A review by laura_bird
This Is How We Fly by Anna Meriano
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Summary: Recently graduating high school, Ellen knows she has just a few months to spend with her high school best friends before they're all sent their separate ways at separate colleges. But when she winds up in so much trouble the only way she can even spend time with her friend Melissa is by joining a Quidditch team, Ellen finds herself quite literally flexing new muscles. What follows is a heartfelt story about growing up and all the pangs it brings, from evolving friendship, to family ties, and finding one's identity.
Reaction: I'm truly in awe of Anna Meriano right now. I haven't read a print book in years, my ADHD preferring to listen to audiobooks while I walk. But the print copy was all I could get my hands on and after loving "It Sounds Like This" to the moon and back, and finding out that there was a "prequel" of sorts, I needed this book like, well, like a feminist vegan Quidditch player needs a black bean taco.
Ellen is idealistic, almost to a fault, but loveable and strong. As a former athlete I loved the descriptions of Ellen's struggles but love to play the sport. She struggles with rejection sensitivity and questions even the love of her father throughout the book, which, to my utmost delight, turns into the sportiest nerd (or nerdiest sport?) modern retelling of the Cinderella story, with Ellen finding her passed away mother's old soccer cleats and losing one to a "prince" who returns it to her at the big Quidditch tournament of the summer. Utterly genius.
I cannot gush about this story or author enough. It's everything I would have loved as a teen and still somehow need as a never-you-mind-how-old adult. I'm so grateful books like this exist in the world.
Reaction: I'm truly in awe of Anna Meriano right now. I haven't read a print book in years, my ADHD preferring to listen to audiobooks while I walk. But the print copy was all I could get my hands on and after loving "It Sounds Like This" to the moon and back, and finding out that there was a "prequel" of sorts, I needed this book like, well, like a feminist vegan Quidditch player needs a black bean taco.
Ellen is idealistic, almost to a fault, but loveable and strong. As a former athlete I loved the descriptions of Ellen's struggles but love to play the sport. She struggles with rejection sensitivity and questions even the love of her father throughout the book, which, to my utmost delight, turns into the sportiest nerd (or nerdiest sport?) modern retelling of the Cinderella story, with Ellen finding her passed away mother's old soccer cleats and losing one to a "prince" who returns it to her at the big Quidditch tournament of the summer. Utterly genius.
I cannot gush about this story or author enough. It's everything I would have loved as a teen and still somehow need as a never-you-mind-how-old adult. I'm so grateful books like this exist in the world.