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notthatcosta's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
3.75
Although quite saccharine at points (particularly the ending), there was a lot of grit to this book that surpassed my expectations. Beyond the book itself I was almost more fascinated by the lore around the story and how R.J. Palacio was inspired to write it.
Books like this make me wish I had discovered them when I was much younger, but perhaps I wouldn't have appreciated them at the time. I sincerely hope reading this book made some kids a little bit kinder to their peers, because if there's a moral to this story, it's that kids can be cruel.
Books like this make me wish I had discovered them when I was much younger, but perhaps I wouldn't have appreciated them at the time. I sincerely hope reading this book made some kids a little bit kinder to their peers, because if there's a moral to this story, it's that kids can be cruel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Ableism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Bullying, and Medical content
julessssss's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am not the biggest fan of juvenile realistic fiction on a personal level, but I am not at all upset that I took the time to read this book.
I was expecting Auggie to be the main narrator throughout the whole story, so when the perspective switched, I was surprised. I think the author spent a lot of energy to try and get all sides and perspectives of the story, at least in terms of the children/teens involved, and I commend her for that. this is a story of growth, and not just in terms of Auggie and his family, but everyone involved. (except maybe Julien lol)
even with that growth, I did not love (or even like) all of the characters (which is a good thing, and also part of why I struggle to like books like this). not all real children (or people) are "likeable", and they don't need to be.
I only mildly enjoyed reading this, but (as evidenced by my praise above) would recommend.
even with that growth, I did not love (or even like) all of the characters (which is a good thing, and also part of why I struggle to like books like this). not all real children (or people) are "likeable", and they don't need to be.
I only mildly enjoyed reading this, but (as evidenced by my praise above) would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Animal death, and Body shaming
elizabethtrue's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
It made me cry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Animal death, and Medical content
vibingjaren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This book was absolutely fantastic. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I loved it! The story starts off a little slow, but as you get further in it gets more interesting. Multiple points in the story, I got teary-eyed. I love the character development, and the way you can see the change. It’s a beautifully written book, and a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, and Bullying
Moderate: Animal death and Classism
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
bookswithlauren's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
suzyvee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Medical trauma
n_degeorgia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
okay I know this book is super popular and was made into a movie but I still went in wary. You never know with disability representation how it’s going to go. But I think it tackled the themes of recognizing disability without judging it, and what it’s like to grow up as a sibling of a disabled child in a more natural/well flowing narrative than Happiness Falls. But it also just felt very much Jodi Picoult-ish. Not a huge fan of white women writing about trauma and disability they haven’t actually gone through!!! Also my eye TWITCHED every time they /stressed/ the point that Auggie was not a special needs student he JUST has a “facial deformity.” Like if we’re writing about disability acceptance let’s not stomp down people with intellectual disabilities to pull ourselves up??? But still a sweet story overall. I hope that maybe people with no exposure to the disability community at all found this as a safe entry point to warming to the idea that disabled people are people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
unusuallyy's review against another edition
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Ableism
Moderate: Medical content, Animal death, and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Drug use
sarahbethhh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I absolutely adored Auggie. All the PoV characters were lovable and I really enjoyed the framing of the narrative. The message and themes were accessible for middle grade audiences and still important and relevant to more seasoned readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Animal death
leahg22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Physical abuse, Animal death, Medical trauma, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship