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katykelly's review
5.0
Excellent condensed family/adolescent story.
Barrington Stoke does give us the best writers and the best writing, in short form. Lawrence here gives what could have been a full-length novel, but in a tale that takes little over an hour to read and will definitely appeal to teens who can empathise with the anger and frustration Charlene feels.
Since the death of her mother, Charlene has been separated from much-loved younger sister Kandi, who is living with her birth father. Charlene herself is in foster care, currently with a foster-parent she can actually stand. She's far from excelling in school, quick to anger, and missing her sister, her knitting hobby keeps her cool and gives her focus.
The problem occurs when she decides to make her little sister a dinosaur blanket as a present. Explosive and life-changing actions result, with the reader probably shell-shocked to watch as Charlene's life suddenly reels out of control.
The play-on-words in the title may not hit the reader, but it's beautifully apt, and we do see how every action can and does have consequences. It's also a shock how young people might be treated in the legal system, and just what the life of someone in care might be like.
There are sympathetic characters - Charlene herself you just want to hug. Foster parent Annie is wonderful. I'd like to have had more time to explore Kandi and her dad, and there's a great supply teacher that a novel would have let become a bigger influence, one feels, but there wasn't time here for that.
Excellent Barrington Stoke title, with useful links at the end for young people in the legal system needing support.
For ages 12 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Barrington Stoke does give us the best writers and the best writing, in short form. Lawrence here gives what could have been a full-length novel, but in a tale that takes little over an hour to read and will definitely appeal to teens who can empathise with the anger and frustration Charlene feels.
Since the death of her mother, Charlene has been separated from much-loved younger sister Kandi, who is living with her birth father. Charlene herself is in foster care, currently with a foster-parent she can actually stand. She's far from excelling in school, quick to anger, and missing her sister, her knitting hobby keeps her cool and gives her focus.
The problem occurs when she decides to make her little sister a dinosaur blanket as a present. Explosive and life-changing actions result, with the reader probably shell-shocked to watch as Charlene's life suddenly reels out of control.
The play-on-words in the title may not hit the reader, but it's beautifully apt, and we do see how every action can and does have consequences. It's also a shock how young people might be treated in the legal system, and just what the life of someone in care might be like.
There are sympathetic characters - Charlene herself you just want to hug. Foster parent Annie is wonderful. I'd like to have had more time to explore Kandi and her dad, and there's a great supply teacher that a novel would have let become a bigger influence, one feels, but there wasn't time here for that.
Excellent Barrington Stoke title, with useful links at the end for young people in the legal system needing support.
For ages 12 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
marijevds's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
helenlivesslow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The writing in this was so good, I felt everything the MC was feeling
mmmn2570's review
5.0
the protagonist is so relatable, and quite autism coded? it's such an engaging and emathy craving novel. charlene made me cry, i thought her story was realistic and the 1st person makes it so. in my opinion, the ubrubt ending makes it true to life- irritating that you don't know what happened in the court case, if she ever got to see kandi again but that's life? i love how her special interest and coping mechanism is knitting, again that made it similar to life, gave her personality, and helped me, the reader, gage her character. i like her strong opinions and blunt words, how she didn't understand how to apologise if she didn't mean it or why she would is very relatable to an asd/autistic reader. i loved it and the font!!
sammykat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
The protagonist Charlene had me rooting for her from the beginning. Her story made me tear up; the way it can seem like the world is conspiring against you was perfectly written.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
Foster systemiamgr00t's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
izzum_pullan08's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25