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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 - I liked the premise for this story a lot, however the execution felt lacking. I feel like the author did not do a great job of portraying 12 year olds. They felt naive and not realistic. I am sad because I was excited to read a book about someone with Tourette’s as that is not something I’ve read about in books before, and while I can’t speak for how accurate that part of the book was, I just felt like the overall execution was lacking.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Quick wholesome middle-grade read because I needed it. I listened to the audiobook and something about the male narrator really irked me but it got better as time went on.
This is such a sweet little book and it was great seeing the characters grow. I don’t know a lot about Tourette’s but it’s really interesting reading accounts on having it.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
I just….really didn’t like it. It lacked plot (especially versus other phenomenal novels like it), it had TOO many sad situations… with very little humor or happiness to offset it.
Additionally, I felt this book, personally, was perhaps a try hard. Was it trying to be Wonder? Star Girl? I love LOVE books that feature students with “different abilities” and I’m working hard to read some and add them to my class library. However, this story feels more “Tourette’s girl” than “girl with Tourette’s”. If the main character didn’t have Tourette’s… there wouldn’t be a lot here. Add some more plot, actual character building outside of having Tourette’s and for the love of God… it’s a middle grade novel, so some humor or lightheartedness wouldn’t have hurt anyone…and perhaps it could have been the makings of a good novel
(Guys…it was so sad that I wanted to take a shot after reading it. Good luck 10 year olds!)
Additionally, I felt this book, personally, was perhaps a try hard. Was it trying to be Wonder? Star Girl? I love LOVE books that feature students with “different abilities” and I’m working hard to read some and add them to my class library. However, this story feels more “Tourette’s girl” than “girl with Tourette’s”. If the main character didn’t have Tourette’s… there wouldn’t be a lot here. Add some more plot, actual character building outside of having Tourette’s and for the love of God… it’s a middle grade novel, so some humor or lightheartedness wouldn’t have hurt anyone…and perhaps it could have been the makings of a good novel
(Guys…it was so sad that I wanted to take a shot after reading it. Good luck 10 year olds!)
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I just finished Forget Me Not, read it in one sitting and couldn't wait to share it! Forget Me Not is a brilliant debut from new author Ellie Terry. The story is written from the perspectives of Calliope (Calli), a young girl who loves astronomy, has moved to new towns (and schools)many more times than she'd like and suffers from Tourette's syndrome; and Jinsong, the student body president of Black Ridge Intermediate School in St. George, Utah--the place where Calli and her mother end up within the first ten pages.
Calli's perspective is always told using free verse and Jinsong's is told using prose. This literary choice by the author helps make each of their voices distinct and effective in telling their dual story. Once diagnosed with Tourette's Calli has been told by her doctor not to share that information:
As a result, Calli doesn't tell anyone at her new school she has Tourette's, but is--of course--unable to control the tics that sometimes take over her body. What she wants most of all is a friend.
When Calli meets Jinsong in their apartment complex before she starts at Black Ridge Intermediate, he thinks she's interesting and nice. He is hoping she will start at their school the next day. But when Calli walks into his classroom the next morning...
Although Jinsong saw hints of Calli's tics when he first met her this is the first time he sees them in front of their peers. Part of what makes Forget Me Not so genuine is Jinsong's honest reaction in that moment:
Calli's raw, pained honesty and Jinsong's tortured struggle to do the right thing regardless of what others will say carve two parallel narratives that converge as they each discover what it means to become the people they know themselves capable of being.
In her Author's Note Ellie Terry reveals that she was diagnosed with Tourette's as an adult. Her neurologist advised her (as Dr. Flagner advised Calli's mother in the book) not to share her diagnosis:
We are fortunate that Ms Terry has chosen to share not only her story, but Calli's and Jinsong's as well. Forget Me Not is a read that will be a gift to yourself and anyone with whom you choose to share it!
Calli's perspective is always told using free verse and Jinsong's is told using prose. This literary choice by the author helps make each of their voices distinct and effective in telling their dual story. Once diagnosed with Tourette's Calli has been told by her doctor not to share that information:
Dr. Flagner also said
that if he were me,
he wouldn't go around telling everybody,
because Tourette's is a very
misunderstood
disorder
and if people knew,
they'd treat me different,
expect me to curse
spit in their face
give them the finger,
because that's all they've seen in the movies
even though not everyone
who has Tourette's
does that.
As a result, Calli doesn't tell anyone at her new school she has Tourette's, but is--of course--unable to control the tics that sometimes take over her body. What she wants most of all is a friend.
Now my Tourette's
is harder to hide,
but I have to try
if I want to make friends.
I have to try.
When Calli meets Jinsong in their apartment complex before she starts at Black Ridge Intermediate, he thinks she's interesting and nice. He is hoping she will start at their school the next day. But when Calli walks into his classroom the next morning...
Wiggle my nose
pucker my lips
roll my eyes
clear my throat
clap my hands
tap my feet.
So much for keeping them hid.
Although Jinsong saw hints of Calli's tics when he first met her this is the first time he sees them in front of their peers. Part of what makes Forget Me Not so genuine is Jinsong's honest reaction in that moment:
I don't have to wonder what Duncan and Nyle think. I hear them whisper, "Freak Girl." I see the smirks on their faces. And one thing's for sure: I am not telling them that I know her.
Calli's raw, pained honesty and Jinsong's tortured struggle to do the right thing regardless of what others will say carve two parallel narratives that converge as they each discover what it means to become the people they know themselves capable of being.
In her Author's Note Ellie Terry reveals that she was diagnosed with Tourette's as an adult. Her neurologist advised her (as Dr. Flagner advised Calli's mother in the book) not to share her diagnosis:
Days Passed, and I thought a lot about what my doctor had said. And I realized he was halfway right. Tourette syndrome is a very misunderstood disorder. But if I kept quiet about it, wouldn't that only contribute to it being misunderstood? So I decided to do something very scary. I shared my diagnosis with my family and friends, and even some strangers. And it felt wonderful. To let it all out. To feel a little more understood. Isn't that what every person wants? To feel a little more understood?
We are fortunate that Ms Terry has chosen to share not only her story, but Calli's and Jinsong's as well. Forget Me Not is a read that will be a gift to yourself and anyone with whom you choose to share it!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
informative
reflective
medium-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