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librarian_lee's review
4.0
More like 3.5 stars. I love Brosgol's artwork but overall the story was just so-so.
It was disheartening to see all the hate and bullying that Vera had to endure from the other kids. At times, Vera was even mean to some of the other kids (E.g. Gregor and Kira). I know that this happens because I am sure that Vera was just trying to figure out how to fit in and was modeling others behavior, but it still stinks! I'm a mom to three girls who have at times had to deal with their own mean girls and I'm probably bringing my own mama bear feelings into this. lol.
I would recommend this to middle-graders who like Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.
It was disheartening to see all the hate and bullying that Vera had to endure from the other kids. At times, Vera was even mean to some of the other kids (E.g. Gregor and Kira). I know that this happens because I am sure that Vera was just trying to figure out how to fit in and was modeling others behavior, but it still stinks! I'm a mom to three girls who have at times had to deal with their own mean girls and I'm probably bringing my own mama bear feelings into this. lol.
I would recommend this to middle-graders who like Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.
mehsi's review
5.0
2020 re-read: This was a fun read again, I loved the camp and all the things they did there, though I am not sure if it would have been for me. How they all talked Russian and had church, how there were hikes and games (though the games should have some rules). I did feel for our MC, her expectations were quite different, but I loved that in the end she found something to love. I don't get why she was put in with girls 5 years older, why not with some younger ones? Now she couldn't connect at all. Plus, everyone in her camp part was just mean and bitchy. Bleh. I love the fact this book's illustrations were all greenish/white. I loved the guinea pigs and the squirrels. So cute.
I totally agreed with her on wanting to have normal toilets. :P
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A delightful and interesting book about young Vera, a girl who feels out of place everywhere (haven't we all?). Her Russian roots aren't helping, and so she decides on a Russian camp. It should be fun right? And everyone is Russian? That should be perfect? Well, no. Sadly, she notices that the camp isn't as fun for many reasons, and I at times just felt so bad for her that she was having such a terrible time. Poor thing.
I loved reading about the camp though, the church (in the rain), the fact they had to speak Russian, sang Russian songs, and all the other things.
I am happy for what happened nearer to the end. Yay!
Vera really has a talent for drawing and I am hoping she will continue with it.
All in all, a fabulous book, highly recommended!
I totally agreed with her on wanting to have normal toilets. :P
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A delightful and interesting book about young Vera, a girl who feels out of place everywhere (haven't we all?). Her Russian roots aren't helping, and so she decides on a Russian camp. It should be fun right? And everyone is Russian? That should be perfect? Well, no. Sadly, she notices that the camp isn't as fun for many reasons, and I at times just felt so bad for her that she was having such a terrible time. Poor thing.
I loved reading about the camp though, the church (in the rain), the fact they had to speak Russian, sang Russian songs, and all the other things.
I am happy for what happened nearer to the end. Yay!
Vera really has a talent for drawing and I am hoping she will continue with it.
All in all, a fabulous book, highly recommended!
lupitaxmendez's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
really enjoying this author tone and art style
ceena's review
5.0
I heard about this book at an event and after hearing some of my youths say they liked it, I knew I had to give it a try.
It is such an adorable book and yet so very real. It is part memoir, part fiction to fill in the author’s memory gaps, but 100% fantastic. I see people say it is funny and while there may be light-hearted moments, I wouldn’t mark it as a comedy. It’s a book about wanting to fit in, but learning to make real friends while figuring out who you are. Yeah, that’s a lot, I know, but that’s what I take away from it. So, there are moments when the protagonist doesn’t make the right moves, where she is part of the problem, but she’s 10 and she’s learning– constantly getting better.
It also ends well, which put a smile on my face. I’m so glad I read this one. I'm also glad I never went to summer camp, or any kind of camp where I didn't know anyone.
It is such an adorable book and yet so very real. It is part memoir, part fiction to fill in the author’s memory gaps, but 100% fantastic. I see people say it is funny and while there may be light-hearted moments, I wouldn’t mark it as a comedy. It’s a book about wanting to fit in, but learning to make real friends while figuring out who you are. Yeah, that’s a lot, I know, but that’s what I take away from it. So, there are moments when the protagonist doesn’t make the right moves, where she is part of the problem, but she’s 10 and she’s learning– constantly getting better.
It also ends well, which put a smile on my face. I’m so glad I read this one. I'm also glad I never went to summer camp, or any kind of camp where I didn't know anyone.
zabcia's review
3.0
75%
While I personally did not immigrate, my parents did, and as a first-generation Polish American I definitely felt like I could relate to this. While it wasn't as extreme of an experience for me as for Vera (no Russian camp), I remember growing up with un-American foods/customs/speech that made other kids act like real pricks. Vera captured that feeling of isolation, loneliness, and disappointment SO well.
I appreciate that the book didn't have a classic happy ending in which everyone suddenly turns nice and all is well in the world, because that's just not how it is in real life, and it was validating to have that acknowledged.
That being said, I do wish there was a little more Russian pride. The book touches on some of the religious customs in a positive tone, but overall you don't really get the feel that there's any appreciation for the culture, which I find to be a shame. I understand (trust me, I do) that the cultural difference is what brought pain in the first place, and that it would be easier to resent and reject it, but it's so important to respect your roots and I wish that was conveyed a bit more.
While I personally did not immigrate, my parents did, and as a first-generation Polish American I definitely felt like I could relate to this. While it wasn't as extreme of an experience for me as for Vera (no Russian camp), I remember growing up with un-American foods/customs/speech that made other kids act like real pricks. Vera captured that feeling of isolation, loneliness, and disappointment SO well.
I appreciate that the book didn't have a classic happy ending in which everyone suddenly turns nice and all is well in the world, because that's just not how it is in real life, and it was validating to have that acknowledged.
That being said, I do wish there was a little more Russian pride. The book touches on some of the religious customs in a positive tone, but overall you don't really get the feel that there's any appreciation for the culture, which I find to be a shame. I understand (trust me, I do) that the cultural difference is what brought pain in the first place, and that it would be easier to resent and reject it, but it's so important to respect your roots and I wish that was conveyed a bit more.
hailey's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up the ARC for this from work. I loved Brosgol’s illustrations, as always, and enjoyed the humorous look into her childhood. I never went to camp but I imagine I would’ve had a very similar experience to this story, especially in regards to the bathroom. I think this will be a popular middle grade read this summer and that many kids will relate to Brosgol’s story of searching for friendship when you feel like an outsider. I hope she writes about her move to London next!