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berkls2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a cute, emotional and refreshing read. A story of self discovery, self-love and first love. This is one of those books that remind me that it is not about the destination but about the journey.
We follow Jeremy who is spending the summer in a small town in Oregon with his father, after his parents got divorced. He is still deciding who he will be living with. His father plans the journey to be a bonding time for the two of them but, I am comfortable to say that what the father needed was some time to process his divorce, rather than bonding time (he needed a therapist). Anyways, Jeremy meets Evan, who he find irresistible (honestly his crush was quite cute). They become friends, go running together, texting about their days and even sharing little secrets about each other.
Their friendship blooms to the point where Jeremy fells comfortable and safe enough to tell Evan about his feelings for him. Honestly, just reading the two and their young pure love just made me so happy. It was age appropriate, a good conversation starter for parents to discuss with their queer children and a soothing balm for those who had one-sided love.
Thanks to the publisher for making a copy of the book available to me!
We follow Jeremy who is spending the summer in a small town in Oregon with his father, after his parents got divorced. He is still deciding who he will be living with. His father plans the journey to be a bonding time for the two of them but, I am comfortable to say that what the father needed was some time to process his divorce, rather than bonding time (he needed a therapist). Anyways, Jeremy meets Evan, who he find irresistible (honestly his crush was quite cute). They become friends, go running together, texting about their days and even sharing little secrets about each other.
Their friendship blooms to the point where Jeremy fells comfortable and safe enough to tell Evan about his feelings for him. Honestly, just reading the two and their young pure love just made me so happy. It was age appropriate, a good conversation starter for parents to discuss with their queer children and a soothing balm for those who had one-sided love.
Thanks to the publisher for making a copy of the book available to me!
eyu_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh gosh, this is just so short yet so beautiful and relaxing to read. The ending is kinda emotional too. Hope they see eachother soon... Cutie
p4df00t's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.25
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
Did I stay up until 2:00 AM finishing this book and crying for a solid 10 minutes after I finished it in the middle of the night? The answer is yes.
Wow. This book blew me out of the water. I never really pick up middle-grade novels, as my preference is more towards young adult or contemporary adult fiction. This transcended my expectations for a MG novel.
This book was heartwarming, empathetic, insightful, and tackled sensitive topics so well -- alcoholism, divorce, and coming out. Exploring alcohol abuse in a book meant for younger readers is important, because alcoholism knows no age. Seeing the effects of divorce on a family is something readers of any age can identify with, and I think this book has done a great job at highlighting those effects.
The relationship between Jeremy and Evan was simply beautiful. I caught myself smiling at how adorable so many parts of this book were. Watching them find support in each other (and later, love) and finding themselves in the process was a joy to watch unfold. The symbolism of them creating their own secret language was lovely, and a great way to hold the themes of the book together.
SPOILER ALERT !
That ending. I fell apart a little. I wanted so bad for there to be some sort of closure on what would happen between the two boys in the future. Watching them part ways, and Evan not looking back, was so soul-crushing and sad -- it truly made my heart ache, though it was also a practical place to end the book. In my mind, I will go on believing that they remain close, that they both find themselves at the beach together again, and that they still love each other. Dear Will Taylor -- I would read a sequel in a heartbeat!
Wow. This book blew me out of the water. I never really pick up middle-grade novels, as my preference is more towards young adult or contemporary adult fiction. This transcended my expectations for a MG novel.
This book was heartwarming, empathetic, insightful, and tackled sensitive topics so well -- alcoholism, divorce, and coming out. Exploring alcohol abuse in a book meant for younger readers is important, because alcoholism knows no age. Seeing the effects of divorce on a family is something readers of any age can identify with, and I think this book has done a great job at highlighting those effects.
The relationship between Jeremy and Evan was simply beautiful. I caught myself smiling at how adorable so many parts of this book were. Watching them find support in each other (and later, love) and finding themselves in the process was a joy to watch unfold. The symbolism of them creating their own secret language was lovely, and a great way to hold the themes of the book together.
SPOILER ALERT !
That ending. I fell apart a little. I wanted so bad for there to be some sort of closure on what would happen between the two boys in the future. Watching them part ways, and Evan not looking back, was so soul-crushing and sad -- it truly made my heart ache, though it was also a practical place to end the book. In my mind, I will go on believing that they remain close, that they both find themselves at the beach together again, and that they still love each other. Dear Will Taylor -- I would read a sequel in a heartbeat!
devlaluna2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
oh my god these children mean everything to me?!?! i’m putting them in my pocket and protecting them both from the world <3 i wish i had this book when i was younger, but even now this book felt like giving the young confused queer child in me a warm crushing hug
nappingfrog's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
okollie's review against another edition
5.0
This book was freaking incredible! I was sent an early review copy by the publisher and I devoured it in just about a week. The writing was simultaneously lyrical and accessible to the intended middle grade audience, and the character development was so strong that I felt their own pain and joy and grief and amazement in my soul. To have a pure, queer love story that was just as much about realization as it was about learning and growing in the bounds of comfort with regards to queerness, is so meaningful. Perfect for fans of Ashley Herring Blake's "Ivy Aberdeen" who are looking for other kinds of LGBT relationships to read about, I can't recommend this enough. It tugged at my heartstrings and I can't wait for it to be out in the world. I needed this growing up, and reading it healed my inner child - I am so glad it exists and grateful that the story has been told in such an endearing and wonderful way.
angelo_vossen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
„The Language of Seabirds“ by Will Taylor tells a beautiful story about two young boys coming to terms with their feelings and learning to feel comfortable with themselves, or rather sharing their true selves with each other and the world. Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the two protagonists use their limited time together to grow with and for each other.
Struggling with his parents‘ divorce and being worried because of all the changes coming along with that, Jeremy spends - more or less forced - some time with his father in his uncle‘s beach house while his mother packs her things and moves out. On his first day in town he meets Evan, a boy his age returning to this place each summer to help out in his grandmother‘s knickknack shop. They soon are inseparable and together they make the best out of the limited amount of days they are able to spend together before Jeremy has to leave again. It ends up in a beautiful, innocent and pure love story.
Besides talking about topics like coming to terms with - or rather getting comfortable enough to share - your sexual orientation and falling in love for the first time, this story also explores topic like alcohol abuse and feelings of insecurity, anger and sadness that are released by a divorce taking place - both on the child‘s as well as on the (in this case) father‘s side. This takes the story to another level scratching the surface deeper and darker topics.
Will Taylor tells this story in a beautiful way. The way this book is written is stunning, using the names different kinds of birds representing certain emotions, to invent a secret language , „The Language of Seabirds“, only the two protagonists and the reader will be able to understand. Additionally, the cover of this book might be one of my favourite covers I have seen in a long time! Whoever did the cover art for this book: Great job! It‘s Cormorant!
All in all, this book was a short, easy, touching and amazing read. I really recommend to give this beautiful piece of art a shot! Clinging to a small section off of the Q&A-section on the author‘s website: I‘m more than looking forward to reading more about these two boys and all the skies they still could discover together. Their story is far from being told. I‘m excited see how their relationship evolves and how they manage to keep growing together through all the bricks their daily lives and the distance may throw at them.
Fingers are crossed for a Sanderling(-ending) continuation of their story. (No, honestly: In the end I‘ll need at least an epilogue to confirm their Sanderling ever after!) Just be warned: I‘ll be the first to jump into any sequel to this book. Until then: Curlew!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol