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coleycole's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to this book, and wasn't a huge fan. The voices the reader used for different characters were really jarring. It looks like it would've been a better book to read also because it has quite a few illustrations. I did feel like a lot of the dialogue Myers used sounded out-dated -- more like what African American teens sounded like in 90s... Maybe it's an East coast/West coast thing, but none of the kids I know talk like that. It was a National Book Award finalist, and got lots of good reviews, so maybe it's just me...
maiello13's review against another edition
5.0
another great Walter Dean Meyers book!! I love his accurate and heartbreaking tales of inner city life.
kaboomcju's review against another edition
4.0
If you like Walter Dean Myers, you'll like this book. My copy was missing some pictures at the beginning, but that didn't really hurt the story. Myers protagonist is a very likable boy who illustrates that there are many good people who live in the ghetto. While bad things happen all around him, you can't help but cheer for this boy.
terezi's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
Wow i really loved this book it’s so good for late middle school early high school but even as an adult it was true to my heart about the pain of loving somebody who is throwing themself in harms way… the art was really beautiful as well
yetilibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because (a) it was on a library display and (b) I'm a fan of one of Myers's other books, Monster. I didn't think it was quite as good as Monster, but Myers still does a solid job of capturing the voice of a teenage boy (no mean feat). He also tells a story about tough situations and choices with sensitivity, without sacrificing (much) truth. It's a hard line to walk with a YA book.
tlmarkides's review against another edition
Mix mediums of story & art help bring this novel to life. Told from the perspective of Jess. He attempts to write his BFFs bio. He explores the loss of their friendship & realizes that people change as they grow up.
jnharris10's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book aloud with my 9th grade classes and they loved it! It's yet another amazing book by Walter Dean Myers that is easily relatable for young adults and teaches a good lesson.
casey887's review against another edition
1.0
I began reading this and got through about 50 pages before I had to put it down, I was bored with this book and I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. The illustrations were very neat but the story lacked depth and just seemed thrown together. I always like to find at least one thing I can relate to in a character and I just couldn't find that in Myers' characters.
shanaetheflyest's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read in my entire life.
juani's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25