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abigailbat's review against another edition
5.0
I just really, really enjoyed this audiobook. I was a big fan of Sherman Alexie's ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN and this book is similar in tone and content. Bonus: Louis is a big music fan and bonds with his best friend while listening to the Beatles, Wings, and Queen. Music references are one thing that help create the historical setting (mid-1970s) in a very organic way. Highly recommended.
sunshineshazam's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
booksandchocolates's review against another edition
5.0
4,5 stars. This was an amazing and heartwarming story about a boy who's learned the hard way from a very young age. His friendship with George seemd believable from the very first moment and I think it captured very well the tumultous feelings of this age. I also loved how there was no love interest involved. Usually when we're introduced to such character, no matter how interesting the protagonist and the side characters are, they're pushed aside, but this was not the case here thankfully - the Tuscarora reservation is described almost perfectly, transporting the readers into its world. My only complaint might be the countless Beatles references, which I guess is one of the books' points but as I don't particularly like the Beatles, it was repeating and it grew tiring (although it was beautiful to see a character so passionate about music). This is the reason for my 4,5 stars.
delaneybull's review
3.0
A good coming-of-age story for a middle schooler struggling to fit in. I also really liked that Native history is chunked into smaller bites for a younger audience, but is very present throughout the book.
cboddie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bookworm_630's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is really a great book...for another reader. The writing is great, the elements are all there, it's realism is real, the story isn't cheesy or sappy. The author really shows us what it's like to be the only smart INDIAN kid in class and live on the reservation, completely and totally isolated from his classmates. To then find a friend, go through the ups and downs of pre-teen friendship with said friend, the confusion, the joy, etc...I really did feel terror and outrage when Evan was lurking and no one would do anything to stop it. But I never fully invested in the story. I don't know why. Just because, I wasn't the right reader at the right time. I'm not the demographic, I'm not a teen/tween boy, whatever the reason. Don't let that stop you from picking up this book and reading the crap out of it. Because Beatles! Paul McCartney! Queen! Smurfs! Real life in the 70's!
letsgolesbians's review against another edition
4.0
This started off a little clunky, but the writing smoothed out by the end, and I really enjoyed it.
jengennari's review against another edition
4.0
An important book that gives insight into life on a reservation, feet in two nations. This was a well-plotted book; I really knew what Lewis feared, and it kept me turning the pages.
oriad313's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! This is a wonderful, poignant, fun, story of a profound friendship between two boys from wildly opposite experiences. It was funny, engaging, and powerful. It tackles some heavy themes effectively without being graphic. I would absolutely recommend this starting with mid grade readers, but it's a compelling enough story to be engaging to an adult as well.
renatasnacks's review against another edition
4.0
This has already been compared to [b:The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian|693208|The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian|Sherman Alexie|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327908992s/693208.jpg|829330] a whole bunch and like, I get it, they're both stories about young American Indian boys going to largely white schools. This one's set across the country, in New York, and in the 1970s. And it's less... cynical, maybe, than Alexie's.
Lately there's been a whole wave of "historical" YA set in the 80s but I haven't read much in the 70s, and I really appreciated all the talk of 70s music--specifically how they were all kind of still in shock about the Beatles breaking up, but also really into Wings.
I liked how sweet Lewis was, and a very frank narrator about not being sure how to make new friends. I also appreciated its frankness about bullying and the realistic closure from that arc.
Lately there's been a whole wave of "historical" YA set in the 80s but I haven't read much in the 70s, and I really appreciated all the talk of 70s music--specifically how they were all kind of still in shock about the Beatles breaking up, but also really into Wings.
I liked how sweet Lewis was, and a very frank narrator about not being sure how to make new friends. I also appreciated its frankness about bullying and the realistic closure from that arc.