Scan barcode
harriyanna's review
5.0
I was in the library looking for a book and i came across this one. I assumed it was going to be ok, but i absolutely love it. I really underestimate this book. I think Kayla is a good role model for girls. She shows that you don't have to be all sexual to be a good dancer. Overall, i think it it a very quality book.
inkwellofwords's review
4.0
i really enjoyed this book! it was a random read but a very refreshing one. kayla's 14 year old pov was so reminiscent from my year as a 14 year old. i found myself rooting for kayla's character and wanting her to find herself and understand that her wishing to look cute or liking to dance or liking shoes in no way steals any of her claim over being an intellectual smart and brainy, serious woman. her bestie rosalie had me pulling at my hair in annoyance and wanting to go shake at her obvious hypocrisy and bossiness and general toxicity. it was a very quick and light read. my only qualm is that i wish winston included more of a plot relating to her black background. that would've been more interesting to read about it. but overall, it sends a good message and i think young girls would surely benefit from reading it.
literatehedgehog's review
4.0
Fabulous, funny story about a young feminist/journalist-in-training who learns something I wish more adults could figure out--that there's more than one way to be a "strong," aware woman, and that categories like feminist and cheerleader, for example, don't have to be mutually exclusive. Each chapter has a "headline" and is chock-full of "Kaylaisms," that warrant a lexicography in the back, a la Georgia Nicholson. Hits on quite a few coming-of-age touchpoints: true friendship, being/recognizing/speaking up for yourself, finding a place in your family, having some kind of love interest, and manages to resolve them all without being sugarcoated or too perfectly wrapped up.
I'm not sure who I would recommend this book to, however. It's supposedly aimed at 9-13 year olds, ish, but I feel like "feminism" is still a scary, if not completely foreign, concept to most middle schoolers. That aspect may find a better audience with the 12-15 crowd, but there is also a first crush subplot that may be too immature for that group. All the same, I was glad to see feminism in YA, period, with even a good, open-minded spin!
I'm not sure who I would recommend this book to, however. It's supposedly aimed at 9-13 year olds, ish, but I feel like "feminism" is still a scary, if not completely foreign, concept to most middle schoolers. That aspect may find a better audience with the 12-15 crowd, but there is also a first crush subplot that may be too immature for that group. All the same, I was glad to see feminism in YA, period, with even a good, open-minded spin!
pussreboots's review
5.0
When I sat down to write my review of The Kayla Chronicles by Sherri Winston, I thought it would be a simple process. I had read it and loved it. Since it wasn't a review book I wasn't tied down by FTC regulations regarding endorsements. It would just be an enthusiastic post about a book with a positive message for teen girls featuring an African American main character and her extended, stable family all of whom live if Florida.
Then I read the review at Black Eyed Susan's which made me pause and rethink my reaction to the book. Susan came to the book with more knowledge of black feminist history and felt that the book missed the mark by what it didn't include. I am not an expert in black feminism nor am I even conversant in the subject. I'm not saying I have to read The Kayla Chronicles, even though Kayla and her friends do quote a lot of famous people (much like some of my friends took to quoting Shakespeare for a couple years in high school). Instead, I'm asking, what am I missing in my ignorance and can I even gauge how well the book will do with its intended audience (I'm assuming teen girls of color).
The answer is, I don't know. I can tell you that I as a late thirties white woman loved the positive messages in the book and found Kayla to be a believable and likeable teen character. She reminded me of many of my teen friends who were also juggling activism and cheer leading. Were I still a teen, I'm sure I'd love the book. But even as a teen, I wouldn't exactly be the target audience, although I'd have two circles in common with that target on a Venn diagram.
Then I read the review at Black Eyed Susan's which made me pause and rethink my reaction to the book. Susan came to the book with more knowledge of black feminist history and felt that the book missed the mark by what it didn't include. I am not an expert in black feminism nor am I even conversant in the subject. I'm not saying I have to read The Kayla Chronicles, even though Kayla and her friends do quote a lot of famous people (much like some of my friends took to quoting Shakespeare for a couple years in high school). Instead, I'm asking, what am I missing in my ignorance and can I even gauge how well the book will do with its intended audience (I'm assuming teen girls of color).
The answer is, I don't know. I can tell you that I as a late thirties white woman loved the positive messages in the book and found Kayla to be a believable and likeable teen character. She reminded me of many of my teen friends who were also juggling activism and cheer leading. Were I still a teen, I'm sure I'd love the book. But even as a teen, I wouldn't exactly be the target audience, although I'd have two circles in common with that target on a Venn diagram.
briannastw's review against another edition
5.0
Exuberantly feminist in the best kind of way. This book is so fresh, so honest - I love Kayla's character voice. She is a dynamo of girlhood, and although her struggles are unique to her situation and personal identity there was something beautifully universal about her story. I LOVE KAYLA!!!
More...