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charvi_not_just_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
Listen everytime I read middle grade books I'm just so surprised at how mature yet adorable middle graders are and ajdjdkkskeocec i just love middle grade books talking about topics like troubles with families and friendships and being there for your friends.
I swear I wasn't this mature in middle grade it seems.
Anyway, Akemi writes such a beautiful book about a bunch of outsiders who are brought together by something they love: j-pop. I loved all the four girls, they're absolutely adorable and cute babies that I want to protect. This one hints at domestic violence I believe so tw but also I really like the way it's all handled and I believe it's an important topic for kids to read about.
I read this is one go, would definitely recommend this book ❤
I swear I wasn't this mature in middle grade it seems.
Anyway, Akemi writes such a beautiful book about a bunch of outsiders who are brought together by something they love: j-pop. I loved all the four girls, they're absolutely adorable and cute babies that I want to protect. This one hints at domestic violence I believe so tw but also I really like the way it's all handled and I believe it's an important topic for kids to read about.
I read this is one go, would definitely recommend this book ❤
knightedbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to finish this one. It wasn’t bad I just couldn’t get into it like her other books. I still adore her works and will continue to read anything she writes.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Review copy: Digital ARC via Netgalley
I did not expect to cry, but the tears welled up more than once. Sometimes because my heart hurt and sometimes they were happy tears. The cover made me think this was going to be an exciting and upbeat book--and it was. But it was definitely more than just a light friendship story. Everyone has struggles they are working through.
The main character has been homeschooled and now is beginning sixth grade at school. I was concerned that the book was going to make homeschooling seem like a horrible thing since Millie had a very negative opinion of it in the beginning. That is balanced out a little later in the book though.
So often young people feel like they may never find people they can really connect with and this book will be easy to relate to for those readers. This would be especially true for those who have unique music tastes. It really was fun to see the friends in all of their excitement and effusiveness about their J-Pop band and the gloriousness of finding other who share their enthusiasm.
One character is nonbinary and uses them/they pronouns. That isn't explained initially so it really isn't something that stands out as an issue for anyone. Later in the story there is a conversation that goes into it a bit when a friend is seeking to understand, but it isn't a conflict it's just part of the character.
Each person is distinct and they are all discovering things about themselves as they learn more about each other. They hurt each other along the way, but they also strengthen each other. Through it all they are learning to be true to themselves.
Recommendation: This will be a great middle grade book to hand to those who enjoy contemporary fiction or music or friendship stories.
I did not expect to cry, but the tears welled up more than once. Sometimes because my heart hurt and sometimes they were happy tears. The cover made me think this was going to be an exciting and upbeat book--and it was. But it was definitely more than just a light friendship story. Everyone has struggles they are working through.
The main character has been homeschooled and now is beginning sixth grade at school. I was concerned that the book was going to make homeschooling seem like a horrible thing since Millie had a very negative opinion of it in the beginning. That is balanced out a little later in the book though.
So often young people feel like they may never find people they can really connect with and this book will be easy to relate to for those readers. This would be especially true for those who have unique music tastes. It really was fun to see the friends in all of their excitement and effusiveness about their J-Pop band and the gloriousness of finding other who share their enthusiasm.
One character is nonbinary and uses them/they pronouns. That isn't explained initially so it really isn't something that stands out as an issue for anyone. Later in the story there is a conversation that goes into it a bit when a friend is seeking to understand, but it isn't a conflict it's just part of the character.
Each person is distinct and they are all discovering things about themselves as they learn more about each other. They hurt each other along the way, but they also strengthen each other. Through it all they are learning to be true to themselves.
Recommendation: This will be a great middle grade book to hand to those who enjoy contemporary fiction or music or friendship stories.
starryeved's review against another edition
4.0
Heartwarming, with the characters and their emotional arcs and journeys portrayed vividly, while also sensitively navigating all-too-timely issues. Generation Misfits is an easy-to-read, memorable depiction of feeling like a fish out of water and finding your own family and voice. Really well done.
jerihurd's review against another edition
3.0
For a MS Librarian, I'm not always the best reader for middle-grade fiction. Given their understandable focus on identity, I find all too many of them to be rather didactic and on-point in their current issues box-ticking. This is no exception. But this is my summer to catch up on the m-g and YA reading I neglected to do during the year soooo here we are.
The found-family group of girls at the center of novel are engaging, but also the most mature 11 year old I've ever seen. And she's managed to people the school with a group of fairly incompetent teachers who let a new kid struggle without any serious attempts to intervene. But kids won't care about that, and would appreciate the book in general, so will definitely add it to my recommendation rotation.
The found-family group of girls at the center of novel are engaging, but also the most mature 11 year old I've ever seen. And she's managed to people the school with a group of fairly incompetent teachers who let a new kid struggle without any serious attempts to intervene. But kids won't care about that, and would appreciate the book in general, so will definitely add it to my recommendation rotation.
rsngphoenix's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Child abuse
Minor: Vomit
raindrops333's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
anniekslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Akemi Dawn Bowman's middlegrade books are CRIMINALLY underrated, and I'm about to make it everyone's problem. I promise you, you are missing out on so much.
Millie is such a lovely, super relatable main character, and as a huge BTS fan, I loved her passion for her favourite J-Pop group. It was so relatable how she talked about them feeling like her friends and giving her this feeling of community, of belonging. I especially loved how she was able to make friends for the first time in her life because of this fandom, and the cast of characters was absolutely amazing.
Millie is such a lovely, super relatable main character, and as a huge BTS fan, I loved her passion for her favourite J-Pop group. It was so relatable how she talked about them feeling like her friends and giving her this feeling of community, of belonging. I especially loved how she was able to make friends for the first time in her life because of this fandom, and the cast of characters was absolutely amazing.
eeva's review against another edition
4.0
The five main characters? *chef's kiss*
Practically the book version of the movie Turning Red, right down to the main character being a flutist (just kidding, they are quite different but have a bunch of similarities!)
Practically the book version of the movie Turning Red, right down to the main character being a flutist (just kidding, they are quite different but have a bunch of similarities!)