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stories's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wow.
9 (10 next week) year-old Cymbeline has never been swimming before. But he’s super sporty so lies about it to his class rival/bully. Which might not have been a big deal if he hadn’t been pushed into the pool on a school excursion.
Suddenly the shame of being pulled out by your crush, pantsless, in front of your whole class, is eclipsed. Mum’s in (a psychiatric) hospital, his best friend won’t talk to him, and no one will tell Cymbeline what’s going on.
Investigations, alongside said-crush ensue, with tragedy and hope intertwined in last-minute reveals.
Side notes of classism, parental physical abuse, alcoholism, depression, suicidality, refugees and more, buried beneath the innocent naivety of our narrator. This book doesn’t focus on the traumas of life, but they are deftly interwoven as part of the reality of the world.
Morals around friendship and forming connections between people, with a side of honesty (particularly about emotions or “deep dark” secrets).
Could work as a 5/6 class novel (not T1), or as a book club book. Language wise a straightforward read although be wary of the themes for kids: I suspect that suicide references at least would be apparent to them.
9 (10 next week) year-old Cymbeline has never been swimming before. But he’s super sporty so lies about it to his class rival/bully. Which might not have been a big deal if he hadn’t been pushed into the pool on a school excursion.
Suddenly the shame of being pulled out by your crush, pantsless, in front of your whole class, is eclipsed. Mum’s in (a psychiatric) hospital, his best friend won’t talk to him, and no one will tell Cymbeline what’s going on.
Investigations, alongside said-crush ensue, with tragedy and hope intertwined in last-minute reveals.
Side notes of classism, parental physical abuse, alcoholism, depression, suicidality, refugees and more, buried beneath the innocent naivety of our narrator. This book doesn’t focus on the traumas of life, but they are deftly interwoven as part of the reality of the world.
Morals around friendship and forming connections between people, with a side of honesty (particularly about emotions or “deep dark” secrets).
Could work as a 5/6 class novel (not T1), or as a book club book. Language wise a straightforward read although be wary of the themes for kids: I suspect that suicide references at least would be apparent to them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Child death
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Child abuse, and Death
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