Reviews

Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe

melissamalicious's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

paulineisreading's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

danielledoc77's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

ktswings's review

5.0

Impressive debut work. Visceral and moving.

pocketfulofprinting's review

5.0

I picked up this debut novel by Toya Wolfe last night and completely consumed it in less than one day! It's a finely-detailed story and is completely engrossing.

The story follows twelve-year-old Fe Fe Stevens and her three best friends, all residents of the Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago, during one pivotal summer. Trying to maintain some sense of childhood seems impossible when external factors (violence, poverty, sexual abuse, police brutality) continue to strip them of their innocence little by little.

The story weights heave at times but ultimately there is hope and strength.

Thank you to Goodreads and William Morrow Books for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

glitteringeyes418's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

heather3879's review

sad medium-paced

3.0

deanab's review

5.0

Thank you Harper Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC e-book. This debut novel takes you into the inter workings about survival in the projects during the summer of 1999. It is the coming of age story of Felicia during her last year in the projects. It follows her and her friends with heartbreaking stories and images of being surrounded by gangs and violence and what it truly means to survive in this world. It oftentimes read as a memoir and I had to remember it was a novel. It was heartbreaking but with so many signs of hope, powerful and enlightening. This book will be published June 14, 2022.

blumoongirl's review

4.0

I thought maybe this would be similar to the way I grew up-only set in a different location… but this story is harrowing and makes you realize how lucky you really are even when it doesn’t seem that way. To see so much violence so young…. And just consider it part of your every day life was terrifying. Growing up in the projects I could relate to-but beyond that I was very sheltered. Wonderful book that really struck a note and has stayed with me.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC

#netgalley

fionalouise8's review

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0