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maryanne19's review against another edition
4.0
Very different from Kody Keplinger's other books, as this is middle grades. Sweet story of friendship.
mjenae's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The book accomplished it's purpose. I actually really enjoyed reading about Nola and the Swift boys, but I just had to give it a lower rating because even though three of the characters had great and noticeable character development, and even though it turned out in probably the best way it could've, and even though the ending was fantastic and it made me cry—I'm still very disappointed in how it turned out for one of the characters. I was frustrated—okay, yes, I was angry—at how Nola resolved one of the main conflicts in the book. She hurt my favorite character in what I felt was a quite unnecessary and naive move. So yes—the main beef I had with this book was its main character; she went against a lot of my own values, and it grated on my nerves.
(I still loved all the other characters, though. It's a worthwhile read.)
(I still loved all the other characters, though. It's a worthwhile read.)
thasbeeha's review against another edition
4.0
Its about the neighbour and the girl spending the summer break. And how the swift boys overcome the divorce of their parent.
federo999's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the main character of this book. She was strong even though she had many anxieties. She also wants to fix anything she can for anyone she loves, and is very observant. I thought she was a very well rounded character.
The cover of the book is a bit misleading. For one, the main character Lola, is seen as a chubby girl with a little low self esteem, but you don't get that from the cover. She is picked on about her weight, but she is very active in the book.
Also, I was surprised about the title, because the book is about how Lola loses her best friends and has to find a way to move on, while trying to fix what once was. Its a very coming of age novel, but from the title, and the cover, you would think that it is about their summer together.
I really enjoyed this novel, but it definitely was a tear jerker. The author was very good at getting the reader to understand how Nola was feeling.
The cover of the book is a bit misleading. For one, the main character Lola, is seen as a chubby girl with a little low self esteem, but you don't get that from the cover. She is picked on about her weight, but she is very active in the book.
Also, I was surprised about the title, because the book is about how Lola loses her best friends and has to find a way to move on, while trying to fix what once was. Its a very coming of age novel, but from the title, and the cover, you would think that it is about their summer together.
I really enjoyed this novel, but it definitely was a tear jerker. The author was very good at getting the reader to understand how Nola was feeling.
lizpatanders's review against another edition
2.0
Meh.
For me the two most unique things about this book were the setting and the reason why Mr. Swift left. I thought for characters who knew the latter part was dealt with in a way that was frank.
There is a really good overall story arc here about growing up, and there's a lot of great character development. However, there are definitely some less than believable things that happen in this plotline.
I'd say this is middle of the road. It's not exceptional, but not bad. A good choice for middle grade contemporary readers.
For me the two most unique things about this book were the setting and the reason why Mr. Swift left. I thought for characters who knew the latter part was dealt with in a way that was frank.
There is a really good overall story arc here about growing up, and there's a lot of great character development. However, there are definitely some less than believable things that happen in this plotline.
I'd say this is middle of the road. It's not exceptional, but not bad. A good choice for middle grade contemporary readers.
heidithebee's review against another edition
3.0
YA author Kody Keplinger is trying her hand at middle grade fiction. The story is a bit saccharine, but the issues of growing up and changing relationships are perfect for readers of this age who may be starting to have similar experiences. Now we just need a book set a few years later. I'd love to see how Keplinger handles these characters as young adults.
meaganc108's review against another edition
4.0
I don't normally read middle-grade novels but I'm actually pretty glad I read this one. It was just a really sweet portrayal of childhood friendship and a very true to life example of how kids at that age deal with tough situations without it ending in the non realistic "and they all lived happily ever after" way where everything goes back to how it was.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
4.0
In her middle grade debut, YA author Kody Keplinger creates a portrait of a friendship between 12-year-old Nola and the three boys who live next door to her: her best friend, Canaan Swift, his older brother, Brian, and his younger brother, Kevin. Nola and the boys have big summer plans to earn money and go to the circus together in August, but everything changes abruptly when Mr. Swift walks out on his family in the middle of the night. Suddenly, Brian is the man of the house, Canaan is a bully, and Kevin has gone completely mute. Worst of all, there is no room left in their lives for Nola or the circus. As Nola watches the Swift boys' pain from the sidelines, she slowly begins to understand the impact of loss and to contemplate how her own losses might shape her future.
This book is unique among this year's middle grade titles because of its tone and mood. As compared with even the quietest of novels, it is highly introspective and nostalgic. The story provides many wistful glimpses into summers past as Nola laments this year's unpleasant changes. Admittedly, there does seem to be a tendency among middle school kids to look back on their early childhood days and reminisce, but Nola's observations about the past seem too mature and too wise for her age. It is as though her experiences have been filtered through adult, rather than tween, eyes.
The story also lacks any comic relief, so it feels like one long eulogy to a friendship forever changed. The reader almost needs to take a break every couple of chapters to keep from becoming depressed, as even Nola's best moments are bogged down by a sense of overwhelming sadness and loneliness. Because of this more somber approach, it is difficult to pinpoint who might be the likely readers for this book.
On the plus side, though, the setting is refreshingly new. Nola lives in an area of Kentucky where many people don't have much money, and her family and the Swifts share a duplex. The characters speak with Southern accents, using words like "ain't" and "y'all" that help readers fall into the culture of Nola's community. So many middle grade stories are set in bland upper middle class homes in nondescript neighborhoods, so this more specific setting is decidedly welcome.
The overall emotional impact of this is so powerful that unexpected tears might just catch the reader off guard in the last few pages of the book. Still, the seriousness of the story might make this a harder sell than the more fun-looking cover suggests. It is likely that readers who enjoy Kody Keplinger's YA work will try this book out of loyalty to the author, but the ones who like it most will probably be considerably older than the target demographic.
This book is unique among this year's middle grade titles because of its tone and mood. As compared with even the quietest of novels, it is highly introspective and nostalgic. The story provides many wistful glimpses into summers past as Nola laments this year's unpleasant changes. Admittedly, there does seem to be a tendency among middle school kids to look back on their early childhood days and reminisce, but Nola's observations about the past seem too mature and too wise for her age. It is as though her experiences have been filtered through adult, rather than tween, eyes.
The story also lacks any comic relief, so it feels like one long eulogy to a friendship forever changed. The reader almost needs to take a break every couple of chapters to keep from becoming depressed, as even Nola's best moments are bogged down by a sense of overwhelming sadness and loneliness. Because of this more somber approach, it is difficult to pinpoint who might be the likely readers for this book.
On the plus side, though, the setting is refreshingly new. Nola lives in an area of Kentucky where many people don't have much money, and her family and the Swifts share a duplex. The characters speak with Southern accents, using words like "ain't" and "y'all" that help readers fall into the culture of Nola's community. So many middle grade stories are set in bland upper middle class homes in nondescript neighborhoods, so this more specific setting is decidedly welcome.
The overall emotional impact of this is so powerful that unexpected tears might just catch the reader off guard in the last few pages of the book. Still, the seriousness of the story might make this a harder sell than the more fun-looking cover suggests. It is likely that readers who enjoy Kody Keplinger's YA work will try this book out of loyalty to the author, but the ones who like it most will probably be considerably older than the target demographic.
shamelesslyash's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great book for the middle school age group. This book talks about love, loss, and family. A lot can happen over the summer and for Nola that means losing friends, making new ones, and moving. I feel like the author really got into the heart of what happens when someone leaves their family. Plus this is all from a child's POV, not an adults so children can really understand.