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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
I am made of questions after reading this book. I felt that it was unnecessary violent for a book for children, and I felt like there was a big lack of closure.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A compelling story about bullying, empathy, and absolute truth. Surprisingly dark for a middle grade read though, so I'd recommend it more to 6th-8th graders. My main beef with the novel is that the only mention of a character's faith was Aunt Lily's-- she's described as this devout Christian, and yet she's this terrible, judgmental person throughout the story. That bothered me, as no other character's faith was ever mentioned. It felt like the author was trying to take a swipe at Christians.
The ultimate bully book - and how courage couldn't make everything right.
Wow, how to articulate what I read, as I'm still reeling. All the feels, this book has. This was dark, and depressing, yet I really enjoyed reading. Betty was right up there with Rhoda Penmark. I would love to get the back story on her. My heart absolutely broke for Toby, and to an extent, Annabelle, as she had to grow up way too fast with these incidents. I did see a lot of connections to To Kill a Mockingbird, but I also found a lot of Katherine Paterson in Wolk's writing. I hope this gets the Newbery this year. I'm being brief but I'm still thinking about what I just read.
This is a middle grade story set in the 1930s about a girl who's life becomes more complicated when a new girl moves to town. It deals with bullying and judging others on appearances. I think I would have liked it more if I hadn't read it compared to To Kill a Mockingbird. I see the parallels, but it's hard to live up to that.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lovely writing and a rural farm setting feature in this historical novel that’s rightfully drawn comparisons with To Kill a Mockingbird. The main character’s struggle to find justice in a world that sometimes doesn’t offer it is heartbreakingly true. Has moments of darkness and sadness, but it’s also filled with determination and love. And the prose is beautiful to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying
This book is stunning, and will stay with me for a long time. I need to let it simmer before I will be able to form a more detailed opinion.
Wow this was a deep book. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted to but it was so good.
And even though it was super deep, it still had bits of humor that made me chuckle.
“That man’s so stubborn he could be a member of the family.” I said.
“From your mothers side.” my father said.
My mother knew how I felt about Betty. “You’re a good girl, Annabelle.”
“What about me?” James said.
“You’re a good girl, too.” My father said.
basically her father is hilarious
And even though it was super deep, it still had bits of humor that made me chuckle.
“That man’s so stubborn he could be a member of the family.” I said.
“From your mothers side.” my father said.
My mother knew how I felt about Betty. “You’re a good girl, Annabelle.”
“What about me?” James said.
“You’re a good girl, too.” My father said.
basically her father is hilarious