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ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
How do you get over a death that you feel responsible for? In this book, Lowen, who is a budding cartoonist, feels that he is responsible for the death of Abe, a very pesky younger kid that wants to be his friend, as well as a cartoonist as well. He sends him off to get candy, and while he is at the shop, he is killed in a random shooting.
So, when he comes across a town that is giving away houses for a dollar, he persuades his parents to go for it, and thus he becomes one of the dollar kids, and so begins the second plot of the story, how to fit into a town that doesn’t necessarily want you there.
Lowen isn’t constantly thinking about Abe. As he describes it, it is like a snake that comes up and coils around him.
And the sad thing, is the one thing he loved to do, draw cartoons, reminds him of Abe, because that was what he was trying to do when he sent him off. So, his outlet is not available to him.
And trying to figure out how to deal with it, without dealing with it, is damn near impossible.
What impressed me the most was how well rounded the character of Lowen was. He, like I, when going through a cemetery, checks out the children’s headstones, wondering about their short life, and how they died, and things like that.
Another thing I liked was Sami, who was of Indian discent. She becomes Lowen’s best friend, even though he doesn’t realize it at the time. When one of the people in their new town says that all the jobs have gone to India, and why doesn’t she go back there, she declares that she was born in America, and her parents need jobs just like everyone else does.
A very endearing story of both trying to fit in and trying to get over grief, of the highs and lows of trying to establish yourself in a new town, where there are obsticals thrown in your way because you simply don’t know what everyone who has lived there forever would know.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, when he comes across a town that is giving away houses for a dollar, he persuades his parents to go for it, and thus he becomes one of the dollar kids, and so begins the second plot of the story, how to fit into a town that doesn’t necessarily want you there.
Lowen isn’t constantly thinking about Abe. As he describes it, it is like a snake that comes up and coils around him.
And the sad thing, is the one thing he loved to do, draw cartoons, reminds him of Abe, because that was what he was trying to do when he sent him off. So, his outlet is not available to him.
And trying to figure out how to deal with it, without dealing with it, is damn near impossible.
What impressed me the most was how well rounded the character of Lowen was. He, like I, when going through a cemetery, checks out the children’s headstones, wondering about their short life, and how they died, and things like that.
Another thing I liked was Sami, who was of Indian discent. She becomes Lowen’s best friend, even though he doesn’t realize it at the time. When one of the people in their new town says that all the jobs have gone to India, and why doesn’t she go back there, she declares that she was born in America, and her parents need jobs just like everyone else does.
A very endearing story of both trying to fit in and trying to get over grief, of the highs and lows of trying to establish yourself in a new town, where there are obsticals thrown in your way because you simply don’t know what everyone who has lived there forever would know.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
mconant's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, my heart. This book dealt with survivor's guilt, moving, making new friends, grief, death, and so many other hard topics. "The Dollar Kids" makes you want to keep reading.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.
Thanks NetGalley for the read.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.
Thanks NetGalley for the read.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I knew absolutely nothing about this book going into it and was pleasantly surprised by it. This is an uplifting story of family, and one that also covers grief and guilt. It’s also about community and the value of hard work. I highly recommend this book!
exurbanis's review against another edition
4.0
From Amazon: “When a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they’re hoping to start over — but have they traded one set of problems for another?
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try.
But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.”
My thoughts:
This middle-grade book is all that the blurb promise, and more. Even though there is a moderately happy ending, there are no pat, romanticized answers to the issues that face the Grovers and the other ‘diverse’ families who are taking part in the Dollar program.
The issues of acceptance of the newcomers could also apply to how communities treat immigrants.
This was an extremely enjoyable read.
I received an advance reading copy (paperback) of this from the Library Thing Early Reviewers program. This did not affect my review or my rating.
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try.
But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.”
My thoughts:
This middle-grade book is all that the blurb promise, and more. Even though there is a moderately happy ending, there are no pat, romanticized answers to the issues that face the Grovers and the other ‘diverse’ families who are taking part in the Dollar program.
The issues of acceptance of the newcomers could also apply to how communities treat immigrants.
This was an extremely enjoyable read.
I received an advance reading copy (paperback) of this from the Library Thing Early Reviewers program. This did not affect my review or my rating.
lindalou's review against another edition
3.0
The light-hearted tone and the comic book like illustrations make this an easy read, despite the serious theme of dealing with the death of a child.
chelton's review against another edition
5.0
Lowen Grover is a comic book artist, but he hasn’t drawn much after his friend was murdered during a shooting at convenience store. His parents, wondering if leaving the city would allow him to heal, applies to buy a foreclosed home for $1 in the tiny town of Millville. However, they soon wonder if the price is too good to be true.
The Dollar Kids has a soft, quiet opening as Lowen’s family applies for the house and then moves. However, the action soon ramps up as they settle into their new lives and meet their new neighbors. And what a cast of characters they are. The town librarian digs holes to bury her regrets. The school athletic coach is constantly recruiting Lowen just so his teams have enough players to officially play. The owner of the local breakfast restaurant radically alters her business to sabotage Lowen’s mother’s takeout place.
Maybe it’s because I’m a recent city transplant back to a rural area, but their reactions to Lowen and his family resonated with me. Their innate distance to new inhabitants seemed natural and even the restaurant sabotage was both frustrating and a realistic response.
At it’s core, this book is about struggle. Lowen struggles with his role in Abe’s death. The family struggles finding their place in their new community. The community itself struggles to thrive. Author Jennifer Richard Jacobson doesn’t shy away from the struggles that stem from finances, marriage, regrets, friends, and death. Yet, she skillfully keeps her characters moving into trajectories that allow them to manage these problems.
This is a quiet read, which I think fills a necessary niche in middle grade literature, and the result is something very special.
Note: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
The Dollar Kids has a soft, quiet opening as Lowen’s family applies for the house and then moves. However, the action soon ramps up as they settle into their new lives and meet their new neighbors. And what a cast of characters they are. The town librarian digs holes to bury her regrets. The school athletic coach is constantly recruiting Lowen just so his teams have enough players to officially play. The owner of the local breakfast restaurant radically alters her business to sabotage Lowen’s mother’s takeout place.
Maybe it’s because I’m a recent city transplant back to a rural area, but their reactions to Lowen and his family resonated with me. Their innate distance to new inhabitants seemed natural and even the restaurant sabotage was both frustrating and a realistic response.
At it’s core, this book is about struggle. Lowen struggles with his role in Abe’s death. The family struggles finding their place in their new community. The community itself struggles to thrive. Author Jennifer Richard Jacobson doesn’t shy away from the struggles that stem from finances, marriage, regrets, friends, and death. Yet, she skillfully keeps her characters moving into trajectories that allow them to manage these problems.
This is a quiet read, which I think fills a necessary niche in middle grade literature, and the result is something very special.
Note: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
4.0
Although it felt a little bit too long, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so well developed, I felt very attached to all of them and very invested in their success.
Sweet story.
Sweet story.
charmingprincethefirst's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
fizah's review against another edition
4.0
Lowen Grover, 12 years old, who feels responsible for Abe’s death, When found about one dollar house, it seems like his only escape to his memories of Abe. His life is in the struggle he even not drawing anymore because it reminds him of Abe.
His family supports him and got a house in Millville for one dollar. The story and people are so realistic, the struggle is real, how difficult it is to move in a town where you are stranger for everyone and people are unwelcoming.
Characters were diverse and well developed. I loved Mr and Mrs Grover, Every middle grade should have this type of parents. Lowen siblings are not that supportive they are too busy in their life.
Sam, her family is also a one dollar family, is one of the interesting character, who is confident and bold and become Lowan friend when he even didn’t want to be friend with someone.
Dylan, a mysterious kid with some history, who doesn’t seem to care about others.
It was sweet, warm and heart touching, a perfect read for Middle-graders. Illustrations were too good. I really enjoyed them and Portrayal of Abe through these.
Only thing I didn’t like is pace in the middle of the book pace was so slow.
His family supports him and got a house in Millville for one dollar. The story and people are so realistic, the struggle is real, how difficult it is to move in a town where you are stranger for everyone and people are unwelcoming.
Characters were diverse and well developed. I loved Mr and Mrs Grover, Every middle grade should have this type of parents. Lowen siblings are not that supportive they are too busy in their life.
Sam, her family is also a one dollar family, is one of the interesting character, who is confident and bold and become Lowan friend when he even didn’t want to be friend with someone.
Dylan, a mysterious kid with some history, who doesn’t seem to care about others.
It was sweet, warm and heart touching, a perfect read for Middle-graders. Illustrations were too good. I really enjoyed them and Portrayal of Abe through these.
Only thing I didn’t like is pace in the middle of the book pace was so slow.
missusb21's review against another edition
5.0
Heartrending story of grief and family. Satisfying conclusion.
This sophisticated family drama brings together a number of intersecting issues to create a picture of small town America struggling with unemployment and decreasing populations. At the centre is Lowen, grief-stricken and guilt-ridden. Told in the third person narrative, we remain some distance from his distress, yet we clearly observe his belief that he is underserving of anything good.
Moving to Millville brings in the sense of community, and although there is support from the other Dollar families, the townspeople are a mixed bunch, with some working actively against any of the families succeeding. It’s an interesting paradox, in keeping with America today – a divided nation seemingly unsure of its direction. Jacobson is on the side of community working together so everyone benefits, and the positive conclusion will satisfy readers.
While not overwhelming readers with didactic messages of diversity or inclusiveness, the author injects a subtle commentary about their importance. She also wants us to think about gun violence, the role played by Ryan Andrews’ comic panels, showing Lowen’s feeling about Abe’s death. This story is quiet, yet engaging, and will start conversations about issues affecting our own rural and remote regions.
This sophisticated family drama brings together a number of intersecting issues to create a picture of small town America struggling with unemployment and decreasing populations. At the centre is Lowen, grief-stricken and guilt-ridden. Told in the third person narrative, we remain some distance from his distress, yet we clearly observe his belief that he is underserving of anything good.
Moving to Millville brings in the sense of community, and although there is support from the other Dollar families, the townspeople are a mixed bunch, with some working actively against any of the families succeeding. It’s an interesting paradox, in keeping with America today – a divided nation seemingly unsure of its direction. Jacobson is on the side of community working together so everyone benefits, and the positive conclusion will satisfy readers.
While not overwhelming readers with didactic messages of diversity or inclusiveness, the author injects a subtle commentary about their importance. She also wants us to think about gun violence, the role played by Ryan Andrews’ comic panels, showing Lowen’s feeling about Abe’s death. This story is quiet, yet engaging, and will start conversations about issues affecting our own rural and remote regions.