Reviews

Something More by Jackie Khalilieh

kristinajean's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? No

4.25

sicntilla's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.75

thejuliebookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

Starring a Palestinian-Canadian teen diagnosed with autism shortly before starting her first year of high school, SOMETHING MORE is a sweet (and dramatic!) story of knowing oneself.  Though billed as a romance, so much of this story is about friendship, Jessie’s journey towards self-acceptance, and the tumultuous experience that is ninth grade.

 

Khalilieh has succeeded in capturing that roller coaster of emotions and social stress – and it is because of this that SOMETHING MORE can be tiring at parts.  I am over a decade older than these characters, and all of the friend drama – which DID feel very authentic! – got to be exhausting and bordered on annoying as it continued.  This is an element of the book that I think would be more enjoyable for younger readers.

 

I thought that the descriptions of how ASD impacts Jessie’s social experiences were well done.  To feel like there are all of these unspoken rules that everyone else seems to know how to follow when you don’t even know what those rules are in the first place.  The anxiety of trying to come off as “normal” so that you can be liked and make friends.   

 

Overall, this book skewed a bit younger than the YA that I usually enjoy.  When I picked this one up from the library, I was looking for a story that was a bit more “teen romance” and a bit less “life messy” than this one, which also impacted my reading experience.

breezyjean's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

reading_while_fat's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

someweirdthing's review against another edition

Not enough time

smakinde's review against another edition

5.0

EEEEEE! That's how I feel when I think about this book. The author did such a great job painting this story. The autism rep in this book was raw, engaging, and I learned so much. Highly recommend.

the_bibliophiles's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

wondering_wildflower's review against another edition

hopeful reflective 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

3.75

miss_cheevious's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0