shawnbakergibson's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure how I felt about this. It felt more substantial and realistic than many other YA contemporaries I've read, but I was looking for more rounded growth from many of the characters. I appreciated that these young people were grappling with difficult situations and how they were struggling to understand how they fit into the world around them, but then it just suddenly tied up too quickly and tidily. Maybe I missed some bits because I was listening on audio? I'm torn. So there's that.
luckyliza13's review against another edition
3.0
I really need a half star ⭐️ rating because this book was more of a 3&1/2, close to a 4. I would've given it a 4 if Ramona had been fleshed out just a tad more; the relationships with her parents really deserved further investigation. But, overall, I liked Ramona and I was rooting for something good to happen for her. The book really gives a good, hard look at the aftermath and continuing effects of Hurricane Katrina to Louisiana. Some reviewers really get stuck on Ramona's sexuality, but while that plays an important role in the story, it is also part of her growth as a character; she allows herself to love, regardless of what is expected of her, for better or worse. The sexual matter does make this book for mature readers only.
bumblemee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
5.0
rebeccahk's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic story about a girl finding her way through her complicated life and figuring out her own identity and what the future holds for her.
1 July 2019
Still a great read. Perfect for summer.
1 July 2019
Still a great read. Perfect for summer.
kirstyreadsblog's review against another edition
5.0
content warnings: biphobia/homophobia (challenged on page), poverty, hurricanes, emotional abuse
Ramona is just trying to keep her head above water. Her family lives in a trailer (caravan) after hurricane Katrina ruined their lives. Ramona works crazy jobs for terrible pay just so she can afford to live and and maybe save a little. But then her childhood friend Freddie returns, and her sister gets pregnant and suddenly everything is up in the air and Ramona doesn't know what's going on. She thought she was a lesbian but she can feel romantic feelings growing for Freddie, and she feels like she isn't as sure of herself as she once was.
What a fantastic portrayal of poverty. I feel like that's one thing that's missed out on in YA. But this did not beat around the bush. Ramona lives in a trailer in Louisiana and has done since Hurricane Katrina with her dad and her older sister. And as someone that has affected so many people in America I'm actually so surprised I haven't read something from this perspective before. And to be honest I'm surprised I've never read a book from a teen in poverty like this. It was no holds barred and so harsh but that's what poverty is.
Continue my review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/ramona-blue-by-julie-murphy
Ramona is just trying to keep her head above water. Her family lives in a trailer (caravan) after hurricane Katrina ruined their lives. Ramona works crazy jobs for terrible pay just so she can afford to live and and maybe save a little. But then her childhood friend Freddie returns, and her sister gets pregnant and suddenly everything is up in the air and Ramona doesn't know what's going on. She thought she was a lesbian but she can feel romantic feelings growing for Freddie, and she feels like she isn't as sure of herself as she once was.
What a fantastic portrayal of poverty. I feel like that's one thing that's missed out on in YA. But this did not beat around the bush. Ramona lives in a trailer in Louisiana and has done since Hurricane Katrina with her dad and her older sister. And as someone that has affected so many people in America I'm actually so surprised I haven't read something from this perspective before. And to be honest I'm surprised I've never read a book from a teen in poverty like this. It was no holds barred and so harsh but that's what poverty is.
Continue my review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/ramona-blue-by-julie-murphy
snchard's review against another edition
3.0
While I understand why the blurb was problematic, I quite liked the story. Ramona isn't suddenly "cured" of her gayness, she's just a teenager who is confused by the experience and consequences of fluid sexuality. I thought it was well addressed and this could be a hugely important book for queer teens. That said, Ramona's relationship with Freddie wasn't even the main point of the book. Her relationship with Hattie was far more interesting, followed closely by her opinion of herself and her hometown. The parental relationships were excellently portrayed, as were the friendships.
heymollyreads's review against another edition
4.0
For those out there who are worried about this book, I can tell you that no boy turns the main character straight. I don't think I'm allowed to quote an ARC, but suffice it to say it is a nuanced exploration of sexuality for teen readers, and I don't see anything wrong with that.
reclusivereader's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes catastrophes split you in half, and even if all the pieces are there, they might not ever fit back together.
Wow, so, when I opened up the page for this book I was completely unprepared for the current GR rating (sitting at 3.5 at the time of this review). Scrolling through the one-star reviews I see a lot of prerelease ratings due to an unfortunate premise/summary that has since been changed. Obviously a lot of readers are still unhappy with the basic plot of RAMONA BLUE which, without context or explanation, is about a lesbian falling in love with a boy.
I'm not this sex-crazed maniac or anything, but I'm a human being. I think about sex. Girls think about sex. Sometimes a lot. I hate this idea that boys are thinking about sex nonstop and girls are thinking about -- what? Stationery and garden gnomes?
But it's a lot more than that. It's about growing, changing, exploring sexuality, realizing sometimes certain feelings can't be explained and just are. Sure, okay, I'm not bi, queer, or gay. And nor am I supporting the "lesbians just need the right man" concept. I'm just saying maybe read this book before shitting all over it. I don't care if you hate it anyway. I'm sure the author won't either. At least you'd be informed about the subject matter itself.
It's sad that sometimes we let ourselves believe that if it's not bad, it must be good.
That being said, I really liked this book. I had a lot of issues with the sister character (second excellent diverse YA contemporary romance where I feel the excellence is totally ruined by the sister, ugh) and I will probably always dislike the "I love you but I'm breaking up with you anyway" trope but I couldn't not love Freddie. And I really really liked Ramona. Also, her group of friends were just so great. I loved Ruthie and Saul maybe the most, actually. I recognize the necessity of Hattie's role as selfish but still loving sister and the realization that kicked Ramona into thinking of her own future but damn if that isn't knocking a star off my rating anyway. I just really wish we'd had some kind of acknowledgement from Hattie's side where she saw how much she'd been relying on Ramona.
Also, really, almost no one commenting on Ramona's hair near the end? Really? Did I misread that?
For so long I thought there was a limit to how much love I could hold and who I could give it to. But life is so much more dynamic than that. Love doesn't disappear when you give it away, and new love doesn't make old love any less legitimate.
Anyway. While, like DUMPLIN', I wasn't totally enamoured by this read, Murphy has written another book that has so much to say and is said so well and I'm really looking forward to whatever she puts out next. I'll read it.
3.5 "feelings are gross, did you know that? they're the actual worst" stars
Wow, so, when I opened up the page for this book I was completely unprepared for the current GR rating (sitting at 3.5 at the time of this review). Scrolling through the one-star reviews I see a lot of prerelease ratings due to an unfortunate premise/summary that has since been changed. Obviously a lot of readers are still unhappy with the basic plot of RAMONA BLUE which, without context or explanation, is about a lesbian falling in love with a boy.
I'm not this sex-crazed maniac or anything, but I'm a human being. I think about sex. Girls think about sex. Sometimes a lot. I hate this idea that boys are thinking about sex nonstop and girls are thinking about -- what? Stationery and garden gnomes?
But it's a lot more than that. It's about growing, changing, exploring sexuality, realizing sometimes certain feelings can't be explained and just are. Sure, okay, I'm not bi, queer, or gay. And nor am I supporting the "lesbians just need the right man" concept. I'm just saying maybe read this book before shitting all over it. I don't care if you hate it anyway. I'm sure the author won't either. At least you'd be informed about the subject matter itself.
It's sad that sometimes we let ourselves believe that if it's not bad, it must be good.
That being said, I really liked this book. I had a lot of issues with the sister character (second excellent diverse YA contemporary romance where I feel the excellence is totally ruined by the sister, ugh) and I will probably always dislike the "I love you but I'm breaking up with you anyway" trope but I couldn't not love Freddie. And I really really liked Ramona. Also, her group of friends were just so great. I loved Ruthie and Saul maybe the most, actually. I recognize the necessity of Hattie's role as selfish but still loving sister and the realization that kicked Ramona into thinking of her own future but damn if that isn't knocking a star off my rating anyway. I just really wish we'd had some kind of acknowledgement from Hattie's side where she saw how much she'd been relying on Ramona.
Also, really, almost no one commenting on Ramona's hair near the end? Really? Did I misread that?
For so long I thought there was a limit to how much love I could hold and who I could give it to. But life is so much more dynamic than that. Love doesn't disappear when you give it away, and new love doesn't make old love any less legitimate.
Anyway. While, like DUMPLIN', I wasn't totally enamoured by this read, Murphy has written another book that has so much to say and is said so well and I'm really looking forward to whatever she puts out next. I'll read it.
3.5 "feelings are gross, did you know that? they're the actual worst" stars
krissyronan's review against another edition
4.0
Adored Ramona Blue, her family & friends. Was sad for the book to end. With shout outs to librarians & OK State, I had to love this book. Especially loved Ruthie for being the kind of friend we all need.
readerpants's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't viscerally love this the way I did Dumplin', but I do think it was quite well done and a strong new addition to library shelves and queer book lists. 4.5 stars but rounding up to 5.
I especially appreciated:
- queer characters existing with other friends and community, not in a straight vacuum
- nice explicit consent and handling of sex generally
- at least one solid convo about race, when Ramona has to confront her ignorance about how Freddie's blackness puts him at risk in a specific way in the world.
I've noticed a tonal shift in YA in the last year or so, and I think this is very much of that moment... sometimes you can read YA and place it within a particular 3 year span just from its tone and handling of side characters or details, and I think we're in that distinctive type of moment right now. I like this particular moment that we're in, and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.
I especially appreciated:
- queer characters existing with other friends and community, not in a straight vacuum
- nice explicit consent and handling of sex generally
- at least one solid convo about race, when Ramona has to confront her ignorance about how Freddie's blackness puts him at risk in a specific way in the world.
I've noticed a tonal shift in YA in the last year or so, and I think this is very much of that moment... sometimes you can read YA and place it within a particular 3 year span just from its tone and handling of side characters or details, and I think we're in that distinctive type of moment right now. I like this particular moment that we're in, and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.