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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Love me some Gary D. Schmidt!!
Another novel about boys finding a way to get in touch with their feelings and dealing with emotional difficulties - we really need these for the next generation, seriously. This is a story about everything that goes wrong in a family, and how we can each carry pieces into a brighter day. Powerful, wonderful, and not too messy.
I wish there was slightly less graphic descriptions of cricket, but what is a Schmidt novel without too much of a sport, eh?
Another novel about boys finding a way to get in touch with their feelings and dealing with emotional difficulties - we really need these for the next generation, seriously. This is a story about everything that goes wrong in a family, and how we can each carry pieces into a brighter day. Powerful, wonderful, and not too messy.
I wish there was slightly less graphic descriptions of cricket, but what is a Schmidt novel without too much of a sport, eh?
A charming audio book for a family trip, William Allen White 2021-2022. CW: Death of a child.
I love Schmidt's writing. His use of language, the way story elements layer and transition, the way he starts with humor and gradually unfolds his characters to reveal the tragedy under the surface, while still keeping enough of the humor to let the reader see the life is always a mixed bag. His stories are never as simple as they seem at first glance, and this book is a masterpiece. Carter is a great main character, but I really, really want a whole 'nother book (a phrase the "gentleman's gentleman" would no doubt abhor) to tell the butler's backstory and/or viewpoint.
That said, I honestly don't know if my students will appreciate this book the way I do. I don't care; this is my review and 5 stars it is.
That said, I honestly don't know if my students will appreciate this book the way I do. I don't care; this is my review and 5 stars it is.
Jeeves is in the house!
Only this time he's slightly (only slightly) less snarky and a little more lovable. And I'm here for it.
Only this time he's slightly (only slightly) less snarky and a little more lovable. And I'm here for it.
Reread 5/2023– still feel about that same. Lovely story!
This book wasn’t as good as The Wednesday Wars or Okay for Now, but I still really enjoyed it. He just knows how to write good characters and human connection and emotion and good old middle school boy snark. I think the cricket thing threw me off in this one, it was hard to follow since I’m not familiar with the game. But I really enjoyed the rest of it.
This book wasn’t as good as The Wednesday Wars or Okay for Now, but I still really enjoyed it. He just knows how to write good characters and human connection and emotion and good old middle school boy snark. I think the cricket thing threw me off in this one, it was hard to follow since I’m not familiar with the game. But I really enjoyed the rest of it.
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
If Mary Poppins were a cricket-playing Butler, then this would be the resulting story. A delightful message about deciding who you want to be, even when things around you aren’t going according to plan. Remember, “Don’t let the bails come down.”
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity