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bookishpanda97's review against another edition
2.75
Cute book I liked the magic but I'm a little confused with it all
bardicbramley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racism, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Minor: Classism and Confinement
jodimiller37's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
5.0
Loved it, starting over is always hard
festival_maven_m's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
amotisse's review against another edition
4.0
A heartfelt story of how the power of imagination helps a young girl adapt to a new life, discovering herself and making friends along the way.
luckies_universe's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a cute little book. This was sent to me by Penguin Aus and I didn't know it was a middle grade novel until I opened it and saw the large writing. I thought I wouldn't enjoy the story as much, being an adult reading a book targeted toward twelve-year-olds, but believe it or not, I shed a tear.
If A Glasshouse of Stars had been around when I was a kid, it would have been a favourite. It reminded me of The Secret Garden.
The second person point of view takes a while to get used to, but it does exactly as the author intended--puts you in the shoes of an east Asian child whose parents immigrated to Australia. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the fear, confusion and anger that comes along with being dragged into a world you don't understand, and carrying the guilt of not living up to your parent's expectations.
This novel was intriguing, informative, heartbreaking and heartwarming.
If A Glasshouse of Stars had been around when I was a kid, it would have been a favourite. It reminded me of The Secret Garden.
The second person point of view takes a while to get used to, but it does exactly as the author intended--puts you in the shoes of an east Asian child whose parents immigrated to Australia. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the fear, confusion and anger that comes along with being dragged into a world you don't understand, and carrying the guilt of not living up to your parent's expectations.
This novel was intriguing, informative, heartbreaking and heartwarming.
esther_a_'s review against another edition
4.0
Magical and moving.
An immersive and imaginative story but one that covers real life topics too.
My heart ached for Meixing with the hardships she experienced. Such a sweet character.
An immersive and imaginative story but one that covers real life topics too.
My heart ached for Meixing with the hardships she experienced. Such a sweet character.
The glasshouse sounds like such a wonderful sanctuary from the outside world and so magical.
The book includes family dynamics (the good and bad) developing friendships, finding your place in the world, dealing with everything being new and so many things to learn.
The book includes family dynamics (the good and bad) developing friendships, finding your place in the world, dealing with everything being new and so many things to learn.
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
A touching and quietly magical story of family, belonging and strength that compassionately explores mental health, grief and the varying experiences of immigrants of all ages and backgrounds.
TW: racism, bullying, references to domestic violence towards a child.
TW: racism, bullying, references to domestic violence towards a child.
k_k2023's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5