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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
The mom annoyed me to no end -- I thought she was selfish and childish.
This is my lowest rated book of the year so far- let me explain why. It's not that I hated this book, not at all! I certainly would have marked it lower if I had. I read this book to complete my first middle grades challenge: comparing two books written 20+ years apart that both cover the same topic (in this case, divorce).
I think this book does a good job at accurately portraying feelings that children (and parents) have about divorce. I liked how the parents continued to reassure their children that, just because they don't love each other anymore, doesn't mean they don't love their children. I liked how the main character, Karen, thought up again and again how she could try and get her parents back together. I think that is a really accurate depiction of a child of divorce- having that hope that, somehow, their parents will get back together. This book also shows how fighting among the family increases once the parents separate. The children are more hostile and back talk their mother. One of them even goes so far as running away!
Now, for the things I didn't really enjoy about this book...I didn't enjoy the main character talking about how much she hates everyone and wants to die. Sure, I have no doubt these are accurate feelings for some children of divorce, but it just didn't vibe right with me.
Overall, I don't really see how 'It's Not The End of the World' is a fitting title for this book. Sure, it might be true, but the main characters sure don't live by it.
I think this book does a good job at accurately portraying feelings that children (and parents) have about divorce. I liked how the parents continued to reassure their children that, just because they don't love each other anymore, doesn't mean they don't love their children. I liked how the main character, Karen, thought up again and again how she could try and get her parents back together. I think that is a really accurate depiction of a child of divorce- having that hope that, somehow, their parents will get back together. This book also shows how fighting among the family increases once the parents separate. The children are more hostile and back talk their mother. One of them even goes so far as running away!
Now, for the things I didn't really enjoy about this book...I didn't enjoy the main character talking about how much she hates everyone and wants to die. Sure, I have no doubt these are accurate feelings for some children of divorce, but it just didn't vibe right with me.
Overall, I don't really see how 'It's Not The End of the World' is a fitting title for this book. Sure, it might be true, but the main characters sure don't live by it.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've really been enjoying re-reading books from my youth lately.
This book was great. Fast paced and to the point. I enjoyed it.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
while I thought this was a good look at how kids might deal with their parents getting divorced, I felt like there was a lot of misinformation as well.
I read this book with my son. It reminded me a lot of what I went through when my parents divorced. I found the book to be a bit dated, but Karen’s story can still resonate with kids experiencing a divorce today.
A good middle-grade book for kids who may have parents who are divorcing or separating. While my parents divorced when I was too young to remember, this book was easy to relate to because sometimes there are a lot of questions and what-ifs involved with this situation. It seems more difficult for kids whose parents separate when they are older than it is for those of us whose parents did so earlier.
While not aimed at my audience, I still found myself enjoying this. I even got a bit angry with Karen's father during one scene so it was easy to get attached to the characters. Definitely recommended for middle-grade/pre-teens.
While not aimed at my audience, I still found myself enjoying this. I even got a bit angry with Karen's father during one scene so it was easy to get attached to the characters. Definitely recommended for middle-grade/pre-teens.
More classic Blume - it's a weird one for me because I have zero relation points to the storyline. I remember finding this book very interesting as a child - even going so far as to read the books mentioned in it... but now it mostly seems wispy and out of date.