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reading_giraffe's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Child death
sandy_dunes's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An amazing historical fiction book with well-expressed character dynamics and strong emotional impact! I'm also impressed by how the story implemented elements of both world wars while being a continent away from the action. The topics of the book are certainly a bit heavy but it's still a beautiful work regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: Blood, War, Gun violence, and Gore
zoiejanelle's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
like many of the blurbs/reviews say, this is an insta-classic for me. this book incorporated all the poetry and depth of books like Atonement and To Kill a Mockingbird, but the age-appropriate scope and themes like those in The Book Thief.
Annabelle was a full fleshed, believable girl that remained true to her era and her character throughout. her troubles with independence, honesty, friendship, and guilt were all so vivid and relatable. and through her eyes we saw the gorgeous scenery around her and the warmest colors of everyone she met—most of all, Toby.
Toby himself was a sympathetic character i couldn’t help but to hope for. and his guns, his pictures, his silence, were all such apt metaphors for his experience with PTSD and loss. though i didn’t think (spoilers) he needed to have been awarded the Congressional medal of honor to have been worthy of our love and support throughout the book.
on top of how three dimensional Annabelle was, her ENTIRE FAMILY felt so tangible and real to me. i found myself totally fascinated by her mother and father, and i even found her annoying little brothers to be lovable in the end. though i couldn’t relate to the family structure, i felt like i was there at the dinner table feeling all of Annabelle’s feelings, hearing all the same familiar words.
i would love to give this book a 5/5, but DAMMIT it gave us a classic beginning, middle, AND end. why does everything always have to be tragic? why can’t justice be done and feel done, too? i felt teased for a happy ending and got something quite tragic and sad (despite the lessons on guilt and choice and honesty and judgement) that made me weep quietly in a car alone. now that i know there is a sequel, i plan to read it… though i know it’s probably a bad idea to hope for some more joyful closure there.
overall a very moving book, full of unexpected twists and turns and absolutely gorgeous writing, that i really enjoyed.
Annabelle was a full fleshed, believable girl that remained true to her era and her character throughout. her troubles with independence, honesty, friendship, and guilt were all so vivid and relatable. and through her eyes we saw the gorgeous scenery around her and the warmest colors of everyone she met—most of all, Toby.
Toby himself was a sympathetic character i couldn’t help but to hope for. and his guns, his pictures, his silence, were all such apt metaphors for his experience with PTSD and loss. though i didn’t think (spoilers) he needed to have been awarded the Congressional medal of honor to have been worthy of our love and support throughout the book.
on top of how three dimensional Annabelle was, her ENTIRE FAMILY felt so tangible and real to me. i found myself totally fascinated by her mother and father, and i even found her annoying little brothers to be lovable in the end. though i couldn’t relate to the family structure, i felt like i was there at the dinner table feeling all of Annabelle’s feelings, hearing all the same familiar words.
i would love to give this book a 5/5, but DAMMIT it gave us a classic beginning, middle, AND end. why does everything always have to be tragic? why can’t justice be done and feel done, too? i felt teased for a happy ending and got something quite tragic and sad (despite the lessons on guilt and choice and honesty and judgement) that made me weep quietly in a car alone. now that i know there is a sequel, i plan to read it… though i know it’s probably a bad idea to hope for some more joyful closure there.
overall a very moving book, full of unexpected twists and turns and absolutely gorgeous writing, that i really enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: War, Police brutality, Gun violence, and Blood
somal's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Hate crime
sprinkledwithwords's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
the_midnight_tea's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Death
Minor: Blood and Animal death
heabookfreak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The description says enough about the plot. Annabelle’s frustration due to injustice and growing into bravery and standing up for truth and kindness is the main character growth.
There are some harsh descriptions of Betty’s behavior and it’s consequences.
This is a coming of age story.
Don’t be put off by the heavy descriptor tags, it is a sad, sometimes tense, and frustrating story but it is beautifully and honestly written. Highly recommend for older elementary and older.
There are some harsh descriptions of Betty’s behavior and it’s consequences.
This is a coming of age story.
Don’t be put off by the heavy descriptor tags, it is a sad, sometimes tense, and frustrating story but it is beautifully and honestly written. Highly recommend for older elementary and older.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
morganperks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Child death, and Death
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