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clarezar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gracebirdly's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sorry but I don’t understand the appeal of this book. I thought it was boring and incredibly sad. The writing was all over the place and parts of the story made no sense. Definitely not one I would read again....
nookadri's review against another edition
3.0
fuck this book for making me cry like a baby no autocarro
yulie's review against another edition
4.0
Had I read this when I was younger, I think I would've formed a very deep bond with the book and I would've cried upon reread after reread as I got older. Alas, I read it at twenty-four, making it a very quick read that didn't touch me as deeply as it might have otherwise. Even so, it was wonderfully written. The voices were so charming and distinct, and although I took many double-takes at some phrases (antiquated ones, unfamiliar ones, amusing ones), I really delighted in them.
What I will say is that the book was splendid at bringing me back to my childhood. The feeling of play, of discovery, of magic and wonder and yearning... it really did make my heart hurt a little bit as I read through, wanting to escape back to a time where all that mattered were things like being the fastest runner in your year level (and what you would do to accomplish that feat!), and conquering people like Janice Avery. The friendship between Jess and Leslie was utterly beautiful, too.
It was a lovely, lovely book. A very short and light read, and able to evoke very strong images and emotions.
What I will say is that the book was splendid at bringing me back to my childhood. The feeling of play, of discovery, of magic and wonder and yearning... it really did make my heart hurt a little bit as I read through, wanting to escape back to a time where all that mattered were things like being the fastest runner in your year level (and what you would do to accomplish that feat!), and conquering people like Janice Avery. The friendship between Jess and Leslie was utterly beautiful, too.
It was a lovely, lovely book. A very short and light read, and able to evoke very strong images and emotions.
bellatilford's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
the ending was beautiful oh my goodness. a wonderful plot line and set of characters. learning the origins of the story being in the authors sons friends death makes it even more powerful. the teacher student relationship was unnecessary and really weird and his family relationships confused me at times.
flicker_black's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
A classic that is widely received and loved. Agreed that I am a bit too late in terms on age to read this and maybe that is the reason I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.
For a book that’s just a bit over 100 pages, it was fine, but what’s the point of the book though? I just couldn’t see any moral message it might potentially have to a middle schooler. The family members were a bit too problematic which I think gets looked over frequently and what’s even up with that relationship between the music teacher and the kid? Ew. Straight up disgusting, why would a teacher want to take her student in her car on a free day to a museum and buy him ice cream and remember they were by themselves, like lady just go with people of your age.
If I wanted to read a suburban book that deals with grief, I would rather read and recommend “Where the red ferns grow” by Wilson Rawls (which by the way had problematic elements too but I thought was better than this).
For a book that’s just a bit over 100 pages, it was fine, but what’s the point of the book though? I just couldn’t see any moral message it might potentially have to a middle schooler. The family members were a bit too problematic which I think gets looked over frequently and what’s even up with that relationship between the music teacher and the kid? Ew. Straight up disgusting, why would a teacher want to take her student in her car on a free day to a museum and buy him ice cream and remember they were by themselves, like lady just go with people of your age.
If I wanted to read a suburban book that deals with grief, I would rather read and recommend “Where the red ferns grow” by Wilson Rawls (which by the way had problematic elements too but I thought was better than this).
cloudwings's review against another edition
4.0
Even though I've read this a couple of times before, it's still emotional at the end.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
This was excellent. So good, that I want this for my own library, even though it is aimed at middle-grade readers in the eight-to-ten-year-old range.
It's two unexpected friends who bond through proximity and courage. A young artist denied his dreams with an outgoing, confident young lady whose family wants to give up the lures of the city for that of the bucolic countryside.
It's their friendship, and Jess' need to support his friend, to deny his fears, that leads to their "clubhouse" in Terabithia, and the subsequent accident that will leave you in tears.
Be warned, there is a very sad death in this, and yet I must recommend Paterson for her insight into the children (and those around them — that family of Jess'…hoo, boy).
Paterson writes beautifully and simply without talking down to her audience. I can certainly understand why she won those awards!
It's two unexpected friends who bond through proximity and courage. A young artist denied his dreams with an outgoing, confident young lady whose family wants to give up the lures of the city for that of the bucolic countryside.
It's their friendship, and Jess' need to support his friend, to deny his fears, that leads to their "clubhouse" in Terabithia, and the subsequent accident that will leave you in tears.
Be warned, there is a very sad death in this, and yet I must recommend Paterson for her insight into the children (and those around them — that family of Jess'…hoo, boy).
Paterson writes beautifully and simply without talking down to her audience. I can certainly understand why she won those awards!