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carnisht's review against another edition
4.0
The main selling point in this story for me was the mutism storyline. That was totally new for me in YA! I had never read a story with it before… or since. While I have nothing to really compare this mutism story with, I do feel that the author did a great job at depicting the life of a person with mutism. After some “research”, a lot of online reviewers agree with the quality of the depiction, so that’s good!
To read more of my thoughts on this book, check out https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2020/09/11/after-zero-by-christina-collins/
To read more of my thoughts on this book, check out https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2020/09/11/after-zero-by-christina-collins/
tishreads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow - a very moving book that explores mental illness, middle school, and grief. I highly recommend this book for readers who were fans of "Speak" or Kate DiCamillo's work. Probably best for older middle school readers who can handle emotionally heavy topics, but so beautiful.
kaydowning's review against another edition
4.0
Elise keeps a tally of how many words she speaks since starting public school. Coming from a homeschool environment, Elise made some errors in social situations which caused embarrassment. Feeling unwanted by her mother, and not connected to her friend Mel she becomes quieter and quieter until she’s not speaking at all. Her 13th birthday is coming and she finds a secret her mom has hid from her. Will mother and daughter navigate through this situation? Will Elise be able to talk again?
tayfitz4's review against another edition
3.0
The main characters attitude/stubbornness really got to me. I did love the representation of her unique broken home situation. Overall, It’s a good middle school read.
turtleols's review against another edition
4.0
this book was very heartfelt. As you read this book you are absorbed into it and you fell the trials that Elise, the main character, feels. Elise doesn't talk, but not because she can't. Every word is embarrassing, every word is insulting, every word spills a secret. So no words is the best way to go.
kwilson115's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
philomath_in_phila's review against another edition
4.0
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. We all have said things that keep us up at night, regretting, worrying, replaying, and wishing we could have said something else. Elise, in "After Zero" by Christina Collins, has figured the perfect way to never have to stress over her regrettable words. She starts to keep track of how many words she speak in school. A good day would be if she was able to get through the entire day without speaking only two words. Her perfect day would involve speaking zero words.
SPOILER ALERT
I had worked with children for much of my life and have dealt with children who also have selective mutism and other anxiety disorders. Connecting with a child who had selective mutism was one of the most rewarding and challenging moments of my career. Looking at him you could see he wanted to connect but was terrified to. Elise is the same. She desperately wanted to connects with those around her. Collins accurately describes Elise's internal struggle and gives Elise a voice for us to hear. I would encourage middle school aged children and older to read this to help with understanding others that are different. I look forward to reading Collins' next work.
SPOILER ALERT
I had worked with children for much of my life and have dealt with children who also have selective mutism and other anxiety disorders. Connecting with a child who had selective mutism was one of the most rewarding and challenging moments of my career. Looking at him you could see he wanted to connect but was terrified to. Elise is the same. She desperately wanted to connects with those around her. Collins accurately describes Elise's internal struggle and gives Elise a voice for us to hear. I would encourage middle school aged children and older to read this to help with understanding others that are different. I look forward to reading Collins' next work.
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a random grab from my local library - I liked it fine, but not the rave reviews from some. I had heard of selective mutism before ... the little girl next door, the same age as my son, suffered from it. She would come over to play, but never spoke to me. It would be interesting to research it further (as the author's note mentions it and gives some recommendations). Here, I could totally see how it started though, saying the wrong thing a few times and deciding that it's better just NOT to speak (although I guess there is the point where that is "normal" anxiety and then extends to problematic/extreme).
I got a little lost - the whole raven thing, the "unsleep" (it was mentioned many times, but was it really discussed, was that really causing hallucinations?) For a bit there, I was wondering if this was going to be a kidnapping story (that's why the mom kept her secluded/home schooled??) but no, but still odd, way beyond the selective mutism storyline.
So a little more "eh" for me. The narrator Jesse Vilinsky is great, I loved her in "In an Instant". There she was an older teen ... 16 or so? While her voice sounds young, it didn't feel 11 years old young. The way the voice was written, some of the situations, also felt older than 11 to me.
I got a little lost - the whole raven thing, the "unsleep" (it was mentioned many times, but was it really discussed, was that really causing hallucinations?) For a bit there, I was wondering if this was going to be a kidnapping story (that's why the mom kept her secluded/home schooled??) but no, but still odd, way beyond the selective mutism storyline.
So a little more "eh" for me. The narrator Jesse Vilinsky is great, I loved her in "In an Instant". There she was an older teen ... 16 or so? While her voice sounds young, it didn't feel 11 years old young. The way the voice was written, some of the situations, also felt older than 11 to me.
jbojkov's review against another edition
2.0
I know that there will be kids who will really like this book. I also know that part of the reason I probably did not like this book is because I listened to it and so could not skim the parts I found a little tedious and annoying. The main character is dealing with selective mutism as a result of bullying at school and an indifferent mother. All is revealed and solved by the end of this fairly short book. I didn’t have any major problems with this story- I just didn’t think it was awesome.