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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
reflective
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:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The second in a semi-autobiographical graphic novel series geared to middle grade readers.
In this follow-up story, Jen is worried about the new school year. Not only is she starting middle school but she will be attending a new school in her new town. She is still learning to get along with her step-sisters and is uncomfortable because the other kids around her age are suddenly interested in romance, though she isn't. Her new school has its challenges, but Jen finds solace in her artwork and begins to make friends.
The story takes place from late summer to Halloween, and one plot line focuses on Jen's job at a nearby pumpkin patch and her help with organizing the community fall festival. We also see Jen taking care of the hens and roosters. In the final panels we see Jen and her step-sisters in costume on Halloween night.
The book ends with an author's note, in which Knisley talks about her own childhood.
The artwork is expressive and colorful. It's easy to read the subtext of Jen's (and the other characters') emotions.
In this follow-up story, Jen is worried about the new school year. Not only is she starting middle school but she will be attending a new school in her new town. She is still learning to get along with her step-sisters and is uncomfortable because the other kids around her age are suddenly interested in romance, though she isn't. Her new school has its challenges, but Jen finds solace in her artwork and begins to make friends.
The story takes place from late summer to Halloween, and one plot line focuses on Jen's job at a nearby pumpkin patch and her help with organizing the community fall festival. We also see Jen taking care of the hens and roosters. In the final panels we see Jen and her step-sisters in costume on Halloween night.
The book ends with an author's note, in which Knisley talks about her own childhood.
The artwork is expressive and colorful. It's easy to read the subtext of Jen's (and the other characters') emotions.
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a cozy, cute, and nostalgic read. It would be especially fun to read in the fall! I would have loved to have this as a kid as Jen and I had a lot in common, but also it's refreshing to read about a preteen girl not being super into boys and it would have helped me get a reality check at that age!
The coloring, done by Whitney Cogar, emphasizes the cozy well. As with the first book, I love how Knisley incorporates "Jen's" drawings into the book itself, dividing chapters etc. It makes it feel more personal. It's also nice to see a world with diverse background characters even though it focuses on a seemingly able bodied, white, cis girl.
This doesn't require having read the first one but I do think it helps. I'm not really a YA reader, but I love Knisley's work and think it's cool how she's sort of fictionalizing her interesting childhood.
The coloring, done by Whitney Cogar, emphasizes the cozy well. As with the first book, I love how Knisley incorporates "Jen's" drawings into the book itself, dividing chapters etc. It makes it feel more personal. It's also nice to see a world with diverse background characters even though it focuses on a seemingly able bodied, white, cis girl.
This doesn't require having read the first one but I do think it helps. I'm not really a YA reader, but I love Knisley's work and think it's cool how she's sort of fictionalizing her interesting childhood.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
emotional
slow-paced
This is a sequel to Stepping Stones. This was not known at the time it was started, it was also not known that it was just a sample, and not the full book. The review regards just the sample (36 pages). This book was slow. Having not read book 1 was not a hindrance, and the story started nicely and explained things, or they were easy to figure out. Saying that, I thought the story was a bit boring. There was a little teasing about liking a friend that can be seen in standard tween life, and a bit about starting all over someplace new. I didn’t not get a chance to really delve into the characters. However, I did read enough to know that I don’t care if I ever finish the book.