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thekittenholy's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
coolsaluki11's review against another edition
5.0
Great book!
Must read for everyone! So good and inspiring! It holds a special place in my heart! So genuine and I finished it in 2 days!
Must read for everyone! So good and inspiring! It holds a special place in my heart! So genuine and I finished it in 2 days!
read_with_blondie's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-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
mstone316's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eyho's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
cedardleland's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
This book is incredible but the content can get heavy for a middle grade book, so check the content warnings. The fact that it's #ownvoices really comes through in the detail around the school setting and the characterization of the support characters as well as the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Ableism, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, and Hate crime
lauriehnatiuk's review
5.0
Even though this book has been out for a month, I do not want people to forget about it, and if you do not know about REAL, now you will. It packs a powerful punch at 224 pages and will leave you amazed and thinking, or in my opinion, it should. Inspired by the real-life experiences of Peyton Goddard there are many lessons to be taken away.
Charity is an autistic and non-verbal 13-year-old girl trapped in a body that will not cooperate with her mind. Her parents love her and see her as capable and loving, but society (including some family) does not. Her parents teach her what they can when she is at home, her mom focusing on academics while her dad helps her do things physically like surfing and riding a bike, but she attends what she calls Boredom Academy.
Boredom Academy, unfortunately, is presented as the stereotypical special needs school. Children are not in engaging learning environments. The adults in charge ridicule, neglect and take advantage of the students left in their charge. This is one of the reasons why this such a crucial read - we need to be sure that this doesn't happen ever and that all students are treated with dignity no matter what their challenges may be intellectual or physical.
Such is the case for Charity. She is intelligent and doesn't want people to treat her like a five-year-old. Trapped and treated like she cannot learn anything, we see how brilliant and capable she is. She has a wicked sense of humour which had me cracking up out loud - which I do not do easily. As Charity narrates her story, we learn how amazing she is with numbers, her ability to read and memorize. She shares her favourite book, The Amazing Kids' Animal Encyclopedia, interspersing some of those 327 facts throughout the book.
I see Charity as an empath, sensing the emotions of those around her without others knowing. She describes this herself as having "a painful talent for someone who most people consider brainless." When her mother unexpectedly visits and realizes how abysmal the conditions are, she removes her and demands she be integrated into public school. Celia Diaz, the special education coordinator, sees the potential in Celia. Ms. Diaz creates an environment where not only Celia can thrive but also empowers her to help others. Charity's new mission is to assist others with similar challenges to have the same opportunities to be successful.
This is where the book shifts, from Charity, from becoming an active learner to becoming an activist for her peers to ensure equity for all students. As much as we see her personality throughout the book, it is here where we see her passion. Real is a reminder that we all are unique, all have something to offer and that we need to provide everyone with those opportunities to contribute.
FIRST LINE: My name is Charity.
SIMILAR TITLES: Planet Earth Is Blue' by Nicole Pantaleakos, and Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Gr. 5+
Charity is an autistic and non-verbal 13-year-old girl trapped in a body that will not cooperate with her mind. Her parents love her and see her as capable and loving, but society (including some family) does not. Her parents teach her what they can when she is at home, her mom focusing on academics while her dad helps her do things physically like surfing and riding a bike, but she attends what she calls Boredom Academy.
Boredom Academy, unfortunately, is presented as the stereotypical special needs school. Children are not in engaging learning environments. The adults in charge ridicule, neglect and take advantage of the students left in their charge. This is one of the reasons why this such a crucial read - we need to be sure that this doesn't happen ever and that all students are treated with dignity no matter what their challenges may be intellectual or physical.
Such is the case for Charity. She is intelligent and doesn't want people to treat her like a five-year-old. Trapped and treated like she cannot learn anything, we see how brilliant and capable she is. She has a wicked sense of humour which had me cracking up out loud - which I do not do easily. As Charity narrates her story, we learn how amazing she is with numbers, her ability to read and memorize. She shares her favourite book, The Amazing Kids' Animal Encyclopedia, interspersing some of those 327 facts throughout the book.
I see Charity as an empath, sensing the emotions of those around her without others knowing. She describes this herself as having "a painful talent for someone who most people consider brainless." When her mother unexpectedly visits and realizes how abysmal the conditions are, she removes her and demands she be integrated into public school. Celia Diaz, the special education coordinator, sees the potential in Celia. Ms. Diaz creates an environment where not only Celia can thrive but also empowers her to help others. Charity's new mission is to assist others with similar challenges to have the same opportunities to be successful.
This is where the book shifts, from Charity, from becoming an active learner to becoming an activist for her peers to ensure equity for all students. As much as we see her personality throughout the book, it is here where we see her passion. Real is a reminder that we all are unique, all have something to offer and that we need to provide everyone with those opportunities to contribute.
FIRST LINE: My name is Charity.
SIMILAR TITLES: Planet Earth Is Blue' by Nicole Pantaleakos, and Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Gr. 5+
sngick's review
5.0
This book reminded me of so many former students I taught as a special education teacher. The fact that this story is based on many of Peyton Goddard’s experiences makes it even more important for others to read. All people are worthy of being included.