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b0hemian_graham's review
5.0
Wow, how to articulate what I read, as I'm still reeling. All the feels, this book has. This was dark, and depressing, yet I really enjoyed reading. Betty was right up there with Rhoda Penmark. I would love to get the back story on her. My heart absolutely broke for Toby, and to an extent, Annabelle, as she had to grow up way too fast with these incidents. I did see a lot of connections to To Kill a Mockingbird, but I also found a lot of Katherine Paterson in Wolk's writing. I hope this gets the Newbery this year. I'm being brief but I'm still thinking about what I just read.
shareen17's review
3.0
This is a middle grade story set in the 1930s about a girl who's life becomes more complicated when a new girl moves to town. It deals with bullying and judging others on appearances. I think I would have liked it more if I hadn't read it compared to To Kill a Mockingbird. I see the parallels, but it's hard to live up to that.
natalie_the_dancer's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence
neglet's review
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Lovely writing and a rural farm setting feature in this historical novel that’s rightfully drawn comparisons with To Kill a Mockingbird. The main character’s struggle to find justice in a world that sometimes doesn’t offer it is heartbreakingly true. Has moments of darkness and sadness, but it’s also filled with determination and love. And the prose is beautiful to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Bullying
roseleaf24's review
5.0
This book is stunning, and will stay with me for a long time. I need to let it simmer before I will be able to form a more detailed opinion.
avonleagal's review
5.0
Wow this was a deep book. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted to but it was so good.
And even though it was super deep, it still had bits of humor that made me chuckle.
“That man’s so stubborn he could be a member of the family.” I said.
“From your mothers side.” my father said.
My mother knew how I felt about Betty. “You’re a good girl, Annabelle.”
“What about me?” James said.
“You’re a good girl, too.” My father said.
basically her father is hilarious
And even though it was super deep, it still had bits of humor that made me chuckle.
“That man’s so stubborn he could be a member of the family.” I said.
“From your mothers side.” my father said.
My mother knew how I felt about Betty. “You’re a good girl, Annabelle.”
“What about me?” James said.
“You’re a good girl, too.” My father said.
basically her father is hilarious
brittneyfike's review
4.0
A beautifully written middle grades read. I enjoyed the characters and was fully invested in all of them.
connieksun's review
4.5
how do you decide when to trust people? how do you decide how much to trust yourself?
oh, middle grade. this genre will hold my heart forever. children's literature that is actually just literature for adults because we are constantly growing as people, and also it's written by an adult who used to be a child, just like me. there are so many lessons to be learned, so many ways in which i am still reckoning with growing up and learning to sift right from wrong and how i want to live my life. lauren's writing is exquisite, the plot is thorough, and the main character is wonderfully perceptive, independent, and compelling. emotionally resonant, singularly lovely to read.
oh, middle grade. this genre will hold my heart forever. children's literature that is actually just literature for adults because we are constantly growing as people, and also it's written by an adult who used to be a child, just like me. there are so many lessons to be learned, so many ways in which i am still reckoning with growing up and learning to sift right from wrong and how i want to live my life. lauren's writing is exquisite, the plot is thorough, and the main character is wonderfully perceptive, independent, and compelling. emotionally resonant, singularly lovely to read.
slow_but_steady_reader's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.5