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_p0ssum_'s review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Blood
booksjessreads's review
challenging
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this for the Carnegie Shortlist 2023 and it has been my favourite read so far. I think this is an incredibly powerful and eye-opening story.
The language used in this book isn't complex but it does grip the reader. Immediately, you are drawn into the mind and emotions of Charlene and I think Lawrence has employed such skill to get that right. I think the circumstances that Charlene finds herself in are also appropriately written and make the reader feel hopeful that things will get better, but they don't. The story just continues to go in a direction that you are not expecting and I think that unpredictability adds to the power of the storytelling and the investment of the reader overall.
I genuinely hope this one wins the prize because it so deserving of the medal. This book highlights the experiences of a black female adolescent in care in an authentic and original way.
The language used in this book isn't complex but it does grip the reader. Immediately, you are drawn into the mind and emotions of Charlene and I think Lawrence has employed such skill to get that right. I think the circumstances that Charlene finds herself in are also appropriately written and make the reader feel hopeful that things will get better, but they don't. The story just continues to go in a direction that you are not expecting and I think that unpredictability adds to the power of the storytelling and the investment of the reader overall.
I genuinely hope this one wins the prize because it so deserving of the medal. This book highlights the experiences of a black female adolescent in care in an authentic and original way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Vomit
bardicbramley's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Bullying, Blood, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Drug use and Vomit
bookswithlauren's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
In this book, we follow Charlene, a teenage girl in the foster care system and wants nothing more than to see her little sister again. Charlene has been through a lot and she finds comfort in knitting. The book explores hard-hitting topics such as racial bias, being in the care system as a teenager, and the juvenile criminal justice system.
I really enjoyed this book and I read it in one sitting. It made me think of when I was younger and reading the Tracy Beaker books and I really like that.
I really enjoyed this book and I read it in one sitting. It made me think of when I was younger and reading the Tracy Beaker books and I really like that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
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