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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I absolutely love this book, I found Leon’s story extremely captivating, as well as eye opening. I feel lucky enough to have experienced a live Q&A with Kit De Waal, taking home some of the most influential advice and guidance I have ever heard from an author. Thank you for the amazing book.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of this book from Penguin UK in exchange for an honest review
(Expected) Release date: June 2nd 2016
Synopsis: Leon is nine, and has a perfect baby brother called Jake. They have gone to live with Maureen, who has fuzzy red hair like a halo, and a belly like Father Christmas. But the adults are speaking in low voices, and wearing Pretend faces. They are threatening to take Jake away and give him to strangers. Because Jake is white and Leon is not.
As Leon struggles to cope with his anger, certain things can still make him smile – like Curly Wurlys, riding his bike fast downhill, burying his hands deep in the soil, hanging out with Tufty (who reminds him of his dad), and stealing enough coins so that one day he can rescue Jake and his mum.
It's been a while since I've read a book about adoption/fostering, and I was a little apprehensive as it's been so long. But I actually really enjoyed this one!
The plot...is steady, easy to follow and flows very well.
The characters...are touching. I loved Leon - and that the book was from his POV. His tender love for his family runs throughout this novel and it shines through to make this book what it is.
The writing...is amazing! I know I would struggle to write from a child's viewpoint, but Kit De Waal really pulls it off.
Something I liked...this book...it really makes you feel for the characters. They are young, and therefore I felt so much sympathy for them - more I think than if it was in the POV of an adult.
Something I disliked...nothing in specific!
My thoughts...My Name Is Leon gives you everything you could ever want from a book. It's emotional, extremely touching and it makes you think. I'd definitely recommend it!
My rating is...
☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 5 moons
-Beth
(Expected) Release date: June 2nd 2016
Synopsis: Leon is nine, and has a perfect baby brother called Jake. They have gone to live with Maureen, who has fuzzy red hair like a halo, and a belly like Father Christmas. But the adults are speaking in low voices, and wearing Pretend faces. They are threatening to take Jake away and give him to strangers. Because Jake is white and Leon is not.
As Leon struggles to cope with his anger, certain things can still make him smile – like Curly Wurlys, riding his bike fast downhill, burying his hands deep in the soil, hanging out with Tufty (who reminds him of his dad), and stealing enough coins so that one day he can rescue Jake and his mum.
It's been a while since I've read a book about adoption/fostering, and I was a little apprehensive as it's been so long. But I actually really enjoyed this one!
The plot...is steady, easy to follow and flows very well.
The characters...are touching. I loved Leon - and that the book was from his POV. His tender love for his family runs throughout this novel and it shines through to make this book what it is.
The writing...is amazing! I know I would struggle to write from a child's viewpoint, but Kit De Waal really pulls it off.
Something I liked...this book...it really makes you feel for the characters. They are young, and therefore I felt so much sympathy for them - more I think than if it was in the POV of an adult.
Something I disliked...nothing in specific!
My thoughts...My Name Is Leon gives you everything you could ever want from a book. It's emotional, extremely touching and it makes you think. I'd definitely recommend it!
My rating is...
☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 5 moons
-Beth
A huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. This book has already created quite a buzz, though it's not due for publication until early June 2016, and I was keen to read it.
The info we're given about the story makes it seem a heartbreaking one. Though it's desperately upsetting what Leon experiences, the insight offered by this young boy into what happens to him is honest and warming. The contrast between his home life-that he spends most of the book trying to think about how to return to-and the care he receives from Maureen shocked me. It made me so angry that the family could be in this situation. Though it's set in the 1980s I think it's the kind of story that will resonate with readers.
The info we're given about the story makes it seem a heartbreaking one. Though it's desperately upsetting what Leon experiences, the insight offered by this young boy into what happens to him is honest and warming. The contrast between his home life-that he spends most of the book trying to think about how to return to-and the care he receives from Maureen shocked me. It made me so angry that the family could be in this situation. Though it's set in the 1980s I think it's the kind of story that will resonate with readers.
A very moving story with hope at the end. I just loved Léon
4 1/2 stars. Wow! What an emotional rollercoaster. I felt like this book was really under the radar for a long time, and I can't even remember how I stumbled upon it, but I will say it's an incredible read. Packed with heavy characters and good plots-a-plenty, My Name is Leon is a fantastic story about a troubled boy and his views on the people that begin to appear in his life. With his mother suffering from addiction issues and heartbreak, and his baby brother Jake slipping from his fingers, Leon becomes more alone than he ever thought possible. If that weren't enough, there is a deeper conflict in his life that he hasn't come to recognize: His mother is white, Jake is white, but Leon is half-black, and he learns that later on that your color can change how your life pans out.
The intensity of this novel was incredible, never a dull moment, and the fact that this was told not in first person but somehow still through the eyes of Leon?? LORD. Beautifully done, and Kit De Waal really hit it out of the park with every damn character that was brought up into this story. Nobody seemed forced, or held on to one single personality trait, or lacked any depth because they were all real people! People you picture getting coffee, or crying on a bench, or saying hello!!! That's how realistic this novel was for me.
I would say the only thing that kept it from being 5 stars were the fact that I would've liked to see more of the topics that were mentioned briefly explored further. The riots, Leon's mother and her treatment, Jake and his situation, more Leon's school background. These were such great additions and would have loved to hear more about them!
Fantastic read and would definitely recommend.
The intensity of this novel was incredible, never a dull moment, and the fact that this was told not in first person but somehow still through the eyes of Leon?? LORD. Beautifully done, and Kit De Waal really hit it out of the park with every damn character that was brought up into this story. Nobody seemed forced, or held on to one single personality trait, or lacked any depth because they were all real people! People you picture getting coffee, or crying on a bench, or saying hello!!! That's how realistic this novel was for me.
I would say the only thing that kept it from being 5 stars were the fact that I would've liked to see more of the topics that were mentioned briefly explored further. The riots, Leon's mother and her treatment, Jake and his situation, more Leon's school background. These were such great additions and would have loved to hear more about them!
Fantastic read and would definitely recommend.
The beginning and the end were interesting to read but I really struggled to get through the middle of the book and just started skimming a lot. It was quite a sad read.
Randomly picked up this book and ended up loving it. Enjoyed reading the story through a child's perspective. Even though it was set in the 80s I think a lot of the themes/issues still ring true today. Would recommend !
So I felt compelled to read this book for a rather random reason—it is about a little biracial boy named Leon and also features a character called Sylvia. "Leon" is my son's middle name, and we named him after my late Zadie, and my Bobie's name is Sylvia, so...
As for the actual book, it really hooked me at first and I loved most of it but was a bit let down as it wound towards the end. 3.5 stars, maybe?
As for the actual book, it really hooked me at first and I loved most of it but was a bit let down as it wound towards the end. 3.5 stars, maybe?
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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:
No