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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
2Q 1P MJ
One Whole and Perfect Day is a multi-point of view novel set in Australia. The main character, Lily, is a girl who wishes that she could pause the chaos that exists around in her home life and at school and have one whole and perfect day (hence the title). While the book mostly follows her, it also gives the perspectives of her mom, grandparents, her brother, her brother’s girlfriend and her parents, the girlfriend’s roommate, among others. I tend to be partial to books that give you multiple perspectives, but, at times, it was a bit confusing who they were and how they related to the story. In the end, everyone comes together at a party and it’s beyond perfect. Almost to the point of being inane and unrealistic because the storylines that come together more or less collide. I wanted everyone to be happy and content, but it also seems like there would be no room for the story to progress beyond that one day or for the characters to achieve anything close to the same amount of happiness in the future. It’s not the kind of book that leaves you wanting a sequel because there’s nowhere else for the story to go.
This is not a book that I would recommend to a wide variety of teens. I’m sure that some might find it enjoyable, but I can see a number of them rolling their eyes throughout it. Some themes that they could possibly relate to are: being raised by a single parent and having a difficult relationship with the absent parent, secret crushes, having adult responsibilities because of a working parent, having to meet high parental expectations, not knowing what major to choose in college, and trying to find people who understand and appreciate you. Another theme is prejudice, because Lily’s grandfather loudly believes that Australians are superior to “non-natives” (i.e. Asians) and his grandson’s girlfriend is of Chinese decent. For that reason, perhaps this book would be good to book talk with American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.
One Whole and Perfect Day is a multi-point of view novel set in Australia. The main character, Lily, is a girl who wishes that she could pause the chaos that exists around in her home life and at school and have one whole and perfect day (hence the title). While the book mostly follows her, it also gives the perspectives of her mom, grandparents, her brother, her brother’s girlfriend and her parents, the girlfriend’s roommate, among others. I tend to be partial to books that give you multiple perspectives, but, at times, it was a bit confusing who they were and how they related to the story. In the end, everyone comes together at a party and it’s beyond perfect. Almost to the point of being inane and unrealistic because the storylines that come together more or less collide. I wanted everyone to be happy and content, but it also seems like there would be no room for the story to progress beyond that one day or for the characters to achieve anything close to the same amount of happiness in the future. It’s not the kind of book that leaves you wanting a sequel because there’s nowhere else for the story to go.
This is not a book that I would recommend to a wide variety of teens. I’m sure that some might find it enjoyable, but I can see a number of them rolling their eyes throughout it. Some themes that they could possibly relate to are: being raised by a single parent and having a difficult relationship with the absent parent, secret crushes, having adult responsibilities because of a working parent, having to meet high parental expectations, not knowing what major to choose in college, and trying to find people who understand and appreciate you. Another theme is prejudice, because Lily’s grandfather loudly believes that Australians are superior to “non-natives” (i.e. Asians) and his grandson’s girlfriend is of Chinese decent. For that reason, perhaps this book would be good to book talk with American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.
I really liked this book, but the ending was a bit abrupt.
This book droned on an on for much longer than a day. I just couldn't attach to any of the characters and I wonder if any teen readers would...
Maybe the first Printz award winner that felt like fluff to me. quite enjoyable, but still fluff.
Not what I expected, but well done. I have some issues with it. I'm not going to lie. But I'm also not going to say what they are. Too lazy.
This book started off rough for me. It felt very after-school-special, and I had a hard time getting a hold of Lily's age. It switched characters frequently and was a bit confusing. But once it got going, it was wonderful to see the insight and growth of all the different people involved in the story, and I really enjoyed how everything came together. It is a story of reconciliation and of the understanding coming from considering someone's whole story.
Great choice of reader! Her voice compelled me to sit in the car when parked.
This is a story about an admittedly disfunctional Aussie family. Three generations are represented with their concerns about racism, education and social expectations.
The author tells an engrossing tale, weaves together multiple plot lines in a believable way and makes you care deeply about every character.
This is a story about an admittedly disfunctional Aussie family. Three generations are represented with their concerns about racism, education and social expectations.
The author tells an engrossing tale, weaves together multiple plot lines in a believable way and makes you care deeply about every character.