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vihuang00's review
5.0
Spoiler-free review:
I loved this book for so many reasons. It has amazing neurodivergent and queer representation, and does a really job describing the internal experience of dealing with difficult emotions and the struggles of navigating sixth grade (friendships, crushes, bullying, etc.). I truly believe this book should be taught in classrooms and added to English Language Arts curriculum (5th or 6th grade). Since the book is about genetics and nature vs. nurture, I recommend that English and science teachers work together to connect this book to learning about genetics.
And, reading it as a 23-year-old didn't feel "babyish"; I still learned a lot from it as an adult. I believe that a sign of a great middle grade book is when adults feel they've learned a lot from it.
I loved this book for so many reasons. It has amazing neurodivergent and queer representation, and does a really job describing the internal experience of dealing with difficult emotions and the struggles of navigating sixth grade (friendships, crushes, bullying, etc.). I truly believe this book should be taught in classrooms and added to English Language Arts curriculum (5th or 6th grade). Since the book is about genetics and nature vs. nurture, I recommend that English and science teachers work together to connect this book to learning about genetics.
And, reading it as a 23-year-old didn't feel "babyish"; I still learned a lot from it as an adult. I believe that a sign of a great middle grade book is when adults feel they've learned a lot from it.
ghost_rider's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
anna_wa's review
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
chickchick22's review
5.0
Once again, [a:Nicole Melleby|18141483|Nicole Melleby|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1589744655p2/18141483.jpg] never failed to impress me! All of her other books earned a place in my heart, and so now does Joey.
allyd929's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eetree's review
4.0
ahhh as somebody who has to deal with my intense anger my whole life, i'm so grateful this book was written! i could relate to it so much!
notinjersey's review
5.0
This book moved me. It’s about Joey, an 11 year old who is a triplet. She has two moms, an older half brother, and her triplet brothers, but she seems to be the only one who gets angry. She is easily frustrated and overwhelmed and sometimes lashes out with violence. Because she feels different from her other family members, she wants to learn more about her DNA and where she comes from. I felt so sad for Joey and she reminded me a bit of my middle child. I also felt for her moms, who just didn’t know how to help her with her very big emotions.
I want to include this list of reasons to read this book from the email from Shae at Algonquin books because I agree!
* An itty bitty baby gay with very big emotions who you’ll want so badly to hug and protect
* Adults who are just Trying Their Best ™
* Realistic, relatable conflict that will resonate with readers
* Family structures and dynamics that reflect real lives
* STE(A)M hooks through discussions of nature vs. nurture and the role of genetics in identity
* Sympathetic, grounded depictions of mental health
* This book made me legitimately cry, tears streaming down my face, but the kind of crying that comes from getting the best hug from the person you most want to see
* It took me three hours, tops, to read (a bonus in 2022, Year of Broken Reading Brain)
(I didn’t write that, but yes, I cried too, and finished it in a day.)
I want to include this list of reasons to read this book from the email from Shae at Algonquin books because I agree!
* An itty bitty baby gay with very big emotions who you’ll want so badly to hug and protect
* Adults who are just Trying Their Best ™
* Realistic, relatable conflict that will resonate with readers
* Family structures and dynamics that reflect real lives
* STE(A)M hooks through discussions of nature vs. nurture and the role of genetics in identity
* Sympathetic, grounded depictions of mental health
* This book made me legitimately cry, tears streaming down my face, but the kind of crying that comes from getting the best hug from the person you most want to see
* It took me three hours, tops, to read (a bonus in 2022, Year of Broken Reading Brain)
(I didn’t write that, but yes, I cried too, and finished it in a day.)
moshang's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
owenbiesel's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.0