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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I thought this book about childhood grief, set in rural South Carolina was absolutely lovely. Protagonist Riley learns so much about himself, his family, and what grief can do to your head and your heart. I empathize. The one issue I have is there was a lot of shaming geared toward Riley’s best friend Gary, the description of whom and attitudes toward his size seemed over the top. Other than that, I really liked this book and would add it to my classroom library.
This book starts out a bit confusing and bumbling, although sweet. There's a lot of jumps of understanding that only an adult would make sense of and it feels like there's a lot of work to lead up the end and look back and say "Oh, okay that makes more sense." It feels a little forced in places. But it is sweet at the end, and I did cry.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I sucked this book down in 3 days. It was a sweet narrative style due to the younger age of the narrator (this one is more typically middle grade while I generally read YA). Riley made me love him from the start, with his fondness for learning new words and his regular application of the Southern kindness lessons he learned from his mama. It was interesting to read the perspective of a younger (for me, at least) LGBTQ protagonist, and my heart went out to Riley as he struggled to reconcile what he felt in his heart and what he had been taught at his traditional Southern church. His story is heartbreaking but could be just what kids need to read, because life is heartbreaking sometimes, too.
Rating: 5/5
Grief and loss can make us do some funny things. Riley's mother dissapeared, the police think he did it, and his father doesnt love him anymore because it's all his fault. Riley goes in search of the Whispers, magical fairies that can grant his wish and bring his mother home.
I can't even with this book. It was amazing! Riley has two conditions. One is wetting the bed since his mother dissapeared. The other he has his whole life and it's the reason his mother dissapeared. Ripley's mother walked in on him kissing Kenny from Kentucky. Riley goes on the hunt for the Whispers to grant his wish and bring her back. Along the journey we discover the full story, in this beautiful coming of age with a fanciful twist.
The ending of the book is crazy and I did not see it coming. This is another terrific book by the ridiculously talented Greg Howard. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it.
Grief and loss can make us do some funny things. Riley's mother dissapeared, the police think he did it, and his father doesnt love him anymore because it's all his fault. Riley goes in search of the Whispers, magical fairies that can grant his wish and bring his mother home.
I can't even with this book. It was amazing! Riley has two conditions. One is wetting the bed since his mother dissapeared. The other he has his whole life and it's the reason his mother dissapeared. Ripley's mother walked in on him kissing Kenny from Kentucky. Riley goes on the hunt for the Whispers to grant his wish and bring her back. Along the journey we discover the full story, in this beautiful coming of age with a fanciful twist.
The ending of the book is crazy and I did not see it coming. This is another terrific book by the ridiculously talented Greg Howard. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it.
Skip the audio version of this. Story is good, though. One if those where the destination enriched the journey.
emotional
reflective
sad
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
I listened to the audiobook of this while sorting out my spare room and honestly if I hadn't I would have DNF'd it.
While I understand what the author was trying to do and the rep that he was trying to give it just totally missed the mark. I was very uncomfortable with the religious overtones and the language used was just too much sometimes. Continual use of 'condition' started to really get on my nerves.
Also the unreliable narrator aspect was just irritating. You go in expecting a fantasy element and it is non-existant.
Just really a total miss for me. I liked the narrator which was what stopped this being a one star.
While I understand what the author was trying to do and the rep that he was trying to give it just totally missed the mark. I was very uncomfortable with the religious overtones and the language used was just too much sometimes. Continual use of 'condition' started to really get on my nerves.
Also the unreliable narrator aspect was just irritating. You go in expecting a fantasy element and it is non-existant.
Just really a total miss for me. I liked the narrator which was what stopped this being a one star.
Actual rating: 3.5
This was a very quick, endearing read. The main character was so lovable, and the story had a lot of heart. I did have some minor issues when it comes to some phrases, but overall, I really did enjoy it.
Rep: gay MC, biracial side character, Mexican side character
CWs: death/illness of a parent, trauma, (internalized) homophobia, bullying, some ableist and otherwise problematic phrases that didn't get challenged
This was a very quick, endearing read. The main character was so lovable, and the story had a lot of heart. I did have some minor issues when it comes to some phrases, but overall, I really did enjoy it.
Rep: gay MC, biracial side character, Mexican side character
CWs: death/illness of a parent, trauma, (internalized) homophobia, bullying, some ableist and otherwise problematic phrases that didn't get challenged