aelis_'s review
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
sde's review
4.0
I am reviewing an Advanced Readers Copy of the book.
This book is hard to rate. It is billed as a middle grade book, but it reads more like a YA book. The protaganist is in 6th grade, but she has to deal with her bipolar father, who is raising her alone. There is little that would be traumatizing or inappropriate for younger kids in this book. It's just that younger kids might not understand what is going on unless they had experienced it themselves. It is not really explained until the end, which makes sense given that is the way the main character, Fig, is grappling with it all in her mind.
Although Fig's life is difficult, and she is as much of a caretaker of her father as he is with her, this isn't a dark book. The love between Fig and her father is obvious and endearing. They also befriend their new neighbor, Mark, and it is nice to see an adult character in a kid's book who is just basically a good guy.
You learn early on that Fig's mother left the day after Fig was born, and I wish there was more explanation of that. It seems that Fig has never seen her since, but that doesn't seem to enter her thoughts much. It seems like it would be a major part of a kid's coming of age, but it isn't really addressed.
I have no idea if the symptoms and behavior of Fig's father are an accurate portrayal of bipolar disorder, so others with more knowledge may quibble with some of this. But if it is accurate, it seems a decent portrayal of how a 12 year old might perceive it.
This book is hard to rate. It is billed as a middle grade book, but it reads more like a YA book. The protaganist is in 6th grade, but she has to deal with her bipolar father, who is raising her alone. There is little that would be traumatizing or inappropriate for younger kids in this book. It's just that younger kids might not understand what is going on unless they had experienced it themselves. It is not really explained until the end, which makes sense given that is the way the main character, Fig, is grappling with it all in her mind.
Although Fig's life is difficult, and she is as much of a caretaker of her father as he is with her, this isn't a dark book. The love between Fig and her father is obvious and endearing. They also befriend their new neighbor, Mark, and it is nice to see an adult character in a kid's book who is just basically a good guy.
You learn early on that Fig's mother left the day after Fig was born, and I wish there was more explanation of that. It seems that Fig has never seen her since, but that doesn't seem to enter her thoughts much. It seems like it would be a major part of a kid's coming of age, but it isn't really addressed.
I have no idea if the symptoms and behavior of Fig's father are an accurate portrayal of bipolar disorder, so others with more knowledge may quibble with some of this. But if it is accurate, it seems a decent portrayal of how a 12 year old might perceive it.
309804490's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.0
lemd's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
darcianna5's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
sounds_gay_im_in_reads's review
emotional
informative
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
imstephtacular's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Grief, Abandonment, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, Homophobia, Medical content, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
story_sanctuary's review
5.0
One of my favorite things about HURRICANE SEASON is the evolution of Fig's relationship with her dad. At the beginning she really idolizes him and feels super defensive of him, even when he's doing things that make her life a lot harder. She blames their problems on her teacher who called social services. Or on hurricane season for drawing her dad to the shoreline during its dangerous storms.
As Fig's dad's behavior deteriorates and starts to affect her relationships at school, she grows to resent him and his mental health problems. She feels guilty and frustrated at herself, and eventually frustrated with her dad when he's not able to do things with her that she needs, like going to an art exhibit that's important to her, or going to her art show at school.
Even as their relationship frays, Fig and her dad continue to share rituals that bond them. I loved their exchange: "I love you." "Double it." "Love you, love you."
And in the midst of it all, a miracle happens. A new person joins their family, and as so often happens when a situation is out of control, it's that person who helps everyone realize how untenable things have become. I liked this catalyst character in the story, too, though at times he seemed almost too perfect.
I loved the way HURRICANE SEASON used details about Van Gogh's life and his work to frame what was happening with Fig's dad and even Fig herself.
Also worthy of note: this is a medication-positive story. Fig's dad eventually begins taking medication to regulate his mental health, and while the solution isn't perfect-- the story shows some difficulty getting dosage and prescriptions right for him-- it's clear that it makes a positive difference in all of their lives.
Readers who enjoyed THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden or NEST by Esther Ehrlich need to put HURRICANE SEASON on their reading lists.
As Fig's dad's behavior deteriorates and starts to affect her relationships at school, she grows to resent him and his mental health problems. She feels guilty and frustrated at herself, and eventually frustrated with her dad when he's not able to do things with her that she needs, like going to an art exhibit that's important to her, or going to her art show at school.
Even as their relationship frays, Fig and her dad continue to share rituals that bond them. I loved their exchange: "I love you." "Double it." "Love you, love you."
And in the midst of it all, a miracle happens. A new person joins their family, and as so often happens when a situation is out of control, it's that person who helps everyone realize how untenable things have become. I liked this catalyst character in the story, too, though at times he seemed almost too perfect.
I loved the way HURRICANE SEASON used details about Van Gogh's life and his work to frame what was happening with Fig's dad and even Fig herself.
Also worthy of note: this is a medication-positive story. Fig's dad eventually begins taking medication to regulate his mental health, and while the solution isn't perfect-- the story shows some difficulty getting dosage and prescriptions right for him-- it's clear that it makes a positive difference in all of their lives.
Readers who enjoyed THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden or NEST by Esther Ehrlich need to put HURRICANE SEASON on their reading lists.
rlwertheimer's review
5.0
So impressed with this book! The author is spot on with the emotions of kids and adults, the complexities of dealing with mental illness, the reality of middle school friendships and crushes, the layers of identity and coming out. Will recommend to younger (and older) middle schoolers looking for LGBTQ+ reads. Audiobook narration is great. Loved it!
lazygal's review
3.0
Our view of Fig's world - her life with her erratic, once brilliant musician father and trying to keep things hidden from outsiders - is very clearly told by a sixth-grader. Her questions and fears, friendships and relationships with adults and peers have no moments of "adult" POV sneaking in. We learn what's wrong with her father as she does, and her investigation of how to help is our investigation. Even her perception of one teacher's actions is clearly age-appropriate without a wink to the reader that she's not seeing things properly. That's the good. The "meh" is that the ending feels pre-ordained and there's no surprise.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.