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greenvillemelissa's review
5.0
Book #14 Read in 2013
Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King (YA)
This is a young adult realistic fiction book and I enjoyed it. Lucky is a high school student who is getting bullied by a real jerk named Nader. His father's advice is to ignore it, and that is what most of the adults do too, since Nader's father is a hot-shot lawyer and people are intimidated by him. On top of that, Lucky's grandmother, on her death bed, makes Lucky swear to rescue her husband, a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War. Lucky's dreams take him to his grandfather, who gives him advice as to how to handle the problems in his life.
This book was a great read. It showed the effects of bullying. It also showed how the victims were not the only ones who feel helpless when bullying and harassment is going on. Lucky is a character readers will relate to and care about; this book has action, romance and humor. King's writing is so true-to-life that readers will feel a part of the story. I recommend it.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King (YA)
This is a young adult realistic fiction book and I enjoyed it. Lucky is a high school student who is getting bullied by a real jerk named Nader. His father's advice is to ignore it, and that is what most of the adults do too, since Nader's father is a hot-shot lawyer and people are intimidated by him. On top of that, Lucky's grandmother, on her death bed, makes Lucky swear to rescue her husband, a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War. Lucky's dreams take him to his grandfather, who gives him advice as to how to handle the problems in his life.
This book was a great read. It showed the effects of bullying. It also showed how the victims were not the only ones who feel helpless when bullying and harassment is going on. Lucky is a character readers will relate to and care about; this book has action, romance and humor. King's writing is so true-to-life that readers will feel a part of the story. I recommend it.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
rmrhodes's review against another edition
This may be the first (and only?) book I've read exploring maladaptive daydreaming (I assume that's what it was) but:
1: Why would a parent take their child to a place where their bully works and spend like, half a day everyday there?
2: Therapy, everyone needs therapy
3: Is he magicking items out of his daydreams or is he hallucinating?
4: I don't like how the answer to bullying is "work out, gain muscle and confidence and stand up to them one time and then watch a bigger (adult??) bully beat them up too
1: Why would a parent take their child to a place where their bully works and spend like, half a day everyday there?
2: Therapy, everyone needs therapy
3: Is he magicking items out of his daydreams or is he hallucinating?
4: I don't like how the answer to bullying is "work out, gain muscle and confidence and stand up to them one time and then watch a bigger (adult??) bully beat them up too
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
Another amazing [a:A.S. King|1651879|A.S. King|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1323437957p2/1651879.jpg] story. One so quirky and unique and lovely and heartbreaking.
Around page 205, my heart literally broke. I had to put the book down.
It's so subtle. One moment, you are just getting to know Lucky and his squid mom and turtle dad. And crazy aunt and cool uncle Dave, jerk Nader and ninja Ginny.
Next you are living his crazy life and holding your breath for every dream that Lucky might have - one more glimpse of his grandpa and what he will bring home.
This story is so simple and yet so complex. There are such a mix of themes that it will take me a few days to fully realize the complete impact of this one. Between Ginny and her statements, his Grandpa's wise words and even Lucky's own experiences. It was just an amazing adventure to read.
Around page 205, my heart literally broke. I had to put the book down.
It's so subtle. One moment, you are just getting to know Lucky and his squid mom and turtle dad. And crazy aunt and cool uncle Dave, jerk Nader and ninja Ginny.
Next you are living his crazy life and holding your breath for every dream that Lucky might have - one more glimpse of his grandpa and what he will bring home.
This story is so simple and yet so complex. There are such a mix of themes that it will take me a few days to fully realize the complete impact of this one. Between Ginny and her statements, his Grandpa's wise words and even Lucky's own experiences. It was just an amazing adventure to read.
kinakule's review
5.0
I've never been on drugs, but I feel like if I had, this book would be even trippier
renbyskates's review against another edition
4.0
The concept of the ants it's amazing, I would have never thought of this before but I love it and even more because it's true everybody sees the ants, everybody has this inner thoughts that you want to say but don't end up saying.
I do have to say that Lucky lives under terrible circunstances and I admire him very much for being able to still go on with life even if he prefers to live in his dreams.
This book is totally re-read material and I hope that time comes soon.
I do have to say that Lucky lives under terrible circunstances and I admire him very much for being able to still go on with life even if he prefers to live in his dreams.
This book is totally re-read material and I hope that time comes soon.
piddlepiddle's review against another edition
3.0
The last ~80-100 pages really got me. A.S. King writes such unputdownable books man
ficklefever's review
4.0
i think i just realized why i love a.s. king books so much: she takes the beauty of magical realism and puts it into the YA contemporary world.
camellott_'s review against another edition
5.0
I. loved. this. book.
Everybody Sees the Ants is the story of a boy named Lucky, whose life isn't so great. His dad is a turtle, his mother is a squid, and his grandfather has never returned from the Vietnam War. And on top of that, he has been bullied for a long time, by the evil Nader McMillan.
But Lucky has a secret to get him out of this torture--he escapes to the war-ridden jungles of Laos, where his grandfather is still trapped.
I don't have anything to say about this book besides the fact that it is amazing. The characters are fresh, and I honestly felt really sorry for Lucky and what he was going through--I never feel really sorry for characters. His emotions are just so real, and I cannot emphasize that enough. It's like...well, it's explainable what it's like. I just felt for him, you know?
I enjoyed every time he visited his grandfather in his dreams, when he visited his aunt and uncle in Arizona, and how he made a friend who was really nice to him, while out in Arizona. Gah, I just enjoyed it all.
(This review is weird and I apologize)
Everybody Sees the Ants is the story of a boy named Lucky, whose life isn't so great. His dad is a turtle, his mother is a squid, and his grandfather has never returned from the Vietnam War. And on top of that, he has been bullied for a long time, by the evil Nader McMillan.
But Lucky has a secret to get him out of this torture--he escapes to the war-ridden jungles of Laos, where his grandfather is still trapped.
I don't have anything to say about this book besides the fact that it is amazing. The characters are fresh, and I honestly felt really sorry for Lucky and what he was going through--I never feel really sorry for characters. His emotions are just so real, and I cannot emphasize that enough. It's like...well, it's explainable what it's like. I just felt for him, you know?
I enjoyed every time he visited his grandfather in his dreams, when he visited his aunt and uncle in Arizona, and how he made a friend who was really nice to him, while out in Arizona. Gah, I just enjoyed it all.
(This review is weird and I apologize)
minemourik's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I read this book when I was 14, read it again now 10 years later and I hope to read it again in 10 years. Beautiful.