A review by khaleesimod93
Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The writing took a bit to get used to, especially since the narrators were two 12 year old kids. Following their thought process wasn't easy. They were both so different. Not just with one being a boy and the other a girl, but two very different POVs, two different ways of thinking, and two different life experiences. Cal has not had it easy. His mother died, his dad in jail, and he doesn't think like everyone else. I'm not sure if the author meant to write it the way she did, but she wrote someone on the autism spectrum so darn well. The outbursts, the way his mind works, not fitting in, and hates his routine disrupted. I loved his pov. It reminds me a lot of my oldest son. How he views the world and Cal's POV helped me understand my own kid a little better. Hannah's mind was so different from Cal. I could tell how much she resented and hated him for some things he couldn't control. And she didn't understand why he acted that way. As the book goes on, you start to see how she learns about Cal's past and starts to understand. I really love how the author tackled so many issues from the POV of two children. Amazing story. 
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