Reviews

True by Katherine Hannigan

andyfishsticks's review against another edition

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5.0

warning: rereading your favorite childhood book directly after graduating college may make you feel emotionally fragile

danae_leu's review against another edition

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I refuse to subject myself to this any longer.

libraryheather's review against another edition

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5.0

There are not enough superlative adjectives to describe how beautiful this novel is. "Amazing", "brilliant" and "incredible" are too mild. I sincerely think it's a masterpiece... and I was utterly gobsmacked by it, in the best possible way. (I think Delly would appreciate the non-cuss word "gobsmacked", even though it's not one of her own). Stunned speechless with awe and appreciation.

The character of Delly just leaped right off the page, grabbed me firmly by the imagination and the funny-bone, then dragged me right into her story... without asking first, naturally. :) And Ferris Boyd made me cry in sympathy... and wish I could stand guard at her hideawaysis and protect her.

klaustragedy's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

I read this book so much as a kid. Ten times in fact. I started trying to find it in December as I wanted to read it again. I am overjoyed to have remembered the name and get a copy. It was just as good as I remembered. This book is so true to the way kids think. It is understanding and shows what kids really think when they encounter something new. I loved every character and how they were narrated. This is a book every kid should read and I will be reading again. 

maryoliverdisciple's review against another edition

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3.0

Since I loved Katherine Hannigan's Ida. B, I've been anticipating this book ever since I learned it was coming out. Well, I didn't love True... Sort of as much as Ida B. but that's mainly because Ida reminded me of myself and kindred spirits always make a book better. I didn't really identify as much with Delly who has a penchant for getting in trouble as a result of her temper and/or lack of thought process. I liked her vocabulary, though. I am a sucker for people who make up their own words. (My siblings and I have had quite a few choice "nocuss" words of our own, over the years. "Bawlgrammit" &c. are worthy additions.)
I have to admit, though, I was a little disconcerted because this is the first children's book I've read that contains a character/child that has been abused. But it was handled very tactfully, and we can't shield our children from every little hint of badness, can we?

So, maybe this book is a little twee. But that's ok, I enjoy a bit of twee-ness every now and then!

bkmuse7's review against another edition

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4.0

The story of a girl who is always in trouble -- though the sorts of trouble seem more like mischief, to an adult reader, than real trouble (taking brownies from a neighbor's porch, releasing chickens at the county fair, inventing a "noncussictionary" -- so children can cuss w/o offending others, which includes words like chizzle and bawlgrammit.) But after years of being told she's trouble, Delly (short for Delaware) starts to believe it. Delly likes to make up words -- she goes on Dellyventures -- and puts other words together "horribadable." I'm still not decided between really liking these and finding them annoying. Some creative children might really like Delly's fancy words. When a new girl comes to town who doesn't talk and doesn't like to be touched, Delly befriends her. Delly struggles mightily with trying to be good (counting, putting herself in time out) and from her new friend, Ferris Boyd, learns to ask questions before she acts. But Delly's growing success is paralleled by the shadows she starts noticing in her new friend's life. Why does she not speak? Why is she afraid of the the green Impala? When is it time to ask for help? Though dealing with some serious subjects, this book is ultimately hopeful, for both Delly and Ferris.

jentaco's review against another edition

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5.0

Great read-aloud book. I didn't realize that the subject is a little heavy so better for later elementary school kids. Loved the characters and their relationships as well as the many discussion points it raised.

amandarayebirdwellmurphy's review against another edition

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5.0

I love, love, love this book. Delly Pattison just might be my favorite middle grade character ever.

kqyreads's review against another edition

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category: childhood favorite

bxlinlin's review against another edition

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4.0

my only fault with this was the jumping narration