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readmoreyall's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. A nice story with a good message. Perfect for middle grades. I really loved the main character and the friends she develops.
bless_jesss's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very cute and fun read! Really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Believable and true to life. Would recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Death
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Read my original review on my blog: https://wp.me/p8jcuj-2AA
Zoey's father has always been the big dreamer of the family, flitting from one half finished dream to the next. Her mother was supportive and was the steady force in the family. However, after her mother dies, her father loses all sense of responsibility to the family. His next new venture is to work in a motorcycle shop in New York City, as he is getting set up, Zoey and her older brother are spending their summer with her grandfather at the Jersey Shore. Zoey feels abandoned, first by her father and then by the impending departure of her brother to college. Zoey is determined to make a permanent place for herself, by helping her grandfather's crumbling bowling alley. Zoey is going to need all of her determination and the new friends she has made to have any chance of saving her grandfather's bowling alley.
I really enjoyed this book, way more than I could have even expected. I loved Zoey and rooted for her throughout the novel. Her family has had some challenges and great losses, but Zoey shows how you keep moving forward. I loved the setting of the bowling alley on the Jersey Shore, I thought it allowed for unique plot points. I had a great time with this and know that tween readers will too.
Zoey's father has always been the big dreamer of the family, flitting from one half finished dream to the next. Her mother was supportive and was the steady force in the family. However, after her mother dies, her father loses all sense of responsibility to the family. His next new venture is to work in a motorcycle shop in New York City, as he is getting set up, Zoey and her older brother are spending their summer with her grandfather at the Jersey Shore. Zoey feels abandoned, first by her father and then by the impending departure of her brother to college. Zoey is determined to make a permanent place for herself, by helping her grandfather's crumbling bowling alley. Zoey is going to need all of her determination and the new friends she has made to have any chance of saving her grandfather's bowling alley.
I really enjoyed this book, way more than I could have even expected. I loved Zoey and rooted for her throughout the novel. Her family has had some challenges and great losses, but Zoey shows how you keep moving forward. I loved the setting of the bowling alley on the Jersey Shore, I thought it allowed for unique plot points. I had a great time with this and know that tween readers will too.
lanislittlelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Every middle schooler and high schooler NEEDS to read this book
mrs_eileen's review against another edition
4.0
Where's the nearest bowling alley? If you're like me that question will be on your mind as well after finishing this book. Zoey has just moved to Jersey which is nothing new to her since moving constantly is the only consistent thing in her life. That along with her focused brother and her dad who changes jobs like underwear. This move is different though since her brother will be headed to college at the end of summer and their new house is really her grandfather's house. Zoey has to deal with making new friends, holding on to her culture since her Cuban mother has passed away, save her grandfather's bowling alley, learn to let go of her brother, all while being stuck between someone who refuses to give up their dream and someone who can't stick to one dream. Zoey is so relatable and down to earth kids will love reading about her. Children ages 12 and up.
imstephtacular's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
sdertinger's review against another edition
5.0
Twelve-year-old Zoey has been living with her dreamer father and soon-to-be college brother, José. Her Mami passed away at a few years ago due to a heart attack. So having any kind of girl around has been non-existent. Her father is a dreamer because he is constantly tackling new opportunities and chasing jobs that don't really turn in his favor. Her brother is chasing his dream too of becoming an engineer and going to college. Meanwhile, Zoey, she isn't sure what her dream is at the moment. They move often because of Zoey's dad always finding a new job, but they are in California living with her Poppy who is also a dreamer—he still own's his own bowling alley.
Well, everything changes when her dad announces that he has a new job and it's across the United States in New York City... This makes Zoey feel strange because yes, she is excited for him, but she also doesn't want him to leave her alone and she doesn't want to move. She is finally making friends that are GIRLS and she is starting to feel like this could be home. While her dad leaves for his new motorcycle dealership job, Zoey underestimates that hard work that it will take to help her Poppy. Her Poppy has less than a week until his bowling alley will be foreclosed. He is behind on the mortgage and he is giving up. Luckily, Zoey creates a huge plan to help save the bowling alley with her friends who are on a bowling league. There are many ups-and-downs, but Zoey is determined to fight for her Poppy, and for herself, especially when her dad wants her to move again.
Such a heartfelt story about a girl who comes to the realization that she is indeed confident, she can be who she wants to be, so many people genuinely care about her, she can have more than one dream at a time, & everything is going to be okay.
Well, everything changes when her dad announces that he has a new job and it's across the United States in New York City... This makes Zoey feel strange because yes, she is excited for him, but she also doesn't want him to leave her alone and she doesn't want to move. She is finally making friends that are GIRLS and she is starting to feel like this could be home. While her dad leaves for his new motorcycle dealership job, Zoey underestimates that hard work that it will take to help her Poppy. Her Poppy has less than a week until his bowling alley will be foreclosed. He is behind on the mortgage and he is giving up. Luckily, Zoey creates a huge plan to help save the bowling alley with her friends who are on a bowling league. There are many ups-and-downs, but Zoey is determined to fight for her Poppy, and for herself, especially when her dad wants her to move again.
Such a heartfelt story about a girl who comes to the realization that she is indeed confident, she can be who she wants to be, so many people genuinely care about her, she can have more than one dream at a time, & everything is going to be okay.
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
Zoey lives with her dad and older brother José. They have always moved a lot chasing her dad's dreams. However, ever since her mom died, they have been moving even more. But for the moment they are living with Poppy, her mom's dad, in New Jersey. Poppy owns a bowling alley and it holds lots of memories for Zoey. But as Poppy has gotten older, so has the bowling alley and it's pretty run down; it is losing money and hardly anyone goes there anymore. Zoey is determined to do whatever it takes to save the bowling alley. She also wants to stop moving all the time and she is sad because José will be going off to college in the fall.
This is a really touching story about family and friendship. Zoey is required to think about things like forgiveness, grieving, and looking at things from other people's perspectives. This was a very well-written debut novel.
This is a really touching story about family and friendship. Zoey is required to think about things like forgiveness, grieving, and looking at things from other people's perspectives. This was a very well-written debut novel.
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was so sweet and I really needed it right now. It was also tough for me to read since my own family’s bowling alley isn’t doing well because of coronavirus closures. I couldn’t help but imagine the scenes set in the bowling alley I know so well even though we’re not close to the beach. Go support your local bowling alley when they are able to open safely!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Grief
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