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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
It's nice to read a book where the male protaganist is not a jock but a rocker. This is a well written rites of passage book which realistically depicts the highs and lows of growing up, falling in love, forming a rock band and dealing with family. highly recommended.
This book definitely makes my top ten list for NYRA this year. The story is straight forward, compelling, and funny. I really enjoyed the element of perceived magic, especially in the "Moon" discussion Gramps shares. I hope teens today still hold onto some "magic" in their lives.
Based on a publisher provided ARC.
Fun story. Although I felt a little dumb that it took me until the "Caring Is Creepy" chapter to realize all of the chapter titles were song titles.
Many times when ARCs come in, I give them directly to my students and ask them for their reviews. I really should start reading them myself. This has been sitting on my ARC shelf for almost two years. This was a delightful break from dystopia and some of the heavier books I've been reading. I liked the extra dimension given to Joe and the nice little twist at the end involving Jen5's dad (and, as someone born in the Love Story era where every other girl is named Jennifer Lynn, I loved the etymology of Jen5). I especially liked how, even though you could see where things were going to end up, there wasn't a rush to get there. Skovron let his characters take their time to find their place.
Why I picked it up: As part of the Best of the Best challenge from the Popular Paperbacks Top Ten.
Why I finished it: I really wanted to know where Tragedy of Wisdom was going to end up. I also loved the side story with his grandfather.
I'd give this book to: Chris D and Jake, who I think would like the band aspect to the story.
Fun story. Although I felt a little dumb that it took me until the "Caring Is Creepy" chapter to realize all of the chapter titles were song titles.
Many times when ARCs come in, I give them directly to my students and ask them for their reviews. I really should start reading them myself. This has been sitting on my ARC shelf for almost two years. This was a delightful break from dystopia and some of the heavier books I've been reading. I liked the extra dimension given to Joe and the nice little twist at the end involving Jen5's dad (and, as someone born in the Love Story era where every other girl is named Jennifer Lynn, I loved the etymology of Jen5). I especially liked how, even though you could see where things were going to end up, there wasn't a rush to get there. Skovron let his characters take their time to find their place.
Why I picked it up: As part of the Best of the Best challenge from the Popular Paperbacks Top Ten.
Why I finished it: I really wanted to know where Tragedy of Wisdom was going to end up. I also loved the side story with his grandfather.
I'd give this book to: Chris D and Jake, who I think would like the band aspect to the story.
Oh, this was fun! The authorial voice was completely authentic- so much so that I found myself saying stern motherly things to the protagonist. Out loud.
Sammy lives for music, but he's also a regular teenage kid with insecurities, blind spots, family issues and in short, a normal life. I love reading about kids with normal lives, kids who are not Representing A Disorder. Samuel is hilarious to read about from an adult perspective, too- this book works on more than one level, and hits on all cylinders.
This is a lovely coming-of-age book with a satisfyingly complex cast of characters, believable dialogue, and a solid plot.
My favorite part is the dialogue about sex between Sammy and his loving but occasionally clueless mom. I can't resist sharing a bit of it:
"But the stuff she said didn't exactly make me feel any more ready, especially conversations that went something like this:
MOM: You know, Sam, when you do decide to start having sex, which shouldn't be anytime soon because you're much too young--
ME: Oh, God, Mom. Can't we just watch the movie?
MOM: No, I just want to clarify that the scene you have just witnessed has very little to do with a realistic and healthy sexual union.
ME: I get it. It's just a movie. I don't plan on hunting down killer cyborgs, either. Now, can we--"
And it goes on, and just gets funnier, from there.
Sammy lives for music, but he's also a regular teenage kid with insecurities, blind spots, family issues and in short, a normal life. I love reading about kids with normal lives, kids who are not Representing A Disorder. Samuel is hilarious to read about from an adult perspective, too- this book works on more than one level, and hits on all cylinders.
This is a lovely coming-of-age book with a satisfyingly complex cast of characters, believable dialogue, and a solid plot.
My favorite part is the dialogue about sex between Sammy and his loving but occasionally clueless mom. I can't resist sharing a bit of it:
"But the stuff she said didn't exactly make me feel any more ready, especially conversations that went something like this:
MOM: You know, Sam, when you do decide to start having sex, which shouldn't be anytime soon because you're much too young--
ME: Oh, God, Mom. Can't we just watch the movie?
MOM: No, I just want to clarify that the scene you have just witnessed has very little to do with a realistic and healthy sexual union.
ME: I get it. It's just a movie. I don't plan on hunting down killer cyborgs, either. Now, can we--"
And it goes on, and just gets funnier, from there.
I found the story to be both funny and slightly heartwarming. Only thing that was unexpected was the deterioration of Sammy's grandfather's health.
emotional
funny
fast-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
I first read this in 2012 when I was a teenager, so this book had a huge impact on me. I'm glad to see that all my re-reads meant that I mostly remembered the plot and even some lines. This time around, I was a little nervous to see if it held up. After some deliberation, I think it holds up like a 90's romance movie. There might be some dated and problematic language (in this case, a handful of era-appropriate slurs), but it is the perfect encapsulation of its time. I have never read another book that so perfectly depicts what it was like (for me) to be a teenager in the mid 2000's.
I really like these characters, especially Sammy. He's so convincingly a teenager trying to figure out what he wants and how to get it. He has a lot of emotions that I remember really liking how they were articulated. I really related to Sammy in my teenage years and it was nice to come back to this book.
I really like these characters, especially Sammy. He's so convincingly a teenager trying to figure out what he wants and how to get it. He has a lot of emotions that I remember really liking how they were articulated. I really related to Sammy in my teenage years and it was nice to come back to this book.