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A review by kaynova
Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
<b> "Maybe I can be my own home and invite other people into it." </b> - Ellie
There's a lot of books that I wish were made when I was a child and this one is number one. Ellie Engle is such a relatable character, to the way she nerds out and to the way she has to bottle up her emotions because she doesn't want her parents, her support system, to worry about her. She is the sweetest girl with all of these emotions, good and bad, trying to navigate them while also navigating superpowers.
The biggest take away from this book is that Ellie Engle is trying to save everyone around her while keeping those close beside her, but neglecting herself. She has two major secrets that she is trying to keep covered up while trying to make sure her mom and her are okay, and that she and her best friend will always be Abby and Ellie, and it becomes A LOT. There's moments where Ellie doesn't know what to do and the narrator, Rocky Anicette, does a great job showing those emotions. She has the world on her fingertips, not knowing that she is a part of that world, an overwhelming amount, and she has to take care of herself and save herself if she ever wants to take care of those she love too.
Leah Johnson does a great job reminding young readers that not everything is black or white, but you don't have to invalidate your emotions, your experiences all because everyone else tells you to. Some people are actually bad, but not everyone. Sometimes the best thing you can do is be a kid and no one will fault you for that. So many gems in this book that will validate any middle schooler's feelings and know that they are definitely seen even if they feel as invisible as Ellie did in the beginning.
Now look at her, shining in her own right.
There's a lot of books that I wish were made when I was a child and this one is number one. Ellie Engle is such a relatable character, to the way she nerds out and to the way she has to bottle up her emotions because she doesn't want her parents, her support system, to worry about her. She is the sweetest girl with all of these emotions, good and bad, trying to navigate them while also navigating superpowers.
The biggest take away from this book is that Ellie Engle is trying to save everyone around her while keeping those close beside her, but neglecting herself. She has two major secrets that she is trying to keep covered up while trying to make sure her mom and her are okay, and that she and her best friend will always be Abby and Ellie, and it becomes A LOT. There's moments where Ellie doesn't know what to do and the narrator, Rocky Anicette, does a great job showing those emotions. She has the world on her fingertips, not knowing that she is a part of that world, an overwhelming amount, and she has to take care of herself and save herself if she ever wants to take care of those she love too.
Leah Johnson does a great job reminding young readers that not everything is black or white, but you don't have to invalidate your emotions, your experiences all because everyone else tells you to. Some people are actually bad, but not everyone. Sometimes the best thing you can do is be a kid and no one will fault you for that. So many gems in this book that will validate any middle schooler's feelings and know that they are definitely seen even if they feel as invisible as Ellie did in the beginning.
Now look at her, shining in her own right.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
"Maybe I can be my own home and invite other people into it." - Ellie
There's a lot of books that I wish were made when I was a child and this one is number one. Ellie Engle is such a relatable character, to the way she nerds out and to the way she has to bottle up her emotions because she doesn't want her parents, her support system, to worry about her. She is the sweetest girl with all of these emotions, good and bad, trying to navigate them while also navigating superpowers.
The biggest take away from this book is that Ellie Engle is trying to save everyone around her while keeping those close beside her, but neglecting herself. She has two major secrets that she is trying to keep covered up while trying to make sure her mom and her are okay, and that she and her best friend will always be Abby and Ellie, and it becomes A LOT. There's moments where Ellie doesn't know what to do and the narrator, Rocky Anicette, does a great job showing those emotions. She has the world on her fingertips, not knowing that she is a part of that world, an overwhelming amount, and she has to take care of herself and save herself if she ever wants to take care of those she love too.
Leah Johnson does a great job reminding young readers that not everything is black or white, but you don't have to invalidate your emotions, your experiences all because everyone else tells you to. Some people are actually bad, but not everyone. Sometimes the best thing you can do is be a kid and no one will fault you for that. So many gems in this book that will validate any middle schooler's feelings and know that they are definitely seen even if they feel as invisible as Ellie did in the beginning.
Now look at her, shining in her own right.