179 reviews for:

What About Will

Ellen Hopkins

4.09 AVERAGE

tx2its's review

3.0

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Reading 2021
Book 152: What About Will by Ellen Hopkins
I had no idea that Ellen Hopkins had written middle grade books written in verse. Once my partner in all things books alerted me to their existence I immediately put them on hold at the library. I read Closer to Nowhere first since it was published first.

Will is a teenager with everything going for him, until a traumatic brain injury ends his football career. Will is left with, not only remaining medical issues, but also an addiction to medication. Trace, his 12-year-old brother, and the narrator of the story must try to deal with his big brother not being there for him. As it is their mom walked out to pursue her music career, and their dad must work long hours to support the boys. Trace is learning that life is not fair, and how to stand on his own two feet. Should he tell his parents what he see’s is happening to Will?

I enjoyed Closer to Nowhere better than this book. To me the book was slow in the middle and kept repeating the same thing, not sure I really connected with Trace as the main character either. It has a high rating, not as good as I was hoping. My rating 3-3.5 ⭐.

liliyasholom's review

2.0

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I have read all of the other Ellen Hopkins books(most of them) that my local library carries and loved them! Found this one the other day and was pretty disappointed. I liked the ending and the overall message of the book but overall not really a fan.

boffybeau's review

3.75

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

caitbooks_27's review

3.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

archcon's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

wonderwhitman's review

4.75

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

yakman's review

4.5

emotional

crazy_cellist's review

3.75

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

stitchykitch's review

4.0

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Content warning: opioid addiction

What about will is a novel in verse. Trace is a 6th grade kid dealing with 6th grade things on top of watching his brother Will slowly spiral into opioid addiction. It’s heartbreaking to watch how he struggles under the weight of the knowledge that his brother isn’t well, and puts pressure on himself to be there for his brother while he feels no one is there for him.

I enjoyed the read, and loved the glimpses of hope that come in the form of some very loving people.

leanniefae's review

5.0

emotional hopeful sad tense 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