csjucha's review
5.0
This was such a powerful read. Sara’s struggle was heart wrenching and very well written.
emiiiii's review
5.0
Really profound story about accepting yourself as you are. The author did a very good job in showing the reader the inner turmoils going on inside Sara's mind. Helpful to read Wesley King's other book "OCDaniel" before attempting this one, because Sara's character is fleshed out first in "OCDaniel".
c0uldyimagine's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
mymy_jellyfish's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying
gurnoor's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Grief
losingdogs's review against another edition
5.0
If you want to be someone else at the end of this, then you will be disappointed.
They will always have a special place in my heart <3
junimocats's review
5.0
oh, wow. (full review tomorrow)
full review: for so many reasons, this is a very special book to me. sara is deeply relatable, except that i do not have schizophrenia. i do regret to say that this book is sadly another example of an author writing an autistic protagonist and never having that acknowledged. i do think, however, that on its surface, this novel was a great exploration of mental health and what can be serious issues for kids and exploring this in a gentle way. i really do wish that King had acknowledged sara’s autism, but it’s still a wonderful book without it. also, the developments at the end broke my heart and i’m not sure sara did the right thing, but i understand it as something i might have done at 12 too.
this book has become a quick favorite along with OCDaniel.
full review: for so many reasons, this is a very special book to me. sara is deeply relatable, except that i do not have schizophrenia. i do regret to say that this book is sadly another example of an author writing an autistic protagonist and never having that acknowledged. i do think, however, that on its surface, this novel was a great exploration of mental health and what can be serious issues for kids and exploring this in a gentle way. i really do wish that King had acknowledged sara’s autism, but it’s still a wonderful book without it. also, the developments at the end broke my heart and i’m not sure sara did the right thing, but i understand it as something i might have done at 12 too.
this book has become a quick favorite along with OCDaniel.
jenna0010's review
4.0
An important middle grade read about the loneliness of mental illness, about the power of friendship and using your voice. Wesley King, though, so brilliantly and with such care builds the layers of his characters - from Sarah to Laura to Daniel, he shows how characters need not fall into tropes. There are some parts of this that get quite heavy, content-wise.
deborah1234567890's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
copperastro's review
5.0
Wonderful!
I received this as an Advanced Reader from Simon and Schuster. My daughter and I read it together the same as we did when we read OCDaniel. We loved it. We laughed and we cried and we were able to relate to the characters. It is perfect for younger children and older children alike.
It is a prequel to OCDaniel but they can be read out of order with no issues.
It is perfect for encouraging people to believe in themselves and to understand that normal is different for everyone.
I received this as an Advanced Reader from Simon and Schuster. My daughter and I read it together the same as we did when we read OCDaniel. We loved it. We laughed and we cried and we were able to relate to the characters. It is perfect for younger children and older children alike.
It is a prequel to OCDaniel but they can be read out of order with no issues.
It is perfect for encouraging people to believe in themselves and to understand that normal is different for everyone.