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lessonplansandlace's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
katelynprice's review against another edition
medium-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
4.0
I loved this delightful middle grade book. Maxine is a great character, and so is Hollie. Some of the things Maxine experienced broke my heart, but I know that is the reality for many kids. I felt like the 5th grade perspective was pretty accurate as well. This is a lovely book, and I would highly recommend it to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, and Bullying
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Microagressionscompetencefantasy's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So there's this obvious sort of disney channel ice girls feel
That a lot of this stuff has
And it definitely scratches that itch.
The racism content was more intense than I expected for this grade level
And it got me thinking about being a teacher
And what goes on behind my back
And what students might hide because involving me would make it worse
And how does that get fixed
Other things I've read/watched about this
Snack Time with MacKids: The Comeback with E. L. Shen (this is a reading)
The Kircus Review
That a lot of this stuff has
And it definitely scratches that itch.
The racism content was more intense than I expected for this grade level
And it got me thinking about being a teacher
And what goes on behind my back
And what students might hide because involving me would make it worse
And how does that get fixed
Other things I've read/watched about this
Snack Time with MacKids: The Comeback with E. L. Shen (this is a reading)
The Kircus Review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Bullying
linesiunderline's review
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
Shen’s debut is a winning Middle Grade title in all kinds of ways. I can imagine pressing it into the hands of many young readers.
First off, the writing style is clear, direct, and has a down-to-earth tone that I think many kids will find real and accessible. This is not a poetic kind of Middle Grade reading experience, which I think makes this book better placed to have a broader audience than some books for this age group. Maxine sounds like a real kid. Her range of emotions and her way of dealing with the challenges she faces feel true to life.
It’s also nice to see a book about a hardworking kid pursuing her passion and not have the storyline be that she is some kind of dazzling super talent, or that she needs to achieve her Olympic dreams for all of the sacrifice to be worthwhile. I think kids will relate to Maxine’s dreams and also hopefully internalize a message that is important and worthy.
Speaking of important messages, the aspect of the novel where Maxine is faced with racism and racist microaggressions is really well done. Shen brings this topic centre stage and explores it thoughtfully. The way that Maxine holds onto the inspiration provided by her Asian figure skating idols shines in strong contrast to the painful experiences she has at school. Her parents’ support through these hardships is also conveyed sensitively.
This title is a fine example of realistic fiction, for kids who love sports, and stories about friendship and finding your inner strength.
First off, the writing style is clear, direct, and has a down-to-earth tone that I think many kids will find real and accessible. This is not a poetic kind of Middle Grade reading experience, which I think makes this book better placed to have a broader audience than some books for this age group. Maxine sounds like a real kid. Her range of emotions and her way of dealing with the challenges she faces feel true to life.
It’s also nice to see a book about a hardworking kid pursuing her passion and not have the storyline be that she is some kind of dazzling super talent, or that she needs to achieve her Olympic dreams for all of the sacrifice to be worthwhile. I think kids will relate to Maxine’s dreams and also hopefully internalize a message that is important and worthy.
Speaking of important messages, the aspect of the novel where Maxine is faced with racism and racist microaggressions is really well done. Shen brings this topic centre stage and explores it thoughtfully. The way that Maxine holds onto the inspiration provided by her Asian figure skating idols shines in strong contrast to the painful experiences she has at school. Her parents’ support through these hardships is also conveyed sensitively.
This title is a fine example of realistic fiction, for kids who love sports, and stories about friendship and finding your inner strength.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
joceraptor's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
theastj's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Bullying
ashylibrarian's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.75
**Thank you to NetGalley, author E. L. Shen, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BYR) for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**
This own-voice, middle-grade novel is an intricate maze of growing up, developing skills, experiencing life, and standing up to those who try to put others down.
I could not put this story down and ended up reading it in one sitting. From the beginning, I was invested in Maxine's story and her interest in figure skating. She holds onto this dream of being a champion, even an Olympic, skater even in the toughest times of her skating career, but she is also realistic with her abilities and the goals she wants to accomplish. This was a great mix of determination and self-understanding. Maxine knows where she wants to be with her skating, but she also knows that day is still a few years into the future.
Maxine's character development was really dynamic and engaging to follow throughout the story, as well. Shen's use of the champion skaters to support Maxine (in her imagination) was really unique and I thought this added an element to the story that really emphasized Maxine's commitment and dedication to the sport.
Maxine fought many battles in this story, both in skating and in school. Reading about how she develops and grows from each challenge was really inspiring and I think this book teaches some good lessons for middle-grade-aged readers. *The analogy that Maxine's mom shares about trees growing at different paces is something that I think every person should hear and apply to their lives.*
Initially, there were a few phrasings that I didn't love. One example of this was when the ballet coach tells Maxine that the move she is struggling to execute "See...Not that difficult!" This rubbed me the wrong way because this is not something that should be said to someone who is struggling with something, but after thinking more about it, I feel like it captured yet another struggle that Maxine was faced with. It is frustrating to read, but I think it shows the ignorance of how individuals can think they are doing something positive when it can actually be pretty harmful.
I am definitely looking forward to recommending this book to middle-grade readers in the future, and I am very excited to see the final edition.
This own-voice, middle-grade novel is an intricate maze of growing up, developing skills, experiencing life, and standing up to those who try to put others down.
I could not put this story down and ended up reading it in one sitting. From the beginning, I was invested in Maxine's story and her interest in figure skating. She holds onto this dream of being a champion, even an Olympic, skater even in the toughest times of her skating career, but she is also realistic with her abilities and the goals she wants to accomplish. This was a great mix of determination and self-understanding. Maxine knows where she wants to be with her skating, but she also knows that day is still a few years into the future.
Maxine's character development was really dynamic and engaging to follow throughout the story, as well. Shen's use of the champion skaters to support Maxine (in her imagination) was really unique and I thought this added an element to the story that really emphasized Maxine's commitment and dedication to the sport.
Maxine fought many battles in this story, both in skating and in school. Reading about how she develops and grows from each challenge was really inspiring and I think this book teaches some good lessons for middle-grade-aged readers. *The analogy that Maxine's mom shares about trees growing at different paces is something that I think every person should hear and apply to their lives.*
Initially, there were a few phrasings that I didn't love. One example of this was when the ballet coach tells Maxine that the move she is struggling to execute "See...Not that difficult!" This rubbed me the wrong way because this is not something that should be said to someone who is struggling with something, but after thinking more about it, I feel like it captured yet another struggle that Maxine was faced with. It is frustrating to read, but I think it shows the ignorance of how individuals can think they are doing something positive when it can actually be pretty harmful.
I am definitely looking forward to recommending this book to middle-grade readers in the future, and I am very excited to see the final edition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
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