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adrzeck's review
3.0
The third-person narrator literally helps the story move along at points. Loads of crazy/expected things in the life of a new 5th grader. "Know when to hold them...". Lots of spades and cards references throughout, so get used to them.
Side note: the book does a great job of teaching the reader how to play spades. So you have no excuse by the end to not know how to play.
- addiction, abandonment, new relationships, failing friendships, & fighting all play a role in this book.
Side note: the book does a great job of teaching the reader how to play spades. So you have no excuse by the end to not know how to play.
- addiction, abandonment, new relationships, failing friendships, & fighting all play a role in this book.
brandypainter's review
4.0
Oof. This book is hard to read as an adult. Hard because Johnson did such a great job creating characters you truly feel for, and as an adult, you see where it's all going from a mile away. It hurt. I do love that we have a MG book dealing with familial complications resulting from one member's addictions that focuses on gambling. As it is a rising problem, this book will both help build empathy in young people and show so many of them they are not alone. The relationship between Ant and his brother is so heartwarming, and the friendship complications hit exactly the right note for 5th grade.
It is just shy of being a 5 star book for me because the narration was completely distracting. (This is totally a me problem.) I can't stand being talked to by the narrator. Those slips into second person pull me out of a story everytime, and with this it also highlighted that who is narrating the story is a big secret, which was also distracting me from the story. (I suspected correctly where that was going, and it's not my favorite device. I hate it when author's try to get creative with narrators. Rarely does it work for me as a reader as anything other than a distraction from the narrative itself.)
It is just shy of being a 5 star book for me because the narration was completely distracting. (This is totally a me problem.) I can't stand being talked to by the narrator. Those slips into second person pull me out of a story everytime, and with this it also highlighted that who is narrating the story is a big secret, which was also distracting me from the story. (I suspected correctly where that was going, and it's not my favorite device. I hate it when author's try to get creative with narrators. Rarely does it work for me as a reader as anything other than a distraction from the narrative itself.)
rdyourbookcase's review
4.0
The narrator was distracting. Maybe I missed some clues, but I was like WHO KEEPS POPPING IN AND SAYING "I"? It was annoying, which took away from the big reveal at the end. I assumed it was just the author talking. The lessons were age appropriate, and I'm sure far too many middle-schoolers can relate. I loved how Ant grew as a person and became stronger, even though he shouldn't have had to face the obstacles that met him. His relationships were good and full of lessons. Overall, a good read.
librariandest's review
4.0
Great audiobook narrator; he was the perfect narrative voice.
10-year-old Ant is teased about being small and weak. But is it really weak to be a nice person and talk about your feelings? Ant's best friend has bullying tendencies and seems to be carrying on the tradition of toxic masculinity, but luckily Ant makes a new friend who is 1000% better. Her name is Shirley and she gets teased about being tall and confident.
This was kind of like a sports story, but with a card game called Spades instead of athletics. It reminded me a bit of [b:Not an Easy Win|61356472|Not an Easy Win|Chrystal D. Giles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754617l/61356472._SY75_.jpg|96769757] which featured chess. Spades is often accompanied by trash talk, but the "yo mama" jokes in this book are so old and corny. I cringed.
From the description I read, I thought Ant's recently deceased grandfather would play more of a role in the story, and while he definitely has a presence in the story, he's not talked about much. This is not a book about grieving the loss of a grandparent. It's more of a book about emotional maturity, friendship, trust, and coming to terms with a very flawed parent.
Content notes: Ant's father is an alcoholic but tries to hide it. He also has a gambling addiction. There is nothing super traumatic on the page.
10-year-old Ant is teased about being small and weak. But is it really weak to be a nice person and talk about your feelings? Ant's best friend has bullying tendencies and seems to be carrying on the tradition of toxic masculinity, but luckily Ant makes a new friend who is 1000% better. Her name is Shirley and she gets teased about being tall and confident.
This was kind of like a sports story, but with a card game called Spades instead of athletics. It reminded me a bit of [b:Not an Easy Win|61356472|Not an Easy Win|Chrystal D. Giles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754617l/61356472._SY75_.jpg|96769757] which featured chess. Spades is often accompanied by trash talk, but the "yo mama" jokes in this book are so old and corny. I cringed.
From the description I read, I thought Ant's recently deceased grandfather would play more of a role in the story, and while he definitely has a presence in the story, he's not talked about much. This is not a book about grieving the loss of a grandparent. It's more of a book about emotional maturity, friendship, trust, and coming to terms with a very flawed parent.
Content notes: Ant's father is an alcoholic but tries to hide it. He also has a gambling addiction. There is nothing super traumatic on the page.
musicalpopcorn's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
Ant is a Joplin man and there are a few things that come with being a Joplin. They’re strong, they have each other’s backs, and they’re amazing at Spades. But what happens when Ant starts to feel weak?
This was a great story with a lot of heart. I appreciated the character arcs and how Ant’s feelings were probably what a kid his age would be feeling.
I was not a huge fan of the narration and the little “Youngblood” thing at the end was pointless. This is not a fantasy book. Plus it would have made it a great discussion piece with kids NOT to play the grandpa hand and just have them guess about who they think the narrator might be. It cheapened the ending.
Outside of my dislike for the narration storyline, I thought this book dealt with serious but totally relatable issues in a fantastic way. I will definitely recommend it to my students
This was a great story with a lot of heart. I appreciated the character arcs and how Ant’s feelings were probably what a kid his age would be feeling.
Outside of my dislike for the narration storyline, I thought this book dealt with serious but totally relatable issues in a fantastic way. I will definitely recommend it to my students
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic friendship, and Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia
adliteracy's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this novel overall! Even though this novel is intended for a younger audience, I listened to it as an audiobook while on a difficult road trip and it made such a difference in keeping my mindset calm, engaged, and positive.
I don't typically like reading coming-of-age books; but, this isn't one where a dumb kid does dumb stuff. Instead, the protagonist bravely faces his challenges (which pertain to difficulties with family and community) the best he can, and the reader joins him in his outlook and experiences.
This story and its characters are wholesome, inspiring, and the writing beautiful and easy to read. It didn't feel patronizing or obvious but instead motivating and inspiring.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great, modern story!
I don't typically like reading coming-of-age books; but, this isn't one where a dumb kid does dumb stuff. Instead, the protagonist bravely faces his challenges (which pertain to difficulties with family and community) the best he can, and the reader joins him in his outlook and experiences.
This story and its characters are wholesome, inspiring, and the writing beautiful and easy to read. It didn't feel patronizing or obvious but instead motivating and inspiring.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great, modern story!
katieproctorbooks's review
5.0
4.5– I really enjoyed this one! There are some tough subject matters tackled in this story, but Ant is a lovable character and you’re rooting for him the WHOLE time. Excellent audio narration. Super fun spades (card game) connection. Great middle grade read!
danacoledares's review
5.0
I loved everything about this. I find bidding games to be incredibly tedious, but the way that the hands played here were described captured the feel of a really good game without dragging.
Beyond that, though, and more significantly, it deals with some very dark topics in a way that manages to be both honest and hopeful. The characters felt fully-realized, and I don't think any of them came across as caricatures, which has been my quibble with some other MG books I've otherwise enjoyed recently.
Absolutely delightful.
Beyond that, though, and more significantly, it deals with some very dark topics in a way that manages to be both honest and hopeful. The characters felt fully-realized, and I don't think any of them came across as caricatures, which has been my quibble with some other MG books I've otherwise enjoyed recently.
Absolutely delightful.
evamadera1's review
5.0
Johnson crafted another winner with this one, a book with a main character who reads like the actual ten year old he is. Johnson lovingly handles his journey through his father's relapse and his own struggle to deal with his changing image of his father while balancing familial relationships with his mother and brother who have already lived through a time with their father/husband deep in the throes of addiction.
andrearbooks's review
3.0
This is the story of Anthony (Ant) who is preparing for a spades tournament. His family has a reputation of doing well in the tournament, so Ant feels extra pressure to perform well. In addition to navigating the spades tournament (and finding an unlikely partner in a new girl), Ant is working through a complicated family situation. The title of this one very much speaks to the focus of the book. Yes, there's the literal connection to a game of spades, and there's also coming to understand what hand life has given you and how to proceed. More than anything, this is Ant learning some difficult truths and coming to see certain people and situations were not what he thought. It's some tough stuff to work through, and the book is very much about how we often have to do this as humans. Thanks to Scholastic for the free copy of this October 2021 release.