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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute, quick read for Pride Month. For the most part, the plot was executed well and you do get glimpses into the backstories of the other team members. Though, when compared to Faith, the lines between which characters are supporting or main kind of get blurred during the process. Johnson’s thematic elements of friendship and finding a sense of belonging were great and I think young readers might get a lot out of this book. My only main issue with the book was that there was still some loose ends that weren’t quite addressed when the book ends, which was the only thing I didn’t really liked about this book.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and I would recommend it if you want a quick, lighthearted read with a diverse cast of characters.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and I would recommend it if you want a quick, lighthearted read with a diverse cast of characters.
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Animal death
whatisjordyreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Bullying
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book's cute art style makes it look like it should fall in the Lumberjanes school of "girls supporting each other and having awesome adventures." Reader, it does not.
The Bulldogs (even the ones who are supposed to be friends) are mean to each other for no obvious reason but then are suddenly and unearnedly bffs. Johnson tries to follow everyone's story, with the end result that she hardly follows anyone's (also, "a cavalcade of adolescent drama" =/= "a coherent plot"). And I'm pretty sure that's just not how team jersey numbering works.
Unlike others, I appreciate that the big "coming-together moment"wasn't "underdog team pulls together and Does A Good Sport" but rather "underdog team remembers they all hate this sport (except the one who likes it and only plays on this team because her dad is the coach) and kicks it to the curb." That feels like my kind of sports book. Still, one moment of collective walk-out doesn't justify a happily-friender-after ending full of pizza and team bonding.
Also, maybe middle school was just way too long ago for me to remember it correctly, or kids are just that much more mature now, but a lot of these alleged junior high kids sure look and act a lot more like high schoolers.
The Bulldogs (even the ones who are supposed to be friends) are mean to each other for no obvious reason but then are suddenly and unearnedly bffs. Johnson tries to follow everyone's story, with the end result that she hardly follows anyone's (also, "a cavalcade of adolescent drama" =/= "a coherent plot"). And I'm pretty sure that's just not how team jersey numbering works.
Unlike others, I appreciate that the big "coming-together moment"
Also, maybe middle school was just way too long ago for me to remember it correctly, or kids are just that much more mature now, but a lot of these alleged junior high kids sure look and act a lot more like high schoolers.
Moderate: Sexism and Bullying
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, and Violence
Minor: Saneismimstephtacular's review against another edition
It was confusing and the writing wasn’t that strong
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
ekmoore11's review against another edition
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
4.0
Moderate: Bullying
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