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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I NEED THE REST OF THE STORY! I didn't expect that this would be the first in a series, and though the book does have an evening, it doesn't see through the journey that Charlie is on. So that's why it's only 4 stars!
Charlie is, somewhat reluctantly, at a Christian backpacking camp for girls, where almost everyone looks the same. It's a somewhat awkward place, but we see that Charlie truly is there to better understand her relationship with God. But the hiking and the other girls (and the racism, sexism, and classism already at play) make the journey a little harder. The illustrations really show us her struggle with the physical challenge of the trip, but also the appreciation of the views around every quiet corner, and the surprise of possible friendships.
Some of the conversations seemed a little... high-minded for 13 year olds, but maybe I'm minimizing my 13 year old self. The story is thoughtful, and worth the read at any age.
Charlie is, somewhat reluctantly, at a Christian backpacking camp for girls, where almost everyone looks the same. It's a somewhat awkward place, but we see that Charlie truly is there to better understand her relationship with God. But the hiking and the other girls (and the racism, sexism, and classism already at play) make the journey a little harder. The illustrations really show us her struggle with the physical challenge of the trip, but also the appreciation of the views around every quiet corner, and the surprise of possible friendships.
Some of the conversations seemed a little... high-minded for 13 year olds, but maybe I'm minimizing my 13 year old self. The story is thoughtful, and worth the read at any age.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sweet friendship story and beautiful artwork. Nuanced exploration of gender, race, and religion. It ended abruptly without resolution of some of the plot lines...would love to see them make it to the top of the mountain.
challenging
emotional
reflective
3.5 stars
Cute queer graphic novel that explores queerness, race, and faith.
I am wondering about how the protagonist is a black queer girl (although the text itself does not explicitly state her queerness-- readers have to infer) but the author is white. Not own voices in this regard, and as a white person, it's hard for me to evaluate what reading this text would be like as POC and where the representation falls flat.
Considerations for teaching: I don't think this would be a good text for an ELL classroom because so much of the story needs to be inferred from what the character's say/ is implied in language that might be confusing. Most notably, Sydney comes out to Charlie as trans by saying "I'm inTRANSigent." Her being trans is never explicitly, clearly said.
Some religious students might be offended that the text calls into question why god is represented as a white man, but I think this is done in a way that is respectful of religion.
I do think this would be a good independent reading book to have in an 8th/9th grade classroom library.
Cute queer graphic novel that explores queerness, race, and faith.
I am wondering about how the protagonist is a black queer girl (although the text itself does not explicitly state her queerness-- readers have to infer) but the author is white. Not own voices in this regard, and as a white person, it's hard for me to evaluate what reading this text would be like as POC and where the representation falls flat.
Considerations for teaching: I don't think this would be a good text for an ELL classroom because so much of the story needs to be inferred from what the character's say/ is implied in language that might be confusing. Most notably, Sydney comes out to Charlie as trans by saying "I'm inTRANSigent." Her being trans is never explicitly, clearly said.
Some religious students might be offended that the text calls into question why god is represented as a white man, but I think this is done in a way that is respectful of religion.
I do think this would be a good independent reading book to have in an 8th/9th grade classroom library.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
I’m crying, this book is beautiful in both its art and its message.
The comic itself isn’t finished yet, and I can’t wait to see when it is.
The comic itself isn’t finished yet, and I can’t wait to see when it is.