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pipingplots's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
antlersantlers's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars overall.
The artwork is absolutely sublime. The narrative is pretty loose, but follows Adrian as he has a hard time at school, meets an awesome dog who gives him confidence, loses the awesome dog, and then makes friends with the awesome dog's owner. The illustrations are a combination of really gorgeous tight pencil drawings (for school, home, and anytime Adrian is feeling a bit low) and very loose colorful pages done in gouache and ink with pencilled additions (like Adrian or a pair of magpies) walking through those scenes. Every ounce of this is absolutely stunning.
The artwork is absolutely sublime. The narrative is pretty loose, but follows Adrian as he has a hard time at school, meets an awesome dog who gives him confidence, loses the awesome dog, and then makes friends with the awesome dog's owner. The illustrations are a combination of really gorgeous tight pencil drawings (for school, home, and anytime Adrian is feeling a bit low) and very loose colorful pages done in gouache and ink with pencilled additions (like Adrian or a pair of magpies) walking through those scenes. Every ounce of this is absolutely stunning.
starnosedmole's review against another edition
4.0
A lonely, anxious boy is befriended by a loving dog and feels less awful. Succinct with beautiful artwork.
erine's review against another edition
3.0
This is hard to describe. The illustrations alternate between detailed black and white small panels and garishly colored double-page spreads, with an overall marionette-ish feel to them. The story is loosely put together, but Adrian seems to be struggling in school. Then one day he meets Heidi, and lovable dog who accompanies him everywhere, leading me to wonder if she is imaginary. She functions as a kind of therapy dog, and Adrian's reading skills and self-confidence get a boost. But then she disappears.
Spoiler
Adrian encounters Heidi again in the company of her owner, and all together they find an intergenerational and interspecies companionship that is quite lovely and warm.bluepigeon's review
4.0
Your Turn, Adrian is the story of a boy who's pretty miserable at school, has a descent family life, but is kind of depressed overall. One day he befriends a dog, who follows him home and everywhere else. Adrian's life is brightened by the dog. But one day the dog's real owner finds him and takes him away.
The narrative is pretty loose, with very little writing. The use of color to express emotion and atmosphere is successful. The pencil drawings, especially of the school scenes and streets, are vibrant with action and movement, but reflect Adrian's glum mood perfectly, as well. There are also a lot of things that are not the focus but are there for careful readers. There's a theme of circus arts, for example. Adrian's room has some posters and later the old lady's house has pictures and such of a circus life. Adrian himself is always doing acrobatics in the school yard, on trees, and on the street to and from school.
Recommended for those who like the circus, dogs and striped shirts.
The narrative is pretty loose, with very little writing. The use of color to express emotion and atmosphere is successful. The pencil drawings, especially of the school scenes and streets, are vibrant with action and movement, but reflect Adrian's glum mood perfectly, as well. There are also a lot of things that are not the focus but are there for careful readers. There's a theme of circus arts, for example. Adrian's room has some posters and later the old lady's house has pictures and such of a circus life. Adrian himself is always doing acrobatics in the school yard, on trees, and on the street to and from school.
Recommended for those who like the circus, dogs and striped shirts.
tashrow's review
5.0
Adrian doesn’t fit in at school. Bullied by some of the kids in the schoolyard, he spends his time in class hoping not to be called on. When he is, his heart pounds and his mind goes blank. He can’t answer even the easiest of questions out loud. He spends lunch alone and his recess dangling from tree branches. On his way home, he does head stands and walks on his hands. At home, his father works early and his mother works late, Then Adrian meets Heidi, a large wolfhound, who bonds with him immediately. The two of them spend all of their time together, she even goes with him to school. With Heidi at his side, Adrian doesn’t need to worry about bullies and he can focus in class and answer questions. But Heidi was someone else’s dog, and eventually Heidi found her owner again. Adrian was left alone again, missing Heidi dreadfully. Until Heidi found him again too. Adrian got to meet Heidi’s owner, and discovered a world of tightropes and performances.
This unique and fascinating book explores the life of a lonely boy who is different than the other children. He is quiet, unpopular and prone to anxiety, and yet he is also brave as he swings from tree branches and does hand stands on ledges. The text in the book is minimal with many of the pages showing only the illustrations and not having any words on them. The words often downplay the emotions that Adrian is feeling, though after he loses Heidi, his grief is palpable in both words and illustrations.
The illustrations are truly the heart of the book. They move from multi-paneled pencil drawings to full two-page paintings. The pencil drawings show Adrian’s everyday life while the large illustrations capture his emotions with a lush clarity. The small moments captured in Adrian’s day make up his life, one after another, small and yet also meaningful.
An incredibly moving graphic novel that invites readers to see beyond a person’s surface. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
https://wakingbraincells.com/2019/05/15/review-your-turn-adrian-by-helena-oberg/
This unique and fascinating book explores the life of a lonely boy who is different than the other children. He is quiet, unpopular and prone to anxiety, and yet he is also brave as he swings from tree branches and does hand stands on ledges. The text in the book is minimal with many of the pages showing only the illustrations and not having any words on them. The words often downplay the emotions that Adrian is feeling, though after he loses Heidi, his grief is palpable in both words and illustrations.
The illustrations are truly the heart of the book. They move from multi-paneled pencil drawings to full two-page paintings. The pencil drawings show Adrian’s everyday life while the large illustrations capture his emotions with a lush clarity. The small moments captured in Adrian’s day make up his life, one after another, small and yet also meaningful.
An incredibly moving graphic novel that invites readers to see beyond a person’s surface. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
https://wakingbraincells.com/2019/05/15/review-your-turn-adrian-by-helena-oberg/
tinkeringlibrarian's review
3.0
The art is interesting but the story is limited. This could feel either grown up in an ES library or accessible for ELLs and struggling readers in a secondary library.
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