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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is a great sequel to Stepping Stones. Jen, who had been displaced from her urban life when her mother and mother's new boyfriend move to a farm, continues to adjust to the country lifestyle. Her stepsister Andy is in full boy-crazy puberty, crushing on a local neighbor, with whom they are working to put together the annual haunted hayride. Jen is uncomfortable with Andy's obsession, and it doesn't help when the first person she befriends at her new school is a boy, and everyone seems to think they are a couple. Jen also becomes the target of her class Mean Girl, which makes school the last place Jen wants to be. It's a pretty great representation of 12-year-old girls, in all their horror and glory, and I hope the story continues to develop. Indeed, as this volume comes to an end, it does hint at even more changes yet to come. No doubt they'll be a mixed bag, as this stage of life promises.
hopeful
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:
Yes
I am a fan of everything that Lucy Knisley does. I liked Jen's story, navigating who she is around people she feels quite different from. I am a sucker for all fall related themes. This was missing something for me so it wasn't the 4 or 5 star story I wanted, but it was a great fall read nonetheless.
This slice-of-life graphic novel is like [b:Pumpkinheads|40864790|Pumpkinheads|Rainbow Rowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537541596l/40864790._SX50_.jpg|42907220] for the younger crowd, as the main character helps a neighboring farm get ready for their Halloween hayride event. The story also involves a new school and shifting dynamics as people pair off or tease each other about dating, while the main character has no interest in this yet.
This sequel involves much less unpleasant family drama than the first book in the series, mainly because the stepdad gets a lot less page time. This makes the themes related to divorce and blended families seem more meaningful, instead of seeming like a way to paper over an adult's rude and insensitive behavior.
This sequel involves much less unpleasant family drama than the first book in the series, mainly because the stepdad gets a lot less page time. This makes the themes related to divorce and blended families seem more meaningful, instead of seeming like a way to paper over an adult's rude and insensitive behavior.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
Adorable, and a book I wish I had when I was younger!
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
Jen and Andy take on gender roles, respect, romance (or an abhorrence for it), bullying (a little), and friendship as Andy falls for a boy and Jen just wishes romance would disappear. Cozy and delightful. I enjoyed adding another pumpkin-attraction-themed book to my fall repertoire. I’ve read nonfiction by Lucy, and this was a really fun addition. The bullying subplot fizzled a bit, but the rest of the story was highly satisfying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying