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domarisdione's review against another edition
5.0
I was so enthralled that I was disappointed to have it end. I wish it had sequels!
kimbyy's review against another edition
2.0
all the social stuff is handled well & the historical emphasis is good. just didn't connect with the characters as much as i would have liked
stuff4bd's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? No
4.0
A good middle grade book that is about the tween transition and expanding friend circles. In the plot issues of race from both past and present are explored in a way to promote learning and discussion while still feeling natural.
thepeaceone's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
adrzeck's review against another edition
3.0
Spend your days surfing, solving mysteries, and standing up to the toxic neighbor. All in a day's work for these preteens in small-town California. Touches on how changes affect pre-teens and parents alike and maybe that new town isn't so bad after all.
jwinchell's review
5.0
This is a rich, beautiful middle grade novel about friendship and race. The setting is a Southern California beach town and the new girl in town is goth- quite reminiscent of the upcoming Summer and July but 1000% more sophisticated and layered. Alberta lives with her two dads in the small town of Ewing Beach and she loves to surf and hang out with her best friend Laramie. Then Edie from New York; she and her mom take over the Bed & Breakfast on the same block as Alberta. It’s good that Edie is also 12 but it’s really good that Edie is also black- there are a few other black kids in town, but it’s hard to be feeling race when the white people in town pretend like it doesn’t exist. There’s so much to this book, like Al’s relationship with her birth mother Denise and the journals the girls find in the B&B. Each character is fully round and complex and authentic, which allows Alberta to navigate all of this with flair and realness. Highly recommended.
burnourhistory's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-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
4.0
tamarafrances's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
So I realized as soon as I opened this book that it isn’t targeted for my age range, but it was still a fun read that at its core is a book on friendship and identity!
So I realized as soon as I opened this book that it isn’t targeted for my age range, but it was still a fun read that at its core is a book on friendship and identity!
fbeemcee's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Brandy Colbert book, but it absolutely won't be my last. An entertaining, thoughtful book about growing up around a lot of people that don't look like you? Yeah...I know that feeling all too well.
Bonus points for one of my daughters getting invested enough to check it out from the library to read herself!
Bonus points for one of my daughters getting invested enough to check it out from the library to read herself!