betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

You know, it's a special kind of author who can write for multiple audiences. Blake nailed the voice in this book; Ivy is struggling with her identity, struggling with figuring out her new places in her family, and now a tornado took away their home. This book is full of emotion, full of heart, and just a great message to middle grade readers to be themselves.

There are so many sweet moments throughout this book, especially as Ivy figures out how to advocate for herself. Plus, middle grade readers need to see these kinds of stories, the kinds of stories that people are trying to ban. I'm so happy that these stories exist because we need them!

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enchantressreads's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a book I needed when I was younger.

Ivy Aberdeen is the middle child of her family; she has an older sister, and new twin brothers.  She sometimes feels that she's left out, and turns to art for comfort.  When she starts drawing herself with girls, sometimes holding hands, she's not sure what's happening, only that she wants it to happen in real life.

A tornado sweeps through her small Georgia town and demolishes her family's home, along with everything she's taken comfort in, except for her one journal.  She keeps it in her pillow case as she and her family are escorted to the elementary school for shelter.  Until, that is, her journal goes missing.

Ivy must then navigate the difficult process of living in a hotel with her family, being the middle child, while also now battling with her new feelings, along with her missing journal.

This book is a sad book, but it's also a feel-good book.  It's all about the journey of self-exploration.  It's about navigating the confusing world as a pre-teen, looking for guidance and unsure how to communicate your needs.  Ivy grows in this book--not just age wise (she turns thirteen!), but emotionally.  While reading Ivy losing her house was heart-wrenching, I loved seeing her turn into her true self.

I recommend this book to not only middle grade readers, but everyone in between.  LGBTQIA+ readers of all ages will love this book.  Parents of LGBTQIA+ kids will love this book.  Any sexuality young child will love this book, because it's not only about exploring sexuality, but exploring who you are as a person in general.

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anniereads221's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0


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lainy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75


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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


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