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kaynova's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a great audiobook. I loved Jeanette’s voice for this.
The plot was great. I loved the discovery of the letters and the truth behind it. This feeling of never being accepted unless you conform into something society wants you to be, which shows differently in Alberta and even Edie who are totally different the stereotypes of what people presume black girls are. Alberta is a surfer who’s vegan and doesn’t mind getting her hair wet and Edie likes wearing dark clothes, comics, and classic literature. They don’t have to be anything else but even in modern times, it feels that way, which brings me to my biggest issue about this book.
I wished Laramie thought more about her words and actions and I also wished Alberta wasn’t so forgiving for some of the microaggressions that was thrown out there. I know this is juvenile fiction book, so it can’t be as harsh when it comes to friendships but if you’re going to be friends with a BIPOC person, it’s better to educate yourself. There were moments where I was so happy to hear Alberta push back on those comments, but Laramie never really apologized or own up to it. And a part of their friendship plot weighed heavy on this mean and racist girl who’s Alberta’s neighbor and I didn’t like how that was handled. If you’re hanging out with my opp, we are not friends!
But again, I had to remind myself that this is a juvenile fiction book and I am an adult who thinks differently then 12 year olds. I do think this is a phenomenal book to get in touch about history and how our history is everywhere around us, and how friendships are important. So I hope someone gives this a read or give it to a group of students as a reading recommendation.
The plot was great. I loved the discovery of the letters and the truth behind it. This feeling of never being accepted unless you conform into something society wants you to be, which shows differently in Alberta and even Edie who are totally different the stereotypes of what people presume black girls are. Alberta is a surfer who’s vegan and doesn’t mind getting her hair wet and Edie likes wearing dark clothes, comics, and classic literature. They don’t have to be anything else but even in modern times, it feels that way, which brings me to my biggest issue about this book.
I wished Laramie thought more about her words and actions and I also wished Alberta wasn’t so forgiving for some of the microaggressions that was thrown out there. I know this is juvenile fiction book, so it can’t be as harsh when it comes to friendships but if you’re going to be friends with a BIPOC person, it’s better to educate yourself. There were moments where I was so happy to hear Alberta push back on those comments, but Laramie never really apologized or own up to it. And a part of their friendship plot weighed heavy on this mean and racist girl who’s Alberta’s neighbor and I didn’t like how that was handled. If you’re hanging out with my opp, we are not friends!
But again, I had to remind myself that this is a juvenile fiction book and I am an adult who thinks differently then 12 year olds. I do think this is a phenomenal book to get in touch about history and how our history is everywhere around us, and how friendships are important. So I hope someone gives this a read or give it to a group of students as a reading recommendation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Racism
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