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lostinausten's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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? No
3.0
A story about two friends dealing with family issues and their own insecurities.
This was such a great idea for a book, but with really poor execution. Efren Divided was a powerful, well written book. On the other hand, Falling Short is so repititive and awfully written, it was hard to get through. I thought the boys' issues with their dads was a great idea, but again, it felt so movie of the week. Plus, all the cheesy lingo and slang incorporated in the book... it was bad. I feel like the author dumbed down the content thinking it would make it more accessible to kids, but instead, it loses all its power and impact.
This was such a great idea for a book, but with really poor execution. Efren Divided was a powerful, well written book. On the other hand, Falling Short is so repititive and awfully written, it was hard to get through. I thought the boys' issues with their dads was a great idea, but again, it felt so movie of the week. Plus, all the cheesy lingo and slang incorporated in the book... it was bad. I feel like the author dumbed down the content thinking it would make it more accessible to kids, but instead, it loses all its power and impact.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Falling Short is an ode to every middle grade kid who worries they can’t measure up (which is, let’s face it, all of us at that age). Best friends Isaac and Marco are ready to make some major changes in sixth grade. Isaac knows he needs to focus on his schoolwork and be more responsible, but most days that feels like an impossible task, especially when he’s also navigating the tricky relationship between his recently separated mom and dad (after his dad turns to alcohol in difficult times). Meanwhile, Marco would love to have any kind of relationship at all with his own dad – Marco can never seem to do the types of things that make his dad proud, and he barely even sees him anymore. Isaac does his best to keep his grades up and Marco tries his best to make the basketball team, but no matter how hard both boys work, they feel like they’re up against impossible tasks, and they both start to wonder if they’re always going to be destined to fall short. The book touches on serious topics like alcoholism and divorce, but there’s always a thread of optimism throughout the story that keeps it from feeling too heavy. This book is perfect for contemporary readers and it will have extra appeal to kids who like heartfelt family stories or sports stories.
Falling Short is an ode to every middle grade kid who worries they can’t measure up (which is, let’s face it, all of us at that age). Best friends Isaac and Marco are ready to make some major changes in sixth grade. Isaac knows he needs to focus on his schoolwork and be more responsible, but most days that feels like an impossible task, especially when he’s also navigating the tricky relationship between his recently separated mom and dad (after his dad turns to alcohol in difficult times). Meanwhile, Marco would love to have any kind of relationship at all with his own dad – Marco can never seem to do the types of things that make his dad proud, and he barely even sees him anymore. Isaac does his best to keep his grades up and Marco tries his best to make the basketball team, but no matter how hard both boys work, they feel like they’re up against impossible tasks, and they both start to wonder if they’re always going to be destined to fall short. The book touches on serious topics like alcoholism and divorce, but there’s always a thread of optimism throughout the story that keeps it from feeling too heavy. This book is perfect for contemporary readers and it will have extra appeal to kids who like heartfelt family stories or sports stories.
kiank's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Bad ending.
klra's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Two friends braving 6th grade together, both of them with their own personal problems and insecurities. -MM
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Alcoholism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
hikool101's review against another edition
4.0
Simple but effective, this fast and easy-to-read novel with a beautiful and touching friendship at its core is a very nice addition to the middle grade demographic. 8/10
esabetta's review against another edition
2.0
The concept of two supportive friends helping each other learn skills to gain validation from their fathers was a heartbreaking concept that drew me in. I wanted to know how each boy's relationship with their father was different, I wanted to see them both have equal grown and page presence, I wanted to see their friendship be challenged and grow. But there wasn't much delivery on these things. While Isaac and Marco each had unique relationships with their fathers, and each were motivated differently to change something about themselves, I felt like that was one of the only one of my aforementioned curiosities satisfied. The boy's were unconditionally supportive of each other, but while they had personal growth, their friendship stayed the same. And as for both of them having a page presence, I felt like Isaac, who had my whole heart, did not get any development of skills like the book's blurb promised. His development came from his interactions with his father, but the blurb felt misleading in this way, and he put in so much less work than Marco and was all the sudden good at school. All that being said, I think middle school and the transition from elementary school to middle school was done very well here. Marco was so awkward and had no idea how to exist and that was a struggle many kids can relate too. I thought this was done exceptionally well. I, for one, got secondhand embarrassment for him, but never wanted him to change.
annalisenak97's review against another edition
4.0
A really inspirational and funny story of two best friends doing their best. These boys are like brothers. They bicker, they disagree, and they are very different, but they never put each other down and support each other to the max. That was my favorite part of this book.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A MG book about two best friends and the strengths they bring out in one another.
rikkir77's review against another edition
3.0
Good book. Very similar writing to Efren Divided. This was a feel good friendship story. Hans to readers who liked Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish.