Scan barcode
marisatn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
booktrunks's review against another edition
5.0
I bought this book recently, and if I was being fair to all the books waiting on my shelf, I would have waited much longer to read this. BUT, it sounded really interesting, so I skipped the line, and I regret nothing! This is a fantastic and moving book with a great balance of friendship, family and found-family, loneliness, and nostalgia. I found Lewis to be such a realistic and lovable character, his imperfections and struggles really reflected what I see in the lives of my students today, and the contrast of his happy/hopeful moments to his disappointing/beat-down moments was so emotional (and even infuriating at times)! There's a lot that this book has to say about the school system and the abuse of power from teachers/staff that can take place, and I think it's important to hear. I can think of many people I would recommend this book to, but it also falls into a category I call "books I think educators need to read." I will definitely be picking up other books by Gansworth!
claire_bear_the_bear's review against another edition
3.0
Read it as a class read and it was okay. I would never pick this book up myself, but as a class read it was better than most.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
4.0
When I check this book at at the local library a couple weeks ago, I was intrigued by the description of the book, and thrilled at the thought that it might be reminiscent of Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian". I also assumed that this would be a high school age book that I might like to teach at some point. Well, it is actually a book about an 8th grader, that might be good for freshman, and sure, it is a little like Alexie's book, but in truth, this book is not what I expected. However, in this case, that is a good thing. Few other books (at least that I have read, and I ma no stranger to reading) have managed to capture poverty, and what it means to grow up not only poor, but on a reservation in such a way. Now, I did not grow up on a reservation, but I do know a thing or two about living in a house that I didn't really want to invite friends to. Gansworth doesn't play games in this book, and Lewis questions everything, and sees far more than most his age, in terms of what his culture, his economic status, and how those in the larger world see him. Yet Lewis fights for his rights, fights for what is important, he doesn't just lay down when things outside of his control happen. This is a great little book about culture, poverty, friendship, junior high, bullying, and questioning the present through a not so distant history. And if none of that sounds up your alley, the soundtrack to this little novel makes it even better.
thatweaverlady's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
This is definitely the for readers who love Sherman Alexie's Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian, particularly those who aren't quite ready for that one. The author grew up on the Tuscarora reservation in western New York and know whereof he speaks; like Alexie he's not afraid to talk about the stereotypes and myths.
Lewis is supposedly very smart, so he's tested into the school's gifted program. In seventh grade he had no friends and expects nothing different in eighth, except this year George has moved to the local army base and doesn't seem to understand that Lewis is persona non grata in the class. Over the course of the year they bond over music, but there's a huge gap between them: Lewis feels uncomfortable going into George's house, and he knows that George can never come inside Lewis'. Despite this, they really do develop a sincere friendship - one that most boys wish for. Their road isn't smooth, but their relationship is very real.
I liked meeting Lewis, but why was this set in the 1970s? He's about a year younger than I am, so all the stuff he experienced musically I was experiencing at virtually the same age (and since I was living about 2 hours east of the rez, I knew people who were going to Toronto for the Wings tour and remember the blizzard). But that's me, and there really doesn't seem to be any reason for the time setting except perhaps the author writing what he knows? It's not far enough away to be historical fiction, but not close enough for middle grade readers to really care. It also rang false that the adults really did adhere to stereotypes, with little nuance in them.
If readers can get over the time in which it's set, they'll really like this book. And lucky for them, Wings Over America has been released on CD!
ARC provided by publisher.
Lewis is supposedly very smart, so he's tested into the school's gifted program. In seventh grade he had no friends and expects nothing different in eighth, except this year George has moved to the local army base and doesn't seem to understand that Lewis is persona non grata in the class. Over the course of the year they bond over music, but there's a huge gap between them: Lewis feels uncomfortable going into George's house, and he knows that George can never come inside Lewis'. Despite this, they really do develop a sincere friendship - one that most boys wish for. Their road isn't smooth, but their relationship is very real.
I liked meeting Lewis, but why was this set in the 1970s? He's about a year younger than I am, so all the stuff he experienced musically I was experiencing at virtually the same age (and since I was living about 2 hours east of the rez, I knew people who were going to Toronto for the Wings tour and remember the blizzard). But that's me, and there really doesn't seem to be any reason for the time setting except perhaps the author writing what he knows? It's not far enough away to be historical fiction, but not close enough for middle grade readers to really care. It also rang false that the adults really did adhere to stereotypes, with little nuance in them.
If readers can get over the time in which it's set, they'll really like this book. And lucky for them, Wings Over America has been released on CD!
ARC provided by publisher.
rpanny's review against another edition
5.0
This may be the best portrayal of male best friendship I've come across in YA.
ronielle's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book even more the second time around. I loved that there was a playlist in the back of the book that I missed the first time around. Teaching this book really brought it alive.
jackiekeating's review against another edition
3.0
“Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” but for a younger audience and not as good.