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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I love to be shocked by middle grade. Good shock, bad shock, I don't really care because the entire genre has just gotten too cookie-cutter for me. Eventown definitely breaks that mold without becoming a book that middle graders won't recognize. As an adult, I think I read it as more creepy than was intended. Kids might just find it fascinating that Eventown is a place where everybody is happy all the time, and it never rains, and no one remembers sad memories from Before. It's a book about fighting not to lose your voice in the crowd, about the dangers of complacency, about listening to children when they have something to say.
There is a dark twist at the end which I don't think was completely necessary because it definitely gears the book towards the older-age middle graders when it could have worked across a wider range of ages. I would love to hand-sell this book, but I think a bookseller would have to be careful with wording when trying to sell it to parents.
There is a dark twist at the end which I don't think was completely necessary because it definitely gears the book towards the older-age middle graders when it could have worked across a wider range of ages. I would love to hand-sell this book, but I think a bookseller would have to be careful with wording when trying to sell it to parents.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
I would rate it above 5 if I could. One of the best books ever!
After an unspoken tragedy strikes, everyone in Elodee’s family copes with it in different ways and eventually they decide to start fresh in a new, perfect town. I loved the scenery of this book. It is incredibly atmospheric and vivid. I loved the message at the end that I can’t tell you about without spoiling. This would be a beautiful and hopeful book to talk about grief, memories, hope, and love with a middle-reader.
An interesting book that keeps you wondering what was the catalyst for the move. There were parts that I felt were slow but it picked up towards the end. There could be a lot of good discussion regarding the ending.
This book contained an important message, effectively told from the perspective of a young girl who has moved to a new town with her family. For a children’s book, the themes seemed deep, and the story had some suspense and mystery. The setting was unique and well imagined. The plot was predictable, but interesting nonetheless.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There was something looming in the background throughout this book, something hiding behind the perfect surface in Eventown.
Thid book was a recommendation from StoryGraph and it was a really good fit!
Thid book was a recommendation from StoryGraph and it was a really good fit!
A lovely and beautiful story on grief and feelings that stays with you long after the last page. I believe that book is deserving of every distinguished award out there, especially the Newbery.
A mild-mannered mix of Pleasantville and The Giver. It was okay, but I definitely would've liked it more if I hadn't heard of the two formerly listed prior to reading it.