justanothernerdling's review against another edition
4.0
Wing Jones is about a girl who doesn’t really fit in her community - she lives in a town in Georgia that has a mix of races, but where there is still a large white majority. Wing is culturally American, but is ethnically half Chinese, half Ghanian. She has little confidence in herself, and is constantly hidden in the shadow of her older brother, Marcus. Marcus is the school superstar - a football player, popular, with the perfect relationship - everyone looks up to him… while they spend their time ignoring or bullying Wing, who is as comfortable as she can be when hiding from the limelight.
One day, things change. Marcus was found in a coma after a car crash, because he was drunk driving. Suddenly, Wing is alone, and much, much more exposed. Her brother is infamous for being a murderer, and there is nowhere she can hide.
One night, her lioness and dragon ‘guardians’ wake her up and she follows them to a track field, where she discovers that she can run like the wind.
This book was written to be able to be read by almost anyone 12+, but covers many, many concepts, especially societal issues. Racism, bullying, money problems, hospitals, laws, immigration, loss… I feel like if a younger teen would read this, they would only get a fraction of the messages being put across. However it can still be appropriate for a younger age group, as it deals with these issues in a very real yet gentle way. It shows what the issues one can face in highschool are, in an understandable way.
Wing goes through absolutely massive character development through this story. She goes from hiding in her brother’s shadow to being her own person, with her own story and friends. Her transformation is very ‘zero-to-hero’ and it is done very well - small revelations about herself and the people around her help her find confidence and comfort with herself.
The story is unique and addictive - as swift as Wing can run yet very real. Some things are relatable to some people, and other parts are relatable to others.
This contemporary was wholly about finding yourself as a person and it was done beautifully. The romance that we usually find in popular contemporaries was just one of the ways in which Wing found herself. She was in love with her brother’s best friend since she was young, and they get together in a way that is completely slow-burning, but that is done very sweetly. It’s very easy to ship them!
The racial differences in this book were also dealt with well - racism is a persistent problem in the US, and that was covered. Wing was often called a ‘freak’ by her peers because of her heritage. On this tangent, two of my characters in this book, by far, were Granny Dee (from Ghana) and Lao Lao (from China), Wing’s grandmothers. They are both very different and bicker a lot, but still get along so well, and are always, always there if Wing needs them. They are both adorable in their little arguments about nothing, it was so much fun to read about them! However, they aren’t just there for comic relief - they have real issues and emotions too.
Webber has a knack for writing characters that could be real. None of them are perfect, even if they are perceived as being so by others. There are secrets, dissappointments, admirations… even Wing is not exactly what one would call a strong main character - she is shy and lacks confidence, and has a hard time dealing with bullying. This is why I really enjoyed her character - she isn’t over done.
Overall, I’m giving Wing Jones a 4/5 stars. A beautiful read, I recommend it to anyone who wants a contemporary that is different and somewhat reassuring.
One day, things change. Marcus was found in a coma after a car crash, because he was drunk driving. Suddenly, Wing is alone, and much, much more exposed. Her brother is infamous for being a murderer, and there is nowhere she can hide.
One night, her lioness and dragon ‘guardians’ wake her up and she follows them to a track field, where she discovers that she can run like the wind.
This book was written to be able to be read by almost anyone 12+, but covers many, many concepts, especially societal issues. Racism, bullying, money problems, hospitals, laws, immigration, loss… I feel like if a younger teen would read this, they would only get a fraction of the messages being put across. However it can still be appropriate for a younger age group, as it deals with these issues in a very real yet gentle way. It shows what the issues one can face in highschool are, in an understandable way.
Wing goes through absolutely massive character development through this story. She goes from hiding in her brother’s shadow to being her own person, with her own story and friends. Her transformation is very ‘zero-to-hero’ and it is done very well - small revelations about herself and the people around her help her find confidence and comfort with herself.
The story is unique and addictive - as swift as Wing can run yet very real. Some things are relatable to some people, and other parts are relatable to others.
This contemporary was wholly about finding yourself as a person and it was done beautifully. The romance that we usually find in popular contemporaries was just one of the ways in which Wing found herself. She was in love with her brother’s best friend since she was young, and they get together in a way that is completely slow-burning, but that is done very sweetly. It’s very easy to ship them!
The racial differences in this book were also dealt with well - racism is a persistent problem in the US, and that was covered. Wing was often called a ‘freak’ by her peers because of her heritage. On this tangent, two of my characters in this book, by far, were Granny Dee (from Ghana) and Lao Lao (from China), Wing’s grandmothers. They are both very different and bicker a lot, but still get along so well, and are always, always there if Wing needs them. They are both adorable in their little arguments about nothing, it was so much fun to read about them! However, they aren’t just there for comic relief - they have real issues and emotions too.
Webber has a knack for writing characters that could be real. None of them are perfect, even if they are perceived as being so by others. There are secrets, dissappointments, admirations… even Wing is not exactly what one would call a strong main character - she is shy and lacks confidence, and has a hard time dealing with bullying. This is why I really enjoyed her character - she isn’t over done.
Overall, I’m giving Wing Jones a 4/5 stars. A beautiful read, I recommend it to anyone who wants a contemporary that is different and somewhat reassuring.
http_essi's review against another edition
4.0
A great book but the ending had me wishing for just a little bit more. Did the money from the run help pay off the debt? Did Marcus ever walk again? Small things like that
reviewsfromabookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I have been in a terrible reading slump for about 4 months now, where even books I have been dying to read, and am thoroughly enjoying, take me about 2-4 weeks to finish. This is from someone who usually reads a book in 2-3 days. I devoured Wing Jones in 2 days. It grabbed a hold of me and dragged me from my reading slump. I couldn't put it down. It is a beautiful and emotional contemporary, set in the South during the 1990's.
There is DIVERSITY to the fullest in this book! I loved the book and I will be doing a full review. But for now I will say this.
Positives:
1. Diversity - And done well!
2. Beautiful writing
3. Brilliant characters, you feel like no secondary character is actually 'secondary'.
My negatives:
1. I felt like I didn't get enough closure at the end. So many big aspects are left open and that bothered me. Wish we had explored the darker themes and outcome of a certain character way more.
2. I DON'T get the need for the imaginary dragon and lioness. Especially since they felt to on the nose - her heritage is Ghanaian and Chinese, so her imaginary guardian/friends are a dragon and a lioness?!? I don't get why they were needed or why there were there. For me, they didn't add anything to the story and didn't serve a purpose. Personally, I felt the story would have been just as powerful, if not more so without them
There is DIVERSITY to the fullest in this book! I loved the book and I will be doing a full review. But for now I will say this.
Positives:
1. Diversity - And done well!
2. Beautiful writing
3. Brilliant characters, you feel like no secondary character is actually 'secondary'.
My negatives:
1. I felt like I didn't get enough closure at the end. So many big aspects are left open and that bothered me. Wish we had explored the darker themes and outcome of a certain character way more.
2. I DON'T get the need for the imaginary dragon and lioness. Especially since they felt to on the nose - her heritage is Ghanaian and Chinese, so her imaginary guardian/friends are a dragon and a lioness?!? I don't get why they were needed or why there were there. For me, they didn't add anything to the story and didn't serve a purpose. Personally, I felt the story would have been just as powerful, if not more so without them
readsbyross's review against another edition
5.0
What a really beautiful read. The romance in this was very sweet and it just sort of crept up on you in a nice, sneaky way. The characters - especially - Wing herself were amazing and so easy to connect with and the whole idea and setting of this book was superb. I definitely recommend this to everyone looking for a good YA read
iggyebab's review against another edition
4.0
This book snuck up on me. I was completely taken in by wing and her desire to fit in somewhere. Her brother is a sports star and his mixed features don't affect his popularity at all but wing stands out. She gets picked on and doesn't have friends until a tragedy occurs. Then she finds her stride and starts to find her own place. I just really liked this story.
jo_the_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
kitty_kat21's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up Wing Jones, I just knew that it was about a girl who discovers her love for running. I was not prepared for how layered and interesting the story was. However cute it ended up being, there wasn't that wow factor for me, and I find that with most young adult contemporary type books.
Wing Jones is a really lovely character, she is half Chinese and half west African, she has a bigger frame and body size than the average girl and she has unruly curly hair. When a tragedy occurs in her family, she finds that one of the best ways for her to cope is to run, and run she does.
I really liked the cutesy romance that develops and on the whole this book was very cute. I'm just not sure I'm in the mood for young adult cute. I want something a little deeper and I don't think Wing Jones goes there for me. I mean sure there is heartache over Wing's personal losses and struggles in life, but everything works out okay in the end, so I was never really worried.
The best part of this book was the banter between Wing's grandmothers, pudgy LaoLao and sassy granny Dee. They were hilarious and really lifted the tone of the book. One thing I didn't understand though was Wing's visions of a dragon and a lioness. It was a bit bizarre as they didn't serve much purpose, Wing just sees (or imagines?) these visions when she is under stress. I didn't really get it to be honest.
I think overall I did enjoy Wing Jones but it wasn't anything special and ended up being just an average read for me.
Wing Jones is a really lovely character, she is half Chinese and half west African, she has a bigger frame and body size than the average girl and she has unruly curly hair. When a tragedy occurs in her family, she finds that one of the best ways for her to cope is to run, and run she does.
I really liked the cutesy romance that develops and on the whole this book was very cute. I'm just not sure I'm in the mood for young adult cute. I want something a little deeper and I don't think Wing Jones goes there for me. I mean sure there is heartache over Wing's personal losses and struggles in life, but everything works out okay in the end, so I was never really worried.
The best part of this book was the banter between Wing's grandmothers, pudgy LaoLao and sassy granny Dee. They were hilarious and really lifted the tone of the book. One thing I didn't understand though was Wing's visions of a dragon and a lioness. It was a bit bizarre as they didn't serve much purpose, Wing just sees (or imagines?) these visions when she is under stress. I didn't really get it to be honest.
I think overall I did enjoy Wing Jones but it wasn't anything special and ended up being just an average read for me.
laiwyah's review against another edition
3.0
It was a nice sory though I didn't love it, I did enjoy it. I like the fact that it's about running and a girl loving sport. It's a rare topic... But it was a good story with a very nice writing style.