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bibliomania_express's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oshiro always manages to write charming and lovely middle grade books that have whimsy but also deal with some heavy topics. Héctor experiences a wide range of bullying from shoving and food throwing to racism and homophobia. Juliana also faces homophobia from her principal, and Sal faces transphobia from their classmates.
Something I really appreciated about this book is how it explores the deep psychological effects of bullying. Héctor has a very supportive and loving family, and a great art teacher he could turn to, but he's afraid of disappointing his family and not being believed by his teacher. He starts to feel like the bullying is his own fault.
This book also explores the failings of bad faith teachers who can foster a space for bullies. The teacher who refuses to hear when victims of bullying tell the truth, or the teacher who is the bully themselves.
I loved how much true friendship is in this book, not just Héctor, Sal, and Juliana, but the other friends Héctor makes at his school. Héctor has to find confidence in himself and in their friendship to stand up to his bullies and call out bystanders.
Overall, this is a great, fast-paced and heartfelt story about friendship and belonging that's so worth the read.
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Transphobia, Physical abuse, Outing, Lesbophobia, and Racism
vreadsalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Outing
keeganrb's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Homophobia
robinks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Racism, Transphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Islamophobia, Outing, and Xenophobia
Minor: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
pey333's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death
dlrosebyh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Islamophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Outing, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Bullying
Moderate: Hate crime and Racism
Minor: Car accident, Classism, Violence, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Islamophobia
nia_readsalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Toxic friendship
karcitis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism, Lesbophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
audreylee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The author has created the perfect safe place for bullied kids. It would be lovely if all kids had this type of safe place. I appreciated the thoughtful, supportive adults and the relationships between the kids. This was just wonderful. The characters, other than Mike, were very fleshed out. I loved the imaginative magic room and how it was designed to meet each of the kids' needs. I wish there had been a bit more resolution and I would love to believe Mike and Ms. Heath would be held to account in real life but that is what fiction provides...a happy ending. I appreciate the nuance displayed by the author. I loved this one SO much. Definitely a favorite.
Graphic: Homophobia and Bullying