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readinglover22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
emily_charlotte's review
3.0
(3.5) This has been on my TBR for such a long time, so needless to say when I found a pretty pristine copy of this at a thrift store and got it for 10 cents (!!!), I was thrilled. This was a tender, realistic portrayal of a young girl's journey with grief - both from her own life, and a 'secondhand' version from the trauma of a school shooting the classmates at her new school all experienced. I loved the teachers in this book, and how Lucy's way of logical and mathematical thinking played into the voice. The whole thread of mime also played well into this story. Overall, a solid MG - similar to The Line Tender and Right as Rain :)
goss's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.25
lailiving's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. How this book shows everyone's coping mechanism and how they live their daily life with their wounds. I deeply can relate to Lucy. She just reminds me of my school days me. It's straightforward and it's an amazing story for everyone (not only kids or young adults) because everyone has their own wounds and trauma. I love how the author has successfully brought Lucy characters along with math facts and jokes inside the story. It's a smart and heartwarming story. I never read a book like this before.
moniska89's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.25
eramhussain's review
5.0
"A square has four equal sides and four equal angles, if one side is gone is it still a square?
A family has four members if one member is gone is it still a family"
The story depicts grief in a very well and sensitive manner. It covers a lot of hard hitting topics like terminal illness, PTSD and gun violence in very well manner. A class of students have witnessed a mass shooting at their school. The way they cope with their grief and trauma is commendable.
It also shows that every one around you is suffering with something and it is always a good idea to be kind.
A family has four members if one member is gone is it still a family"
The story depicts grief in a very well and sensitive manner. It covers a lot of hard hitting topics like terminal illness, PTSD and gun violence in very well manner. A class of students have witnessed a mass shooting at their school. The way they cope with their grief and trauma is commendable.
It also shows that every one around you is suffering with something and it is always a good idea to be kind.
2nd2lastunicorn's review
5.0
A beautifully written story about trauma, heartache and loss. Even if the circumstances are different, loss changes people and can be hard to discuss. I loved the narrator and the emotion she brought to the performance
Trigger warning: school shooting survival, loss of child, trauma responses.
Trigger warning: school shooting survival, loss of child, trauma responses.
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
The story of a girl who was not in a school shooting. That is what this book is about. Lucy has had a death in her family, but nothing like that her class has experienced.
But is death different, if it happens differently?
Lucy doesn't have the same trauma as everyone else, but that doesn't mean she is not in mourning as well.
This book is an interesting take on, not so much school shootings, which unfortunately are far too common in the US, but what happens to those who survive? What sort of PTSD do they have. And how to they navigate life?
A shared trauma is an amazing bonding, but also a terror. I can't say that I've ever been in any schools shooting, or any kind of shootings, but last summer, the area I live in was struck by one of the largest firestorms in the state, and a quarter of the people in our county had to evacuated. In all, 945 houses burned. Those who lost homes, and those who did not, are still on edge, still flinch when they smell smoke, or hear a fire engine. We all have a bit of PTSD. I can't imagine what school shooting survivors would go through, but I can imagine.
But that is not to say that it he whole point of this book. The point, I think, is how we use the sorrow of death to understand what life is about.
Good book. Grabbed me and pulled me in, and I totally related to Lucy, the narrator, the new kid, who wasn't part of the school shooting.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
But is death different, if it happens differently?
Lucy doesn't have the same trauma as everyone else, but that doesn't mean she is not in mourning as well.
This book is an interesting take on, not so much school shootings, which unfortunately are far too common in the US, but what happens to those who survive? What sort of PTSD do they have. And how to they navigate life?
A shared trauma is an amazing bonding, but also a terror. I can't say that I've ever been in any schools shooting, or any kind of shootings, but last summer, the area I live in was struck by one of the largest firestorms in the state, and a quarter of the people in our county had to evacuated. In all, 945 houses burned. Those who lost homes, and those who did not, are still on edge, still flinch when they smell smoke, or hear a fire engine. We all have a bit of PTSD. I can't imagine what school shooting survivors would go through, but I can imagine.
But that is not to say that it he whole point of this book. The point, I think, is how we use the sorrow of death to understand what life is about.
Good book. Grabbed me and pulled me in, and I totally related to Lucy, the narrator, the new kid, who wasn't part of the school shooting.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
hallie_luna's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Loved this book! Lucy’s family tragedies entwine with her classmates tragedies in a fascinating, powerful way.
alexanntremb's review
4.0
***Audiobook provided by the Lerner Publishing Group on NetGalley***
This book holds such a beautiful message on grief, trauma, and mental health. It is one that I would get my students to read if I was an English teacher, I think. Exploring all of the complex themes through the eyes and thoughts of Lucy, a twelve-year-old girl, and the setting of the aftermath of a school shooting brilliantly showcases the importance of dealing with trauma through professional help and parental guidance from a young age. I’m so glad that our society is reaching a point where expressing and taking care of one’s mental health is becoming less and less stigmatized and shamed, but I still think it’s important to keep the conversation surrounding these topics going. This book is a great way to instigate a discussion surrounding trauma and mental health. I know this story will stick with me for a long time.
I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book being narrated by none other than its own author. I believe it is fitting for such an impactful narrative to have its creator telling it, an opinion that was only amplified when I listened to the author’s notes.
This book holds such a beautiful message on grief, trauma, and mental health. It is one that I would get my students to read if I was an English teacher, I think. Exploring all of the complex themes through the eyes and thoughts of Lucy, a twelve-year-old girl, and the setting of the aftermath of a school shooting brilliantly showcases the importance of dealing with trauma through professional help and parental guidance from a young age. I’m so glad that our society is reaching a point where expressing and taking care of one’s mental health is becoming less and less stigmatized and shamed, but I still think it’s important to keep the conversation surrounding these topics going. This book is a great way to instigate a discussion surrounding trauma and mental health. I know this story will stick with me for a long time.
I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book being narrated by none other than its own author. I believe it is fitting for such an impactful narrative to have its creator telling it, an opinion that was only amplified when I listened to the author’s notes.