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sockerbetan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jkribbit's review against another edition
5.0
Stevie is a girl who likes to know things. She is filling up a 500 page notebook with everything she knows! But there are a lot of things Stevie doesn’t know and that is feeding her anxiety. So she makes a list and sets off to learn all she can and if what she learns—about herself—is okay.
I loved this beautiful novel in verse so much! As someone with an anxiety disorder, I could relate to Stevie and her concerns so well! I related to her constantly swirling thoughts, to her fears, and thoughts that get stuck. I was so impressed and moved by her bravery—to seek out the scary and learn about it so it wasn’t scary anymore. What a champion! I loved this book and highly recommend it!
I loved this beautiful novel in verse so much! As someone with an anxiety disorder, I could relate to Stevie and her concerns so well! I related to her constantly swirling thoughts, to her fears, and thoughts that get stuck. I was so impressed and moved by her bravery—to seek out the scary and learn about it so it wasn’t scary anymore. What a champion! I loved this book and highly recommend it!
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
5.0
Don't let the verse throw you off. As much as I hate books written in verse, at least this is more thoughts, then something rhyming, and it works, but I really hate having to read it this way.
Having said that, this is a very well written middle grade, first person account, and in that it works. For example, Stevie talks about the fizzy feeling she gets when she is around her best friend, Chloe, and she wants to know what it means.
And, I almost cried when Stevie was scared to name the crush she had on her best friend, to the librarian.
Such an accepting, beautiful book. Perfect for children who aren't sure, and who see themselves in this.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
Having said that, this is a very well written middle grade, first person account, and in that it works. For example, Stevie talks about the fizzy feeling she gets when she is around her best friend, Chloe, and she wants to know what it means.
And, I almost cried when Stevie was scared to name the crush she had on her best friend, to the librarian.
Such an accepting, beautiful book. Perfect for children who aren't sure, and who see themselves in this.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
knaka's review against another edition
5.0
Published 2019
NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award
Poetry novel
This book is similar to many verse novels that I’ve read but different in that it addresses sexuality and identity. Rather than having separate poems, this book is sectioned by chapters with many poems in each. We follow along with Stevie’s exploration of herself and the world around her. I think this book would be very validating for many students to read.
NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award
Poetry novel
This book is similar to many verse novels that I’ve read but different in that it addresses sexuality and identity. Rather than having separate poems, this book is sectioned by chapters with many poems in each. We follow along with Stevie’s exploration of herself and the world around her. I think this book would be very validating for many students to read.
bardicbramley's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow.
Yeah this one did a number on me.
A truly heartfelt novel in verse about an 11 year old girl trying to understand her first crush.
The whole book is just beautiful, but my favourite thing is just how simple and accessible the poetry is whilst still managing to convey such depth. It's so perfectly child friendly, but carries such important messages.
This little piece or art covers anxiety, self confidence, single parenting, and queerness (in a positive light no less!)
A new one for the all time favourites folder.
Yeah this one did a number on me.
A truly heartfelt novel in verse about an 11 year old girl trying to understand her first crush.
The whole book is just beautiful, but my favourite thing is just how simple and accessible the poetry is whilst still managing to convey such depth. It's so perfectly child friendly, but carries such important messages.
This little piece or art covers anxiety, self confidence, single parenting, and queerness (in a positive light no less!)
A new one for the all time favourites folder.
ali1311's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up thinking it would be YA, but it seems it's more of a kids book, probably in the middle grade range since the main character is 11. But honestly, that didn't stop me from enjoying it! The whole book is written in poetry, which I thought was just interesting generally but also helpful in expressing the main character's anxiety she was dealing with. The book was all about this eleven-year-old girl coming to terms with her queerness while still not really understanding it. I expected the book to be all about that, but I'd actually say this is a story of a mother and daughter more than anything else. The relationship she has with her mom was so relatable and sweet and definitely made me cry more than once. I also found the poetry itself was just beautiful; I spent a lot of time underlining lines that struck me. Overall, I think this book is a lovely read for people of any age, and it's a quick read, too!
dieerlesene's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lilworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet and heartfelt, this book is a little slow on action but will be essential to the right child.
ARC provided by publisher
ARC provided by publisher
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
CW: Anxiety and intrusive thoughts
Told in verse, this book is tied up so neatly and exemplifies the feeling of developing your first crush. As eleven-year-old Stevie starts to experience fuzzy feelings for her friend, Chloe. The Deepest Breath is a book all children and queer people should read. It's a book I wish I had as a kid when I started developing feelings for girls and didn't have the words to match what I was feeling nor any adults to guide me and tell me it was okay. This is such a positive read and I loved the adult figures. Stevie also experiences anxiety. I loved being in her head as she thinks the worst of her social interactions by trying to predict what happens next and worries about her mother. It's such a real portrayal of being in the mind of an anxious person. Fortunately, her mother reassures her and lets her inquisitive daughter ask any questions she may have.
Told in verse, this book is tied up so neatly and exemplifies the feeling of developing your first crush. As eleven-year-old Stevie starts to experience fuzzy feelings for her friend, Chloe. The Deepest Breath is a book all children and queer people should read. It's a book I wish I had as a kid when I started developing feelings for girls and didn't have the words to match what I was feeling nor any adults to guide me and tell me it was okay. This is such a positive read and I loved the adult figures. Stevie also experiences anxiety. I loved being in her head as she thinks the worst of her social interactions by trying to predict what happens next and worries about her mother. It's such a real portrayal of being in the mind of an anxious person. Fortunately, her mother reassures her and lets her inquisitive daughter ask any questions she may have.