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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Another quick read and slightly more moving book by this author, I got the impression this was aimed at a slightly older reader than some others I have read.
I read this as part of the Jacqueline Wilsathon, which I was super excited to hear announced. Here is the reading vlog: https://youtu.be/fg9WuWRiYz8
I think I must have read this a few times growing up, but I've set the first read to some time in 2007 and rated it 4 stars then (or rather, when I first made my Goodreads account).
As for my 2021 re-read, here are my thoughts:
4 / 5 stars (again)
I couldn't remember anything about Dustbin Baby when I first picked up, despite using it for the readathon prompt of 'Favourite Book' , yet as I read it, I began remembering more and more of the story (although I think it was flashes of the movie coming back to me), and had completely forgotten how sad and dark some of the topics are in this (content warning for: child abuse/abandonment, suicide, abusive relationships, depression, bullying).
I think this is what I think about when Wilson pops into my mind, and also what I love about her as an author, that so many of us growing up were able to be exposed, through her books, about real lives of children that aren't all happy ever after, whether that's something we could relate to or empathise with.
She discusses really hard topics in a way that teaches children to sympathise with others without being incredibly traumatised, or allows children to perhaps see themselves in books, for once, and Dustbin Baby was no exception.
It's certainly a quick read, of which I read in a day, but it was still very impactful. I think the fact that it is set over a course of a day really gives you an intense sort of crash course through April's life and I couldn't help but be sucked into her story and wanting nothing but the best for her.
Although it definitely seems unrealistic for a young girl who hasn't really been exposed to the wider world (think: travelling alone, any real sense of direction of where she's trying to get to, and very little money) as well as the sheer amount of s t u f f that happens in this one day, it didn't take away from my enjoyment and I was enthralled with the story that I never even really noticed in the moment.
I'm glad to have re-read this and equally happy that it was a strong start to my participation in this Jaqueline Wilson dedicated readathon.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I think I must have read this a few times growing up, but I've set the first read to some time in 2007 and rated it 4 stars then (or rather, when I first made my Goodreads account).
As for my 2021 re-read, here are my thoughts:
4 / 5 stars (again)
I couldn't remember anything about Dustbin Baby when I first picked up, despite using it for the readathon prompt of 'Favourite Book' , yet as I read it, I began remembering more and more of the story (although I think it was flashes of the movie coming back to me), and had completely forgotten how sad and dark some of the topics are in this (content warning for: child abuse/abandonment, suicide, abusive relationships, depression, bullying).
I think this is what I think about when Wilson pops into my mind, and also what I love about her as an author, that so many of us growing up were able to be exposed, through her books, about real lives of children that aren't all happy ever after, whether that's something we could relate to or empathise with.
She discusses really hard topics in a way that teaches children to sympathise with others without being incredibly traumatised, or allows children to perhaps see themselves in books, for once, and Dustbin Baby was no exception.
It's certainly a quick read, of which I read in a day, but it was still very impactful. I think the fact that it is set over a course of a day really gives you an intense sort of crash course through April's life and I couldn't help but be sucked into her story and wanting nothing but the best for her.
Although it definitely seems unrealistic for a young girl who hasn't really been exposed to the wider world (think: travelling alone, any real sense of direction of where she's trying to get to, and very little money) as well as the sheer amount of s t u f f that happens in this one day, it didn't take away from my enjoyment and I was enthralled with the story that I never even really noticed in the moment.
I'm glad to have re-read this and equally happy that it was a strong start to my participation in this Jaqueline Wilson dedicated readathon.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Very emotional I cried. Short read but very impactful and thought-provoking
This book was truly beautiful. An amazing story of a fourteen year old girl trying to find herself when she started out in the world, all alone.
Dumped in a dustbin minutes after she was born, April has never really known who she is. On her fourteenth birthday, she skives off school and goes on a life-changing journey to discover her true identity.
In this book, Wilson tackles subjects such as abuse, suicide, alcoholism and abandonment extremely respectfully, and really opens the eyes of her readers. This book was amazing, and April's story will stay with me for years to come.
Love Lucy x
(I also loved Elaine's cameo)
Dumped in a dustbin minutes after she was born, April has never really known who she is. On her fourteenth birthday, she skives off school and goes on a life-changing journey to discover her true identity.
In this book, Wilson tackles subjects such as abuse, suicide, alcoholism and abandonment extremely respectfully, and really opens the eyes of her readers. This book was amazing, and April's story will stay with me for years to come.
Love Lucy x
(I also loved Elaine's cameo)
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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