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jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Another one that I am reading with the kids. I generally love Lucy Knisley books so I am hopeful that this is a good one. :)
harleyrae's review against another edition
2.0
This book fell a little flat for me in some parts. I think this had the potential to be a super cute story, but it was just lacking something. It almost needed to be longer to better flesh out the story.
alicebme's review against another edition
5.0
Really relatable with all the best bits of Lucy Knisley adapted into kidspeak.
allibug26's review against another edition
2.0
What I liked about this book was, sadly, overshadowed by the verbal unkindness and gaslighting from the stepfather. Most of how he interacts with the main character is fairly standard of adults who dismiss kids, and it’s sad. He’s also mean beyond that, and tells her she’s being dramatic when it upsets her. In a book for adults, his lack of growth and no one really addressing this wouldn’t be such an issue because it’s reality- but in a kid’s book this should have been addressed in order to show kids that it isn’t ok and that it’s ok to stand up for yourself/others.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Adorable graphic novel inspired by Knisley's own childhood.
vanhooked_on_reading's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There was a lot about this graphic novel that I enjoyed. I loved the illustrations & Jen's perspective. Her relationship with her mother rang true, and it was so much fun to see her adapt to farm life. However, the way that her mother's boyfriend acted was terrible, and while the characters did acknowledge it there wasn't any closure. In fact, I found myself surprised by the way that the novel just ended. I wanted more to really wrap up this book.
librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely little graphic novel about growing up and facing changes in your family set up. All of my rabid graphic novel fans will eat it right up.
mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
A girl and her mom move to start a farm. Along the way we have a horrible stepfather, new siblings, and chickens.
Well, this is my last Lucy Knisley. I tried other of her books but never got into them despite the absolutely gorgeous art. She has such a wonderful art style and I always want more of it. I decided to give this one a try since it seemed interesting, but OH BOY. I was frustrated throughout the entirety of the book.
Her mom’s boyfriend is abuse, bad, and oh man I just wanted to flip him in the pond. He kept being mean and rude towards Jen. His other kids seemed to be able to do everything and he would praise them, but if Jen had some other plans or wasn’t happy with how he treated her, she got the full load. He never once listened to her saying she wanted to be called Jen. During one of the market days she was in charge of the signs and he just wiped out her sign and didn’t give a fuck’s ass about it. And I could go on. Bah.
I really feel like this gives of wrong signals to everyone given how this was put in this book. The mom should have just talked with her boyfriend and not just be: Oh, but he is like that with everyone. That doesn’t make it right. It just feels like they are telling Jen not to overreact. What the fuck?
Then there is Andy, boy, I wanted to throw her in the pond as well, especially in the beginning. Not everyone is little miss perfect like you are. If she wants to spend her money like that, fine. If she needs help with the market stall, help her in a normal and kind way instead of putting her down. Not everyone is perfect with maths. Also, could you please stop hogging all the animals and give Jen a bit of time with them? Later on she did get a bit nicer and she did stand up for Jen eventually and I got to like her quite a bit more. After that I was eager to see if their relationship would improve further, and it did.
And also, what the hell? You just let you kid do the whole chicken stuff without any help or even checking if she can handle it? It is not a chore to take lightly. She never handled chickens, the least you guys could do is help her. It is not something like taking out trash, or cleaning up her room.
I am glad that at times the mom did seem to understand her daughter’s problems, but I wished she would do a bit more effort. Take her out to the city for once. Have a mom/daughter day.
I did like it showed a kid with dyscalculia. We need more books with characters like this.
In the end we find out it was based on the author’s own experiences. That is quite interesting, though I was kind of frowning when the part came about Andy and she said he was beloved. Um? thinks of this book and all that happened Sure???? How???
So 2 stars for the growing sibling relations which was just cute to see and the art. I also liked the farm.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Well, this is my last Lucy Knisley. I tried other of her books but never got into them despite the absolutely gorgeous art. She has such a wonderful art style and I always want more of it. I decided to give this one a try since it seemed interesting, but OH BOY. I was frustrated throughout the entirety of the book.
Her mom’s boyfriend is abuse, bad, and oh man I just wanted to flip him in the pond. He kept being mean and rude towards Jen. His other kids seemed to be able to do everything and he would praise them, but if Jen had some other plans or wasn’t happy with how he treated her, she got the full load. He never once listened to her saying she wanted to be called Jen. During one of the market days she was in charge of the signs and he just wiped out her sign and didn’t give a fuck’s ass about it. And I could go on. Bah.
I really feel like this gives of wrong signals to everyone given how this was put in this book. The mom should have just talked with her boyfriend and not just be: Oh, but he is like that with everyone. That doesn’t make it right. It just feels like they are telling Jen not to overreact. What the fuck?
Then there is Andy, boy, I wanted to throw her in the pond as well, especially in the beginning. Not everyone is little miss perfect like you are. If she wants to spend her money like that, fine. If she needs help with the market stall, help her in a normal and kind way instead of putting her down. Not everyone is perfect with maths. Also, could you please stop hogging all the animals and give Jen a bit of time with them? Later on she did get a bit nicer and she did stand up for Jen eventually and I got to like her quite a bit more. After that I was eager to see if their relationship would improve further, and it did.
And also, what the hell? You just let you kid do the whole chicken stuff without any help or even checking if she can handle it? It is not a chore to take lightly. She never handled chickens, the least you guys could do is help her. It is not something like taking out trash, or cleaning up her room.
I am glad that at times the mom did seem to understand her daughter’s problems, but I wished she would do a bit more effort. Take her out to the city for once. Have a mom/daughter day.
I did like it showed a kid with dyscalculia. We need more books with characters like this.
In the end we find out it was based on the author’s own experiences. That is quite interesting, though I was kind of frowning when the part came about Andy and she said he was beloved. Um? thinks of this book and all that happened Sure???? How???
So 2 stars for the growing sibling relations which was just cute to see and the art. I also liked the farm.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
fladysnail's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated