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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
The great AG marathon continues. Here's what stood out to me about this one:
- The bulk of the plot concerns Courtney's new friend Isaac, who has contracted HIV through a contaminated blood transfusion. I knew about that going in, but I didn't realize that it isn't just included, it's the main plot. There's a massive freak-out that sweeps up both Tina and Sarah, and more than anything, the key of this book is a lesson in how to deal with a personal connection to a controversial subject, including how to be a good ally/friend: Using your voice to share reliable information and amplify the voices that matter; keeping friendships alive, even through tough times; disengaging when you need a break for self care.
- As is typical for AG, it's a friend who is directly affected, not our main character (see also: Julie's friend who is deaf, Nanea's friend who faces prejudice for being Japanese, Maryellen's friend who faces prejudice for being Italian, Rebecca's cousin/uncle in the garment factory, Samantha learning from Nellie's experience, Molly learning from Emily's experience, Addy watching Sarah leave school).
- I was surprised in Book 1 when Courtney was nervous about speaking up, but it's more clearly reinforced here: Not her thing. Which of course means that situations come up where she has to do it. That's life, kid.
- There are lots of Crystal Starshooter daydreams and details woven throughout, including sidekick characters that correspond to her friends, which is really fun. I love that this character and world Courtney created have become an imaginary game for the whole friend group. And I love the "let's turn enemies into friends" call-back to Book 1.
- The scene where Courtney first discovers a Pleasant Company catalog feels over-engineered. (Be cool, book, be cool!) But I found the scene a couple of pages later where she and Sarah are looking through it at lunch pretty delightful, especially when it ends with a sketch of a hunk of cheese in a sunbonnet. (Sarah is totally getting a Kirsten now that Courtney has her Molly.)
More Courtney babble:
Courtney Changes the Games
- The bulk of the plot concerns Courtney's new friend Isaac, who has contracted HIV through a contaminated blood transfusion. I knew about that going in, but I didn't realize that it isn't just included, it's the main plot. There's a massive freak-out that sweeps up both Tina and Sarah, and more than anything, the key of this book is a lesson in how to deal with a personal connection to a controversial subject, including how to be a good ally/friend: Using your voice to share reliable information and amplify the voices that matter; keeping friendships alive, even through tough times; disengaging when you need a break for self care.
- As is typical for AG, it's a friend who is directly affected, not our main character (see also: Julie's friend who is deaf, Nanea's friend who faces prejudice for being Japanese, Maryellen's friend who faces prejudice for being Italian, Rebecca's cousin/uncle in the garment factory, Samantha learning from Nellie's experience, Molly learning from Emily's experience, Addy watching Sarah leave school).
- I was surprised in Book 1 when Courtney was nervous about speaking up, but it's more clearly reinforced here: Not her thing. Which of course means that situations come up where she has to do it. That's life, kid.
- There are lots of Crystal Starshooter daydreams and details woven throughout, including sidekick characters that correspond to her friends, which is really fun. I love that this character and world Courtney created have become an imaginary game for the whole friend group. And I love the "let's turn enemies into friends" call-back to Book 1.
- The scene where Courtney first discovers a Pleasant Company catalog feels over-engineered. (Be cool, book, be cool!) But I found the scene a couple of pages later where she and Sarah are looking through it at lunch pretty delightful, especially when it ends with a sketch of a hunk of cheese in a sunbonnet. (Sarah is totally getting a Kirsten now that Courtney has her Molly.)
More Courtney babble:
Courtney Changes the Games
4.5 stars. This was so good and I will always applaud AG for tackling difficult subjects and making them accessible to kids. This book legit had me tearing up because of how terribly Isaac was treated but Courtney (being the wonderful kid that she is) really stood by his side and was an advocate for him and I thought that was beautiful. Great series and I loved both books. I’m glad that I finally got around to these.
Even better than the first one! It delves into emotionally heavy material and handles it beautifully.
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a great book, I definitely enjoyed it more than the first Courtney book. Very emotional-I felt both sadness and inspiration throughout much of my time reading.
Courtney Moore befriends a new kid in town after they meet at the arcade. Isaac is a game whiz and a funny, kind friend, Courtney comes to find out. But Isaac has moved to California for a difficult reason. He is HIV positive and CA offers certain protections that his former state did not. Throughout the story Courtney is focused on helping Isaac get what he deserves, while also maintaining her other friendships and relationships, which proves to be tricky. Courtney also must overcome a fear to help her new friend.
Overall, I thought the author did a great job handling a sensitive topic in a way that was realistic, responsible, and showed respect for the subject matter. I’m sure some more conservative American girl fans will balk at the idea of a storyline featuring HIV/AIDS, but I hope they will give it a chance. There was nothing that was not age appropriate at all.
My one criticism of the book is that I still feel like I didn’t get to know Courtney as well as some of the other American Girl characters. I wish the books were a little longer to add just a bit more to round out her character and setting a bit more vividly.
Courtney Moore befriends a new kid in town after they meet at the arcade. Isaac is a game whiz and a funny, kind friend, Courtney comes to find out. But Isaac has moved to California for a difficult reason. He is HIV positive and CA offers certain protections that his former state did not. Throughout the story Courtney is focused on helping Isaac get what he deserves, while also maintaining her other friendships and relationships, which proves to be tricky. Courtney also must overcome a fear to help her new friend.
Overall, I thought the author did a great job handling a sensitive topic in a way that was realistic, responsible, and showed respect for the subject matter. I’m sure some more conservative American girl fans will balk at the idea of a storyline featuring HIV/AIDS, but I hope they will give it a chance. There was nothing that was not age appropriate at all.
My one criticism of the book is that I still feel like I didn’t get to know Courtney as well as some of the other American Girl characters. I wish the books were a little longer to add just a bit more to round out her character and setting a bit more vividly.
We love a book that opens with the characters attending Hands Across America.
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This Courtney book had a much stronger plot than the first one in my opinion. Courtney’s shyness and attempts to overcome it are more noticeable in this book. Her desire to speak up to help her friend Issac both helps her overcome her shyness and also at times makes her feel more hesitant to speak out when people start attacking her in addition to Isaac. The book did a good job of describing the challenges and fears of the HIV epidemic in a kid-friendly way, while still not talking down at kids. It also encourages children to get the facts before forming opinions, something that is important to do now more than ever with the increasing prevalence of misinformation.
you can't talk about the AIDS crisis without discussing how maliciously and specifically it and our government treated queer people.
So glad this story covered what it was like to be a kid with AIDS. The discussion of misinformation and prejudice felt uncomfortably relevant. That said, this book looses a whole star for the egregious and distracting moments where Courtney gets an American Girl doll.