Scan barcode
somekindofmiriam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so soft and gentle, I loved it.
inkstndfngrs's review against another edition
3.0
First an acknowledgement to why I read this book to begin with. This, and 11 other titles were recently submitted to a local school district for reconsideration. As the local public library director, I'm serving on that reconsideration committee. Otherwise...frankly, this book would never have dropped into my hands. I don't read novels in verse. The only pro to forcing my way through this was that it was a 48 minute read (I skimmed some of the longer anxiety-riddled passages).
At it's heart, The Deepest Breath is more about a girl with anxiety who is trying to learn coping mechanisms. The crush on her fellow female classmate gets equal time in this quick read, but...really, the anxiety is never fully addressed and the focus shifts about half-way through to the crush and how scary it can be to realize you might have "like like" feelings for the same sex.
This isn't a bad book, in any way, shape, or form (being in verse aside...which is a personal preference, and I don't fault the author or the content for that choice). Stevie is a bit immature for 11, and her anxiety is never really properly addressed. Her Mom would likely resonate with a lot of parents, dealing with an anxious or autistic child.
But the real hero of this entire novel --the librarian, Susan. What a gem. I can only hope to aspire to be as kind and understanding a person as she was in this situation. Honestly, I probably would have burst out crying on this kid if I'd been in her shoes. And given her *all the books* that I have made sure are part of my collection because that *exact* scenario is exactly why I buy them.
So while I didn't *love* this book, I would still recommend it to questioning kids and parents.
At it's heart, The Deepest Breath is more about a girl with anxiety who is trying to learn coping mechanisms. The crush on her fellow female classmate gets equal time in this quick read, but...really, the anxiety is never fully addressed and the focus shifts about half-way through to the crush and how scary it can be to realize you might have "like like" feelings for the same sex.
This isn't a bad book, in any way, shape, or form (being in verse aside...which is a personal preference, and I don't fault the author or the content for that choice). Stevie is a bit immature for 11, and her anxiety is never really properly addressed. Her Mom would likely resonate with a lot of parents, dealing with an anxious or autistic child.
But the real hero of this entire novel --the librarian, Susan. What a gem. I can only hope to aspire to be as kind and understanding a person as she was in this situation. Honestly, I probably would have burst out crying on this kid if I'd been in her shoes. And given her *all the books* that I have made sure are part of my collection because that *exact* scenario is exactly why I buy them.
So while I didn't *love* this book, I would still recommend it to questioning kids and parents.
smo13's review against another edition
5.0
This novel in verse has great representation for anxiety in children and adults as well as all the feelings that go along with discovering sexuality. Plus there’s a helpful librarian!
izzymcdade's review against another edition
5.0
oh so lovely :") meg grehan please please write some more books
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
“Here I am
In a corner
Surrounded by all the information
All the answers I could ever want
Lost lost lost”
In a corner
Surrounded by all the information
All the answers I could ever want
Lost lost lost”
noelles_shelves's review against another edition
5.0
Now THIS is how you write a free-verse novel.
I love this book to pieces. While I cannot relate to the struggle of coming out, I can relate to Stevie's urgency in wanting to know everything. Her anxiety about not knowing what she is feeling combined with her anxiety over her mother's well-being culminated into a feeling I could relate with. I found myself in tears toward the end of the book because I saw so much of myself in Stevie.
This is a great book to give to kids so they can read and learn to empathize with those that struggle with coming out and those who have anxiety. Everything about this story is perfect and I cannot recommend it enough.
I love this book to pieces. While I cannot relate to the struggle of coming out, I can relate to Stevie's urgency in wanting to know everything. Her anxiety about not knowing what she is feeling combined with her anxiety over her mother's well-being culminated into a feeling I could relate with. I found myself in tears toward the end of the book because I saw so much of myself in Stevie.
This is a great book to give to kids so they can read and learn to empathize with those that struggle with coming out and those who have anxiety. Everything about this story is perfect and I cannot recommend it enough.
sightsonsimple's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet & heartwarming!
Really enjoyed this sweet story of adolescence and young love. As a mom, it got me thinking about a lot too. Highly recommend (it’s a very quick read!)
Really enjoyed this sweet story of adolescence and young love. As a mom, it got me thinking about a lot too. Highly recommend (it’s a very quick read!)
apolloann's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0