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saidtheraina's review
4.0
This was my first Balliett read, and less of a traditional mystery than I expected.
Sum's story is heartbreaking, and very real.
Memorable for its setting (a tiny apartment in Chicago, and then an inner city shelter), the father's job working as a paraprofessional in a library, and the relationships between the members of Sum's family.
Sum's story is heartbreaking, and very real.
Memorable for its setting (a tiny apartment in Chicago, and then an inner city shelter), the father's job working as a paraprofessional in a library, and the relationships between the members of Sum's family.
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
By far Balliett's best book to date.
Blue Balliett decides to tackle the issue of homelessness in a mystery novel instead of making this a straight-up issue book. Hold Fast is a perfect gateway into the works of Langston Hughes.
Longer review to come.
Blue Balliett decides to tackle the issue of homelessness in a mystery novel instead of making this a straight-up issue book. Hold Fast is a perfect gateway into the works of Langston Hughes.
Longer review to come.
soupcocoon's review
5.0
im so happy i found this author again bc i swear all her books just, made my heart ache so bad when i was a kid
greenvillemelissa's review
5.0
Book #90 Read in 2013
Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (YA)
This is an author who I have tried several books of, without finishing any of them. This one, however, I loved. A family, not very rich but very loving, uses reading and books as a way to connect them. Then the father comes up missing and people break in and wreck the family's home. There is obviously something bad going on and Sum and her children, Early and Jubie, are forced to head into a shelter while they continue to hope that Dash will make his way back to his family. Early decides to take on a more active role and begins her own investigation as to what happened to her father.
I enjoyed this book. The writing style flowed well. Characters were well-developed and ones I immediately cared about. This book had a good mystery element to it and a decent amount of action to keep readers engaged.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (YA)
This is an author who I have tried several books of, without finishing any of them. This one, however, I loved. A family, not very rich but very loving, uses reading and books as a way to connect them. Then the father comes up missing and people break in and wreck the family's home. There is obviously something bad going on and Sum and her children, Early and Jubie, are forced to head into a shelter while they continue to hope that Dash will make his way back to his family. Early decides to take on a more active role and begins her own investigation as to what happened to her father.
I enjoyed this book. The writing style flowed well. Characters were well-developed and ones I immediately cared about. This book had a good mystery element to it and a decent amount of action to keep readers engaged.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
jennifercord's review
5.0
Loved it. Great quick read with mystery and also sadness for the children who are homeless. Brilliant little girl who uses her learner vocabulary and poetry to help to find her father and solve the mystery. Can't wait to have this on my bookshelves this fall.
jennyp0208's review
4.0
I've been on a young adult kick this month, this is my third in a row.
I fell in love with Balliett's "Chasing Vermeer" series back when I was teaching. When I saw this one in the library, I had to grab it. It wasn't really what I was expecting. Still good, but I like the Vermeer set better.
Similarities:
-Chicago based
-Kids solving mysteries
-Art woven in - this time, the poetry of Langston Hughes
Differences:
-Far darker and harder to read. This isn't a light, fluffy novel. Early's dad has gotten accidentally involved in crime and the family ends up in a public shelter during winter
-Every adult seems either bad or broken, or both. Even the helpful ones fall flat. If I had read this as a teen, it would have reinforced the already strong mindset of "adults aren't worth trusting, save yourself."
I get the intention to showcase homelessness in Chicago; it's a very serious problem that deeply affects kids. I just feel like it either didn't go far enough (to be an action piece) or went too far (for a YA mystery novel), and by landing in that middle ground it loses some effectiveness at both. At the same time, the story did captivate me. It's a valiant attempt at a seemingly impossible task.
I did see Early makes an appearance in the next Chasing Vermeer book. I'm looking forward to grabbing that to see how she pulls into the Lab School group.
I fell in love with Balliett's "Chasing Vermeer" series back when I was teaching. When I saw this one in the library, I had to grab it. It wasn't really what I was expecting. Still good, but I like the Vermeer set better.
Similarities:
-Chicago based
-Kids solving mysteries
-Art woven in - this time, the poetry of Langston Hughes
Differences:
-Far darker and harder to read. This isn't a light, fluffy novel. Early's dad has gotten accidentally involved in crime and the family ends up in a public shelter during winter
-Every adult seems either bad or broken, or both. Even the helpful ones fall flat. If I had read this as a teen, it would have reinforced the already strong mindset of "adults aren't worth trusting, save yourself."
I get the intention to showcase homelessness in Chicago; it's a very serious problem that deeply affects kids. I just feel like it either didn't go far enough (to be an action piece) or went too far (for a YA mystery novel), and by landing in that middle ground it loses some effectiveness at both. At the same time, the story did captivate me. It's a valiant attempt at a seemingly impossible task.
I did see Early makes an appearance in the next Chasing Vermeer book. I'm looking forward to grabbing that to see how she pulls into the Lab School group.
kellymc03's review
4.0
I loved the idea of the setting in a homeless shelter. A great learning experience for children about losing your home and dealing with all that goes with that!
afro8921's review
4.0
I wasn't sure about this book at the beginning. I found both the language an characters a little too pollyannaesque. Things really started moving once the mystery became more apart of the story. I really loved author's use of langston hughes poems and the ideas the homeless children had about using abandonded building to draw the reader into the narrative. I really started thinking about how the way social services are offered can hinder someones ability to get back on their feet. This is a good read for children familiar with family upheaval.
mary_rozendal's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
melissapalmer404's review
5.0
Book #90 Read in 2013
Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (YA)
This is an author who I have tried several books of, without finishing any of them. This one, however, I loved. A family, not very rich but very loving, uses reading and books as a way to connect them. Then the father comes up missing and people break in and wreck the family's home. There is obviously something bad going on and Sum and her children, Early and Jubie, are forced to head into a shelter while they continue to hope that Dash will make his way back to his family. Early decides to take on a more active role and begins her own investigation as to what happened to her father.
I enjoyed this book. The writing style flowed well. Characters were well-developed and ones I immediately cared about. This book had a good mystery element to it and a decent amount of action to keep readers engaged.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (YA)
This is an author who I have tried several books of, without finishing any of them. This one, however, I loved. A family, not very rich but very loving, uses reading and books as a way to connect them. Then the father comes up missing and people break in and wreck the family's home. There is obviously something bad going on and Sum and her children, Early and Jubie, are forced to head into a shelter while they continue to hope that Dash will make his way back to his family. Early decides to take on a more active role and begins her own investigation as to what happened to her father.
I enjoyed this book. The writing style flowed well. Characters were well-developed and ones I immediately cared about. This book had a good mystery element to it and a decent amount of action to keep readers engaged.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com