Reviews

Unstuck by Barbara Dee

yapha's review

emotional inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Lyla considers herself a writer. She has a great fantasy novel in her head, but when she is given time to put it on paper during a creative writing unit she just can't. She wants each sentence to be perfect and ends up unable to write. This echoes what is going on with her sister, who is refusing to write her college essay. On top of her writing issues, she is also losing her best and only friend and fear is holding her back from making new ones. This is a great book for middle schoolers who have perfectionist tendencies and picture their life should be a certain way and are upset when it is not. There are also some really great writing tips in here for anyone who wants to pursue writing. Highly recommended for grades 5 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

thenextgenlibrarian's review

4.0

Lyla needs to get unstuck, fast.
✍

thenextgenlib's review

4.0

Lyla needs to get unstuck, fast.
✍

amyicable's review

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

I liked this book, but I wish it had more about the main character’s previous writing. It makes it sound like she’s always wanted to be a writer, and has been writing, but only started taking it seriously because of this class contest. She doesn’t mention ever having written before this creative writing unit except for class assignments.

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Content Warnings

There are some moments of anxiety, so if you’re highly susceptible or empathetic to that, just know it builds before a satisfying release.

cmstein's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0