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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Bianca made me almost use some rather inappropriate language in front of my class. We found her quite despicable.
Rereading, February 2014, for Girls Read Book Club.
Rereading, October 2016, for Girls Read Book Club.
Rereading, February 2014, for Girls Read Book Club.
Rereading, October 2016, for Girls Read Book Club.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One Sentence Review: A gentle, heartwarming tale that drills home not just a classic granddaughter/grandmother relationship, but also the basic trials of being a kid today.
I loved this.
Though the leaf project absolutely cracked me up!
Though the leaf project absolutely cracked me up!
Seventh grade Gianna must finish her leaf collection so that she will be eligible to run in the upcoming cross-country sectionals. At the same time she struggles with family issues, as her beloved Nonna is becoming more and more forgetful, the first stirrings of romance with longtime friend Zig, and mean girls at school who try to sabotage her project. Gianna's mother is reluctant to face her mother's declining mental health and in trying to be supportive becomes a bit overbearing. But Gianna is made of strong stuff and finds her own personal way to complete her project. Though the issues with her grandmother are unresolved (appropriately true to life), Gianna seems to have a very good sense of herself and she has gained friends and more of a support system -- so even though things aren't entirely okay, Gianna will be.
Audience: Ages 10 + (generally)
For those who like stories like The Higher Power of Lucky, and Becoming Naomi Leon (also a strong relationship with a grandmother)
Audience: Ages 10 + (generally)
For those who like stories like The Higher Power of Lucky, and Becoming Naomi Leon (also a strong relationship with a grandmother)
Gianna is going through a lot: homework assignments that she hasn't really worked on, a big cross country meet, a classmate that is out to get her, and her grandmother who is slipping away into Alzheimer's. This is a very realistic look into a what a family goes through when someone starts showing signs of Alzheimer's. The parents don't want to admit that something is going on, everyone is scared, grandma wonders away. The fact that the story is told through the eyes of Gianna, a middle schooler, is perfect. She is still going through all the things that a kid that age has to deal with and she has to deal with this on top of it. Her range of emotions seems very realistic as does that of the adults in the story. I thought this was a very good story and could definitely touch the lives of young readers.
Excellent middle grade novel about family, friendship, and being yourself. Love the paragraph on page 177 (Sometimes prickly...).
Gianna is a likeable mess with poor organizational skills and time management issues. But what she lacks in good study habits, she more than makes up with her creative, caring, earnest side. She loves her family, especially her Nonna who lives with them. But Nonna is forgetting things lately and her behavior is sometimes erratic which is worrisome to Gianna. And, to top it off, she may miss out on a big cross country meet if her science grade doesn't improve very soon. A big project is due but Gianna seems to be sidetracked by everything else going on in her life. She loves running and competing in sectionals is very important to her. Her nemesis is doing everything she can to make sure Gianna won't be able to compete so she can take her spot. Add to that all of the other typical seventh grade concerns and preoccupations like friendships and a blossoming romance and you a quick paced, sweet story. Gianna has to figure out how to be her authentic self, pass science and stand up to bullies.
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The characters in this book are vivid and leap off the pages with their distinct personalities and traits. They are well-developed, each showcasing an important learning experience and connection that I believe young readers will be able to feel and relate to. Gianna Z is a realistic and highly artistic character who expresses her love for art, family, learning, and struggles in a way that allows readers to connect and explore these challenges and passions alongside her as the story unfolds. The writing is vivid, imaginative, and realistic, immersing the reader in the book's autumnal setting, learning valuable lessons with each falling leaf. The plot is well-developed and engaging, although some character decisions, like Gianna not confiding in an adult about a classmate sabotaging her leaf project, may raise questions. The book tackles themes of bullying, procrastination, school projects, Alzheimer's, and varied approaches to learning and difficult subjects adeptly. What particularly appealed to me about this book were the realistic elements woven throughout, from Gianna's procrastination on her project to her unique approach to completing it, her grandmother's handling of memory loss, the friendship between Gianna and Zig, the differing parenting styles of Gianna's parents, and the vivid artistic imagery portrayed through Gianna's artwork and Ian's photography. The leaf project adds an intriguing and artistic learning dimension to the story, especially when Zig and Gianna assign tree personalities to people they know and the various ways Gianna and her classmates infuse the project with their individual touches. "The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z" is a compelling middle-grade novel for readers seeking a story that addresses themes of bullying, procrastination, family challenges, friendship, and the journey of embracing one's personality and traits, much like Gianna does through her art.