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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and links and everything. https://lainahastoomuchsparetime.wordpress.com/2025/04/14/things-ive-read-recently-179-more-graphic-novels/
This was sweet. It’s quite short, but it packs in a lot fairly well. I think maybe I wouldn’t have minded it being a little longer and spending a little longer on what it does, but I still liked it. It felt pretty realistic to me. When I was a kid, my mom worked a lot. Harriet’s parents have both started new jobs after a big move to the city and they’re trying really hard to settle into a routine, and right now, that means that Harriet is spending a lot of time on her own. That’s real life sometimes and I liked the way it was handled.
I liked the chronic illness rep, but I would have liked to see more of it. A lot of the book is Harriet trying to avoid talking about it or dealing with it, which, again, realistic, but I would have liked having a little more time seeing how she actually lives with it when she’s not in denial.
But overall, this was sweet and I enjoyed it. Would recommend.
Representation: Harriet is Latina and the book’s art is nicely diverse. Lots of different skin tones and body types.
I think Harriet might be intended to be queercoded, but it doesn’t really come across to me. Some of the descriptions on goodreads mention an unrequited crush but that’s not on the back of the book and I don’t think it’s clear enough in the book itself.
Content notes: Some medical stuff mentioned including a brain biopsy.
This was sweet. It’s quite short, but it packs in a lot fairly well. I think maybe I wouldn’t have minded it being a little longer and spending a little longer on what it does, but I still liked it. It felt pretty realistic to me. When I was a kid, my mom worked a lot. Harriet’s parents have both started new jobs after a big move to the city and they’re trying really hard to settle into a routine, and right now, that means that Harriet is spending a lot of time on her own. That’s real life sometimes and I liked the way it was handled.
I liked the chronic illness rep, but I would have liked to see more of it. A lot of the book is Harriet trying to avoid talking about it or dealing with it, which, again, realistic, but I would have liked having a little more time seeing how she actually lives with it when she’s not in denial.
But overall, this was sweet and I enjoyed it. Would recommend.
Representation: Harriet is Latina and the book’s art is nicely diverse. Lots of different skin tones and body types.
I think Harriet might be intended to be queercoded, but it doesn’t really come across to me. Some of the descriptions on goodreads mention an unrequited crush but that’s not on the back of the book and I don’t think it’s clear enough in the book itself.
Content notes: Some medical stuff mentioned including a brain biopsy.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I was quite intrigued by this cover and also by the blurb, I just had to try it out, and I am glad I had the chance to do so. However, it was hard to read at times, at times I was annoyed with Harriet’s parents, other times with Harriet for not telling her parents what was going on (not just how she felt but also that her body was once again doing things that it shouldn’t do). Plus the art….
But in the end, I am happy I have read this book as it was pretty gorgeous in the end. Not only is it about Harriet, how she had to move to Chicago and leave people behind, about her illness (which at first is unknown but then we slowly find out what is going on), about her “friends” at the camp, about her imagination), but also about the older lady who also lives in the house and about her son (who had polio back in the 50s).
I loved how the author wove both of these stories and made them just click together. How both of these illnesses made these two characters connect even if they don’t know each other. Harriet has MS, Nicholas had/has polio. Being a kid and going to teenagehood isn’t easy, and especially not if you have an illness. Harriet wants to make friends, but how is she going to do it if her body keeps failing, or what if she is having a sleep over and her body betrays her and she pees in a bed/sleeping bag? She is worried about things, and I just wanted to hug her.
The parents were really nice, but I was sad that they had to leave Harriet alone so much. Especially now so soon after the move and with Harriet’s body not doing well. She really could use someone to be with her, so I was glad that she found someone in the older lady downstairs.
As for the topic of reading books for school, I do know all about that, it really destroyed my liking for that sort of book (the classics). It made me like reading a bit less. Plus I can only think back to those books with a form of dread. Being forced to read a book is just a no-no. So I am glad that the old lady understood and tried to help her out.
For the title? Well, she is writing letters to Nicholas, which I found adorable. I was happy that she could tell her feelings to someone, even if it was just on paper.
The art, well, it was pretty nice, but I just didn’t like how the characters went from looking very young to very old. At one point Harriet looked like she was in her sixties instead of being a teen. At times she looked more kid than teen. It just wasn’t that consistent.
But all in all a beautifully told book. I am delighted I had the chance to read it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was quite intrigued by this cover and also by the blurb, I just had to try it out, and I am glad I had the chance to do so. However, it was hard to read at times, at times I was annoyed with Harriet’s parents, other times with Harriet for not telling her parents what was going on (not just how she felt but also that her body was once again doing things that it shouldn’t do). Plus the art….
But in the end, I am happy I have read this book as it was pretty gorgeous in the end. Not only is it about Harriet, how she had to move to Chicago and leave people behind, about her illness (which at first is unknown but then we slowly find out what is going on), about her “friends” at the camp, about her imagination), but also about the older lady who also lives in the house and about her son (who had polio back in the 50s).
I loved how the author wove both of these stories and made them just click together. How both of these illnesses made these two characters connect even if they don’t know each other. Harriet has MS, Nicholas had/has polio. Being a kid and going to teenagehood isn’t easy, and especially not if you have an illness. Harriet wants to make friends, but how is she going to do it if her body keeps failing, or what if she is having a sleep over and her body betrays her and she pees in a bed/sleeping bag? She is worried about things, and I just wanted to hug her.
The parents were really nice, but I was sad that they had to leave Harriet alone so much. Especially now so soon after the move and with Harriet’s body not doing well. She really could use someone to be with her, so I was glad that she found someone in the older lady downstairs.
As for the topic of reading books for school, I do know all about that, it really destroyed my liking for that sort of book (the classics). It made me like reading a bit less. Plus I can only think back to those books with a form of dread. Being forced to read a book is just a no-no. So I am glad that the old lady understood and tried to help her out.
For the title? Well, she is writing letters to Nicholas, which I found adorable. I was happy that she could tell her feelings to someone, even if it was just on paper.
The art, well, it was pretty nice, but I just didn’t like how the characters went from looking very young to very old. At one point Harriet looked like she was in her sixties instead of being a teen. At times she looked more kid than teen. It just wasn’t that consistent.
But all in all a beautifully told book. I am delighted I had the chance to read it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Minor: Medical content, Medical trauma
Couldn't put this down once I started it. The layout was clear and direct and the art clean but soft. I liked how the story gradually explored more of Harriet's situation instead of bashing the reader over the head with it. I was more affected by it than I thought I'd be.
I wish this was a bit longer!
It's a story of a chronically ill child who has difficulty making friends and how she overcomes that. I think this story is really important for kids with invisible chronic diseases, for them to relate to a character like this and see themselves represented. This struck a cord with me, because I lost a friend this year to a similar disease, and it made remember the pain he had to endure by himself. I recommend for readers of all ages.
I thank netgalley for the book!
It's a story of a chronically ill child who has difficulty making friends and how she overcomes that. I think this story is really important for kids with invisible chronic diseases, for them to relate to a character like this and see themselves represented. This struck a cord with me, because I lost a friend this year to a similar disease, and it made remember the pain he had to endure by himself. I recommend for readers of all ages.
I thank netgalley for the book!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harriet is a girl who move to Chicago with her family. Harriet has MS. I liked how the author included teenage struggles like making friends and people not liking the same things as her. I liked how Harriet is creative. I liked Pearl and her relationship with Harriet.
I gave this a three out of five stars. I enjoyed this but the plot didn't offer a lot but I think a younger audience might enjoy it more than I did.
Harriet is a girl who move to Chicago with her family. Harriet has MS. I liked how the author included teenage struggles like making friends and people not liking the same things as her. I liked how Harriet is creative. I liked Pearl and her relationship with Harriet.
I gave this a three out of five stars. I enjoyed this but the plot didn't offer a lot but I think a younger audience might enjoy it more than I did.
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I fear the portrayal of harriets illness is too subtly handled for most people to appreciate it, especually in the age range the book is clearly intended for. The pace is slow and calm, more along a slice of life story, and the through plot is very quiet.
The art is endearing, the colors well chosen, and the panel by panel progression calm but not stiff.
The art is endearing, the colors well chosen, and the panel by panel progression calm but not stiff.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Medical trauma
Minor: Bullying
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated