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evamadera1's review
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I loved the voices that Flake created for Autumn and Adonis. Each of their narratives flowed onto the page as if it came straight from the mind of either Autumn or Adonis. The book started with great promise. Unfortunately, it did not live up to that promise. Although it did not fall flat, it did not continue to develop, stagnating. That comes from the frustrating lack of development for both of the characters. Only towards the last 20 pages or so of the narrative did Autumn begin to change; Adonis never really changed and being an intensely frustrating character to begin with, this left me unsatisfied.
I think Flake could have done so much more, explored so much more. Hence the 3 star rating.
I think Flake could have done so much more, explored so much more. Hence the 3 star rating.
thisgrrlreads's review
3.0
It's about a high school romance (or is it?) between the athletic, nearly illiterate Autumn who is also a wrestler and the intelligent Adonis, a beautiful boy in a wheelchair. Their perspectives were well done and I really appreciated this depiction of the legless Adonis. He radiates self-confidence. There is still a journey for him in this book, but it's different than Autumn's.
tashrow's review against another edition
4.0
Autumn is the only female wrestler at school, but that doesn’t stop her from excelling. Her physical strength and her mental agility are formidable. However, she can’t seem to apply that same effort to her school work. She is several grades behind in reading and failing math. Adonis, on the other hand, loves school and is known as one of the smartest kids in their 9th grade class. In a wheelchair because of birth defects that left him without legs, Adonis survived a bullying attack that almost killed him. These two people, both struggling with big issues in their lives, tell their stories in alternating chapters. Neither character is perfect. Despite her strength, Autumn is needy and pushy. Adonis is proud and disdainful of those who will not try to excel. They aren’t really even friends, but Autumn wishes they were so much more.
Flake has refused here to make the book you think you are reading. She has a heroine who is strong physically and mentally, yet will make readers cringe with her headlong flirtation with Adonis. Adonis could have been that saintlike disabled character that everyone would have recognized. Instead here he is prickly and judgmental not only of Autumn but of everyone around him. He lives in a life of certainty where he can peg people easily into categories. Flake beautifully ties these characters into their families where Autumn’s parents have GEDs and also have issues with reading. On the other hand, Adonis’ mother is educated and making sure that Adonis will have a bright future academically. They are studies in contrasts, and yet also studies in similarities as they both struggle with disabilities.
The writing here is strong and forthright, speaking directly to the reader. The book rests on the heads of its two narrators, both of whom see the world in a specific way that is their own. As their relationship slowly turns into something more serious, readers will be surprised to find that not all of the loose ends are tied up neatly. Adonis remains aloof and hyperaware of the opinions of those around him. Autumn stays flirtatious and continues to struggle with school. There is nothing magical here. This is life, and it continues clearly after the book ends.
This should be very popular with middle school readers who will enjoy the complex and surprising characters as well as the thread of romance. Appropriate for ages 13-15.
Flake has refused here to make the book you think you are reading. She has a heroine who is strong physically and mentally, yet will make readers cringe with her headlong flirtation with Adonis. Adonis could have been that saintlike disabled character that everyone would have recognized. Instead here he is prickly and judgmental not only of Autumn but of everyone around him. He lives in a life of certainty where he can peg people easily into categories. Flake beautifully ties these characters into their families where Autumn’s parents have GEDs and also have issues with reading. On the other hand, Adonis’ mother is educated and making sure that Adonis will have a bright future academically. They are studies in contrasts, and yet also studies in similarities as they both struggle with disabilities.
The writing here is strong and forthright, speaking directly to the reader. The book rests on the heads of its two narrators, both of whom see the world in a specific way that is their own. As their relationship slowly turns into something more serious, readers will be surprised to find that not all of the loose ends are tied up neatly. Adonis remains aloof and hyperaware of the opinions of those around him. Autumn stays flirtatious and continues to struggle with school. There is nothing magical here. This is life, and it continues clearly after the book ends.
This should be very popular with middle school readers who will enjoy the complex and surprising characters as well as the thread of romance. Appropriate for ages 13-15.
themaddiest's review against another edition
4.0
Autumn is the only female wrestler on her high school team. Adonis is the smartest boy in school. Where Autumn is vivacious and outgoing, Adonis is shy and guarded. The two have nothing in common on the surface, but they each have a disability they’re dealing with. For Adonis, it’s on the outside: he has no legs and is confined to a wheelchair. Autumn’s disability is much more hidden: she can’t read very well, and each day is a struggle. Despite their differences and Adonis’s reluctance to have anything to do with Autumn, the two find that they have more in common than they initially realized.
This novel is a knockout from start to finish. Flake pulls readers in with both Autumn and Adonis’s distinct, beautifully authentic voices, and crafts a quiet little story about perseverance and determination. Both the main characters are fully realized, smart, and achingly real. While the novel is definitely much more character-driven than anything, the short chapters and brief length should attract reluctant readers.
It’s a good thing, too, because there’s a lot here to love. In addition to crafting some of the strongest narration voices in YA this year, Flake has created a story that has sympathetic and intriguing secondary characters as well. This is especially true in the case of Autumn’s best friend Patricia (aka Peaches) and both Adonis and Autumn’s present and supportive parents.
Everything about the novel is well done from the pacing to the plot to the characterization. Why Draper isn’t getting more notice for her novels flummoxes this reader. There’s something here for most readers, and presenting a strong female character who wrestles but is also feminine is likely to draw in readers who might otherwise be put off by the book’s basic premise.
Highly, highly recommended. Read for the Cybils Round 1 Panel.
Pinned by Sharon G. Flake. Scholastic: 2012. Library copy.
This novel is a knockout from start to finish. Flake pulls readers in with both Autumn and Adonis’s distinct, beautifully authentic voices, and crafts a quiet little story about perseverance and determination. Both the main characters are fully realized, smart, and achingly real. While the novel is definitely much more character-driven than anything, the short chapters and brief length should attract reluctant readers.
It’s a good thing, too, because there’s a lot here to love. In addition to crafting some of the strongest narration voices in YA this year, Flake has created a story that has sympathetic and intriguing secondary characters as well. This is especially true in the case of Autumn’s best friend Patricia (aka Peaches) and both Adonis and Autumn’s present and supportive parents.
Everything about the novel is well done from the pacing to the plot to the characterization. Why Draper isn’t getting more notice for her novels flummoxes this reader. There’s something here for most readers, and presenting a strong female character who wrestles but is also feminine is likely to draw in readers who might otherwise be put off by the book’s basic premise.
Highly, highly recommended. Read for the Cybils Round 1 Panel.
Pinned by Sharon G. Flake. Scholastic: 2012. Library copy.
pages_and_procrastination's review against another edition
4.0
Autumn is the only girl on the wrestling team. She is a super star on the mats but failing in the classroom. Adonis is the team manager and an exceptional student. But, he was born without legs. If I had to describe the book with one word it would be real. The writing had a nice rhythm. The characters were distinct and relatable. Adonis was a bit conceited, but still understandable. Both of the characters have their own issues that they need to work through. Autumn and Adonis are both soaring in one area and struggling in others. Autumn’s issues stems from her inability to read. This is due to the fact that her parents were always moving around during her educational foundation years, and they didn’t really care. So it doesn’t appear that she is dealing with a disability. But Adonis is living with a physical disability. He is accepting of it, but overcompensates by attempting to be perfect in every area of his life. Flake handles both of these issues realistically and respectfully, as far as I can tell from an outsider’s perspective. This was a pretty quick read but it was packed with so much.
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
Solid middle school read. I like that all the characters showed growth and were great examples of how to change things you want to change (or how to roll with things you were hoping would never change).
singinglight's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one–you can read Leila’s review for a sense of plot and character. I loved the alternating narration, since both narrators have strong voices, and very different ways of speaking and looking at the world. I spent most of the book wanting to shake Adonis, but I think we’re supposed to have that reaction.
amandathebookishlibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
I kept hoping it would get better and there would be more but I was wrong.