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paperbackchlo's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I remember reading this as a kid, I absolutely love Jacqueline Wilson's writing and ability to pull at your heart strings.
I only wish the ending was better. It felt bitter sweet.
I wanted more between Sylvie and Jake, she deserved someone to dote on her for a change 😞
I only wish the ending was better. It felt bitter sweet.
I wanted more between Sylvie and Jake, she deserved someone to dote on her for a change 😞
rhireadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
It's funny rereading books from childhood and finding bits i didn't understand then and now being an "adult" and being like ah, i get ya!
It's 4:04am, this is the 50/50 for my good reads challenge woo!
It's 4:04am, this is the 50/50 for my good reads challenge woo!
oliviaax's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect the ending at all, but it's one of my favourite books because of that
crabbygirl's review against another edition
2.0
read this while at the dude ranch. it was cute but hugely predictable. the british flavor of the story made it more interesting than it probably deserved to be. my fav part was the main character getting her period in grade nine; probably very comforting to a girl who wonders when-oh-when will it be her turn. 12yo daughter read if after me after i left it out for her on her bedside table (hint-hint)
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... This brings back memories. This is the only book I have EVER read a second time (granted I was in dire need of some new reading material and I hadn't read this for a good few years beforehand). With most of Wilson's books, I find, they seem very 'child-friendly' when you read them as a child... I mean, why wouldn't they... They are directed at children... But when you read them later on in life, like I have done with this novel, you notice that between the lines are some very deep and controversial issues and it's much MUCH more darker than you could ever have thought in your younger years when everything was pretty much colourful and lovely.
This book beautifully tackles homosexuality and the romantic love a best friend feels for a boy that you would never think children could be going through... Could... Never have these types of emotion, even, so a very interesting storyline for a 'children's' book I think you'd agree.
I feel that this book, in particularly, really gives young children an insight that it's okay to feel a certain way and that it's okay to love even though you are young... And although you might 'grow' out of it, so to speak, it's not wrong, even as a child, to feel a certain way. I think this novel really says this subtly to a child because when I first read this I did feel euphoria in the sense that I could be myself and it would be okay, then going back to it many years later I realized there is so much more to this story and the feeling I got after I first read it was just a child-friendly watered down version of it. (Okay,, maybe 'euphoria' is too strong of a word. :P )
If you were ever a fan of Jacqueline Wilson's work as a child, I'd strongly recommend going back to them later on in life so you can really understand what she was getting at all along. The first books I think you should go through with a fine-toothed comb are Kiss (of course) and My Sister Jodie.
This is my first time writing a very detailed review here on Goodreads so it's not perfect, but I tried to speak more about the writer's meanings and ways to give out a message rather than go into depths of the actual story.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy. :)
I'mogén.
This book beautifully tackles homosexuality and the romantic love a best friend feels for a boy that you would never think children could be going through... Could... Never have these types of emotion, even, so a very interesting storyline for a 'children's' book I think you'd agree.
I feel that this book, in particularly, really gives young children an insight that it's okay to feel a certain way and that it's okay to love even though you are young... And although you might 'grow' out of it, so to speak, it's not wrong, even as a child, to feel a certain way. I think this novel really says this subtly to a child because when I first read this I did feel euphoria in the sense that I could be myself and it would be okay, then going back to it many years later I realized there is so much more to this story and the feeling I got after I first read it was just a child-friendly watered down version of it. (Okay,, maybe 'euphoria' is too strong of a word. :P )
If you were ever a fan of Jacqueline Wilson's work as a child, I'd strongly recommend going back to them later on in life so you can really understand what she was getting at all along. The first books I think you should go through with a fine-toothed comb are Kiss (of course) and My Sister Jodie.
This is my first time writing a very detailed review here on Goodreads so it's not perfect, but I tried to speak more about the writer's meanings and ways to give out a message rather than go into depths of the actual story.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy. :)
I'mogén.
gemmahaze1's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mias08's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
aoifefthomas's review against another edition
4.0
As always, Jacqueline Wilson is very good at attracting teenagers with her modern day writing style. This book was well written in my opinion, since I read it quite quickly- very eager to find out what happens next. The one bad thing I'd have to say about this book, is that for me it was kind of predictable. From the moment I read the blurb it was easy for me to guess what was going to happen. It didn't "ruin" the book for me though and I still enjoyed seeing how Jacqueline let it unravel and stuff. I think this book tries to relate to young teenagers and does a good job at it. This is one of my friend's favourite books and it means a lot to her. People can relate to the main character and are brought on an emotional journey with her. THUMBS UP FROM ME. :D
bethanymiller415's review against another edition
2.0
Carl and Sylvie have lived next door to each other and been friends forever, and Sylvie had always believed that one day they would get married, but lately something seems different about Carl. Carl has earned a scholarship to Kingsmere Grammar, an exclusive all boys’ high school, and Sylvie misses having Carl around at school. After school, he seems to want to spend less and less time with Sylvie and doesn’t seem interested in playing Glassworld an elaborate fantasy the world that the two of them had created together. Miranda, a popular girl at Sylvie’s school, suddenly befriends her and begins taking an interest in Carl. Sylvie and Carl go to a party at Miranda’s and Sylvie finds out that Carl has developed a close friendship with Paul, a boy from his school that he has never mentioned to Sylvie before. Sylvie feels jealous of both Paul and Miranda and doesn’t understand why her lifelong friend seems to be slipping away from her. Eventually, Sylvie must come to terms with the fact that Carl’s feelings for her will never be the same as the feelings she has for him.
The plot of Kiss is pretty predictable. Most readers will figure out what is causing the change in Carl long before Sylvie does, which makes the climax and resolution fall flat. The characters are somewhat realistic, but they are not always likable. Sylvie, for example, is so easily manipulated and seems so clueless about what is going on around her that she is more pitiable than likable. The themes of tolerance and acceptance are commendable, but they are developed in a heavy-handed and unrealistic way.
The plot of Kiss is pretty predictable. Most readers will figure out what is causing the change in Carl long before Sylvie does, which makes the climax and resolution fall flat. The characters are somewhat realistic, but they are not always likable. Sylvie, for example, is so easily manipulated and seems so clueless about what is going on around her that she is more pitiable than likable. The themes of tolerance and acceptance are commendable, but they are developed in a heavy-handed and unrealistic way.