kaitp617's review
4.0
i really just don't have words for this. this was one of the hardest books i have ever read, but not because it's not good or well-written--it is VERY well-written--it's just so fucking hard to read. my heart hurt the entire time. my heart broke with every page. but while Annabelle's heart healed slowly throughout her journey, so did mine. i can't stress enough how important this book is. i can't stress enough how heartbroken, how enraged, how upset this book made me, but in a good way. deb caletti did a fantastic job. i really just don't have any words.
please read this. please read this. please read this
please read this. please read this. please read this
positivelybooked's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely going to use this in my future classroom!
tishreads's review
4.0
I read a version of this book with an updated cover and I much prefer the new cover. It definitey has more "teen" appeal. This story had me laughing and crying. It definitely packs and emotional punch, but is overall a story of overcoming obstacles and inspiring others to make lasting change through your everyday actions. Beautiful writing, lovable characters, and unputdownable.
This book required me to use 5 bookmarks. One for where I was currently at, and 4 to keep track of quotes I wanted to share (No spoilers, I promise!):
"It's hard to be all that you can be on carrot sticks and criticism." (p. 94)
"Anxiety is like being in freeway traffic all the time. There's the constant sense of dodging and darting, seeking your chance to cut in, the irritation of others pulling ahead of you. You hit the accelerator; slam the brakes. You scout and scan for danger." (p. 185).
"She does not read it the way she and Kat used to read books - devouring them with the speed of two people famished for words, ideas, and beautiful sentences that make you feel everything... She has missed books, but she's been afraid of them, same as music. Books make you feel things hard. They hit the tender spots. Books remind her of her and Kat, but also of her old self, too, the mostly carefree self. The girl who was just so happy to come home from the library with a big stack of new stuff to read. Books were dangerous." (p. 205)
"Love is corny, when you get right down to it. It has two left feet. It trips over itself, because it is so large that it's awkward. It's sort of silly, done right. After all, how do you convey something that huge? Big signs made with colored markers and printer paper taped together. Plastic leis bought from Party for Less." (p. 294-295)
This book required me to use 5 bookmarks. One for where I was currently at, and 4 to keep track of quotes I wanted to share (No spoilers, I promise!):
"It's hard to be all that you can be on carrot sticks and criticism." (p. 94)
"Anxiety is like being in freeway traffic all the time. There's the constant sense of dodging and darting, seeking your chance to cut in, the irritation of others pulling ahead of you. You hit the accelerator; slam the brakes. You scout and scan for danger." (p. 185).
"She does not read it the way she and Kat used to read books - devouring them with the speed of two people famished for words, ideas, and beautiful sentences that make you feel everything... She has missed books, but she's been afraid of them, same as music. Books make you feel things hard. They hit the tender spots. Books remind her of her and Kat, but also of her old self, too, the mostly carefree self. The girl who was just so happy to come home from the library with a big stack of new stuff to read. Books were dangerous." (p. 205)
"Love is corny, when you get right down to it. It has two left feet. It trips over itself, because it is so large that it's awkward. It's sort of silly, done right. After all, how do you convey something that huge? Big signs made with colored markers and printer paper taped together. Plastic leis bought from Party for Less." (p. 294-295)
cassellwrites's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Grief
ejsanders2's review
This book was beautiful and wonderful and sooo amazing! It captures the horror of gun violence and how someone can be an activist in their own way!
mackenziebauman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
jam_unjellied's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0