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literaryk's review against another edition
4.0
Although I haven't read Bronx Masquerade, I liked this companion novel. You get glimpses into the lives of many teens. I feel many stories don't get as much closure or details as others though. Romances were thrown in, but not really hashed out. I'd be curious to compare this to Bronx Masquerade.
jlwlm12's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the different mingling of characters and the realism of society!
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
@kidlitexchange #partner ~ I loved Bronx Masquerade and I loved this one EVEN MORE! Although it can stand alone, I definitely think that these titles are best read in sequence so that readers can see Tyrone's evolution and how the popularity of the slam poetry class grows. The characters in BETWEEN THE LINES address topics of family, race, immigration, racial profiling, foster care and many other hard-hitting topics in heartbreaking and insightful ways.
Told through accessible prose and exceptional verse, this title is a required purchase for high schools ~ there are drug references and some cursing, so individual librarians and teachers will need to make the call on whether this is a good fit for their middle school. I will be including it in my combined middle/high library and will have no issues with middle school students reading it.
Told through accessible prose and exceptional verse, this title is a required purchase for high schools ~ there are drug references and some cursing, so individual librarians and teachers will need to make the call on whether this is a good fit for their middle school. I will be including it in my combined middle/high library and will have no issues with middle school students reading it.
offinherownmind's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent representation in this novel, honestly one of the best. I love the idea of how the one class was able to bring together a variety of backgrounds and bring them together to know they don't have to face life alone.
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
I received this through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The sequel to Bronx Masquerade kicks off with Darrian, a fledgling newspaper reporter, who is trying to develop his skills. Darrian heard about Mr. Ward's class and his poetry slams. Darrian decides to give the class a try. This novel is told through multiple perspectives and lends many voices. Characters are well-developed and their lives are fully explored through this novel in verse. Characters must deal with parental alcoholism, the foster system and what it means to age out of it, the effects of drug issues within communities and families, and balancing their own issues while also seeing past their preconceived notions of others.
The sequel to Bronx Masquerade kicks off with Darrian, a fledgling newspaper reporter, who is trying to develop his skills. Darrian heard about Mr. Ward's class and his poetry slams. Darrian decides to give the class a try. This novel is told through multiple perspectives and lends many voices. Characters are well-developed and their lives are fully explored through this novel in verse. Characters must deal with parental alcoholism, the foster system and what it means to age out of it, the effects of drug issues within communities and families, and balancing their own issues while also seeing past their preconceived notions of others.
reading_thefineprint's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
This is quick read with multiple points of view, styles, and offers a wide variety of lessons to be learned. This is the book you offer to a non reader with hopes of turning them.
andersonh92's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the different perspectives, all coming together and forming a connection through poetry! Reading the companion novel next!
jackelz's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
“We live in the same city, go to the same school, but each of us has a different story. What we have in common is trying to figure out how to tell it.”
This was a follow-up to Bronx Masquerade, but can be read as a stand-alone. This one had half the amount of characters, but still packed a heavy punch. The author handles all of the characters and their stories with grace, and you can’t help but root for them all to succeed. The bonds of friendship formed are truly special, too.
Poetry is such a powerful outlet, and I’m glad I’ve been reading more of it lately.
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Rep: 9 high school kids living in the Bronx: Latinx, Black, White, Asian
CW: alcoholism, mentions of drug use, prejudice, racism, racial profiling, loss of a parent
———
Characters:
Darrian Lopez - Puerto Rican, loves the newspaper, wants to work for The New York Times, lives with his father, lost his mother to cancer
Tyrone Bittings - makes a special (re)appearance
Li Cheng - Chinese-American, honors student, parents want a strong and smart all American girl
Jenesis Whyte - Black girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, foster child in her 13th placement, terrified of being homeless when she ages out of the system
Marcel Dixon - labeled a “troubled kid”, dad was wrongly arrested for drug charges, and his father hasn’t been the same since
Valentina Alvarez - Argentinian-American, bilingual, feels the pain and prejudice her father faces as an immigrant
Kyle Newton - White, heart condition, fearless, gets treated like glass by parents, skateboards
Angela Marie Bailey - social anxiety, afraid of not being enough
Freddie Houston - girl, mother to her mom (alcoholic) and her niece (because her sister is a drug addict)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Racism, and Death of parent
isweedan's review against another edition
3.0
Contemporary slice of life is not my thing but this was nice.