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rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
ladykatka's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this purely on the recommendation of a co-worker and I had no idea what it was about when I started reading it. What an emotional ride. The writing style and prose were an excellent choice for such an emotional story too. Very easy to read but not easy to forget.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Dementia
ofpagesandparagraphs's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Injury/Injury detail
mandkips's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Dementia
linesiunderline's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
It’s official, I want to read all of Jacqueline Wilson’s books. This is my first fictional piece of hers, and I went in with high hopes after Brown Girl Dreaming.
Her poetic style is just perfect for Middle Grade readers. It has a clean, straightforward way about it, but still gets straight to the emotional heart of her characters and their experiences. It’s so readable, yet deep. This is a very accessible novel in verse.
Loved the beautiful portrayal of the relationship between ZJ and his parents, and also his friendship circle. You can feel the love and strength in those connections.
I think this novel opens up opportunities for readers to talk about tough things, including how to reconcile one’s past understanding of a person with present differences or challenges. What do you hold onto?
4.5 stars because I think I’d have liked even more contrast between ZJ’s memories of his dad before his illness and the present day.
Her poetic style is just perfect for Middle Grade readers. It has a clean, straightforward way about it, but still gets straight to the emotional heart of her characters and their experiences. It’s so readable, yet deep. This is a very accessible novel in verse.
Loved the beautiful portrayal of the relationship between ZJ and his parents, and also his friendship circle. You can feel the love and strength in those connections.
I think this novel opens up opportunities for readers to talk about tough things, including how to reconcile one’s past understanding of a person with present differences or challenges. What do you hold onto?
4.5 stars because I think I’d have liked even more contrast between ZJ’s memories of his dad before his illness and the present day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Grief
Minor: Violence
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
This novel in verse follows a boy who's dad is a popular football player. We get to see the fun, loving moments his family shares, his friendships, and overall carefree life. Then we get to watch everything in his world change. His father's concussions catch up with him in the form of a cognitive degenerative disease. Not an easy read, but really well crafted and quite important. The end memo addresses the toll sports take on black communities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Dementia, Grief, and Mental illness
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
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