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shonaholmes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jackiehorne's review
4.0
Californian Haley Saffitz wins a prized spot as one of 41 high school summer interns at BBGun Animation studios, run by her idol, Bryan Beckett. She's smart, and ambitious, and sure of her artistic gifts, certain, too, that she has the talent to be chosen as one of 4 interns who'll be put in charge of directing a short film during the summer program. Not surprisingly, she's crushed, then, when Beckett doesn't choose her, and when she lashes out in her disappointment and shock and hurt, manages to alienate the only other girls in the internship program. Even worse, Beckett's son, Bear, is selected as a director, even though he hasn't put nearly as much effort into winning the role, nor does he even to have even a modicum of Haley's ambition or drive. That these two will end up in a romance isn't surprising; nor is the underlying theme of the story, that sexism and racism play far bigger a role in choices made by Bryan and his mostly white male colleagues about who gets ahead and who gets to serve as "inspiration" for the "real" artists than does the "talent" they all purport to revere. Hayley, like many adolescent girls who have been told that girls can do anything now, unlike in the past, has to learn that bias and prejudice are still painfully alive—and has to decide how to respond.
A bit too pat and wrapped up in a nice bow by story's end (the six girls work easily together to successfully show the patriarchy what's what; a too-good-to-be-true not at all sexist male romantic lead) for five stars. But Haley's gradual recognition of the not-so-hidden sexism and racism of her hero, and the industry she reveres (an industry the author knows well, having worked as a PA for four different animation studios), as well as her refusal to bend in spite of it, is persuasive and compelling. "This new generation... They're not going to put up with that crap" (301)—not if they read this book...
A bit too pat and wrapped up in a nice bow by story's end (the six girls work easily together to successfully show the patriarchy what's what; a too-good-to-be-true not at all sexist male romantic lead) for five stars. But Haley's gradual recognition of the not-so-hidden sexism and racism of her hero, and the industry she reveres (an industry the author knows well, having worked as a PA for four different animation studios), as well as her refusal to bend in spite of it, is persuasive and compelling. "This new generation... They're not going to put up with that crap" (301)—not if they read this book...
alongreader's review
4.0
Hmm. How to explain this one...
I enjoyed the story very much. I didn't know a lot about animation, but the story does a good job of teaching us the basics without making it seem impenetreble. The main characters were good, even if everyone beyond the main pair were reduced to a couple of character traits. That's very common in this kind of story, of course, and it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.
I did think the bad guys were so - forgive the phrase - cartoonishly awful, there's no way that kind of thing would be a secret. Hayley has studied absolutely everything to do with the studio; there were no whispers or hints out there, an ex employee mentioning something offhandedly or subtly hinting? If Hayley had seen something but dismissed it, or remembered something she hadn't paid attention to at the time, I'd have found it more realistic.
However, I have no problem at all believing that this kind of culture could exist in a business like this one, and until it can't be imagined any more, we need books like this to keep coming out and inspiring people and teaching girls to speak up and boys to help them. This is a fantastic addition to that genre and I'm really glad I got to read it.
I enjoyed the story very much. I didn't know a lot about animation, but the story does a good job of teaching us the basics without making it seem impenetreble. The main characters were good, even if everyone beyond the main pair were reduced to a couple of character traits. That's very common in this kind of story, of course, and it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.
I did think the bad guys were so - forgive the phrase - cartoonishly awful, there's no way that kind of thing would be a secret. Hayley has studied absolutely everything to do with the studio; there were no whispers or hints out there, an ex employee mentioning something offhandedly or subtly hinting? If Hayley had seen something but dismissed it, or remembered something she hadn't paid attention to at the time, I'd have found it more realistic.
However, I have no problem at all believing that this kind of culture could exist in a business like this one, and until it can't be imagined any more, we need books like this to keep coming out and inspiring people and teaching girls to speak up and boys to help them. This is a fantastic addition to that genre and I'm really glad I got to read it.
haileoreads's review
4.0
I was not expecting this book to be so focused on inequalities and mistreatment of women and POC in the industry, but I’m so glad it was. Things like this happen far more often than we like to admit. I also really appreciated the love story, it was so pure and sweet. Bear is such a lovable character and is the perfect contrast for Hayley. I loved the feel-good ending and how Hayley got to not only prove herself but win in the end.
anrowan13's review
4.0
Would round up to a 4.5 because this was so cute!! I loved how the relationship between Hayley and Bear built over time and the supportive friendships were so nice!! The book cements my status as an Elissa Sussman fan!! Also the inclusivity of mentioning the race/ skin tone of all the characters when they were being introduced was really refreshing. Only complaint was how Hayley had her blinders on and couldn’t seen Bryan’s real character for so long but I’ll give her a break because she’s 17
caylieratzlaff's review
4.0
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this. 3.5/5 stars.
Okay so...I really could not get into this...and then I couldn't put it down. This is a FANTASTIC story of male privilege in industries and life. I wasn't expecting the amount of misogyny, but it was well done and really felt familiar and realistic to what women experience. I'm not in a workplace like the animation industry in the novel, but many of the experiences felt familiar and made the experiences of women felt seen. I also appreciate the acknowledgement it had to the intersections of race and gender.
3.5/5 just because I felt like the romance between Bear and Hayley was forced, and although cute, didn't really serve a point to the plot. They could have easily just been friends rather than this romance that really happened out of no where. It also felt paced weird, and some of it I was just like?!?! was this necessary?
I also loved the look inside the animation process this novel gave, and I liked the art interspaced throughout it.
Okay so...I really could not get into this...and then I couldn't put it down. This is a FANTASTIC story of male privilege in industries and life. I wasn't expecting the amount of misogyny, but it was well done and really felt familiar and realistic to what women experience. I'm not in a workplace like the animation industry in the novel, but many of the experiences felt familiar and made the experiences of women felt seen. I also appreciate the acknowledgement it had to the intersections of race and gender.
3.5/5 just because I felt like the romance between Bear and Hayley was forced, and although cute, didn't really serve a point to the plot. They could have easily just been friends rather than this romance that really happened out of no where. It also felt paced weird, and some of it I was just like?!?! was this necessary?
I also loved the look inside the animation process this novel gave, and I liked the art interspaced throughout it.
notinjersey's review against another edition
5.0
Drawn That Way by Elissa Sussman is a book I hadn’t seen on bookstagram a lot. But thanks to some of my friends there, I knew it was a YA with Jewish representation and when I saw an autographed copy at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, I brought it home with me. Gabbie and I both loved it. I loved the drawings in the book and wished there were even more as they really brought the animation story to life. I also loved that Hayley’s film idea included a Golem, a mystical Jewish being. The female characters were great and I also enjoyed Hayley and Bear together! Elissa Sussman has a an adult book coming out in April called Funny You Should Ask, and I’ll definitely be reading that one as well.
haileyannereads's review
4.0
This book shines a light on the sexism and misogyny that runs rampant in the world of animation. While Hayley is frustrating and self-centered at times, she kind of has to be. She has to fight for her right to take up space in this animation internship, along with the other girls.