Empowering, electrifying, and reaaaally hard to put down! I read this one in two sittings - but only because I didn't have the option to read it in onEmpowering, electrifying, and reaaaally hard to put down! I read this one in two sittings - but only because I didn't have the option to read it in one. There are powerful poems on these pages, plus powerful encouragement for closeted creatives and/or teens struggling with the differences between their parents' expectations and their own desires. This lush, rich novel in verse should definitely go on your to-read list....more
Solid and satisfying. Art-loving girl participates in bullying of male classmate and feels awful about it but is too shy to apologize. She's forced toSolid and satisfying. Art-loving girl participates in bullying of male classmate and feels awful about it but is too shy to apologize. She's forced to make amends when he's assigned to be her science tutor. Their alliance becomes important when tensions between the Art Club and the Science Club come to a head. A good pick for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamiesen....more
Engaging, empowering, and truly entertaining, this is the kind of light but satisfying story you could press into the hands of any 4th or 5th grader wEngaging, empowering, and truly entertaining, this is the kind of light but satisfying story you could press into the hands of any 4th or 5th grader with confidence they'd come away happy. I didn't want this one to end!
Plot points of note: Sophie's mom is Mexican-American and her dad is Caucasian. She is one of the very few (to use her words) "brown people" in the new rural town to which they've moved. People frequently look at her with confusion, having known her great uncle who was (like her father) white. Sophie's mom is a writer who pens articles for newspapers and magazines, but her dad is out of work, so their family is cash-strapped and can't afford to fix up the farm. Sophie has to find her own creative ways to fund the care of her chickens (which she does!).
Recommended for fans of the Regarding the... series by Kate & Sarah Klise....more
This is an elegant, deeply spiritual novel in verse about a teen who excels at classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam) until she loses her leg in an acThis is an elegant, deeply spiritual novel in verse about a teen who excels at classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam) until she loses her leg in an accident and must adjust to life - and dance - with a prosthetic limb. A wonderfully thoughtful book about accepting grief, allowing forgiveness, following passion, showing compassion, and discovering one's own strength....more
Terrifying, terrific, and tautly plotted. This is wonderfully suspenseful story about a kid who suffers from anxiety that I would probably never give Terrifying, terrific, and tautly plotted. This is wonderfully suspenseful story about a kid who suffers from anxiety that I would probably never give to a kid who suffers from anxiety, because it would do more harm than good. But stalwart kids who want a REALLY creepy read? They'll devour this. As I did. *shudder*...more
A contemplative, quiet novel in verse about one teen's attempt to convince officials at his high school to remove their offensive Indian mascot. This A contemplative, quiet novel in verse about one teen's attempt to convince officials at his high school to remove their offensive Indian mascot. This is a solid (albeit uneven) story about confronting prejudice, enduring bullies, and attempting to make change. I appreciated the warm portrait of Evan's family, who are in the process of reconnecting with their Native relatives, and in particular Evan's brother, who previously attempted to wage this same war against racism but was unsuccessful. Evan's efforts teach all of them that change may be slow to come, but that it can happen -- one determined person at a time.
An author's note at the end of the book explains that the story was inspired by the experiences of the author's son, which adds a great note of authenticity to the story and demonstrates that change of this kind doesn't happen only in fiction. Real people can make change, and do.
Two complaints:
1.) The book assumes that the reader fully understands WHY the school's Indian mascot is offensive to Evan and to others. I would have liked it to include more arguments/examples to help readers not yet educated on the subject understand why mascots like these are racist. While I suspect some will argue that it should be obvious, if it were obvious to everyone we would not still have such mascots!
2.) Because the kid in the cover photo looks young, I assumed for many years that this book was for elementary school, but the tone and sophistication of Evan's voice and Evan's own age (he's a senior in high school) make this far better suited to use in middle school. I dearly wish it had a cover that was better reflective of and appealing to its intended audience. ...more
I loved, loved, LOVED this book. It's a sensational, highly memorable debut novel -- one I enjoyed so much that I didn't want the book to end! I can'tI loved, loved, LOVED this book. It's a sensational, highly memorable debut novel -- one I enjoyed so much that I didn't want the book to end! I can't WAIT to see what Sheila Turnage writes next....more
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