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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As others have said, this review is based on only the first 30 pages, as that was all the Netgalley and the publisher released for this ARC.
But, having read the first book in this series, I am quite sure I will love the rest of this wonderful book about blending families on a farm, loosely based on the authors life. The drawings are, as always top notch. The facial expressions, the feelings expressed, all work together to give us the beginnings of another great story, and perhaps we will learn more about the future step-father dynamic that felt so unfinished in the first book.
I would and will always highly recommend anything Lucy Knisley writes and draws.
Amendment to this review: I have since read the whole things, and love it. I love the bully. I love the subtly of why she is a bully, and what might, in the next book in this series, have to say.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
But, having read the first book in this series, I am quite sure I will love the rest of this wonderful book about blending families on a farm, loosely based on the authors life. The drawings are, as always top notch. The facial expressions, the feelings expressed, all work together to give us the beginnings of another great story, and perhaps we will learn more about the future step-father dynamic that felt so unfinished in the first book.
I would and will always highly recommend anything Lucy Knisley writes and draws.
Amendment to this review: I have since read the whole things, and love it. I love the bully. I love the subtly of why she is a bully, and what might, in the next book in this series, have to say.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
You'd think the scariest thing about Halloween would be the haunted hayride. You'd be wrong.
New school, new job, new... feelings? While Jen is more interested in art, dragons & making this year's pumpkin patch experience the creepiest ever, it seems like everyone else in her changing world is only interested in romance.
The artwork is complete Autumn vibes. One can practically hear, taste & feel all things October in these pages, which was the primary draw for me. The story is relatable on many levels, but I do have some thoughts.
Crushes are normal, healthy. However, the portrayal of young kids kissing, sneaking away to make out, disregarding other friendships & their own likes & dislikes all for the sake of romance is, perhaps, part of the problem.
When we normalize these things, kids get pushed out of childhood. Pressure mounts from peers, parents & others (like the Mom's boyfriend in this story, who teases & pressures Jen about having a boyfriend, among so many others). The lack of healthy parenting/guidance is a very real thing for so many, & while it's good that's represented in books for kids to relate to, so too would it be beneficial to include positive examples of these things, for encouragement & to let kids know that there are safe places to talk about their feelings. Which could save many kids from dealing with very adult issues far too early in life, usually on their own.
I really loved Jen & her story. She's just a kid who likes overalls, books, drawing, & other things that make up childhood. Discovering she's too old for playing with the little kids, but too young to fit it with the trends of her peers, it's a familiar call to all of us who boarded the romance train a little later than others & an encouragement to let our own kids be just what they are... kids.
New school, new job, new... feelings? While Jen is more interested in art, dragons & making this year's pumpkin patch experience the creepiest ever, it seems like everyone else in her changing world is only interested in romance.
The artwork is complete Autumn vibes. One can practically hear, taste & feel all things October in these pages, which was the primary draw for me. The story is relatable on many levels, but I do have some thoughts.
Crushes are normal, healthy. However, the portrayal of young kids kissing, sneaking away to make out, disregarding other friendships & their own likes & dislikes all for the sake of romance is, perhaps, part of the problem.
When we normalize these things, kids get pushed out of childhood. Pressure mounts from peers, parents & others (like the Mom's boyfriend in this story, who teases & pressures Jen about having a boyfriend, among so many others). The lack of healthy parenting/guidance is a very real thing for so many, & while it's good that's represented in books for kids to relate to, so too would it be beneficial to include positive examples of these things, for encouragement & to let kids know that there are safe places to talk about their feelings. Which could save many kids from dealing with very adult issues far too early in life, usually on their own.
I really loved Jen & her story. She's just a kid who likes overalls, books, drawing, & other things that make up childhood. Discovering she's too old for playing with the little kids, but too young to fit it with the trends of her peers, it's a familiar call to all of us who boarded the romance train a little later than others & an encouragement to let our own kids be just what they are... kids.
Adorable. It's a perfect autumnal treat that brought me back to my own awkward middle-school days and bore a striking resemblance to the students that I teach. Super pleased that there will be more to this series.
Jen's adventures continue in this wonderful sequel to Stepping Stones. Bulk of the book focuses on Halloween and preparations in the lead-up to it, so it was a really fun read!
I love how this particular installment went more in-depth into Jen being a child of divorce. We also get to see her feeling out of place for not being interested in boys when everyone else around her is coupled up, but personally has no problem enjoying alone time or having fun on her own despite being teased at school. I can't even begin to explain how important it is to have all of these reflected here but I imagine that many readers will see themselves in Jen.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable graphic novel series that will make you feel less alone ❤️ I really hope there will be a third book!
I love how this particular installment went more in-depth into Jen being a child of divorce. We also get to see her feeling out of place for not being interested in boys when everyone else around her is coupled up, but personally has no problem enjoying alone time or having fun on her own despite being teased at school. I can't even begin to explain how important it is to have all of these reflected here but I imagine that many readers will see themselves in Jen.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable graphic novel series that will make you feel less alone ❤️ I really hope there will be a third book!