Scan barcode
gracepizza40's review against another edition
4.0
4-4.5
I didn't really like it when Piddy started changing her character -rebelling and being hostile. It didn't really make sense to me when Piddy started neglecting her schoolwork that fast when she is a naturally diligent and A student.
The book had a lot of great quotes! They were very relatable and touching to me.
I didn't really like it when Piddy started changing her character -rebelling and being hostile. It didn't really make sense to me when Piddy started neglecting her schoolwork that fast when she is a naturally diligent and A student.
The book had a lot of great quotes! They were very relatable and touching to me.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book for Sarah Churchill’s Anti Bullying Week Read-A-Thon and this was the book I was most looking forward to, but I was a little disappointed with it.
This book is about a girl named Piddy (Piedad) Sanchez, who on her first day at her new high school is told by another girl that someone named Yaqui Delgado wants to kick her ass. Piddy has no idea who this girl is or why she’s targeting her but ignoring the problem doesn’t work out and various problems start to arise due to her anxiety.
This book has a storyline that is most similar to my own bullying story, and It was really exciting to find this book. Unfortunately, I thought the plot was a little over the place. Because of the title I assumed it would be centered on the bullying situation only, but was actually more focused on secondary plot lines in the character’s life.
The main character is very similar to me and I genuinely liked her. Her character development was slow but good. And though some of her reactions were a bit annoying, they made sense to her person and her situation. I loved her Latin American heritage (Cuban and Dominican) and how that translated to a lot of Spanish and Spanglish phrases in the book which I thought was a great thought and made me feel at home.
The end was awesome as well, so much so that I was originally going to give this three starts but raised it one because of the ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I’d recommend it.
This book is about a girl named Piddy (Piedad) Sanchez, who on her first day at her new high school is told by another girl that someone named Yaqui Delgado wants to kick her ass. Piddy has no idea who this girl is or why she’s targeting her but ignoring the problem doesn’t work out and various problems start to arise due to her anxiety.
This book has a storyline that is most similar to my own bullying story, and It was really exciting to find this book. Unfortunately, I thought the plot was a little over the place. Because of the title I assumed it would be centered on the bullying situation only, but was actually more focused on secondary plot lines in the character’s life.
The main character is very similar to me and I genuinely liked her. Her character development was slow but good. And though some of her reactions were a bit annoying, they made sense to her person and her situation. I loved her Latin American heritage (Cuban and Dominican) and how that translated to a lot of Spanish and Spanglish phrases in the book which I thought was a great thought and made me feel at home.
The end was awesome as well, so much so that I was originally going to give this three starts but raised it one because of the ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I’d recommend it.
vegprincess's review against another edition
4.0
I first learned about this book on YouTube a few months ago. The title alone intrigued me so I knew I had to read it. This is one of those books every parent and teacher should read, as it's about bullying. The book is timely in that we hear stories about bullying daily, even among adults, so I think this book, the story, and the character of Piedad (Piddy)Sanchez, the narrator and protagonist, is relatable and real. While the bullying is a big part of the story, there are other elements and themes here that everyone, especially teens, can identify with, such as friendship, mother-daughter relationships, first love, loyalty, kindness and finding your way in the world. This book was based on the author's own experience in school which makes the story even more poignant. I'm glad I followed my instinct and read this , and I plan on reading more of Meg Medina's books.
likeboadicea's review against another edition
2.0
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass deals with a topic that seems to grow more and more relevant with each passing generation: bullying and the consequences of it. Its unbelievably sad how frequently now the news features stories on kids who have taken their lives because of bullying and not feeling accepted. While I myself have never experienced bullying of this extreme, I thought this novel did an excellent job portraying the situation realistically, especially in how Piddy refused to turn to any authority figures for help in her plight. High schoolers rarely want to involve adults in situations such as this, both because they don't want to look weak to their peers, but also because they are trying to prove to themselves that they are grown up and can handle their problems on their own.
Medina seamlessly weaves in the conflict of diversity and the struggles of being Latina with the 'main' focus of bullying. The bits of Spanish throughout the novel were beautifully in character for our protagonist, and even though I don't speak any of the language, I think that it further solidifies Piddy's connection to her family and her heritage in an authentic manner. I enjoy how Piddy's heritage is an important element in the novel (it might even be linked to why Yaqui hates her so much), but I did not get the sense that it the biggest element. To me, its a story of a Latina girl who gets bullied, not a story about a girl who gets bullied because she's Latina. There's a big difference between those two.
I thought the author did a wonderfully bringing her characters to life, from Joey to Lila, but I was particularly fascinated by the mystery surrounding Yaqui's character (who's important enough to get her name in the title) throughout the novel. I kept expecting her to play a bigger role in the story, that the reader might learn what made her so hard, or what the precise reasoning was for her distaste for Piddy. I was a little disappointed that her character remained a faraway figure for a majority of the story. But I was very happy that Piddy has a hopefully next chapter to her life! Its an important message to send to young adults that bullying can, indeed, be overcome.
Medina seamlessly weaves in the conflict of diversity and the struggles of being Latina with the 'main' focus of bullying. The bits of Spanish throughout the novel were beautifully in character for our protagonist, and even though I don't speak any of the language, I think that it further solidifies Piddy's connection to her family and her heritage in an authentic manner. I enjoy how Piddy's heritage is an important element in the novel (it might even be linked to why Yaqui hates her so much), but I did not get the sense that it the biggest element. To me, its a story of a Latina girl who gets bullied, not a story about a girl who gets bullied because she's Latina. There's a big difference between those two.
I thought the author did a wonderfully bringing her characters to life, from Joey to Lila, but I was particularly fascinated by the mystery surrounding Yaqui's character (who's important enough to get her name in the title) throughout the novel. I kept expecting her to play a bigger role in the story, that the reader might learn what made her so hard, or what the precise reasoning was for her distaste for Piddy. I was a little disappointed that her character remained a faraway figure for a majority of the story. But I was very happy that Piddy has a hopefully next chapter to her life! Its an important message to send to young adults that bullying can, indeed, be overcome.
thebrainlair's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. A wonderful addition to anti-bullying literature. A more realistic portrait with some hope thrown in. Pair this with Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia.
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
4.0
Meg Medina writes compelling characters and you'll come to love this cast by the end. The plot isn't necessarily the most original, but it does push things into a couple of unique directions. I do wish the book had dealt more with the fallout of everything, though. It's an excellent read and a stark reminder of just how bad things can get for literally no reason at all.
laflormorada's review against another edition
5.0
Piddy Sanchez is a good student. She actually likes school and wants to one day become a veterinarian. The only problem is when you live in a poor neighborhood in NY, it's hard to make a dream like that into reality. Especially after your mom takes you out of your old apt and school, where you actually had a life and friends, to move into a run-down house a few blocks away. This means a new school where people like Yaqui Delgado run things. Yaqui, the girl that hates her for no other reason than her "swishy butt".
Things couldn't be worse for Piddy. Her best friend moves away, she's a nobody in school, and Yaqui and her gang are out for blood. As she lives each day in greater fear, her grades and dreams slowly slip away. Who is the real Piddy? - The happy girl who was making something of herself or the girl who skips school and couldn't care less? It seems that only time will tell.
This is a great book. The writing is authentic and the way the bullying plays out is pretty realistic. The fact that Piddy's behavior (and life trajectory) changes so abruptly is completely believable considering her environment. Teens will definitely be able to relate to Piddy and her struggles, while adults can gain some useful tips on how to handle similar situations. The hopeful ending is empowering.
Things couldn't be worse for Piddy. Her best friend moves away, she's a nobody in school, and Yaqui and her gang are out for blood. As she lives each day in greater fear, her grades and dreams slowly slip away. Who is the real Piddy? - The happy girl who was making something of herself or the girl who skips school and couldn't care less? It seems that only time will tell.
This is a great book. The writing is authentic and the way the bullying plays out is pretty realistic. The fact that Piddy's behavior (and life trajectory) changes so abruptly is completely believable considering her environment. Teens will definitely be able to relate to Piddy and her struggles, while adults can gain some useful tips on how to handle similar situations. The hopeful ending is empowering.
megangraff's review against another edition
3.0
Bullying is such a tough topic and it can be hard for adults to help kids who are being bullied without making things worse. I found this to be a fairly believable story with a slightly overly tidy ending. I couldn't help wondering what would become of Yaqui.
reddyrat's review against another edition
4.0
I generally read reviews and synopses of books extensively before I go into them. So rarely am I surprised by what I find. For this book, I went into it blind. All I'd heard was that it was a good book, plus I'm trying to read more diversely. From the title and the cover, I expected this to be a funny, sarcastic romp. It definitely is not that.
This is a horrifying read of bullying and torture for absolutely no reason. Piddy is a good girl. She studies hard, gets good grades, works hard, is close to her mom - basically she is a normal, nice girl. All this changes when she is targeted for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. Bullying isn't a good word for what happens to Piddy. It's emotional abuse. Terrorization. This is a criminal level of harassment. It is really difficult to read.
You might think from the previous two paragraphs that I didn't like the book. Actually, I really liked it. Enjoy isn't the right word, because it's a hard book, but it's a very well crafted novel. Meg Medina does a wonderful job on showing how the abuse Yaqui Delgado inflicts changes Piddy. Piddy's unfortunately justified fear makes her into a different person. What's worst of all is that It felt very real and not at all sugar coated.
I also loved the relationship Piddy had with her mom and her mom's best friend Lila, who is basically like an aunt. Piddy's mom works hard, but is very caring and strong. Together with Lila, she provides a really supportive home for Piddy. Ostensibly, that doesn't help Piddy at all up against Yaqui, but I think it actually does - it gives her a strong base of love.
The book is very well written. I read the entire thing on a four hour plane ride. It flows well - essentially from one horror to the next. I hated seeing what was happening to Piddy, but I had faith in her and kept reading to see how she could gain some control of the situation. My only complaint is the addition of the sorta boyfriend, the local bad boy, Joey. He was tied into the plot well and served to highlight aspects of Piddy's character and family ties, but ultimately he felt tacked on. Like the typical - I have to have a love interest in a YA book.
You should definitely pick up this book. It's very well written and has great character development in Piddy and her family. Just don't expect fluffy bunnies. It's horrific and anyone who has been through any sort of bullying will unfortunately relate.
Recommendation: Buy-ish. Maybe borrow. Could go either way.
This is a horrifying read of bullying and torture for absolutely no reason. Piddy is a good girl. She studies hard, gets good grades, works hard, is close to her mom - basically she is a normal, nice girl. All this changes when she is targeted for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. Bullying isn't a good word for what happens to Piddy. It's emotional abuse. Terrorization. This is a criminal level of harassment. It is really difficult to read.
You might think from the previous two paragraphs that I didn't like the book. Actually, I really liked it. Enjoy isn't the right word, because it's a hard book, but it's a very well crafted novel. Meg Medina does a wonderful job on showing how the abuse Yaqui Delgado inflicts changes Piddy. Piddy's unfortunately justified fear makes her into a different person. What's worst of all is that It felt very real and not at all sugar coated.
I also loved the relationship Piddy had with her mom and her mom's best friend Lila, who is basically like an aunt. Piddy's mom works hard, but is very caring and strong. Together with Lila, she provides a really supportive home for Piddy. Ostensibly, that doesn't help Piddy at all up against Yaqui, but I think it actually does - it gives her a strong base of love.
The book is very well written. I read the entire thing on a four hour plane ride. It flows well - essentially from one horror to the next. I hated seeing what was happening to Piddy, but I had faith in her and kept reading to see how she could gain some control of the situation. My only complaint is the addition of the sorta boyfriend, the local bad boy, Joey. He was tied into the plot well and served to highlight aspects of Piddy's character and family ties, but ultimately he felt tacked on. Like the typical - I have to have a love interest in a YA book.
You should definitely pick up this book. It's very well written and has great character development in Piddy and her family. Just don't expect fluffy bunnies. It's horrific and anyone who has been through any sort of bullying will unfortunately relate.
Recommendation: Buy-ish. Maybe borrow. Could go either way.
avelasco7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25