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maxthefish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and War
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent and Forced institutionalization
tak_everlasting's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
- 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
As someone who read this book both when I was the target audience and when I'd grow out of it, I absolutely loved it. Brubaker Bradley's writing style draws you in, and makes you truly love these characters, which is especially crucial for a first person narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse, Gaslighting, War, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia and Death
thedisabledreader's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Considering that most of the book was a study into the lives of two of the characters, the background characters and subplots were still able to maintain consistency and characterization with unique voices for each situation. The narration is appropriate both for the character’s age as well as the target audience, but the heavily mature themes and topics are adequately blanketed to make young audiences safe while still discussing what it needs to.
Having the protagonist’s perspective be that of a physically disabled ten year old during the Holocaust was a bold move by the author, but it certainly paid off. The disability representation within this is solid, and it even manages to cover dense and complicated subjects without overwhelming younger audiences.
The portrayal of disabled life as not simply a tragedy or a waste or, rather, having those ideas combatted, was a very interesting experience because, within the context of the plot, characters, and the author, it does not seem like something that could be properly executed.
Disabled joy is an important aspect of disabled life and all lives, so I’m pleasantly surprised that it was incorporated into the story. Within representation of physical disabilities, it is rare to see an author attempt to express the liberation found in mobility aids, and the portrayal of them not only accomplishes that, it also brings it into discussion without the negativity coming from the trusted characters. The reaction to the usage of mobility aids fit the characters as well as the author’s ability to portray the disabled experience.
However, the language that the - publicly - physically nondisabled author uses made me, a physically disabled reader, very uncomfortable. I understand that it was period appropriate and to further the themes and character development, especially of the internalization of ableism, abuse, and trauma, but it is not a word that she is entitled to use no matter the context.
The themes of mental health and coping with trauma were also dealt with well, and it was obvious that the author was familiar with similar experiences. Trauma is not simply swept away; it instead continues to nag at the characters and brings the audience to a necessary awareness of many people’s experiences.
Due to the author’s experience with trauma, it was represented well and clearly personally, and although it is not sugarcoated, it is an important subject to not hide from kids of the target age range. Representation lets people know that they are not alone, that they are normal and it's okay to be who and how they are, even if they don’t feel okay. Representation wards off isolation, which often leads to a worsening of the underlying issue, so avoiding isolation and / or loneliness in identities or experiences is very important, especially for children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Confinement
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