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katen00000's review
1.0
Quick spoilers:
Also, the book just wasn't very good - lacked depth, dialogue was unrealistically proper, main characters had zero faults, all conflict resolution (gang, his mom, Robbie) was very tidy/simplistic.
Spoiler
Literally every black character was in a gang and every white character was gay, with the exception of one homophobic white mom (who was killed) and another mom (nameless, in one brief scene). Also, everyone was male (except for nameless mom and dead mom) .Also, the book just wasn't very good - lacked depth, dialogue was unrealistically proper, main characters had zero faults, all conflict resolution (gang, his mom, Robbie) was very tidy/simplistic.
saarahnina's review
4.0
I received this through NetGalley.
I'd like to start by commenting on the title, it couldn't have been more suitable - I especially enjoyed the parts regarding the birds, and the freedom which was metaphoric of Dillon's freedom to explore his sexuality. At the beginning the hawk was injured, wounded and broken representing Dillon's poor self esteem, confusion and vulnerability. Indeed, this was cleverly implemented.
I first requested this book because I don't usually lean towards books in which the main characters are homosexuals, I'm not homophobic - believe me, I'm tolerant and accepting of them. I wouldn't say this book made me more so, or less so for that matter.
But I did learn about the development of human relationships. I have little else to say in regard to this. Just that a month back I read a book with homosexual characters, I didn't complete it. At first I thought that it was because of the homosexuality element to it, but I wasn't sure. I'm pleased to find that I can read books with characters with different sexualities or gender orientations.
The novel itself was fairly good, it was about a young boy who comes of an age where he quickly becomes confused with his sexuality. His uncle and a guy he meets help him come to terms with it.
Whilst I did follow through with reading it, the novel provided no sort of compelling ideas, nor did it create a sense of urgency for me to find out how it ends. As a result I couldn't give it five stars. I know that a certain allure was there, since I did enjoy it for the most part.
Also the novel had a sort of hidden story to it regarding Dillon's father and his history with gangs and Molly's attempt to keep it from Dillon. This was almost scandalous, it was disappointing that it was not explored instead both Dillon's parents die. Because Milly is described as homophobic, as told by her gay brother Bryan, it'd definitely have been interesting to see her confront her own son's homosexuality. Instead we are deprived of this and we can't witness Dillon's relationship with Molly once this comes out. I'm sure you can agree that there were so many other ways this story could have been told, but at the end of the day we just have to accept it as it is, it's the same as all tales. I suppose the author didn't want to detract from the key ideas: that we can build a family from anywhere; that we'd always be surrounded by those we love; that sometimes we just need a helping hand to pick us up and keep us going- as signified by the injured hawk.
I'd like to start by commenting on the title, it couldn't have been more suitable - I especially enjoyed the parts regarding the birds, and the freedom which was metaphoric of Dillon's freedom to explore his sexuality. At the beginning the hawk was injured, wounded and broken representing Dillon's poor self esteem, confusion and vulnerability. Indeed, this was cleverly implemented.
I first requested this book because I don't usually lean towards books in which the main characters are homosexuals, I'm not homophobic - believe me, I'm tolerant and accepting of them. I wouldn't say this book made me more so, or less so for that matter.
But I did learn about the development of human relationships. I have little else to say in regard to this. Just that a month back I read a book with homosexual characters, I didn't complete it. At first I thought that it was because of the homosexuality element to it, but I wasn't sure. I'm pleased to find that I can read books with characters with different sexualities or gender orientations.
The novel itself was fairly good, it was about a young boy who comes of an age where he quickly becomes confused with his sexuality. His uncle and a guy he meets help him come to terms with it.
Whilst I did follow through with reading it, the novel provided no sort of compelling ideas, nor did it create a sense of urgency for me to find out how it ends. As a result I couldn't give it five stars. I know that a certain allure was there, since I did enjoy it for the most part.
Also the novel had a sort of hidden story to it regarding Dillon's father and his history with gangs and Molly's attempt to keep it from Dillon. This was almost scandalous, it was disappointing that it was not explored instead both Dillon's parents die. Because Milly is described as homophobic, as told by her gay brother Bryan, it'd definitely have been interesting to see her confront her own son's homosexuality. Instead we are deprived of this and we can't witness Dillon's relationship with Molly once this comes out. I'm sure you can agree that there were so many other ways this story could have been told, but at the end of the day we just have to accept it as it is, it's the same as all tales. I suppose the author didn't want to detract from the key ideas: that we can build a family from anywhere; that we'd always be surrounded by those we love; that sometimes we just need a helping hand to pick us up and keep us going- as signified by the injured hawk.
sharshell's review
4.0
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
I usually don't read within this genre and haven't in a long time but I'm glad I took the time to pick this one up.
Dillon begins his summer at the police station, two kids are dead and he's suspected of being involved. Everyone thinks he's part of the Shanks, a local gang. His mom doesn't know what to believe. The only option she has is to send him to live with his Uncle Bryan for the summer.
When Dillon meets the neighbors son, Scott, he's happy to have someone his age to hang around with for the summer. Spending more and more time with Scott brings up feelings he's never quite understood or expected.
Finding the Sky is an innocent coming out love story. It was a quick sweet read.
I usually don't read within this genre and haven't in a long time but I'm glad I took the time to pick this one up.
Dillon begins his summer at the police station, two kids are dead and he's suspected of being involved. Everyone thinks he's part of the Shanks, a local gang. His mom doesn't know what to believe. The only option she has is to send him to live with his Uncle Bryan for the summer.
When Dillon meets the neighbors son, Scott, he's happy to have someone his age to hang around with for the summer. Spending more and more time with Scott brings up feelings he's never quite understood or expected.
Finding the Sky is an innocent coming out love story. It was a quick sweet read.
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
A very cute love story. I was sad when the mom and uncle didn't believe. I liked getting to know more about eagle / bird nature preserves. I liked the slow burn and build up of the relationship and how sweet it was. The scene by the river was adorable.
very sweet story.
very sweet story.
crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
Dillon Smith doesn't live in the best part of Dallas. And he's looking forward to the end of the school year, so he can spend the summer away from the gangs and the classmates who are pressuring him to join one. Even though he doesn't have a lot of friends, a gang's just not something he wants to be a part of. But when he stumbles into the gang's activities, he finds himself being treated as guilty for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Though he's never been in trouble, his mother doesn't believe him. Dillon's uncle, Bryan, offers to take him for the summer, giving him the opportunity to spend time at Bryan's house away from the city. Dillon isn't jumping for joy at the prospect, but he gets along with his uncle and at least he won't have to worry about any run-ins with the gang for the rest of the summer.
On the way to Bryan's house, they come across an injured hawk along the side of the road. To Dillon's surprise, Bryan suggests that they take the bird with him--his neighbors run a wildlife rehab, and their specialty just happens to be birds. This is just the start of Dillon's journey and the whole new world of possibilities that opens up to him. Over the course of the summer, perhaps in having the space to do so for the first time, he discovers more about himself and about life than he ever could have imagined. And his fast friendship with the son of Bryan's neighbors, Scott, proves to be a whole new experience all its own.
A coming-of-age story with some unique twists. Too many times those stories where young people question and come to terms with their sexuality are filled with pining and crushing over the hottest jock in school, harsh bullying, and overnight epiphanies accompanied with sudden confidence. While these are all realistic situations, it's great to read a book that looks at different challenges that a young man in this situation might face. Dillon's journey is one that definitely has its own challenges--and some of those are heartbreaking--but his story struck me as both fresh and authentic. A great LGBT YA title!
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
On the way to Bryan's house, they come across an injured hawk along the side of the road. To Dillon's surprise, Bryan suggests that they take the bird with him--his neighbors run a wildlife rehab, and their specialty just happens to be birds. This is just the start of Dillon's journey and the whole new world of possibilities that opens up to him. Over the course of the summer, perhaps in having the space to do so for the first time, he discovers more about himself and about life than he ever could have imagined. And his fast friendship with the son of Bryan's neighbors, Scott, proves to be a whole new experience all its own.
A coming-of-age story with some unique twists. Too many times those stories where young people question and come to terms with their sexuality are filled with pining and crushing over the hottest jock in school, harsh bullying, and overnight epiphanies accompanied with sudden confidence. While these are all realistic situations, it's great to read a book that looks at different challenges that a young man in this situation might face. Dillon's journey is one that definitely has its own challenges--and some of those are heartbreaking--but his story struck me as both fresh and authentic. A great LGBT YA title!
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]