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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Too much quirkiness, lots of telling instead of showing, and the whole gifted issue was way too close to home for me.
What a tragic and beautiful story. Willow Chance is definitely not your normal lead character, and that makes everything about this the more beautiful. Each character shows development, compassion, and plays an integral part in the ever adapting circumstances of Willow’s life. Definitely recommend!
I usually like books about genius children so I picked this up. My first thought was "this isn't what I thought it was going to be." I didn't really like the main character, which is always a bad sign. My favorite character was definitely the cab driver. I suppose this was a feel-good story with a predictable if implausible ending, but it just didn't impress me.
I LOVED this book. I thought it was so funny and sweet and everything good. I really loved the character development in this book. I felt like so many students could relate to this book because it is all about an "oddball" in society that finds home where she least expects it. It is so heart warming and truly reminds you what it means to be a family.
2.5 stars
I read this because I am looking for books about kids/teens with exceptionalities, and this is not what I wanted.
On the structural level, the book switches points of view, which I don't think is necessary, and it's especially awkward because it switches from first person (Willow) to third person, and Willow's narration is in the present tense (except for the long flashback), and everyone else's narration is in the past tense. A young reader might not notice this, but to me, it comes across sloppy.
I will say that the character development is definitely gradual and noticeable by the end of the novel, which is definitely a plus, particularly Willow and Quang-Ha. This is why I've given the book 2.5 stars instead of the two I intended to give it.
My biggest issue with this story is Dell Duke, the school counselor. He categorizes the students he works with into categories like "oddball" and "misfit," even though he acknowledges that this is not professional. He doesn't care about the students he works with until he meets Willow, who does not have behavioral problems, but is a "genius," and therefore, worthy of his time. The way he acts is absolutely unacceptable for a school counselor, and I hate that he's the only representation of counseling in the story. Although Willow discusses the problematic nature of his labeling, no one ever confronts him with it, and there is no introspection on his part about how inappropriately he acted. Although he does grow as a character by the end of the story, I did not believe in his change at all and it seemed unearned and unexplained. He literally bonds with a student who he formerly called a weirdo over ogling girls. No thanks.
I can see the appeal of this book; I get why it's significant to people. And for me, I see questionable elements everywhere, and I found it really hard to believe in the characters, situations, and relationships.
I read this because I am looking for books about kids/teens with exceptionalities, and this is not what I wanted.
On the structural level, the book switches points of view, which I don't think is necessary, and it's especially awkward because it switches from first person (Willow) to third person, and Willow's narration is in the present tense (except for the long flashback), and everyone else's narration is in the past tense. A young reader might not notice this, but to me, it comes across sloppy.
I will say that the character development is definitely gradual and noticeable by the end of the novel, which is definitely a plus, particularly Willow and Quang-Ha. This is why I've given the book 2.5 stars instead of the two I intended to give it.
My biggest issue with this story is Dell Duke, the school counselor. He categorizes the students he works with into categories like "oddball" and "misfit," even though he acknowledges that this is not professional. He doesn't care about the students he works with until he meets Willow, who does not have behavioral problems, but is a "genius," and therefore, worthy of his time. The way he acts is absolutely unacceptable for a school counselor, and I hate that he's the only representation of counseling in the story. Although Willow discusses the problematic nature of his labeling, no one ever confronts him with it, and there is no introspection on his part about how inappropriately he acted. Although he does grow as a character by the end of the story, I did not believe in his change at all and it seemed unearned and unexplained. He literally bonds with a student who he formerly called a weirdo over ogling girls. No thanks.
I can see the appeal of this book; I get why it's significant to people. And for me, I see questionable elements everywhere, and I found it really hard to believe in the characters, situations, and relationships.
I can't remember when a book last made me cry, but I found myself wiping away tears three times over the course of this book. I have rarely found a cast of characters I loved so wholeheartedly or a children's book with a narrator I connected with so strongly. Full of sweetness and grief and love, I would recommend this to just about anyone.
I cannot believe what an awesome story this is! I listened to it and was absolutely moved by the performance. Would have given it more than a 5 if I could.
This book was absolutely awful. The characters have absolutely no development and none of them have any meaningful relationships. The main plot is that willow the protagonist goes through a traumatic time when her adoptive parents die. She grieves for them for about 3 days then she’s fine. And despite going through this difficult time she doesn’t even change as a character. None of the characters are likeable not remotely interesting. This book should burn.
This beautiful tale of loss, friendship and change is full of truths. One of my best reads of 2014.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Would not reread due to the fact this book ripped my heart out of my chest, but there is no doubt about how beautifully this book is written.