Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins

4 reviews

bibliomich's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I remember devouring Ellen Hopkins' Crank series over a decade ago and absolutely falling in love with narratives in verse. So when I saw that Ellen Hopkins had published a new middle grade text in verse, I knew that I wanted to read it.

Closer to Nowhere was a quick, page-turning read. I felt that the overall concept was interesting, and I cared about the characters (particularly Cal). I did, however, feel that the ending was both a little anticlimactic, as well as a bit emotionally exploitative. Without adding spoilers, it felt like Ellen Hopkins included a fairly tense event at the end of the book specifically for the purpose of bringing the family together. I didn't love that...

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Alcoholism, Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Gun violence and Toxic relationship

el_wheel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Cancer and Bullying

maidmarianlib's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Interesting with two points of view, develops the characters well, highly emotional.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

brookey8888's review against another edition

dark emotional informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this. The one thing I do wish is we got to see more of Cal and Hannah together and how they mended their relationship. I liked all the tough topics talked about like abuse, addiction, gun violence, and PTSD. I do think this is a great middle grade about hard topics.   

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Violence