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charms1976's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad.
I love the way the character of Hester was portrayed with Executive Function Disorder. It gives the reader an inside look at the disorder and the problems that a person deals with. I like how it was handled.
I love the way the character of Hester was portrayed with Executive Function Disorder. It gives the reader an inside look at the disorder and the problems that a person deals with. I like how it was handled.
nsusdorf's review against another edition
5.0
This book has one of the most authentic middle school voices I’ve read in a long time. Hess is super relatable and helps me, as a teacher, imagine life from the student perspective.
annieice's review
4.0
Ok.... so I started this book with maybe way too high hopes! In the description, it says that she has ADHD but in the book, it never really is mentioned only anxiety and Executive Function Disorder is which is a part of ADHD... Hess is a nice character who is quite realistic. The book tends to look like some sort of self-help book with a story of a girl going through challenges which I don't think was really intended. The plot is nice and well-written incorporated with movie-like language which was fun. The ending wasn't very well said. It reminded me quite a lot of "Fish in a Tree" which is one of my faves. Hess really didn't have much accommodations and support from school except the school counselor who didn't do much either. The teachers should have decreased the number of homework and the time limit a bit at least! But maybe it was more realistic this way cuz the school system really sucks cuz they don't see the students as human and all unique individuals but all like some robots who have to follow each order exactly... Anyways would recommend it to anyone who likes books with neurodivergent characters and those who are neurodivergent themselves and can/like to read! 4 stars from me!
Spoiler
It just ends with her showing her movie at the HOOT and with the word This is not a movie. This is my life. Ok, I get it... but it doesn't really tell if she passed 8th Grade or not which was disappointing for me... I was really looking forward to her success and appreciation from Ms. Walker, but nope...audrey_a26's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
wonderbaarlijk's review
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
enidsorko's review
3.0
Quick read for middle readers. I liked Hess and her friends, and the descriptions relating to how she uses her camera to get through life. But I felt like there were flaws, especially how her learning disability was handled by her teachers- if she really had a classification/diagnosis, then she should have strategies and accommodations available to her. Instead, she seemed to be left to flounder around on her own, with no teacher really trying to help her come up with plans to fit her learning style. Middle school kids will probably like the way Hess fights her battles and find much to cheer about, but this is only a so-so story for anyone older than that.
simsbrarian's review
4.0
This story follows 8th grader Hester Greene. She's a film-buff; a girl who loves making movies, who can usually only focus and have any sorts of control with a camera in her hands. But her executive fuction disorder (akin to severe ADHA with an added sprinkle of anxiety-induced panic attacks) is wreaking havoc on her attempts at getting through the grade. There is no big movie dance sequence which can hide the truth: Hester is failing 8th grade, might be losing her friends, and risks getting her camera taken away. This is fast-paced and a quick read; I couldn't put it down and flew through it in one sitting. Hester is easy to like; even as she makes poor choices. There are laugh-out-loud moments, diverse friendships, and an attention to mental health detail which makes EFD read as realistic and not something "solved by a montage".
Anything you didn’t like about it? It's worth noting that despite the decent handling of Hester's EFD; there is still ableist language throughout the book.
To whom would you recommend this book? (Read-alikes if you can think of them) Good for reluctant readers and those looking for a decent take on a student with anxiety getting through 8th grade.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Anything you didn’t like about it? It's worth noting that despite the decent handling of Hester's EFD; there is still ableist language throughout the book.
To whom would you recommend this book? (Read-alikes if you can think of them) Good for reluctant readers and those looking for a decent take on a student with anxiety getting through 8th grade.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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