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rmhopkins's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
hswhite's review against another edition
3.0
The main characters are fleshed out well and there is a strong sense of place. However the book could lose 150 or more pages and be better for it. There are too many pointless conversations and scenes that bog down the pacing of the story-not to mention side characters that appear for a scene and never return. There was almost no momentum for the majority of the story. The last 100 pages picked up some but still suffered from some of the same issues stated above.
shaundell's review against another edition
5.0
This book is excellent! Great words of wisdom on every page! Tears leaking out of my eyes.
mella201111090's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m divided on this
On one side the book was very well written and sometimes I got a good feeling about the events or the books. It was a nice coming out of age book. Other side of me found the book very boring and Cash a bit annoying he was going out of his way to ruin his life but then complained about his lack of opportunities, as a poor person with a scholarship, honey you received an opportunity and you are willing to throw it away just because you felt that you are not “good enough”.
The romance was very cute and since the begging i noticed, they made a cute couple.
On one side the book was very well written and sometimes I got a good feeling about the events or the books. It was a nice coming out of age book. Other side of me found the book very boring and Cash a bit annoying he was going out of his way to ruin his life but then complained about his lack of opportunities, as a poor person with a scholarship, honey you received an opportunity and you are willing to throw it away just because you felt that you are not “good enough”.
The romance was very cute and since the begging i noticed, they made a cute couple.
sarahtsg333reads's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
A really great YA book; reminded me a lot of Jacqueline Woodson’s Locomotion
hollowrave's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
Jeff Zentner knows how to write a novel. I loved this story of Cash and Delaney, who leave Sawyer, TN to go to private school with many more opportunities. Each character is so fully realized. It’s a tear jerker. And a romance. And gives voice to rural TN. Highly recommended.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I had written down some of the descriptions the author uses for things while reading them, but it was too hard to put the book down. He really has a way with words.
Cash and Delaney both get full scholarships to a prestigious prep school, thanks to their discovery of a new type of penicillin. Cash’s world expands in a way he never would have previously thought possible.
Cash and Delaney both get full scholarships to a prestigious prep school, thanks to their discovery of a new type of penicillin. Cash’s world expands in a way he never would have previously thought possible.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved this YA coming of age story about a young small-town Appalachian boy, Cash, and his best friend Delaney. Raised by his grandparents, Cash is devoted to looking out for them especially for his grandfather who is dying from emphysema. When genius level smart Delaney secures a scholarship to an elite Connecticut boarding school for both of them, Cash agrees to go but feels a bit lost once there. An English teacher and her poetry class help Cash find a love of words he never knew he had and it was a beautiful journey to go on with him. Highly recommended for poetry lovers and fans of YA books about teens who love words and writing like Happily ever afters, The library of lost things or Fat chance Charlie Vega.
Favorite quotes:
"In my life I've never known anything else that ever felt so full of infinite possibility. Words make me feel strong. They make me feel purposeful and alive. They make me feel like I can open doors."
"Reading poetry satisfied the hunger."
"Poetry lets us turn pain into fire by which to warm ourselves."
"Poetry is observing and speaking truth."
Favorite quotes:
"In my life I've never known anything else that ever felt so full of infinite possibility. Words make me feel strong. They make me feel purposeful and alive. They make me feel like I can open doors."
"Reading poetry satisfied the hunger."
"Poetry lets us turn pain into fire by which to warm ourselves."
"Poetry is observing and speaking truth."