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kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
This is a truly excellent novel in verse, detailing the lives of three people as they make the decisions that will make their adult lives. Smith revels in language and image, but is equally at home cutting to the chase and being blunt. I loved the ways in which she made every character and narrator a poet, making each one more individual and interesting and special in the process. This book will be a great book club read, and it will stay with me a long time.
zoot's review against another edition
5.0
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. It's a YA historical fiction that can best be described as Ruta Sepetys meets Kwame Alexander. I finished it in 24 hours.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I’m not normally a huge fan of historical fiction, so the fact that I loved this book is saying something. The author juxtaposes Mary’s story, which takes place in America during the start of the Great Depression, with her parents’ stories when they were two lovelorn teenagers separated during WWI. Mary finds their letters to each other and learns their fascinating history. The intertwining of these stories is expertly done, and the war brings a level of intrigue to the story. As you read, you wonder how Mary’s parents, from different countries and entirely different backgrounds, eventually come together. And the verse in the book is compelling, especially in the letters. I actually suggested this to my daughter as an enjoyable book with “literary merit” that she can use for free reading for her AP Lit class, so obviously I’d recommend it! (My daughter has since read it and did, indeed, enjoy it immensely.)
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
I’m not normally a huge fan of historical fiction, so the fact that I loved this book is saying something. The author juxtaposes Mary’s story, which takes place in America during the start of the Great Depression, with her parents’ stories when they were two lovelorn teenagers separated during WWI. Mary finds their letters to each other and learns their fascinating history. The intertwining of these stories is expertly done, and the war brings a level of intrigue to the story. As you read, you wonder how Mary’s parents, from different countries and entirely different backgrounds, eventually come together. And the verse in the book is compelling, especially in the letters. I actually suggested this to my daughter as an enjoyable book with “literary merit” that she can use for free reading for her AP Lit class, so obviously I’d recommend it! (My daughter has since read it and did, indeed, enjoy it immensely.)
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
dame_samara's review against another edition
5.0
This book was gorgeous beginning to end, I had chills more then once as I listened to this book.
It's written in Verse, and tells two amazing love stories. As well as stories about women persevering regardless of what would be considered normal during that time.
I loved this book SO MUCH!
It's written in Verse, and tells two amazing love stories. As well as stories about women persevering regardless of what would be considered normal during that time.
I loved this book SO MUCH!
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit was never on my radar until today. Not sure why, because I know plenty of people who have read this. For some odd reason, I never actually crossed paths with this book until a couple of hours ago. Luckily, I did and didn't hesitate for even a second before hitting borrow and then play.
In this, you will meet Mary, Yorgos, and Jen. While looking at previous reviews, I do see the names have slightly changed for Mary's parents. Or maybe my audiobook had them wrong? Not sure but they were all very interesting characters from start to finish.
Mary's parents are immigrants, French and Greek to be exact. That being said, things aren't exactly easy for them in America. In no way, shape, or form is it even easier for Mary who was born there. Throughout the book, she is trying to prove her independence and equality to everyone she meets. It's definitely struggling but powerful at the same time.
Besides that, I really liked seeing her parents before they met and then after. It was very interesting to see where they were in life and how those struggles shaped them into who they are now. It was also eye opening to see what struggles an immigrant family goes through. I could only imagine what my great great great (great?) grandparents went through when they first stepped on American soil. So, this sort of showed a path they could have dealt with being Irish and Italian.
In the end, I'm really happy that I decided to jump into this audiobook today. The narrators did such an amazing job and I fell in love with each character that I met. I'll definitely be waiting for Colby's next amazing book. I just hope that I don't have to wait for too long.
In this, you will meet Mary, Yorgos, and Jen. While looking at previous reviews, I do see the names have slightly changed for Mary's parents. Or maybe my audiobook had them wrong? Not sure but they were all very interesting characters from start to finish.
Mary's parents are immigrants, French and Greek to be exact. That being said, things aren't exactly easy for them in America. In no way, shape, or form is it even easier for Mary who was born there. Throughout the book, she is trying to prove her independence and equality to everyone she meets. It's definitely struggling but powerful at the same time.
Besides that, I really liked seeing her parents before they met and then after. It was very interesting to see where they were in life and how those struggles shaped them into who they are now. It was also eye opening to see what struggles an immigrant family goes through. I could only imagine what my great great great (great?) grandparents went through when they first stepped on American soil. So, this sort of showed a path they could have dealt with being Irish and Italian.
In the end, I'm really happy that I decided to jump into this audiobook today. The narrators did such an amazing job and I fell in love with each character that I met. I'll definitely be waiting for Colby's next amazing book. I just hope that I don't have to wait for too long.
rosalyn's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the book.
However, the whole time I couldn't help but think what this author is doing now. In the acknowledgments, she claims to be an advocate for social justice. Is this advocacy limited to white people though? Giorgos lost his thumbs working for Ford. Mary states how no one at the company cares. So is she fighting for the people of Congo, who are being exploited? And I have nothing against the author, again, I liked the book. This is more of a criticism for white people in general. For the people that have similar family histories of experiencing oppression, but, now do nothing for others that continue to be oppressed.
I think I'm just tired of reading stories like this and then seeing those same people watch or aid in the suffering of others. Like y'all learned nothing....
However, the whole time I couldn't help but think what this author is doing now. In the acknowledgments, she claims to be an advocate for social justice. Is this advocacy limited to white people though? Giorgos lost his thumbs working for Ford. Mary states how no one at the company cares. So is she fighting for the people of Congo, who are being exploited? And I have nothing against the author, again, I liked the book. This is more of a criticism for white people in general. For the people that have similar family histories of experiencing oppression, but, now do nothing for others that continue to be oppressed.
I think I'm just tired of reading stories like this and then seeing those same people watch or aid in the suffering of others. Like y'all learned nothing....
anna_weigle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
vera_michele's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 Stars
Wow. I was scared going into this because the book is very long. However, the prose and writing is so so pretty. I loved the three stories we got to see, and I loved Mary so much. She struggles with doing what her family wants, and doing what she wants. Also, the fact that this was based on the author's grandmother is amazing. I highly recommend this. I ended up with tears in my eyes at the end.
TW: war, death, death of a parent, blood, animal death, child death, gun violence, racism, sexism
Wow. I was scared going into this because the book is very long. However, the prose and writing is so so pretty. I loved the three stories we got to see, and I loved Mary so much. She struggles with doing what her family wants, and doing what she wants. Also, the fact that this was based on the author's grandmother is amazing. I highly recommend this. I ended up with tears in my eyes at the end.
TW: war, death, death of a parent, blood, animal death, child death, gun violence, racism, sexism
alisonandabook's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to review this audiobook.
On a whim, I picked this book up, as it was a listen now title. I honestly really enjoyed it. I found the narrators for each of the three characters to be captivating, and the prose were beautiful. The novel is written in verse, which normally is not really my thing, however it was a really thoughtful and interesting format. I think I may have enjoyed it more reading it in the written form however, it was still a very eye opening, and at times heartbreaking read.
This book is an interesting history lesson on 1930s Detroit, loosely based on stories from Smith’s grandmother, and turning it into something that is so personal, raw and emotional. Mary, Gio, and Jeanne were all fascinating characters, and while at times I wasn’t sure how these stories would come together exactly, but once they did, it was a heartwarming and beautiful. Historical fiction readers will enjoy this one!
On a whim, I picked this book up, as it was a listen now title. I honestly really enjoyed it. I found the narrators for each of the three characters to be captivating, and the prose were beautiful. The novel is written in verse, which normally is not really my thing, however it was a really thoughtful and interesting format. I think I may have enjoyed it more reading it in the written form however, it was still a very eye opening, and at times heartbreaking read.
This book is an interesting history lesson on 1930s Detroit, loosely based on stories from Smith’s grandmother, and turning it into something that is so personal, raw and emotional. Mary, Gio, and Jeanne were all fascinating characters, and while at times I wasn’t sure how these stories would come together exactly, but once they did, it was a heartwarming and beautiful. Historical fiction readers will enjoy this one!