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tearsinthesea's review against another edition
4.0
A really cute book to read if you like young adults. Even if you don't like young adult, it is still a good read :)
manaledi's review against another edition
4.0
Partly I really clicked with this book because I also use swimming as an escape from rough parts of life. I also liked the "magical realism" parts of this book that blurred dream and reality. Yeah, there was lots of hidden advice and answers and an all too easy solution, but the path worked for me and Lucky was a solid narrator.
zellm's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastically weird book from A. S. King. I love her characters for their realness, and although this isn't as weird as some of her newer books, it still had her special touch. I really really enjoyed this.
asimilarkite's review against another edition
5.0
So I've been hearing buzz about A.S. King for years now (yes Tom, Dust of 100 Dogs is still on my list :)), and after hearing her speak at the YALSA Literature Symposium, I FINALLY took the plunge and read one of her books.
OK OK everyone, you're right, she's freaking great. This is one of those SUPER literary books that has the rare quality of actually having teen appeal. I feel like there are a lot of award winning teen books that are actually really adult books with a teen label, and that isn't true of this one.
King has managed to combine all of the following elements in this book into a powerful, deep coming of age story that teens will actually relate to, find funny and sad, and entertaining: Magical realism, flasbacks to the Vietnam War (or are they really flashbacks?), talking ants, complex love/friendship relationships, complex family relationships, jumping around in chronological order, bullying, culinary arts, lap-swimming, coming to terms with your family's past, and more more more.
There is just SO MUCH in this book. It is just begging to be used in a teen book club. Now I want to read everything you write, Ms. King.
OK OK everyone, you're right, she's freaking great. This is one of those SUPER literary books that has the rare quality of actually having teen appeal. I feel like there are a lot of award winning teen books that are actually really adult books with a teen label, and that isn't true of this one.
King has managed to combine all of the following elements in this book into a powerful, deep coming of age story that teens will actually relate to, find funny and sad, and entertaining: Magical realism, flasbacks to the Vietnam War (or are they really flashbacks?), talking ants, complex love/friendship relationships, complex family relationships, jumping around in chronological order, bullying, culinary arts, lap-swimming, coming to terms with your family's past, and more more more.
There is just SO MUCH in this book. It is just begging to be used in a teen book club. Now I want to read everything you write, Ms. King.
labtracks's review against another edition
3.0
This was decent. I nice story about childhood struggles with bullying and parenting issues. I liked the main character. Could relate to him on some levels. The use of dreams as an escape and the ants was interesting. Nothing too exciting happens here.
mz_olson_8's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome! The issue of bullying is so important, and it was described beautifully....exactly how I remember it. Unfortunately, most of us have had to deal with this issue up close at some point in our lives, and A.S. King handles it without being preachy. The book also deals with trauma in general; every family has issues and every family has trauma. Lucky, the main character, has some insightful encounters (while dreaming) with his granddad who never came home from Vietnam. And one can't forget the ants....I LOVED the ants. I wasn't always sure if Lucky was completely sane or not, but the characters were intriguing and the dialogue was hilarious! This book is brilliant!
lcmarie19's review against another edition
5.0
My first A.S. King novel, and it was absolutely fabulous! King has an amazing way of making all of her characters beautifully flawed, but still likeable at the same time. The story is simply great. Can't wait to read more by King because this one left a great impression!
The metaphor of "the ants" was simply brilliant, too!
The metaphor of "the ants" was simply brilliant, too!
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #14 Read in 2013
Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King (YA)
This is a young adult realistic fiction book and I enjoyed it. Lucky is a high school student who is getting bullied by a real jerk named Nader. His father's advice is to ignore it, and that is what most of the adults do too, since Nader's father is a hot-shot lawyer and people are intimidated by him. On top of that, Lucky's grandmother, on her death bed, makes Lucky swear to rescue her husband, a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War. Lucky's dreams take him to his grandfather, who gives him advice as to how to handle the problems in his life.
This book was a great read. It showed the effects of bullying. It also showed how the victims were not the only ones who feel helpless when bullying and harassment is going on. Lucky is a character readers will relate to and care about; this book has action, romance and humor. King's writing is so true-to-life that readers will feel a part of the story. I recommend it.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King (YA)
This is a young adult realistic fiction book and I enjoyed it. Lucky is a high school student who is getting bullied by a real jerk named Nader. His father's advice is to ignore it, and that is what most of the adults do too, since Nader's father is a hot-shot lawyer and people are intimidated by him. On top of that, Lucky's grandmother, on her death bed, makes Lucky swear to rescue her husband, a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War. Lucky's dreams take him to his grandfather, who gives him advice as to how to handle the problems in his life.
This book was a great read. It showed the effects of bullying. It also showed how the victims were not the only ones who feel helpless when bullying and harassment is going on. Lucky is a character readers will relate to and care about; this book has action, romance and humor. King's writing is so true-to-life that readers will feel a part of the story. I recommend it.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com