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poemsandponds's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
This book had beautiful nature descriptions and lush, eloquent prose. Dara is an old soul keenly attuned to the natural world. He cares for it with a passion. It was also a meditation on coming of age and accepting the way one's brain processes the world. The entires give a view into Dara's mind and some of the struggles and strengths of being autistic. As someone with an autistic younger brother, I appreciated the opportunity to understand another autistic person's thoughts and experiences. I felt like it connected me to my brother just a little bit more. I loved Dara's family and their relationship. They are a sweet, quirky bunch who love each other fiercely and create their own little safety net in a harsh world. Their love for each other is the backbone of this story. Overall, a reflective and relaxing (most times, except for the parts on bullying and mental health struggles. I got a deeper knowledge and appreciation for the ecology of Northern Ireland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
thirza's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
emrosch's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
“... I know that my hand will always be outstretched, to nature and to people. Because we're not separate from nature. We are nature. “
So beautifully written. It feels so personal and precious and captured me from the first page. Emotional and truly inspiring.
So beautifully written. It feels so personal and precious and captured me from the first page. Emotional and truly inspiring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
amymcphrsn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
venetiana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
One of the most beautiful and interesting books I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Alcohol, and Animal death
tabear's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
massivepizzacrust's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This is an amazing debut and I'm curious to see how McAnulty's writing improves with experience. For me, the pacing was a bit off sometimes but the language was full of color and I could just see myself in the places being described. It really made me want to go sit outside and notice all the little things about where I live. I also appreciated learning about what the world feels like from an autistic perspective and I loved how the family supported and cared for each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Ableism
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
alayamorning's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
mirandaaaa's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
Thank you very much Nell for lending me this book, sorry it has taken me so longgg.
"the starlings still bloom and bellow, origami shapes against the limestone greys of the sky."
Literally how did a 14 year old write this??? It is so incredibly eloquent, and perfectly describes the seasons. As I was reading though Spring, Winter etc I could feel the woolen jumpers, crunchy leaves, singing birds or endless summer days. McAnulty perfectly captures a year of blissful nature whilst raising awareness to the dangers the world faces.
"When dusk comes it is a bruised blackberry sky."
It was incredibly calming to read and I could feel myself begin to chill out and become absorbed into his hypnotic life. Also now very much wish my family do a Christmas Eve giving of a stack of books to each other.
"It feels like a ticking time bomb to extinction. Is it any wonder that almost a quarter of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties?Our world is increasingly divided between attainment, materialism and self-analysis. We're at the tipping point in the relationship we have with ourselves, with each other and our world."
"the starlings still bloom and bellow, origami shapes against the limestone greys of the sky."
Literally how did a 14 year old write this??? It is so incredibly eloquent, and perfectly describes the seasons. As I was reading though Spring, Winter etc I could feel the woolen jumpers, crunchy leaves, singing birds or endless summer days. McAnulty perfectly captures a year of blissful nature whilst raising awareness to the dangers the world faces.
"When dusk comes it is a bruised blackberry sky."
It was incredibly calming to read and I could feel myself begin to chill out and become absorbed into his hypnotic life. Also now very much wish my family do a Christmas Eve giving of a stack of books to each other.
"It feels like a ticking time bomb to extinction. Is it any wonder that almost a quarter of young people are experiencing mental health difficulties?Our world is increasingly divided between attainment, materialism and self-analysis. We're at the tipping point in the relationship we have with ourselves, with each other and our world."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, and Bullying
Moderate: Self harm
mperriwinkle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
It is rare for myself to read a non-fiction book. Admittedly, I typically am not intrigued or gripped enough to focus on the material of the book. This book was a rare exception. As a vegetarian, a young self-proclaimed climate change activist, and a teenager who has struggled with bullying, mental health issues, and her place in this ever changing world, this book really hit home. I loved the way nature was used to explain our feelings of interconnectedness and how nature was also used to explain our feelings of loneliness. It was a beautifully written book that ever person should read at some point in their lifetime and if not, they should read something similar. It is important to acknowledge your place in this new age and what you can do to better it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts