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nxclx's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Another book from my childhood that I only kind of remembered, and it was another great middle grade. I love the adventure Bud goes on, meeting found family along the way, and then his actual family and a true home at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Police brutality
Minor: Death, Racism, and Slavery
bencaroline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is a GORGEOUS book. It is a book that will "grow with you"; I read this several times as a child and have returned to it now in 2021 to find so much poignant depth that never sacrifices the groundedness in our child narrator Bud.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, and Vomit
The portion of this book that has more graphic domestic abuse/bullying is mainly in one chapter, early in the book. Bud (the main character) has a graphic imagination, like when he suspects another character is a vampire, and such things I considered "minor" but put them in the content warnings. But it is still a kids' book and nothing is too dark in my opinion; and several of these "minor" things will likely not be picked up on by the middle grade demographic.
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