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kshertz's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is super cute! Definitely something I would recommend for elementary students. It’s so sweet to have another story about Santa Claus. It was a really quick read to get me in the holiday spirit. Recommended if you want a light, easy read.
Minor: Death of parent
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent
bexi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Excrement, and Gore
amberinbookland's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent
ok7a's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty and Excrement
your_true_shelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Death of parent
theespressoedition's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Impossibility is just a possibility you don't understand yet."
This book is pure MAGIC from beginning to end.
When I saw the announcement for the Netflix adaptation, I knew I had to read the book as soon as possible. Matt Haig is already one of my favorite authors of all time and I had this feeling that I'd really enjoy the book. However, whenever I pick up a middle-grade book, I lower my expectations a bit because I don't typically love them so much as just breeze through them.
I chose to listen to the audiobook and I'm so glad that I did. Stephen Fry was the narrator and his voice acting made the story all the more enchanting! It brought the characters to life in such a beautiful way. I was able to picture every moment of the story vividly in my mind as I listened!
How Matt Haig manages to bring such depth and inspiration to a children's book is more than my brain can handle. I'm constantly in awe of his writing and now that I've experienced his adult fiction, non-fiction, and children's fiction, I can say with ease that he can truly do no wrong in my book.
There were moments that made me want to cry, moments that had me laughing aloud, and other moments that made me pause the story just to ruminate on what was said. If we're thinking in terms of middle-grade books, this was top-notch. If we're forgetting that it was middle-grade and just thinking about it as a work of fiction, it was phenomenal. I can't think of a single negative thing to say!
Watching the movie after finishing the book, I can definitely state that the book was better. Now, the movie was excellent, but the plot and characters were changed a lot, losing out on some of the meaningful aspects in my opinion. However, my favorite character (Miika) was just as adorable and funny and the magical quality was still there, so I appreciated that!
I can't wait to pick up the next two books during the holiday season next year. I'm looking forward to continuing to expand my imagination with these stories!
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
aoifsdarcy's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent
bennythefup's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Death of parent
markreadspages's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent
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