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I never write reviews, but after finishing this book I just had to. This book is honestly one of the best books I have ever read in its honesty and its realistic characters. The writing is so raw and I felt such a broad range of emotions while reading. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to like this book after the first few pages, but about 10% through the book all of a sudden it just clicked with me and I couldn't put it down. Seriously, this is well worth a read.
This.book.was amazing.
I laughed, I smiled, I went "Aww seriously Miguel!", and I obviously cried. The story style was refreshing, and the story plot was incredible. I love it.
I laughed, I smiled, I went "Aww seriously Miguel!", and I obviously cried. The story style was refreshing, and the story plot was incredible. I love it.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
This book took a bit to grow on me, but when it did, I was happy I stuck it out.
Miguel has committed a crime and been sentenced to a year in a group home. He is angry about being there, and isolates himself. His roommate Rondell calls him Mexico and generally bugs him. Mong, a Chinese teenager, gets into a fight with Miguel. Then Mong asks Miguel to break out with him. Miguel's journal follows them breaking out.
I loved the journal setup. Miguel's voice comes through so clearly. The language in the book really made it feel like it was being written by a teenage guy.
Miguel drove me crazy. It was hard to read a book about a character that was such a jerk so much of the time. The three guys made bad decisions (hence being in a group home in the first place) and got in fights and stole. But by the end of the book, I was pulling for them.
I did warn my students about the language in the book. There is also some mention of drinking and sex, but it's not too bad.
Miguel has committed a crime and been sentenced to a year in a group home. He is angry about being there, and isolates himself. His roommate Rondell calls him Mexico and generally bugs him. Mong, a Chinese teenager, gets into a fight with Miguel. Then Mong asks Miguel to break out with him. Miguel's journal follows them breaking out.
I loved the journal setup. Miguel's voice comes through so clearly. The language in the book really made it feel like it was being written by a teenage guy.
Miguel drove me crazy. It was hard to read a book about a character that was such a jerk so much of the time. The three guys made bad decisions (hence being in a group home in the first place) and got in fights and stole. But by the end of the book, I was pulling for them.
I did warn my students about the language in the book. There is also some mention of drinking and sex, but it's not too bad.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the voice, and the story was compelling because I wanted things to work out for the main character. It's told as a journal about three teenagers who break out of a group home and try to make their way to Mexico, coming to terms with their demons in the process.
I liked Miguel, though as others have pointed out, it's fairly easy to figure out what happened. I also agree that Rondell could have been a much less stereotyped character. It's like the author made a list of every negative stereotype of black people and checked off each one as he included it in the book.
This book unfolds slowly to reveal Miquel's story. A heart print book for me for sure.