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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Captures so much of the teenage experience with the added complexities of being in a wheelchair. I loved this. ❤️ Also love that the audiobook ends with an interview between the author and audiobook narrator, both of whom are wheelchair users.
CW: occasional strong language and references to sex (nothing graphic)
CW: occasional strong language and references to sex (nothing graphic)
Yesssssss! This book was perfection! I was incredibly invested in the main character’s story and their development throughout the entire book. The representation was so well done- to the point of noticing the things Effie is frustrated with in our own school. Not only has it made me question our own accessibility throughout our building, but our protocols that can be incredibly exclusive. What I loved most about this book was that it is a romance! Effie is more than her wheelchair. She’s a teenager with a spunky personality and big dreams that also happens to have a crush! So well done!
I don't want to think about college while I'm reading right now, but it's cute
lighthearted
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:
Yes
liked this! I like when hard topics are tackled in YA, my girlfriend is in a wheelchair and they said they read this, so I wanted to learn more about life on wheels
I was ready to give this book a low rating, I won’t lie. The plot is very slow burn, but it ended up not being about the plot at all. The book is about Effie, the beating heart of it all. Her experience as a disabled person in high school, applying to colleges, navigating crushes and other relationships is so normal, but with the added acknowledgement that being a wheelchair user comes with many other challenges. As an able bodied person, I really appreciated the amount of insight I was given into all of the things I take for granted. I never once had to worry about the accessibility of a college before making a choice. It made me realize that the world is designed for people like me, and not for people like Effie. It also emphasized that importance of accessible design as something that is inherently a part of a place instead of an afterthought. This novel is so important in terms of representation and for education. I can see disabled teens reading this and finally seeing themselves and their unique
experiences represented in a book. I can see able bodied teens like me reading this and learning more about the disabled people in their community, perhaps even becoming that voice of advocation that is so needed. Beyond all this, Effie is just an insanely lovable character. i found myself rooting for her every step of the way, and i was angry with her, and proud with her too. such an amazingly sweet story that feels much like eating a delicious, sweet treat after a long day. wholesome, compulsively readable, and full of heart.
experiences represented in a book. I can see able bodied teens like me reading this and learning more about the disabled people in their community, perhaps even becoming that voice of advocation that is so needed. Beyond all this, Effie is just an insanely lovable character. i found myself rooting for her every step of the way, and i was angry with her, and proud with her too. such an amazingly sweet story that feels much like eating a delicious, sweet treat after a long day. wholesome, compulsively readable, and full of heart.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This read was like having my own life reflected back to me. So much so that it was visceral, sometimes painful, and took me months to finish.
An excellent reflection on what it means to be a disabled young person--the contradiction between the dreams you have and knowing you were never supposed to have them.
It's just a YA novel. But it's one that absolutely needed to exist.
An excellent reflection on what it means to be a disabled young person--the contradiction between the dreams you have and knowing you were never supposed to have them.
It's just a YA novel. But it's one that absolutely needed to exist.
emotional
informative
inspiring
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:
Yes
3.5 stars. A really solid YA novel about a senior in high school who has to consider her disability while deciding where she is going to college. Born with cerebral palsy, Effie uses a wheelchair to get around, which has a lot more difficulties than I would expect. While other students are just starting to look at colleges, Effie has been looking since her sophomore year because she has to consider so many other aspects of whether or not a university campus would be accessible to her. Add a sweet romance and the typical growing pains of high school and you've got a solid coming of age story with great disability rep.
I appreciated how Effie grew in the story and learned to advocate for herself and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. If the author ever wrote a sequel about Effie's life in college, I would definitely check it out.
(also, this nitpick does not affect my rating, but I have to mention it: what is with the outfits some of these authors are describing in these books??? This is such a pet peeve of mine. I think this book is supposed to take place around 2018ish based on the description of social media and cell phones, but the outfits sound like they are straight out of 2009! at one point the author mentions shiny, silver ankle books that Effie wears to a COLLEGE INTERVIEW. okay rant over)
I appreciated how Effie grew in the story and learned to advocate for herself and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. If the author ever wrote a sequel about Effie's life in college, I would definitely check it out.
(also, this nitpick does not affect my rating, but I have to mention it: what is with the outfits some of these authors are describing in these books??? This is such a pet peeve of mine. I think this book is supposed to take place around 2018ish based on the description of social media and cell phones, but the outfits sound like they are straight out of 2009! at one point the author mentions shiny, silver ankle books that Effie wears to a COLLEGE INTERVIEW. okay rant over)
While I feel like the writing and story could’ve been stronger, I absolutely loved this CP/wheel chair user rep. I went to a university known for their accessibility and disability services, and I’m glad I got to read a story like this. Claire Forrest does a fantastic job describing the day to day realities of using a wheel chair for people who may not understand.