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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
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
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
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
greenlivingaudioworm'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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, Lesbophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
kaylaphaneuf'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? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racism and Transphobia
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
anna_23'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
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Bullying
Moderate: Transphobia and Racism
betweentheshelves'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
4.5
What I love about Oshiro's writing is that it feels so realistic. A lot of the problems that Héctor encounters are ones that many middle schoolers are going to relate to. And not being believed after getting bullied? I feel like that happens way more often than we'd like to admit. You can't help but get angry at the adults in this book because they all act so powerless to help Héctor. Or they act like they don't know what's going on. Héctor's story will definitely pull on your heartstrings.
The little friend group Héctor finds is also fantastic. Juliana and Sal were fully fleshed out characters, and they all were in each other's lives at the right time. They all help each other in different ways, and it's just so great to see. Plus, Héctor makes some new friends at his new school, and they become the support that he needs. Oh, and Héctor's Abuela is great, especially the way she lets Héctor figure out what he needs and when he needs it.
All in all, this middle grade novel is about finding your voice, about the ways that friendships can change in middle school, and about learning how to ask for help when you need it. Definitely a great addition to any middle grade collection!
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Islamophobia, Outing, and Xenophobia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail