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erine's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I love books that tell tales of mistakes and apologies and forgiveness. This one nails all three. There are misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and mended fences, all set against the backdrop of a summer music camp in Michigan. Besides bringing back memories of my own time at band camp, there are lovely moments of new romance, parents going separate ways, and growing self-confidence.
Set in Kalamazoo and near Interlochen.
Set in Kalamazoo and near Interlochen.
littlebitbooks's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hollybollybingbong's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I read this book in one sitting, and I think it's brilliant. Melly's character is wonderful, and she grows and changes so much over the camp. I love the conflict between long term friends and new friends and how Melly deals with being caught in the middle of it. It's definitely aimed at younger readers, but I'd recommend it to older readers too as a quicker read, as the story is just so powerful.
ourgraylives's review against another edition
5.0
Going into this book I was expecting a cute, summery, camp love story. What I got instead was a thousand times better. While there are romance elements, the main story focuses on how the main character, Melly, deals with her parents' divorce, changing friendships, and learning to express herself. Her devastation in the face of her parents' divorce feels crushing and we can definitely see how it's already affecting her and her relationships with those around, particularly with Olivia, her best friend.
Their relationship is very interesting. The author really nailed the feeling of following your friend's lead and letting them call the shots. The frustration at the things people assume about that situation and the helplessness that you feel when you try to talk about it, is all very accurately represented in Melly's thoughts.
Another intersting part of the story is the slow realization that you like someone. Considering that Melly realizes she likes a girl, the whole thing is handled and writen beautifully. The crush doesn't appear out of nowhere, instead it grows out of a genuine friendship between Melly and Adeline, the 'love interest' in question. Adeline herself is a vey interesting character. She's a good friend and constantly offers Melly the chance to open up and experience new things. Her action and words never come off as pushy or manipulative, even when Melly is very reluctant at first.
As the book goes on, Melly's confidence slowly grows, partly because of her friendships with the other campers, and partly because of her practise sessions. It's a music camp, so of course there's a band that has to learn to play together. One compeling aspect of that subplot is Melly's interactions and relationship with her mentor Donna. The trepidation and awestruckedness and admiration is amazing. The moment that stands out between them, is the conversation that they have after Melly figures out she likes girls. You can truly feel the quiet anxiety, the shame, and the disbelief that Melly feels regarding her abilities as a person and as a musician.
Throughout the entire book, Melly's struggles and her feeling always feel real and relatable. Her insecurities never feel completely out of the blue, and seeing her overcome them is incredibly satisfying.
Overall, it's an amazing book and one that's definitely joining my favourites list.
Quotes I liked:
"Music isn't just playing notes on a page. You've got to put your heart into it. I'm not saying lose control, I'm saying let what's happening inside come out."
"How was anyone supposed yo figure this stuff out? It was depressing to think I could live another twenty-five years and still be clueless."
Their relationship is very interesting. The author really nailed the feeling of following your friend's lead and letting them call the shots. The frustration at the things people assume about that situation and the helplessness that you feel when you try to talk about it, is all very accurately represented in Melly's thoughts.
Another intersting part of the story is the slow realization that you like someone. Considering that Melly realizes she likes a girl, the whole thing is handled and writen beautifully. The crush doesn't appear out of nowhere, instead it grows out of a genuine friendship between Melly and Adeline, the 'love interest' in question. Adeline herself is a vey interesting character. She's a good friend and constantly offers Melly the chance to open up and experience new things. Her action and words never come off as pushy or manipulative, even when Melly is very reluctant at first.
As the book goes on, Melly's confidence slowly grows, partly because of her friendships with the other campers, and partly because of her practise sessions. It's a music camp, so of course there's a band that has to learn to play together. One compeling aspect of that subplot is Melly's interactions and relationship with her mentor Donna. The trepidation and awestruckedness and admiration is amazing. The moment that stands out between them, is the conversation that they have after Melly figures out she likes girls. You can truly feel the quiet anxiety, the shame, and the disbelief that Melly feels regarding her abilities as a person and as a musician.
Throughout the entire book, Melly's struggles and her feeling always feel real and relatable. Her insecurities never feel completely out of the blue, and seeing her overcome them is incredibly satisfying.
Overall, it's an amazing book and one that's definitely joining my favourites list.
Quotes I liked:
"Music isn't just playing notes on a page. You've got to put your heart into it. I'm not saying lose control, I'm saying let what's happening inside come out."
"How was anyone supposed yo figure this stuff out? It was depressing to think I could live another twenty-five years and still be clueless."
esme586's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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
spacearcheologist's review against another edition
3.0
I initially gave this book 4 stars but have changed it to three stars to more accurately reflect my views on this story.
This was a cute, easy read with a likable plot and endearing characters. It was a very light little story definitely intended for younger readers but was a lovely read.
This was a cute, easy read with a likable plot and endearing characters. It was a very light little story definitely intended for younger readers but was a lovely read.
dwarrowdams's review against another edition
4.0
Was not expecting this book to make me cry, but here we are.
rexreads's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
pennyriley's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite as good as Hazel's Theory of Evolution as far as I'm concerned, maybe because the setting - a Rock and Roll music camp was just not the kind of place I would ever have wanted to set foot it, although it is very well described. Bigelow returns to some of the same themes as in Hazel's Theory of Evolution - young love, or perhaps crush boy on girl, girl on boy and girl on girl. I didn't find realistic that well-educated, middle class parents would drop the divorce bombshell on their daughter the day before she leaves for her first ever away from home camp. No spoiler there; it's in the first two pages. Still a solid entry in the Middle School realistic fiction genre.