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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. Not quite a 5* but not far from it.
It's quite an emotional rollercoaster, but the author does a great job of narrating in the third person but very much putting us in Leon's shoes and seeing the world how he sees it. Leon is a kind and thoughtful son and brother who has much more to deal with that most nine year olds in terms of caring for his baby brother and his unstable mother. All he wants is for it all to be "ok".
His world is turned upside down, several times - his sadness, frustration and anger turn to determination to right what's wrong. He finds comfort and care in unexpected ways, and he never gives up hope. Those around him don't give up on him either.
Highly recommend.
It's quite an emotional rollercoaster, but the author does a great job of narrating in the third person but very much putting us in Leon's shoes and seeing the world how he sees it. Leon is a kind and thoughtful son and brother who has much more to deal with that most nine year olds in terms of caring for his baby brother and his unstable mother. All he wants is for it all to be "ok".
His world is turned upside down, several times - his sadness, frustration and anger turn to determination to right what's wrong. He finds comfort and care in unexpected ways, and he never gives up hope. Those around him don't give up on him either.
Highly recommend.
My Name Is Leon is a thought-provoking book following a vulnerable boy who is taken into care. The narrative is from the perspective of nine year old Leon, a witty and clever boy, who is so full of love and goodness.
Set in the late 1970s to early 80s, the time period feels really immersive, with descriptions of riots and the highly anticipated royal wedding. Through the adults that Leon is surrounded by he learns of riots, racism, and the IRA. I loved reading about Leon's independence and relationships that he formed, the things that he learned.
Throughout the book, Leon loses so much, including much of his childhood, and there's always the looming dread that something awful is going to happen.
It's a touching story with plenty of hope woven throughout and although it was a heartbreaking story too, I found myself laughing along with the young protagonist and his childlike opinions and questions.
It shows that family isn't always necessarily what you are born into. I think stories like this need to be told, and need to be heard.
Set in the late 1970s to early 80s, the time period feels really immersive, with descriptions of riots and the highly anticipated royal wedding. Through the adults that Leon is surrounded by he learns of riots, racism, and the IRA. I loved reading about Leon's independence and relationships that he formed, the things that he learned.
Throughout the book, Leon loses so much, including much of his childhood, and there's always the looming dread that something awful is going to happen.
It's a touching story with plenty of hope woven throughout and although it was a heartbreaking story too, I found myself laughing along with the young protagonist and his childlike opinions and questions.
It shows that family isn't always necessarily what you are born into. I think stories like this need to be told, and need to be heard.
I enjoyed My Name is Leon, but it was also a bit of a harder read for me. I thought that the overall story was good, and had a great arc, but some of the writing for me was a bit lacking. I do wonder if my enjoyment of the book was diminished because I listened to the audiobook, and I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator. But, I did enjoy how the author got into the brain space of a 10 year old boy in foster care so well. It was heartbreaking and well-done. (3.5 Stars)
This so easily could have been depressing - boy having to deal with a mother who is incapable of looking after him & being left behind in the care system. But it's actually a beautiful story of learning to accept love where you find it; not where you want it to be
(DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free as part of Sheffield Hallam University's Big Read campaign for the 2019/20 academic year)
This book tells the story of a young boy who’s been passed around different foster parents because of his unwell mum eventually getting some form of closure towards the end.
At times it can be totally heartbreaking, including for instance a scene involving police brutality towards Leon and friends he has made from going to a local allotment.
This book tells the story of a young boy who’s been passed around different foster parents because of his unwell mum eventually getting some form of closure towards the end.
At times it can be totally heartbreaking, including for instance a scene involving police brutality towards Leon and friends he has made from going to a local allotment.
Enjoyed reading this book. The story really gets you thinking.
The ending could've been better but still a good read.
The ending could've been better but still a good read.
This was a really well-written, unexpectedly uplifting first novel. The story brings in issues of race, fostering and adoption, mental illness, community gardening, and perceptions of childhood from the perspective of a 9-year-old bi-racial kid named Leon. He's got a ton of feelings, all to be expected for the rough ride he's been taken on by the adults in his life, and he doesn't always do the right thing with those feelings, but he gradually learns from the good people around him that there can be community, love, and respect among people, hard as that sometimes is to be aware of. I loved that a community garden makes a big impression on this sensitive kid, and that the people in the garden were able to respectfully engage with him and see that he needed some attention.
The most unexpectedly positive thing about this book was the lack of awfulness or really terrible experiences that I wholly expected to find, surrounding racial prejudices and the foster care system, especially. I'm not sure I've ever seen a book address, with as much gravity, these issues without showing how monstrous humans can be when faced with racial prejudice and fostering. Well done!
The most unexpectedly positive thing about this book was the lack of awfulness or really terrible experiences that I wholly expected to find, surrounding racial prejudices and the foster care system, especially. I'm not sure I've ever seen a book address, with as much gravity, these issues without showing how monstrous humans can be when faced with racial prejudice and fostering. Well done!
3.5 stars
Not faultless, but I liked the story it told about kids in care, especially how class and race play into those experiences. Possibly tried to do a bit too much with Leon’s many different stories and paths, as well as the riots, hence not quite making 4 stars. But although it was very sad, it was ultimately heartwarming, and the characters had vivid realness and grit about them.
I don’t generally like stories that I feel are ‘sad porn’, but although this was a very sad book, it managed not to stray into this territory. It felt painful and heartbreaking in its truth rather than just sad sad sad.
Not faultless, but I liked the story it told about kids in care, especially how class and race play into those experiences. Possibly tried to do a bit too much with Leon’s many different stories and paths, as well as the riots, hence not quite making 4 stars. But although it was very sad, it was ultimately heartwarming, and the characters had vivid realness and grit about them.
I don’t generally like stories that I feel are ‘sad porn’, but although this was a very sad book, it managed not to stray into this territory. It felt painful and heartbreaking in its truth rather than just sad sad sad.
🌱 To grow runner beans: Provide shelter, nourishment, and gentle training with strong support. Ideally, do not uproot.
🙍🏾♂️To grow a small boy: as above
It's official, the first book to make me cry (three times) in 2024 is this book.
My Name Is Leon is a heartstring yanking child's perspective on Post Natal Depression, foster care, and racial identity.
Told from the POV of 9 year old Leon, the language is simplistic, making it a quick read for me. Leon is confused – why has his little brother Jake (whose Daddy is white) been adopted, but Leon has not? Leon is angry – why is everyone saying horrible things about his Mum? Leon is scared – what will he do if he's left all alone? Leon is determined to find his brother and get back to his Mum, because Leon is the only person who has ever been able to look after his family and he knows he can keep them all together.
It was enough that this book made me cry 50 pages in, but 50 pages out from the end my heart was in my mouth and I was begging the author not to do it...
I won't ruin the suspense for anybody, but if you love Fredrik Backman then I think you might love this novel 🥺 also the audio is by Lenny Henry who is a wonderful narrator
🙍🏾♂️To grow a small boy: as above
It's official, the first book to make me cry (three times) in 2024 is this book.
My Name Is Leon is a heartstring yanking child's perspective on Post Natal Depression, foster care, and racial identity.
Told from the POV of 9 year old Leon, the language is simplistic, making it a quick read for me. Leon is confused – why has his little brother Jake (whose Daddy is white) been adopted, but Leon has not? Leon is angry – why is everyone saying horrible things about his Mum? Leon is scared – what will he do if he's left all alone? Leon is determined to find his brother and get back to his Mum, because Leon is the only person who has ever been able to look after his family and he knows he can keep them all together.
It was enough that this book made me cry 50 pages in, but 50 pages out from the end my heart was in my mouth and I was begging the author not to do it...
I won't ruin the suspense for anybody, but if you love Fredrik Backman then I think you might love this novel 🥺 also the audio is by Lenny Henry who is a wonderful narrator
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes