to buy for my shelf and this isn't my typical genre. I read this book as a part of a class on social justice in children's and youth literature. I don't typically read YA or realistic fiction, so this was a push for me, but I did love the book. I thought the romance was very well done and I liked Effie's character. I will definitely recommend this one to students who like realistic fiction.

les_reads_too_much's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

froghag's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.0