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breakfastgrey's review
4.0
Can we address that Levine Querido is quickly becoming synonymous with quality middle grade books in the same way that :01 First Second or Candlewick is? This book is another hit from them. It deals with difficult issues and offers no easy solutions. It's about how to be a decent person, handle loss, but also still have fun and be yourself in a world that claims to be all about that but frequently punishes you for it. The parents can be a little much at times (they're like ultra-liberal pod people), but the kids absolutely jump off the page.
libraryladys's review against another edition
4.0
YHBA 2023
It took me awhile to get into this book. It is a strong story of friendship and it broke my heart one of the friends had to move away at the end of the book.
It took me awhile to get into this book. It is a strong story of friendship and it broke my heart one of the friends had to move away at the end of the book.
trix21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
the more times i read it, the more i like it. the first time through, i thought it wasn’t that good. but by my third time, i really felt like i understood it. and liked it! i definitely recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
henry10's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very slow for the first 2/3rds, other than minor events, but the ending helped the star review exponentially. Everything that happened in the end at once was just overload, but not necessarily in a bad way. The final scene was so moving as well! I wanted to give this 3 stars until the last 2 chapters, and I now want to do 3.5, but that's not possible, so 4 stars it is for weird storyline progression.
Spoiler
Also, Mike Jung used up almost the whole book to talk about their plan for World of Amazement, and it NEVER HAPPENED. >:(thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A perfect MG book that deals with bullying and homophobia.
readsknitsrepeats's review
4.0
“I’m not panicking. I am gently freaking out.” Awesome line!
What a great story around friendship. The dialog and banter between the boys was spot on!
What a great story around friendship. The dialog and banter between the boys was spot on!
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
4.0
A perfect MG book that deals with bullying and homophobia.
kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
Matt and Eric have been best friends since joining band in fourth grade. Now in sixth grade, the boys learn that they will play in the Spring Music Festival at World of Amazement (Disneyland/World?), the best amusement park ever. Adding to the thrill, DefenderCon, a comics convention, will take place nearby at the exact same time. Their favorite author, Jonah Burns, will be there signing copies of their all time favorite comic, Sandpiper. Oh my GAWD!
Sadly, Eric will be moving across the country to New York for his mom's new job as soon as the school year ends. Out of desperation the two plan a daring final mission: They will sneak off to DefenderCon, meet their hero, and get back to the amusement park before anyone notices they were gone. What could go wrong?
The way the boys' friendship is presented is sweet. They are teased for their closeness, and even their nerdiness, but really, at that age, are there any kids who are not nerdy to someone? I am 50 and still identify as a nerd, but thank goodness I no longer get teased! The book is fairly lite, but it does tackle the issues of racism (Matt is Korean, Eric is white), homophobia, and plain old fashioned bullying. Jung even goes so far as to make the "bully" relatable and sympathetic in some ways. I think this is so important in books aimed at this age. There is never an excuse for bullying to violence, but it's good to know that there is (almost) always and underlying reason. None of us live on easy street.
It was satisfying to read a story that explores a loving friendship between two boys who defy gender norms and are simply allowed to be who and what they are.
Sadly, Eric will be moving across the country to New York for his mom's new job as soon as the school year ends. Out of desperation the two plan a daring final mission: They will sneak off to DefenderCon, meet their hero, and get back to the amusement park before anyone notices they were gone. What could go wrong?
The way the boys' friendship is presented is sweet. They are teased for their closeness, and even their nerdiness, but really, at that age, are there any kids who are not nerdy to someone? I am 50 and still identify as a nerd, but thank goodness I no longer get teased! The book is fairly lite, but it does tackle the issues of racism (Matt is Korean, Eric is white), homophobia, and plain old fashioned bullying. Jung even goes so far as to make the "bully" relatable and sympathetic in some ways. I think this is so important in books aimed at this age. There is never an excuse for bullying to violence, but it's good to know that there is (almost) always and underlying reason. None of us live on easy street.
It was satisfying to read a story that explores a loving friendship between two boys who defy gender norms and are simply allowed to be who and what they are.