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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This was a good, but somewhat predictable middle school story. I liked the characters a lot and would recommend the book to my students. It feels like a male version of Mustaches for Maddie by the same authors.
Ok, so the set-up for this one is a guaranteed tear-jerker. The MC is a boy who's losing his sight, and loves to draw comic books. The sole person at school who suddenly starts talking to him is a girl, whose brother is dying of progeria. Need I say more?
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Really cute story about a comic book-loving 7th grader with vision problems (hence his nickname, "Squint") who draws a comic book alter-ego story he hopes will win a contest, tries to avoid bullies, makes a new friend and learns to see things from the bullies' point of view too. Readers learn about the real condition keratoconus, as Squint has to undergo a cornea transplant that he hopes will help his double vision, as well as another condition, progeria, from which another character is suffering. Squint also has family issues to contend with, as he is being raised by grandparents due to an unfit mother situation. 2019 Buckeye Children's Book Award nominee, grades 3-5.
Sometimes you randomly stumble upon the exact book you need to read right now. This one was it for me. It randomly popped up in my Audible Library so I decided to give it a try.
As a person who has a visual impairment, I am interested to read stories with characters who have visual impairments. However, I find myself focusing on the accuracy of how these characters are portrayed. This story does a decent job. The one thing I question is, was Squint receiving any help at school because of his visual impairment. In real life he would be receiving services from a teacher who would teach him how to accommodate his visual impairment, including teaching him special skills including technology and possibly braille in case he lost his vision.
Ok I'll get off my soap box now.
This was a good story overall. Squint could have been any middle school kid who was trying to deal with his own insecurities. He eventually works things out. Squint's comic is a creative tool to for Squint to work through his real life struggles, however, it was quite obvious the characters in the comic mimic people in his life.
When we find out that Danny has died and then Squint gets his cornea transplant, I drew the conclusion that Danny was his donor. I thought I had it figured out and thought it was way to predictable. I was glad to see the author did not actually go in that direction.
Overall, I enjoyed the story.
As a person who has a visual impairment, I am interested to read stories with characters who have visual impairments. However, I find myself focusing on the accuracy of how these characters are portrayed. This story does a decent job. The one thing I question is, was Squint receiving any help at school because of his visual impairment. In real life he would be receiving services from a teacher who would teach him how to accommodate his visual impairment, including teaching him special skills including technology and possibly braille in case he lost his vision.
Ok I'll get off my soap box now.
This was a good story overall. Squint could have been any middle school kid who was trying to deal with his own insecurities. He eventually works things out. Squint's comic is a creative tool to for Squint to work through his real life struggles, however, it was quite obvious the characters in the comic mimic people in his life.
When we find out that Danny has died and then Squint gets his cornea transplant, I drew the conclusion that Danny was his donor. I thought I had it figured out and thought it was way to predictable. I was glad to see the author did not actually go in that direction.
Overall, I enjoyed the story.
I enjoyed reading Squint very much. It's been a while since a chapter book has triggered emotions in me the way this one did. I welled up more than once. The main characters are well-written and fleshed out. I would have liked more insight into Gavin's character, especially closer to the end of the book.
This book was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.
This book was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.
Rating 4 ⭐️ This one was a really cute middle grade read. I instantly fell in love and Flint and McKell. Both characters are dealing with so much, plus with the added being in middle school where a lot of kids are just starting to figure out themselves. I really liked how the book went back and forth between Flint’s life and Flint’s comic book story. It gave the reader a chance to see how Flint put his life experiences into his work. If your looking for a good middle grade read with unique characters then this is defiantly for you.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Loved it! Friendship, uncertainty, action, bravery, and so much more! A great bookclub discussion choice. 4-5th and up.
A good middle grade read with a nice underdog main character. I did not love the audio book narrator, but the book was still good. I kind of wish I'd read it to myself during some of the cringy narration though.
This book has made it to the list of must-reads I'm creating for my possible future kids.
Full review to come
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me a free copy in exchange of an honest review.
Full review to come
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me a free copy in exchange of an honest review.