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bookladykd's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful. I laughed and I cried and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to recommend it to my students next week.
toniewyjdzie's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
mdreaderlady's review against another edition
5.0
Holy cow! This book was amazing. Absolutely loved the writing. The story is devastating- be prepared to ugly cry - but worth it.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #24 Read in 2016
When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
Very few books rip my heart out over and over again but this one did....and yet, it was a wonderful read. Ben was a kid in the system when he met Tess, who eventually adopts him. As if his start wasn't tough enough, Ben is tested over and over again with bullying, loss and feelings of low self-worth. He comes across a little stray dog he names Flip and that gives him a true purpose in life for the first time. This book has it all going on....great characters, humor, emotion and a cute dog. I highly recommend it for middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
Very few books rip my heart out over and over again but this one did....and yet, it was a wonderful read. Ben was a kid in the system when he met Tess, who eventually adopts him. As if his start wasn't tough enough, Ben is tested over and over again with bullying, loss and feelings of low self-worth. He comes across a little stray dog he names Flip and that gives him a true purpose in life for the first time. This book has it all going on....great characters, humor, emotion and a cute dog. I highly recommend it for middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
apotts's review against another edition
5.0
Add this one to your list of positive perspectives on alternative families and the bonds that tie us together other than blood. Griffin's story of a boy and the events that befall him left me aching to jump into the pages to save him, but he didn't need it in the end.
Kids grades 4 (maybe 3rd?) and up can handle the text, but the discussion might be better for 5th and up. If you have a chance to meet the author (whether through Skype or in person) definitely take the chance. We Skyped with him for bookclub (through our local bookstore group) and he was one of the most genuine and charismatic people I've had the pleasure to experience.
Kids grades 4 (maybe 3rd?) and up can handle the text, but the discussion might be better for 5th and up. If you have a chance to meet the author (whether through Skype or in person) definitely take the chance. We Skyped with him for bookclub (through our local bookstore group) and he was one of the most genuine and charismatic people I've had the pleasure to experience.
mari_bookshelf's review
5.0
i read this book years ago when i was little, and i can say that no book compares to this one
i remember it was the first book that ever made me cry and stayed in my head, will probably re read it soon just for the nostalgic feeling!!
i remember it was the first book that ever made me cry and stayed in my head, will probably re read it soon just for the nostalgic feeling!!
watermelonwombat's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marmoset737's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolutely lovely story and a great middle grade choice for boys (although girls would certainly love the book too but it's one of the best coming-of-age stories I've read that features a boy protagonist in recent years). It's such an achingly sweet story - and the lively, eclectic characters are wonderful. While there is a lot of sadness and heartbreak in this book - the main narrator's voice never stops sounding like a kids - which I really appreciated and I think tweens would appreciate as well. The book is strong and stands alone on its own but it's also a great "younger version" to transition kids into books by authors like John Green.
carstensena's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this book for wearing its heart on its sleeve.
The characters are clear and lovable, the Coney Island setting is wonderful. It has a great librarian and a great dog, and its young protagonist works hard and cares about the right things. Good good people, facing tough situations in the best ways they know how.
The characters are clear and lovable, the Coney Island setting is wonderful. It has a great librarian and a great dog, and its young protagonist works hard and cares about the right things. Good good people, facing tough situations in the best ways they know how.