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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Just finished up this wonderfully human and real read by K. A. Holt. I’ve adored every Holt read I’ve picked up and this novel in verse was no exception.
As a teacher of middles, this one hit me differently. Books truly are windows and mirrors and I can’t wait to get this into the hands of students. Redwood and Ponytail follows the story of two popular middle schoolers as they first meet, experience the joys of friendship, navigate their feelings beyond friendship, and come into their own identities through middle school trials and tribulations.
Kate, smothered by the expectations of her mother to become the cheer captain, struggles to balance the thoughts and expectations of others with her own happiness. Tam, short for Tamara, the ever fiery, confident and strong volleyball player knows who she is and what she wants, yet is thrown for a loop as Kate starts to comb through her feelings- the compounding pressures of her overbearing mother and the thought of being seen as anything other than “normal” and ultimately pushes Tam away. What starts as fast friendship and infatuation quickly devolves into a consistent misreading of the other as both girls fought to be seen by one another.
What ensues is a vibrant human portrayal encompassing the confusion of being a middle schooler, the fear of being ostracized, and the adolescent brain and how it processes others’ words and actions. One of my favorite parts of this book is that Holt continually reminds the reader that it is okay to feel and to feel it all deeply and unabashedly.
I also appreciated that Holt incorporated characters who stood as allies on the girls’ journeys rather than only filling the story with folks who stood as roadblocks as the girls journeyed into their own. I only hope my own students have such fierce allies in their own corner and I know this book will sow hope and the sense of being seen in my class library for many years to come. Thank you, K. A. Holt!
Love is love is love.
As a teacher of middles, this one hit me differently. Books truly are windows and mirrors and I can’t wait to get this into the hands of students. Redwood and Ponytail follows the story of two popular middle schoolers as they first meet, experience the joys of friendship, navigate their feelings beyond friendship, and come into their own identities through middle school trials and tribulations.
Kate, smothered by the expectations of her mother to become the cheer captain, struggles to balance the thoughts and expectations of others with her own happiness. Tam, short for Tamara, the ever fiery, confident and strong volleyball player knows who she is and what she wants, yet is thrown for a loop as Kate starts to comb through her feelings- the compounding pressures of her overbearing mother and the thought of being seen as anything other than “normal” and ultimately pushes Tam away. What starts as fast friendship and infatuation quickly devolves into a consistent misreading of the other as both girls fought to be seen by one another.
What ensues is a vibrant human portrayal encompassing the confusion of being a middle schooler, the fear of being ostracized, and the adolescent brain and how it processes others’ words and actions. One of my favorite parts of this book is that Holt continually reminds the reader that it is okay to feel and to feel it all deeply and unabashedly.
I also appreciated that Holt incorporated characters who stood as allies on the girls’ journeys rather than only filling the story with folks who stood as roadblocks as the girls journeyed into their own. I only hope my own students have such fierce allies in their own corner and I know this book will sow hope and the sense of being seen in my class library for many years to come. Thank you, K. A. Holt!
Love is love is love.
Middle grade, free verse, coming-of-age, lgbt...there is a lot going on in this read, but somehow it works. It has a bit of a “But I’m a Cheerleader” feel without all of the inappropriate bits. I would recommend this for any classroom library.
this book was so fucking adorable and i loved it
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked how it was in verse, I think it was pulled off nicely. The characters seemed a little flat at times, but overall it was good and worth my time to read.
I really liked how it was in verse, I think it was pulled off nicely. The characters seemed a little flat at times, but overall it was good and worth my time to read.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Great middle school story about love, friendship and figuring out your own goals. This book in verse captures the internal struggle of discovering yourself and of first crushes. I enjoyed Tam’s and Kate’s POV- both unique and complimented each other.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
fast-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
I loved the style of this audiobook, but had to turn it down several time to keep the shrieking middle school characters from busting my eardrums. Content-wise, I loved that this book portrayed the struggles that young queer folk face both within themselves and with family members. There are so many quality queer books available right now, and I am glad they show supportive families and friends, but this book will help kids who are not in those supportive situations find their way. I hope. It was uncomfortable at times because of the way Ponytail treats Redwood, but overall it was a great read (listen) and I will recommend.
Oh this is so good! A model of what dual voices *CAN* be. What novels-in-verse *CAN* be. What stories about crushes between a cheerleader and a jock *CAN* be.
From the opening, I love the Greek chorus of Alexei. And I love how the voices echo each other in the poetry, meeting up like two instruments in a symphony.
And the ways Tam notices Kate being different on her own vs with her cheerleader friends is so real.
From the opening, I love the Greek chorus of Alexei. And I love how the voices echo each other in the poetry, meeting up like two instruments in a symphony.
And the ways Tam notices Kate being different on her own vs with her cheerleader friends is so real.