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tania_mybookishsecret's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Racism, War, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Islamophobia and Death
boardgamegal's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, Violence, and War
bronsonmh's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
I thought this was a very powerful middle grade novel. Junie is such a great main character. She is a young girl who loves her family, but also suffers from anxiety and depression privately for awhile until she gets help. It is all because of the bullying and racism she faces at school. When she gets an assignment for school to do an oral history project she decides to make a video interview with her grandparents who were both children in the Korean War and how each of them experienced something similar and something different. During this time she helps her friends put something together to teach their fellow students about racism and how it is bad. I like how the author intertwined Junie's story and her grandparents. I think this book is something both middle graders, young adults, and adults should read. If middle schoolers read this I think they should read it with their parents so that there can be an open discussion about everything that happens in the book. From racism, mental health, to the Korean War. I listened this via audiobook and thought it was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: War, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Death, and Grief
anna_woodson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was an excellent way to preserve history and share rich culture, while weaving in it in with a current day story line. Perfect level of information and relatability for middle school readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, War, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Bullying
catreads247's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
I cried reading this book. Ellen Oh never misses. I wouldn’t say the writing was always my favorite, but if also wasn’t written for me so I’m looking past that because the story was great! I loved hearing the grandma and grandpa’s stories. A must read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
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