Scan barcode
thealien_em's review
5.0
wow, okay… this book was adorably queer.
super cute, and had a girl in red reference (that i noticed, mind you. my mom can vouch for me. i may or may not have screamed loudly about how excited i was.)
i totally recommend this book, it was an easy middle grade read.
byeee
✨
super cute, and had a girl in red reference (that i noticed, mind you. my mom can vouch for me. i may or may not have screamed loudly about how excited i was.)
i totally recommend this book, it was an easy middle grade read.
byeee
✨
pib003's review
5.0
It's amazing to read a book in which the character's inner monologue mirrors your own. This book wasn't that for me, but Dahlia is so well-written that I have to imagine her story is incredibly healing for a lot of readers. I also loved the depiction of a healthy queer network- that's the best thing ever! Extra bonus points for kids expressing anger at their parents and being in the right.
danielvicens's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
3.75
bethreadsandnaps's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
13 year old Dalia meets fellow swimmer Rani who will be moving to her school for the upcoming school year. When her father stuns her with some news, Dalia invites Rani to go on an adventure to several amusement parks. Will sparks fly between these two teens on their adventure?
As a parent, the set-up for the adventure in this book makes no sense. It’s forced and unrealistic. However, I have relatively few other quibbles except for general 13 year old angst that comes through in spades. This book had a great message to get out there and experience life. And I loved all the references to amusement parks, though I have never been to any of the amusement parks mentioned. I need to rectify that!
lydiahephzibah's review
5.0
Very cute and I wish I'd had this book when I was 12. That quite possibly would have changed my life and I really hope it changes the life of other queer kids who don't know who they are and what they're feeling! I loved this big gay group so much!
chanadevorah's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
claudiaslibrarycard's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Are you looking for a middle grades book about finding yourself, found family, handling major life changes, and discovering queer identity? This book does all of that perfectly in a way that honors the seriousness of each topic while also staying fun and uplifting.
Our main character Dalia is twelve, her parents are recently divorced, she's lost her best friend, and she's obsessed with rollercoaster... videos. But she's never ridden a rollercoaster. When her dad springs some big news on her in a less than ideal way, Dalia sets off on a trip that she is dreading for the company but gleeful about because she will finally ride her first rollercoaster. Armed with a new friend, Dalia gets brave and tries new things all around- not just at theme parks. She explores her own identity with the deft help of some older teens who have walked the same path.
This is a new favorite middle grades for me because it is just so fun and loveable. I especially love that the author emphasizes the family that we chose, and calls out bad behavior from adults that Dalia should be able to trust. Add this one to your list or get it for a young person in your life.
Our main character Dalia is twelve, her parents are recently divorced, she's lost her best friend, and she's obsessed with rollercoaster... videos. But she's never ridden a rollercoaster. When her dad springs some big news on her in a less than ideal way, Dalia sets off on a trip that she is dreading for the company but gleeful about because she will finally ride her first rollercoaster. Armed with a new friend, Dalia gets brave and tries new things all around- not just at theme parks. She explores her own identity with the deft help of some older teens who have walked the same path.
This is a new favorite middle grades for me because it is just so fun and loveable. I especially love that the author emphasizes the family that we chose, and calls out bad behavior from adults that Dalia should be able to trust. Add this one to your list or get it for a young person in your life.
jennrid's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this read! I loved the way the author framed Dalia’s story around actual roller coasters, as they are such an a propos analogy to all the ups and downs, thrilling, fear inducing feelings that she experiences through the book: her relationship with her dad, the “loss” of her best friend, the discovery of her soon-to-be instant family, and her awakening to not only her first crush but also to her queer feelings.