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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such amazing wheelchair user representation!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Medical content
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
HAPPY DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH TO ME!!! i loved this even more on buying and reading the print edition <3
I actually had to stop reading this book due to the experience being too personal and fresh, but intend to open back up another time.
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
βοΈ Stars: 4.25
π₯ Pace: Fast
βπ» Review: I loved this. Itβs a story we can all find ourselves in. Being a senior in high school and considering colleges is challenging enough. Reading of Effieβs struggles traveling not just on college campuses, but in her own high school, gave me a fresh perspective as someone who has never had to use a wheelchair.
π§ Song: Roots Before Branches - Glee Cast SPECIFICALLY
π₯ Pace: Fast
βπ» Review: I loved this. Itβs a story we can all find ourselves in. Being a senior in high school and considering colleges is challenging enough. Reading of Effieβs struggles traveling not just on college campuses, but in her own high school, gave me a fresh perspective as someone who has never had to use a wheelchair.
π§ Song: Roots Before Branches - Glee Cast SPECIFICALLY
A joyous, heartfelt novel with a sweet romance woven in. I found myself cheering (and tearing up a few times) as Effie, a high school senior from Minnesota, navigates friendships, a major crush, school activities, parents who step in when they should let her speak up for herself - and finding not just an ideal college on the academic side but one that will be accessible as well.
It's been, oh, 35 years since I've been a high school senior but I do remember the joys and challenges of that year and I think Forrest has perfectly captured what it feels like to be at that place in life in this coming of age story. A must-read for anyone in high school, especially students who are about to start applying to colleges.
I so loved this novel
*note - this book will be especially fun to read if you are from Minnesota and the lovely city of Minneapolis as there are many references to the city and state. And, for those who (like me) live in Northfield it will be extra fun to read about Effie's visit to the fictional Cannon River College in the not-fictional town of Northfield.
It's been, oh, 35 years since I've been a high school senior but I do remember the joys and challenges of that year and I think Forrest has perfectly captured what it feels like to be at that place in life in this coming of age story. A must-read for anyone in high school, especially students who are about to start applying to colleges.
I so loved this novel
*note - this book will be especially fun to read if you are from Minnesota and the lovely city of Minneapolis as there are many references to the city and state. And, for those who (like me) live in Northfield it will be extra fun to read about Effie's visit to the fictional Cannon River College in the not-fictional town of Northfield.
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Wheelchair user Effie is in her senior year of high school. She's focused on college and maybe a boy. To me, Effie read as somewhat younger than 17/18, and had some weirdly stilted takes. She meets an alum of the school she wants to go to and observes that he's rich, and concludes to herself that the school (Prospect University, which sounds kind of like Pratt Institute) she wants to go to will set her up for success. But, despite some writing I didn't relate to stylistically, I appreciated this novel and learned from it.
The abled world sucks and doesn't give a fuck. As often as not, the ADA door openers are Effie's high school don't work. She observes
The abled world sucks and doesn't give a fuck. As often as not, the ADA door openers are Effie's high school don't work. She observes
In the minds of Mill City High School, the door is not the technicality, I am the technicality.
and
A wave of shaky heat washes over me as I realize that sometimes I don't want to ask for accomodations because I want to feel "normal." But it is in those moments where I am not accommodated that I feel the least normal.
Forrest is effective at helping non-disabled readers see what disabled people are up against, all the time.
Good book. I like books that make me think about things in a different way.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
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This Book Gave Me:
𦽠A Disabled teen girl navigating senior year with heart and humor
ποΈ Big dreams of NYC and a body that moves differently
π Cerebral palsy rep that mirrored my own life experiences
π College lists color-coded with access needs in mind
πͺ Broken automatic doors and limited ramps (as always π)
π IEP violations and admin gaslighting
π£ A promposal, a protest, and a girl learning to use her voice
π A first kiss, floral wheelchair decor, and friends who just get it
π©πΎβ𦱠A mom whoβs fierce, overbearing, and fiercely right
π A decision between whatβs accessible and whatβs not β I felt that
π§ Feeling beautiful in a prom dress, in a chair, in your own skin
π‘ A sweet trip to Berkeley that brought real life full circle
This was one of the most relatable and affirming reads Iβve had. Effieβs journey through an ableist school system, inaccessible college options, and the messy joy of growing up while advocating for oneself made me tear up and cheer for her every step of the way. I related hella to her body, her frustrations, her wins β all of it. This book is filled with moments that made me pause and feel understood, from shortened names to ramp detours to elevator thoughts. Her story mirrored parts of mine Iβve never seen in fiction before. π«ΆπΎπ§πΎβπ¦Όββ‘οΈ
The NYC versus Berkeley college debate? Way too real. I live right near UC Berkeley and have deep ties to Brooklyn. This book felt like it was written for girls like me, and I am so grateful it exists.
Read for Disability Pride Month. Borrowed from Libby and listened to the audiobook on Everand.
More thoughts coming soon to my blog!
Giovanareadshere.com πππ¦½π£