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hobbs1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
libreroaming's review against another edition
3.0
Picked this up for a book about characters dealing with someone who has an ED but it felt like 15% of the book was about the sister and 85% was about random middle school dating drama or farts. Not something I would give to a reader looking for that representation.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=10931
What I am always amazed by when I read a book by Jo Knowles is her ability to tell the truth about our world, and this book once again fits this description. Jo has a way of making her characters ones that are so real that you can imagine them walking into a school and know exactly which kids they’d hang out with. Noah and his friends could definitely be middle school students at my school. Her stories always seem to include a bit of humor (see: hairless cat on the cover) while never taking away from the seriousness of the book’s topic. The emotions, specifically pain or sadness, she portrays through her characters radiates out of the pages, so the reader can feel it.
What I am always amazed by when I read a book by Jo Knowles is her ability to tell the truth about our world, and this book once again fits this description. Jo has a way of making her characters ones that are so real that you can imagine them walking into a school and know exactly which kids they’d hang out with. Noah and his friends could definitely be middle school students at my school. Her stories always seem to include a bit of humor (see: hairless cat on the cover) while never taking away from the seriousness of the book’s topic. The emotions, specifically pain or sadness, she portrays through her characters radiates out of the pages, so the reader can feel it.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure how I feel about this book. It’s labeled middle grade 5th-8th but I’m not sure I’d put this in an elementary library. It has all the elements of a MG read, but there were lots of more mature references in regards to dating, religion, health and more. I struggled the first half because it was very juvenile: lots of discussion about dating, kissing, who likes who—to be honest, I really didn’t care. It wasn’t until about 2/3 the way through we find out what Emma’s secret is then the book had some depth and meaning and I finally got to see what it was really about. That’s when the tears came. When they have to take her to the treatment center on Christmas Eve and she still hasn’t returned by the end of the book, I felt that. This book offered a unique perspective about eating disorders and how it effects those around you, not necessarily the first person POV. That part I really enjoyed so I’m doing 3.5 stars.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure how I feel about this book. It’s labeled middle grade 5th-8th but I’m not sure I’d put this in an elementary library. It has all the elements of a MG read, but there were lots of more mature references in regards to dating, religion, health and more. I struggled the first half because it was very juvenile: lots of discussion about dating, kissing, who likes who—to be honest, I really didn’t care. It wasn’t until about 2/3 the way through we find out what Emma’s secret is then the book had some depth and meaning and I finally got to see what it was really about. That’s when the tears came. When they have to take her to the treatment center on Christmas Eve and she still hasn’t returned by the end of the book, I felt that. This book offered a unique perspective about eating disorders and how it effects those around you, not necessarily the first person POV. That part I really enjoyed so I’m doing 3.5 stars.
michelle_pink_polka_dot's review against another edition
5.0
I don't read a lot of older MG, but this one I LOVED as hard as my favorite YAs. The ending was a little forced, but overall I loved reading about Noah and his 2 best friends, their quirky school, and of course Curly.
I don't really read older MG, but when I saw that Jo Knowles had a new book I really wanted to read it no matter what age group it involved. What I learned was, I LOVE reading about MG boys!! If they're all like Noah, Ryan, and Sam, I could read about them non-stop. They're so funny and self-conscious, and just how I would picture boys going through that awkward age range would be.
My Fave Parts: The friendship between the boys. It wasn't 3 Musketeers-- they got on each other's nerves, they fought, they ignored each other.... but when it really came down to it, they had each other's backs. And there were a few moments between Noah and Ryan that warmed my heart because I think they fell out of the typical boy friendship "rules" (you know-- where you can't hug each other, sleep in the same bed at sleepovers, do nice things like buy presents for each other-- and other stupid stuff males do to act like they aren't emotional beings). I also LOVED the school they went to. It was quirky and non-traditional, and I kind of wish I went to a school like that. Also they had a cat at the school!! And it was allowed to just wander and do it's own thing!! Okay, I'm not really a fan of hairless cats, but how could I not love Curly and her outfits that changed everyday?? I spent most of the book terrified that for some reason Curly would have to leave the school... I just loved her so much, I wanted her to stay!!
I thought this book was adorably cute while also being serious when it needed to be. And I would put this up there with my favorite YA Contemporary books. Only thing is.... I felt the ending was kind of forced. I mean there's this big ISSUE that happens, and Noah and his family kind of go through some major breakdowns, and then it seemed like nothing really changed except Noah decided "Okay, I'm done with it". I didn't really care for that especially since his parents (you know, the ones who should be setting the example) were not coping well and NOT fixing it. But other than that bit of glossing over, I really found this unputdownable.
PS-- I totally have my kid saying "Who's to say?" whenever someone asks him about something (it's what Ryan says to his teachers when he doesn't want to answer a question).
OVERALL: LOVED reading Middle Grade from Jo Knowles. I knew if I stuck it out with this author it would pay off. I love this one and [b:Read Between the Lines|22747804|Read Between the Lines|Jo Knowles|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1415065698s/22747804.jpg|42292740]. It's so readable, adorable, cute, funny, but also about some heavier issues. I would recommend this to anyone for pretty much any reason.
My Blog:
I don't really read older MG, but when I saw that Jo Knowles had a new book I really wanted to read it no matter what age group it involved. What I learned was, I LOVE reading about MG boys!! If they're all like Noah, Ryan, and Sam, I could read about them non-stop. They're so funny and self-conscious, and just how I would picture boys going through that awkward age range would be.
My Fave Parts: The friendship between the boys. It wasn't 3 Musketeers-- they got on each other's nerves, they fought, they ignored each other.... but when it really came down to it, they had each other's backs. And there were a few moments between Noah and Ryan that warmed my heart because I think they fell out of the typical boy friendship "rules" (you know-- where you can't hug each other, sleep in the same bed at sleepovers, do nice things like buy presents for each other-- and other stupid stuff males do to act like they aren't emotional beings). I also LOVED the school they went to. It was quirky and non-traditional, and I kind of wish I went to a school like that. Also they had a cat at the school!! And it was allowed to just wander and do it's own thing!! Okay, I'm not really a fan of hairless cats, but how could I not love Curly and her outfits that changed everyday?? I spent most of the book terrified that for some reason Curly would have to leave the school... I just loved her so much, I wanted her to stay!!
I thought this book was adorably cute while also being serious when it needed to be. And I would put this up there with my favorite YA Contemporary books. Only thing is.... I felt the ending was kind of forced. I mean there's this big ISSUE that happens, and Noah and his family kind of go through some major breakdowns, and then it seemed like nothing really changed except Noah decided "Okay, I'm done with it". I didn't really care for that especially since his parents (you know, the ones who should be setting the example) were not coping well and NOT fixing it. But other than that bit of glossing over, I really found this unputdownable.
PS-- I totally have my kid saying "Who's to say?" whenever someone asks him about something (it's what Ryan says to his teachers when he doesn't want to answer a question).
OVERALL: LOVED reading Middle Grade from Jo Knowles. I knew if I stuck it out with this author it would pay off. I love this one and [b:Read Between the Lines|22747804|Read Between the Lines|Jo Knowles|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1415065698s/22747804.jpg|42292740]. It's so readable, adorable, cute, funny, but also about some heavier issues. I would recommend this to anyone for pretty much any reason.
My Blog:
msaplusteacher's review against another edition
4.0
A clever YA novel that tackles tough issues! Filled with humor & love, it'll keep you reading as things become more serious for Noah & his family. Great read & lots of opportunity for discussion for grades 7+.
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
3.0
Read this one aloud as a family while we traveled from New York back home to Iowa. A YA book about Noah, whose family has a secret they don't talk about (his sister's illness), and how he carries the burdens of worrying about her, and of the usual 7th grade worries--girlfriends and friendships and whatnot.
azajacks's review against another edition
4.0
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing! I loved Noah and his friends. My heart broke for his sister and their family. The story does a great job of looking at the impact of mental health struggles on the whole family. Fantastic! (Bring your tissues)