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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Unpopular opinion but I expected a lot more actually. The ending was painful for me bc it feels like things were too quickly resolved when abuse often takes more than a school year to move past, even to recognize or break habits with. Especially for a 14 year old.
Maybe a little over biased.
Maybe a little over biased.
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Remember reading this book in a YA Fic class I took way back when. Deals with some dark subject material, but it's such an important book to read, especially for teenagers who might be struggling with the same experience that Melinda did. The subject matter and Melinda's trauma responses to it are all handled respectfully, and it teaches important lessons--be there for a child in your life when their mood or grades suddenly slip, regardless of what's going on. People who went through SA are never alone. And given the right tools to do so, you can stand up and take back the agency that was stolen from you.
What a book. Highly recommend.
What a book. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book brings home the need for all parents to be vigilant. Not just physically present but emotionally alert to their children's changes. The total collapse of Melinda's outgoing personality, her lack of friends entering high school and her tumbling grades were red flags that she needed help. The art teacher, though eccentric, was the only adult in this girl's life who recognized a need and slowly worked with her. The pain Melinda was going through tears out the heart of any adult who is a parent. Even though this was written back in 1999, when there were no social medias to compound Melinda's ostracism, the components in this book can be seen as timeless. This book wrapped up in a positive manner but the reality is many students go under the radar like Melinda and do not always have a positive ending. This book is another read for young adults and adults. I read this just before reading The Wednesday Wars and found them to be a good foil for each other portraying challenges by middle and high school students that could still be applicable in today's society.
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
This book is beautiful. Heartbreaking. Important.
I've read this book many times over the years and it never fails to resonate with me. This time I listened to the 25th anniversary edition with expanded content and let me tell you I wept.
I've read this book many times over the years and it never fails to resonate with me. This time I listened to the 25th anniversary edition with expanded content and let me tell you I wept.