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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Greg Howard has written a wonderful story that had me wondering, hoping, remembering and crying. This is the third of some five or six books that all teachers involved with our 5th grade, as either homeroom teachers or specialty teachers, are reading over the summer in preparation for the coming school year.
Throughout The Whispers, I was wondering about Riley's Mother, about magic, about hobgoblins, and about what was going on in this story. I was hoping that solutions and resolutions would be found.
I was remembering a favorite story from childhood that involved a tiny fairy living in a matchbox house on an inside kitchen windowsill (and how badly I wanted there to be such a tiny creature!) And I was crying, though not till the last several chapters - partially for the outcome and partially because it reminded me of Fred's and my first dog, and of my parents. More than that, I will not say, for not wanting to spoil anyone's reading of this well-written and imagined slice of life.
Throughout The Whispers, I was wondering about Riley's Mother, about magic, about hobgoblins, and about what was going on in this story. I was hoping that solutions and resolutions would be found.
I was remembering a favorite story from childhood that involved a tiny fairy living in a matchbox house on an inside kitchen windowsill (and how badly I wanted there to be such a tiny creature!) And I was crying, though not till the last several chapters - partially for the outcome and partially because it reminded me of Fred's and my first dog, and of my parents. More than that, I will not say, for not wanting to spoil anyone's reading of this well-written and imagined slice of life.
He didn't know all the secrets of the universe and maybe he never would, but he knew plenty.
When you start a book with a direct reference to one of my favourite novels of all time, you better deliver. Turns out Greg Howard does.
I was about twelve pages in when I realised this book was going to break my heart. And it did, and then it kept doing it.
Our eleven year old protagonist Riley reveals his mother is missing and he blames himself, his Daddy used to like him, his brother barely acknowledges his existence, he has a condition where he wets the bed and there's his other condition where he kind of wants to kiss boys. By this point I was about thirty pages in.
The story is told entirely from Riley's point of view. And at times it's heartbreaking and endearing because while we as readers can understand that everything he sees isn't the whole story, he doesn't immediately get it. Like the matter-of-fact way he says "Daddy used to like me." As if his Dad no longer loving him is a perfectly normal thing, and that's what gets to me, the way his eleven year old brain just accepts it because he doesn't realise that's a really messed up situation. Riley is a really likeable protagonist, you really feel for this clever, broken, confused little kid.
While it's a short book, Greg Howard really covers a lot of ground. It was one of those books that I wished was longer because it ended so quickly.
When you start a book with a direct reference to one of my favourite novels of all time, you better deliver. Turns out Greg Howard does.
I was about twelve pages in when I realised this book was going to break my heart. And it did, and then it kept doing it.
Our eleven year old protagonist Riley reveals his mother is missing and he blames himself, his Daddy used to like him, his brother barely acknowledges his existence, he has a condition where he wets the bed and there's his other condition where he kind of wants to kiss boys. By this point I was about thirty pages in.
The story is told entirely from Riley's point of view. And at times it's heartbreaking and endearing because while we as readers can understand that everything he sees isn't the whole story, he doesn't immediately get it. Like the matter-of-fact way he says "Daddy used to like me." As if his Dad no longer loving him is a perfectly normal thing, and that's what gets to me, the way his eleven year old brain just accepts it because he doesn't realise that's a really messed up situation. Riley is a really likeable protagonist, you really feel for this clever, broken, confused little kid.
While it's a short book, Greg Howard really covers a lot of ground. It was one of those books that I wished was longer because it ended so quickly.
The story builds and grows as it brings you along for an emotional ride. It’s wonderful but I was not prepared for the last half at all.
I picked this up from the used book shelf at our local book store, blissfully unaware of the tears I was about to shed. I didn’t read any summaries before plunging headfirst into the story and was not expecting all the emotions and feels. Had I seen the reference to it being perfect for “fans of Bridge to Terabithia”, I might have avoided it altogether. Once my face stops being so puffy and the tears fully dry, I’ll be glad I read it. Right now, my inner child is having some big emotions and needs a minute to herself.
I picked this up from the used book shelf at our local book store, blissfully unaware of the tears I was about to shed. I didn’t read any summaries before plunging headfirst into the story and was not expecting all the emotions and feels. Had I seen the reference to it being perfect for “fans of Bridge to Terabithia”, I might have avoided it altogether. Once my face stops being so puffy and the tears fully dry, I’ll be glad I read it. Right now, my inner child is having some big emotions and needs a minute to herself.
i absolutely loved reading this!! i found it at the 9-13 section at target, even though i am 17 i still found it to be interesting and captivating.
the story draws you in with magic and wonder, while still keeping realistic day-to-day life. my favorite thing about this book is how it sprinkles in a small amount of information, so you’re curious, but doesn’t give you detailed information until you read further.
it really shows how someone of riley’s age would see the world innocently,, and doesn’t fully understand why people act the way they do.
i love how there are little bits of humor sprinkled throughout the book, it gives the character more life and realism.
100% recommend reading!
the story draws you in with magic and wonder, while still keeping realistic day-to-day life. my favorite thing about this book is how it sprinkles in a small amount of information, so you’re curious, but doesn’t give you detailed information until you read further.
it really shows how someone of riley’s age would see the world innocently,, and doesn’t fully understand why people act the way they do.
i love how there are little bits of humor sprinkled throughout the book, it gives the character more life and realism.
100% recommend reading!
Well, I cried my way through the last forty pages of this one, finally. Took me longer to read than it should. Life, and such.
This was a beautiful story. It was one of those where, as an adult reader, you picked up pretty early on what the twist was going to be…which in this case, I think, it’s just a product of being grown and jaded and having experienced grief throughout versions stages of your life.
But Riley’s story was no less moving, and it took me to a similar place as Patrick Ness’s A MONSTER CALLS in terms of catharsis and emotional output.
I loved the intersection of grief and identity in this story, and I love that younger kids exploring their feelings can add another protagonist to the ranks of young characters they see themselves in.
Overall, a beautiful story about a boy learning to deal with loss in the best way he can, and learning to find himself in the process.
This was a beautiful story. It was one of those where, as an adult reader, you picked up pretty early on what the twist was going to be…which in this case, I think, it’s just a product of being grown and jaded and having experienced grief throughout versions stages of your life.
But Riley’s story was no less moving, and it took me to a similar place as Patrick Ness’s A MONSTER CALLS in terms of catharsis and emotional output.
I loved the intersection of grief and identity in this story, and I love that younger kids exploring their feelings can add another protagonist to the ranks of young characters they see themselves in.
Overall, a beautiful story about a boy learning to deal with loss in the best way he can, and learning to find himself in the process.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Y’all, I really got into this one. Riley, a sixth grade boy, is convinced that the Whispers, mythical beings in stories his mother used to tell him, will help him find out where his momma went. He sets out to offer them tributes in return for answers; what he finds are hard truths that he didn’t want to believe. There are added layers of Riley’s relationships with his father and brother, his questions over his sexuality and religious guilt, and his only friendship at school. This one is slow but beautiful, and will be appreciated by the right readers. Recommended for grades 6-8.
The Whispers was what I expected it to be, and not.
I love Riley. I love Dylan. I love best boy Tucker and the calendar of daily words and how Riley is such a mama's boy.
Despite the weight of the situation, the grief weighing down the family, Riley's voice was fresh and bright and I loved my gentle boy and watching him navigate his life.
I spent the last chapter of the book bawling my eyes out and with tears streaking down my cheeks, and I'm still a little teary now. I don't think Riley's story will leave me for a long time.
I love Riley. I love Dylan. I love best boy Tucker and the calendar of daily words and how Riley is such a mama's boy.
Despite the weight of the situation, the grief weighing down the family, Riley's voice was fresh and bright and I loved my gentle boy and watching him navigate his life.
Spoiler
I wasn't a fan of the homophobia present in this book due to the very Christian undertones. But I appreciated seeing how damaging it can be to a child to hear such vile things - and also that everyone who mattered accepted and loved Riley.I spent the last chapter of the book bawling my eyes out and with tears streaking down my cheeks, and I'm still a little teary now. I don't think Riley's story will leave me for a long time.
Age: Middle School
LGBTQ: Gay
LGBTQ: Gay
Spoiler
Tough Issues: mental block and denial of death of mother
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Howard, Greg. The Whispers. G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR, 2019.
Riley believes in the old tales of the Whispers, forest creatures who can grant wishes if you bring them tribute. He also thinks they know what happened to his mama and how he can take care of what he refers to as his "other problem," aka his crush on an older boy. But he's having difficulty convincing anyone else that the Whispers are real.
This is a whimsical story of a boy who still believes in miracles and fairy creatures, but who is also struggling with a family with a missing member and who hasn't yet come out to anyone and is relentlessly teased. This mashup of contemporary fiction and fantasy makes for a few awkwardly written transitions between the two, and Riley's inner monologue doesn't always read true for a junior high student. Nonetheless, the fantasy element will draw readers in, particularly those who have enjoyed fairy tales in the past.
Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: some homophobic commentary from Riley's classmates
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Edelweiss for the purpose of review.
Riley believes in the old tales of the Whispers, forest creatures who can grant wishes if you bring them tribute. He also thinks they know what happened to his mama and how he can take care of what he refers to as his "other problem," aka his crush on an older boy. But he's having difficulty convincing anyone else that the Whispers are real.
This is a whimsical story of a boy who still believes in miracles and fairy creatures, but who is also struggling with a family with a missing member and who hasn't yet come out to anyone and is relentlessly teased. This mashup of contemporary fiction and fantasy makes for a few awkwardly written transitions between the two, and Riley's inner monologue doesn't always read true for a junior high student. Nonetheless, the fantasy element will draw readers in, particularly those who have enjoyed fairy tales in the past.
Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: some homophobic commentary from Riley's classmates
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Edelweiss for the purpose of review.