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mouseczko's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying
twstdtink's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gemeinhart's writing style is reminiscent of a classic fairy tale. Slightly dark and sinister, with innocent children as main characters, left to fend for themselves by a lineup of adults who fail them. That's not to say there aren't redeeming elements to the arc. But, the emotions are heavy on this one. Ultimately a tale of friendship. Ravani and Virginia will last with you for awhile.
*Triggers for animal death (it IS Slaughterville), bullying and abandonment.
*Triggers for animal death (it IS Slaughterville), bullying and abandonment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, and Abandonment
librarianpirate's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
Battle of the Books 23-24
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Bullying
kxc319's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book will get you in the feels! A little less than halfway through I was in tears because I was sure I knew how it would end. Little did I know I would end up with a smile on my face! This story speaks to anyone who has struggled to find friends or feel like they belong. You may not see it now, but you do have friends and you do belong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
mjenae's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Well, he didn't disappoint.
It was funny, and eccentric, and relatable, and not the least bit lacking in intrigue.
It was also more of a wild ride than his others have been. That last scene (if you can call the whole chase one scene) reminded me very strongly of Gordon Korman's work—it tasted like the Masterminds. So yes, it requires a bit of suspended disbelief, but it's 100% worth it.
Because it's not just an escape story. It never is with Gemeinhart.
It's about souls, finding each other and reaching out and connecting.
And it's about coming into your someday—because guess what? You're already here.
It was funny, and eccentric, and relatable, and not the least bit lacking in intrigue.
It was also more of a wild ride than his others have been. That last scene (if you can call the whole chase one scene) reminded me very strongly of Gordon Korman's work—it tasted like the Masterminds. So yes, it requires a bit of suspended disbelief, but it's 100% worth it.
Because it's not just an escape story. It never is with Gemeinhart.
It's about souls, finding each other and reaching out and connecting.
And it's about coming into your someday—because guess what? You're already here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, and Blood
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Miscarriage, Vomit, and Death of parent
sab_reads14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Gore, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
atamano's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
klsriley's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
The only bad thing about finishing Dan Gemeinhart’s latest book, The Midnight Children, is that there are no more new books by Dan Gemeinhart to read.
Ravani Foster, is a terribly lonely kid in the quiet town of Slaughterville, named for the town’s slaughterhouse where Rav’s dad works. One night, Rav sees something extraordinary: seven children, piling out of a truck with suitcases at midnight and going into the empty house across the street. One of those children sees him, and they make a silent pact through the window and across the street. From that point on, Rav’s life is upended. Is it scary? Yes. Is it wonderful? Absolutely.
Gemeinhart’s writing in The Midnight Children has a lyrical quality that calls to mind a time in the not-too-distant past, but also hums with subtle magic. Those seven midnight children? There must be some kind of magic that keeps them, and their secret safe. And once bold Virginia decides Rav is worth befriending, he’s a part of their secret too. Can Rav find the courage in himself to protect his new friends from those who would expose them?
The Midnight Children is a wild ride from the beginning, and somehow it continues to ramp up through the even wilder climax. Middle grade readers will LOVE this book for it’s fascinating characters, surprising turns, laugh-out-loud lines, and suspenseful moments. I can’t wait to add The Midnight Children to my school’s library and get it into the hands of my readers.
Thank you, Dan Gemeinhart for another amazing book that reads like a movie, and to Net Galley for the eARC for review.
Ravani Foster, is a terribly lonely kid in the quiet town of Slaughterville, named for the town’s slaughterhouse where Rav’s dad works. One night, Rav sees something extraordinary: seven children, piling out of a truck with suitcases at midnight and going into the empty house across the street. One of those children sees him, and they make a silent pact through the window and across the street. From that point on, Rav’s life is upended. Is it scary? Yes. Is it wonderful? Absolutely.
Gemeinhart’s writing in The Midnight Children has a lyrical quality that calls to mind a time in the not-too-distant past, but also hums with subtle magic. Those seven midnight children? There must be some kind of magic that keeps them, and their secret safe. And once bold Virginia decides Rav is worth befriending, he’s a part of their secret too. Can Rav find the courage in himself to protect his new friends from those who would expose them?
The Midnight Children is a wild ride from the beginning, and somehow it continues to ramp up through the even wilder climax. Middle grade readers will LOVE this book for it’s fascinating characters, surprising turns, laugh-out-loud lines, and suspenseful moments. I can’t wait to add The Midnight Children to my school’s library and get it into the hands of my readers.
Thank you, Dan Gemeinhart for another amazing book that reads like a movie, and to Net Galley for the eARC for review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, and Death of parent