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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I was just not connecting with the characters or the story. I was bored and having to try and convince myself to pick it back up.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
I couldn't put this down. My desire for Willow to get a fair outcome out of a terrible situation was only part of it.
What I liked
1. Willow is very endearing.
2. The way Willow grapples with her grief is very realistic.
3. The growth of all the characters is compelling.
4. Pattie reacted the way I hope that I would.
5. Mai is more than a friend, she really becomes a big sister for Willow.
6. Willow, Mai, Quang-ha, Pattie, and Jairo are all persons of color, but this is not central to their identities in the book.
7. The use of nature as symbol and metaphor.
What I liked
1. Willow is very endearing.
2. The way Willow grapples with her grief is very realistic.
3. The growth of all the characters is compelling.
4. Pattie reacted the way I hope that I would.
5. Mai is more than a friend, she really becomes a big sister for Willow.
6. Willow, Mai, Quang-ha, Pattie, and Jairo are all persons of color, but this is not central to their identities in the book.
7. The use of nature as symbol and metaphor.
This book has so many 4 and 5 star ratings with rave reviews that I expected to love it also. I listened to it on audio and I honestly think that was a mistake. The MC is a young 12-13 year old girl and of course the narrator was an adult. The book kept flipping between being told in first person and third person, which just didn't work with the adult narrating in first person a 13 year old girl. It wasn't the kind of book that held my attention well; 380 pages of a book not really going anywhere was difficult. I did enjoy the overall language of the book and the main character, Willow. If I liked it well enough, I would give it another try reading it instead of listening, but I don't think I'll spend my time that way.
Many, many did love this book, so I wouldn't say not to read it, but I do advise to avoid the audio version.
Many, many did love this book, so I wouldn't say not to read it, but I do advise to avoid the audio version.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
It's your cookie-cutter, coming-of-age, kid dealing with loss, meaning of friendship kind of story that I normally can take or leave. I liked the characters, even the smarty-pants Willow was able to keep her mouth shut when it was socially necessary, and they all had vital roles and nice progressions through the story. Plus there is gardening as a major theme, which I like, buuuuut not tons of action or intrigue or twists, really. Heartwarming, I guess, would be the category, but I'm not really the type to be moved very much by stories like these. Probably the best part in my opinion was when Cheddar is finally rescued. And he wasn't a vital character. So, it's really more between a 2 and 3 star for me, but I'll give it three because of the cat, gardening, and the fact that the main characters are minorities.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated