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lordleeknow's review against another edition
4.0
I’m gonna preface this by saying that I’m probably not the target audience of this book - it felt a little bit young for me.
- I actually quite enjoyed this book. It was so easy to read, and I flew through it.
- I liked the drawings, even though they felt a bit juvenile for a supposed 16 year old.
- At the beginning, it seemed like a funny book about the life of an awkward teen, but as you get into the book, it brings to light the other aspects of Jo’s life which are very dark. I like that this book brings awareness of things like domestic abuse, and shows it as it is - awful. However, the animal abuse in this book wasn’t condemned as much, which I thought was a bit iffy, but that could be interpreted as a child’s optimistic view on things, or coping with the pets’ deaths using humour, which seems very on-brand for Jo’s character.
- I think the style of this book (diary entries) really succeeded in bringing Jo’s character to life, and I felt I really connected with the character. The side characters like Tina, Bonny and Jo’s parents were also very convincingly portrayed.
- I am SO GLAD Jo was able to make it out in the end. Lots of books nowadays choose to end on depressing notes and I’m so glad this one ended on an optimistic note.
- I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did due to its slightly younger appeal, but I found this book to be funny, emotional and thought-provoking. Overall, a lovely read.
- I actually quite enjoyed this book. It was so easy to read, and I flew through it.
- I liked the drawings, even though they felt a bit juvenile for a supposed 16 year old.
- At the beginning, it seemed like a funny book about the life of an awkward teen, but as you get into the book, it brings to light the other aspects of Jo’s life which are very dark. I like that this book brings awareness of things like domestic abuse, and shows it as it is - awful. However, the animal abuse in this book wasn’t condemned as much, which I thought was a bit iffy, but that could be interpreted as a child’s optimistic view on things, or coping with the pets’ deaths using humour, which seems very on-brand for Jo’s character.
- I think the style of this book (diary entries) really succeeded in bringing Jo’s character to life, and I felt I really connected with the character. The side characters like Tina, Bonny and Jo’s parents were also very convincingly portrayed.
- I am SO GLAD Jo was able to make it out in the end. Lots of books nowadays choose to end on depressing notes and I’m so glad this one ended on an optimistic note.
- I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did due to its slightly younger appeal, but I found this book to be funny, emotional and thought-provoking. Overall, a lovely read.
planetbeth91's review against another edition
5.0
A stunning, heartfelt by turns hilarious by turns tear wrenching story of a Chinese British childhood in 1980s Coventry. I loved this and it was an honest and eye-opening account of minority life in the UK.
nadhiraghzl's review
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
4.5
nrshmmii's review
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty
dqy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Xenophobia
booksofjj's review against another edition
4.0
Read as part of whole-class reading for my form group. Wasn't keen on this book to begin with but really started to enjoy it in the end
beth_loves_books's review
3.5
I did enjoy reading this book but it wasn’t what I expected. The cover and blurb suggested an overall funny book which deals with the challenges of growing up both English and Chinese but while there were definitely funny moments, the book covered a lot of heavier topics such as child abuse. I also didn’t particularly like the writing style which felt like it was aimed at a younger audience. Overall though I would recommend this book.
anna7777's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t enjoy reading the book and the only reason why I finished this book is because I bought it.
I thought that the book was going to be YA, but it read more like middle grade.
I didn’t really like the main character Jo and didn’t like how she dealt with her problems. I hoped that she would delve deeper into the abuse ans bullying she suffered but she only lightly touched upon it. I thought that at the end she would write what life lessons she learned and write a nice, deep conclusion, instead the book just cuts off right as she is about to head into uni.
I thought that the book was going to be YA, but it read more like middle grade.
I didn’t really like the main character Jo and didn’t like how she dealt with her problems. I hoped that she would delve deeper into the abuse ans bullying she suffered but she only lightly touched upon it. I thought that at the end she would write what life lessons she learned and write a nice, deep conclusion, instead the book just cuts off right as she is about to head into uni.
wheelinspace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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
3.5