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sask_girl's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
I'm so glad I read this before my tween did. There are numerous references to sexual acts in this story that are unnecessary & do not add anything to the story. My child doesn't need to be reading about a kid wanting to masturbate, a kid knowing his mother trades sex for favours, a grown man mastrubating in public near a sleeping boy. It makes me sick. Putting this in a middle grade novel feels like grooming behaviour by the author. Also I didn't like that the author made it sound like the abusive grandfather was that way because he was religious. I hated that the author had the kids arguing that God was the same as a poltergeist. This was completely unnecessary and feels like the author is pushing their own agenda on kids. If would have quit this book if I hadn't been reading it to screen for my kids. I won't be letting them read this garbage. A much better middle grade book about homelessness is A Duet For Home by Karina Yan Glaser. It's much cleaner & is better written than this tripe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Excrement, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Vomit
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Addiction, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Pedophilia
ekmoore11's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Excrement, Mental illness, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
daffodildyke's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Having avoided deeper reads recently, i stumbled on this book whilst scrolling through ebooks available through my library. i struggle reading books a lot of the time, opting for audiobooks. this is important to know, because i read 270-odd pages of this book in one sitting, and then finished it at the next available opportunity.
i really admire a lot of aspects of this book. it is clear that the author has made real effort to understand and empathetically depict the struggles of the ‘hidden homeless’. The structure of the story is interesting, starting with Felix agreeing to tell the story of what has happened up until that point, meaning it adds an element of questioning that may not otherwise be present.
I would have given it a higher rating, but i really struggled to connect with Winnie as an authentic character and constantly wanted something a bit… more… from her that i cannot pin down. but the main reason it cannot have more than 4 stars is the police aspect of the story.The idea that Felix recounts Astrid’s crimes, from breaking and entering to petty theft, to a police officer, and she does not end up in jail is unfathomable. it paints the police in a far better light than they deserve as an institution. it does a disservice to the whole story and the feeling of authenticity that runs throughout the rest of the book. Overall i am so impressed by this book - yes, it was relatively predictable but it is told against incredibly non-typical settings that make it feel fresh regardless.
I think it is incredibly important that this story doesn’t necessarily say that everything will turn out perfect, but it is hopeful and that things can get better and people aren’t all bad. There were definitely endings that could have undone a lot of the important undertones of this story, so I am glad that is not what happened.
i really admire a lot of aspects of this book. it is clear that the author has made real effort to understand and empathetically depict the struggles of the ‘hidden homeless’. The structure of the story is interesting, starting with Felix agreeing to tell the story of what has happened up until that point, meaning it adds an element of questioning that may not otherwise be present.
I would have given it a higher rating, but i really struggled to connect with Winnie as an authentic character and constantly wanted something a bit… more… from her that i cannot pin down. but the main reason it cannot have more than 4 stars is the police aspect of the story.
I think it is incredibly important that this story doesn’t necessarily say that everything will turn out perfect, but it is hopeful and that things can get better and people aren’t all bad. There were definitely endings that could have undone a lot of the important undertones of this story, so I am glad that is not what happened.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Excrement, and Death
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