Scan barcode
wiseowl33's review
4.0
Loved this book. Loved the use of words and Langston Hughes. Enjoyable mystery.
lydiaewinters's review
2.0
DNF'd page 38
This is a book written for middle school kids. I am 36 years old and I have never been so bored in my life. I can't imagine a single kid willingly reading this.
I love to read. I love to write. I love words. Yet I could barely slog through a couple chapters. Dash felt pretentious. I immediately was turned off by house constant talking like an English teacher (not the fun kind, but the kind that would suck all the joy out of reading.
I just can't get into a book that reads like it was written entirely to sound literary and intelligent. I want a good story. And when I pick up a middle school mystery I intended it to be something a kid would actually read.
This is a book written for middle school kids. I am 36 years old and I have never been so bored in my life. I can't imagine a single kid willingly reading this.
I love to read. I love to write. I love words. Yet I could barely slog through a couple chapters. Dash felt pretentious. I immediately was turned off by house constant talking like an English teacher (not the fun kind, but the kind that would suck all the joy out of reading.
I just can't get into a book that reads like it was written entirely to sound literary and intelligent. I want a good story. And when I pick up a middle school mystery I intended it to be something a kid would actually read.
claudine2's review
challenging
mysterious
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
4.5
I liked the way the book was formatted, around one word each chapter.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Drug use, and Death
casehouse's review
3.0
I loved the idea of this book. It introduces kids to homelessness in an open and mostly nonjudgmental way.
suzannedix's review
3.0
Reviewed by an 8th grader: The story follows the tight-knit family of the book's main character Early. Their simple life full of dreams for a better future and a house are shattered when one day Dash, Early's father, mysteriously disappears. A quick series of events leaves Early, her mom Summer, and her toddler brother Jubilee in one of Chicago's homeless shelters. As they struggle to "hold fast", Early tries to discover exactly what happened to her father.
This book covered a lot of topics- everything from homelessness to families to poetry. The story was told well, however the ending seemed a bit farfetched and unlikely to ever happen. The story was certainly inspiring and very touching but doesn't really belong in a Middle School library because the characters were younger and the plot was sort of juvenile.
Recommended for optional purchase for a middle school collection.
This book covered a lot of topics- everything from homelessness to families to poetry. The story was told well, however the ending seemed a bit farfetched and unlikely to ever happen. The story was certainly inspiring and very touching but doesn't really belong in a Middle School library because the characters were younger and the plot was sort of juvenile.
Recommended for optional purchase for a middle school collection.
mazza57's review
3.0
This is a middle grade children's book that I came across for a reading challenge. As such it doesn't really require much reading for the adult and is a very quick story line. I can imagine it works very well for the 9 - 11 year old who gets a likeable mystery alongside building knowledge. I also think it will be well liked by teachers
book_nut's review
4.0
Surprisingly thoughtful look at the plight of homeless children with a nice mystery built in.
boleary30's review against another edition
4.0
Well written story of a girl in a shelter trying to find her father.
abigailbat's review
4.0
This is an exciting mystery set in a cold Chicago winter, perfect for kids who love words as much as Early Pearl does.
More: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2013/07/hold-fast.html
More: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2013/07/hold-fast.html