beatrixhaase's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
This was actually not horrible. My brother told me that it was the worst book that you will ever read in school. I got kind of scared but I didn't find myself super bored with it which is a big plus thats for sure.
xoxo,
Bebe
This was actually not horrible. My brother told me that it was the worst book that you will ever read in school. I got kind of scared but I didn't find myself super bored with it which is a big plus thats for sure.
xoxo,
Bebe
lumos_libros's review against another edition
2.0
I was expecting to like this book much more. It deals with a 14 year old girl named Kelly (who supposedly I think the author was trying to make interesting, but unfortunately she didn't grab my attention as much as she should have),and her encounter with a homeless man who is a veteran of the Vietnam War.
The basic concept of the novel was good but it felt like it lacked a certain something to it. It did give a clear view on people's opinions about the war and the veterans. You could tell the author was pushing you to see that we should feel more obligated to help these men that had been through so much, and that was one of the only redeeming qualities of this book.
The main annoyance I had with the book is that the characters weren't very well developed, and many things still left hanging in the air. Kelly's friends were more like props in the story and in reality weren't really needed to make the author's point. I guess I can't be too hard on the book though since it is set in the eighties.
The one part I did like about the book, which made me feel like I should at least give the book two stars, was how the relationship between Kelly and her father changes for the better. Her father carries some of the memories of going to Vietnam and Kelly realizes how much she really doesn't know about her dad and the man he really is. But sadly I don't think that's enough of a reason to read this.
The basic concept of the novel was good but it felt like it lacked a certain something to it. It did give a clear view on people's opinions about the war and the veterans. You could tell the author was pushing you to see that we should feel more obligated to help these men that had been through so much, and that was one of the only redeeming qualities of this book.
The main annoyance I had with the book is that the characters weren't very well developed, and many things still left hanging in the air. Kelly's friends were more like props in the story and in reality weren't really needed to make the author's point. I guess I can't be too hard on the book though since it is set in the eighties.
The one part I did like about the book, which made me feel like I should at least give the book two stars, was how the relationship between Kelly and her father changes for the better. Her father carries some of the memories of going to Vietnam and Kelly realizes how much she really doesn't know about her dad and the man he really is. But sadly I don't think that's enough of a reason to read this.
itclouie's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
heyshay07's review against another edition
3.0
Even though Mary Downing Hahn’s ghost stories are my favorite middle grade nostalgic reads, her more serious books like Following My Own Footsteps are great too. However, this one really doesn’t translate well 40 years later (though does any story from 1988?) I think the things kids experience now days are a lot harsher so Kelly just comes off as kind of a whiny brat instead of the more compassionate social crusader she would have in the 80’s. Now it is normal that middle school/high school kids are concerned about the homeless or veterans with PTSD and Kelly’s efforts seem a little self serving, though it does show some character growth. Also, I think it’s just harder to understand the social and political climate that Vietnam vets had to go through coming home because I didn’t grow up in that era and veterans from Iraq or Afghanistan didn’t get the same treatment. I think there is still some good talking points about war and how Kelly feels really dismissed by her dad because she’s not what he wants that could be good. I did cry at the end a couple times because I had really become attached to some of the characters, but over all I don’t really see kids connecting with this one anymore.
skylyr_rose8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
nikkibd4033's review
2.0
Sorry MDH. I loved this book as a kid, but as a grownup I found it preachy and mostly intolerable. The two stars are only for the portions of the book dealing with Kelly feeling distance from her friends. The part with the Vietnam Vets? Handled with no subtlety at all.
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