Scan barcode
andreiaoh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
this was so unexpectedly lovely
i cried a little :(
i cried a little :(
octoberbaby8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
zoesbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I read this as part of a readathon with a prompt to read a childhood book.
It was very nostalgic re-reading a Jacqueline Wilson book. I forgot how dark this book actually was. There are themes of abandonment, mental health problems and suicide. Jacqueline Wilson writes about heavy topics in a way that is perfect for young teenagers, she’s fab.
It was very nostalgic re-reading a Jacqueline Wilson book. I forgot how dark this book actually was. There are themes of abandonment, mental health problems and suicide. Jacqueline Wilson writes about heavy topics in a way that is perfect for young teenagers, she’s fab.
jennietee93's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kingfan30's review
3.0
Another quick read and slightly more moving book by this author, I got the impression this was aimed at a slightly older reader than some others I have read.
gen_wolfhailstorm's review
4.0
I read this as part of the Jacqueline Wilsathon, which I was super excited to hear announced. Here is the reading vlog: https://youtu.be/fg9WuWRiYz8
I think I must have read this a few times growing up, but I've set the first read to some time in 2007 and rated it 4 stars then (or rather, when I first made my Goodreads account).
As for my 2021 re-read, here are my thoughts:
4 / 5 stars (again)
I couldn't remember anything about Dustbin Baby when I first picked up, despite using it for the readathon prompt of 'Favourite Book' , yet as I read it, I began remembering more and more of the story (although I think it was flashes of the movie coming back to me), and had completely forgotten how sad and dark some of the topics are in this (content warning for: child abuse/abandonment, suicide, abusive relationships, depression, bullying).
I think this is what I think about when Wilson pops into my mind, and also what I love about her as an author, that so many of us growing up were able to be exposed, through her books, about real lives of children that aren't all happy ever after, whether that's something we could relate to or empathise with.
She discusses really hard topics in a way that teaches children to sympathise with others without being incredibly traumatised, or allows children to perhaps see themselves in books, for once, and Dustbin Baby was no exception.
It's certainly a quick read, of which I read in a day, but it was still very impactful. I think the fact that it is set over a course of a day really gives you an intense sort of crash course through April's life and I couldn't help but be sucked into her story and wanting nothing but the best for her.
Although it definitely seems unrealistic for a young girl who hasn't really been exposed to the wider world (think: travelling alone, any real sense of direction of where she's trying to get to, and very little money) as well as the sheer amount of s t u f f that happens in this one day, it didn't take away from my enjoyment and I was enthralled with the story that I never even really noticed in the moment.
I'm glad to have re-read this and equally happy that it was a strong start to my participation in this Jaqueline Wilson dedicated readathon.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I think I must have read this a few times growing up, but I've set the first read to some time in 2007 and rated it 4 stars then (or rather, when I first made my Goodreads account).
As for my 2021 re-read, here are my thoughts:
4 / 5 stars (again)
I couldn't remember anything about Dustbin Baby when I first picked up, despite using it for the readathon prompt of 'Favourite Book' , yet as I read it, I began remembering more and more of the story (although I think it was flashes of the movie coming back to me), and had completely forgotten how sad and dark some of the topics are in this (content warning for: child abuse/abandonment, suicide, abusive relationships, depression, bullying).
I think this is what I think about when Wilson pops into my mind, and also what I love about her as an author, that so many of us growing up were able to be exposed, through her books, about real lives of children that aren't all happy ever after, whether that's something we could relate to or empathise with.
She discusses really hard topics in a way that teaches children to sympathise with others without being incredibly traumatised, or allows children to perhaps see themselves in books, for once, and Dustbin Baby was no exception.
It's certainly a quick read, of which I read in a day, but it was still very impactful. I think the fact that it is set over a course of a day really gives you an intense sort of crash course through April's life and I couldn't help but be sucked into her story and wanting nothing but the best for her.
Although it definitely seems unrealistic for a young girl who hasn't really been exposed to the wider world (think: travelling alone, any real sense of direction of where she's trying to get to, and very little money) as well as the sheer amount of s t u f f that happens in this one day, it didn't take away from my enjoyment and I was enthralled with the story that I never even really noticed in the moment.
I'm glad to have re-read this and equally happy that it was a strong start to my participation in this Jaqueline Wilson dedicated readathon.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
fandomjaxxox's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
woolfardis's review against another edition
1.0
katerivas's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced