alexandralh's review
2.0
3.5 stars.
I mean...it wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing either. Robin Benway gives us a very very very very SMALL glimpse into the lives of 3 teenagers who have the same bio mom, but were given up for adoption/foster care when they were born. I guess I read it for that reaso. (go adoption!) but it's like SO MANY THINGS were happening in this book because each person had their own (sad) story, but it wasn't enough (hence, small glimpse). I'd just like to know what kind of research she went through to write this book because I think it could've used more work. #harsh
I mean...it wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing either. Robin Benway gives us a very very very very SMALL glimpse into the lives of 3 teenagers who have the same bio mom, but were given up for adoption/foster care when they were born. I guess I read it for that reaso. (go adoption!) but it's like SO MANY THINGS were happening in this book because each person had their own (sad) story, but it wasn't enough (hence, small glimpse). I'd just like to know what kind of research she went through to write this book because I think it could've used more work. #harsh
burstnwithbooks's review
5.0
WOW. WOWOWOWOWOWOW. That was... incredible. In so many ways. I’M SO EMOTIONAL. This is one of my new favorite books of ALL time. Wow.
evetousig's review
4.0
C’est avec ce genre de roman qu’on ce rends compte que la famille sera toujours là pour nous. J’ai eu les larmes aux yeux à la fin.
nikischmidt's review
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
alisarae's review
SO GOOD! I was sniffling like... a lot. This YA family drama set in the Southwest is about three siblings who were domestically adopted (well, one was in the foster care system his whole life) at young ages and find each other as teens. They each have a heavy secret that is stopping their relationships from moving forward, and all three have to learn about trust, truth, and what it means to be family.
The characters and dialogues are SO WELL WRITTEN, but it was the psychology and internal monologues behind the actions that really made this book ring true. Fears like, "What if they abandon me like my birth mom did after they know what kind of person I really am?" are true and can cause people to act out in destructive ways. Each of the three siblings deals with these fears in different ways, showing a broad range of emotions and actions. On a related note, pretty much every character in the book needs counseling/therapy AND they go get it—group sessions, rehab, one-on-one, family... it's all there. I think it is really positive to show that there are a variety of options available for people.
I loved this book and I am so glad that it won the National Book Award last year. *applause*
The characters and dialogues are SO WELL WRITTEN, but it was the psychology and internal monologues behind the actions that really made this book ring true. Fears like, "What if they abandon me like my birth mom did after they know what kind of person I really am?" are true and can cause people to act out in destructive ways. Each of the three siblings deals with these fears in different ways, showing a broad range of emotions and actions. On a related note, pretty much every character in the book needs counseling/therapy AND they go get it—group sessions, rehab, one-on-one, family... it's all there. I think it is really positive to show that there are a variety of options available for people.
I loved this book and I am so glad that it won the National Book Award last year. *applause*
mcgriddles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
nataliacdd's review
5.0
This book made me feel so many emotions. I was crying like a baby throughout so many parts of it. It was amazing. Totally helped me get out of my slump.
garimperl's review
5.0
So, I only realised this won the National Book Award, which, looking back, makes total sense, because this book is so good. I went into this not knowing a thing and was so pleasantly surprised.
You follow three adopted children on their journey of finding out that they are actually siblings and getting to know each other while each of them is going through some issues with their adopted families. At the heart of it, it's about exploring family dynamics and the distinction between found families and the ones you were born into.
The characters are so well developed and diverse, the interactions, especially between the three siblings, seem so realistic and just human, I totally fell in love with Benway's writing style.
The ending wraps everything up pretty nicely, though I would have loved for the author to get more into how Joaquin dealt with him being the only not-white child in this formation, but that's complaining on a very high level.
You follow three adopted children on their journey of finding out that they are actually siblings and getting to know each other while each of them is going through some issues with their adopted families. At the heart of it, it's about exploring family dynamics and the distinction between found families and the ones you were born into.
The characters are so well developed and diverse, the interactions, especially between the three siblings, seem so realistic and just human, I totally fell in love with Benway's writing style.
The ending wraps everything up pretty nicely, though I would have loved for the author to get more into how Joaquin dealt with him being the only not-white child in this formation, but that's complaining on a very high level.
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
A heartwarming story of family, identity and discovering your place in the world. This the second of Robin Benway’s books I’ve read and it didn’t disappoint. Her writing is so comfortable to read, her stories easy to follow and her characters are undeniably quick to warm to. I throughly enjoyed the multitude of topics this book covered, whilst simultaneously keeping them intertwined but not overwhelming the plot with ‘too much’. I thought the various relationships explored throughout were wonderful and the diverse cast of characters and their individual narratives were brilliant to read. Overall this was a lovely and unique YA read and one I’d definitely recommend.