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nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet, quiet book about healing, both mentally and physically. Scotty, a junior in high school, lives in East Cleveland with her dad, stepmother (who is a good friend to her), and seven-year-old autistic brother Keone. She has a great life, hanging out with friend Misha and trying to help gay friend Falcone get back together with his ex-boyfriend. But suddenly in October everything changes, in a tragic event that is foreshadowed in the beginning, as Scotty recalls that month as a turning point that shaped her future. I really liked the characters, especially Keone, and the way Johnson writes, so lyrical and smooth, poetic. She is adept at respecting the reader, not simply spelling everything out, so that you have to read between the lines sometimes. And there are a few surprises, too, where you think something has happened but in reality something else has occurred. I don't want to give too much away here. Great book, for fans of realistic fiction with emotional impact.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
2.0
This tightly written and subtle novel explores grief and loss. It's a quieter story that follows Scotty as she deals with losing a guy who was once her friend due to a small choice she believes she forced him into. Likewise, Scotty deals with her autistic brother's long-term hospital stay as a result of the same accident.
It's a sad story, but the way Scotty deals with death is through appreciating the little things going on in her life. She takes steps forward, but once in a while is knocked back into the grief.
While I think this is a realistic and accomplished story, I never connected with Scotty nor any of her friends. I found
Johnson's books aren't for reluctant readers, even though they're short. It's more for those readers who want a slower, more nuanced novel.
It's a sad story, but the way Scotty deals with death is through appreciating the little things going on in her life. She takes steps forward, but once in a while is knocked back into the grief.
While I think this is a realistic and accomplished story, I never connected with Scotty nor any of her friends. I found
Spoiler
her self-blame to be a little over the top. It was a tiny choice made on the part of Kris and not herself that caused his death -- it was all a matter of circumstance. She couldn't have predicted he'd skip his train storm nor that the train would have an accident afterward. It's realistic she'd carry guilt, but it didn't carry the whole story for me.Johnson's books aren't for reluctant readers, even though they're short. It's more for those readers who want a slower, more nuanced novel.
bookbabe16's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
atschakfoert's review against another edition
2.0
Not Johnson's strongest work. She really glossed over a lot of the tough stuff and placed her focus on trivial matters instead. For example, Scotty's brother is in a coma but she spends most of her time planning for homecoming? It just felt unbelievable to me.
mangofandango's review against another edition
4.0
A brief, subtle but simple story that ends satisfyingly. Lovely, solid writing.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Scotty is on the train with her 6-year-old autistic brother when there is an accident. As Scotty struggles with the aftermath and grief caused by the accident, she blames herself and has difficulty coming to grips with what happened.
Reminds me a bit of the Bluford series. I didn’t find it as compelling as some of Johnson’s other titles, such as First Part Last.
Reminds me a bit of the Bluford series. I didn’t find it as compelling as some of Johnson’s other titles, such as First Part Last.
bettyboop25's review against another edition
2.0
I feel like this book jumped around a lot, but it was quick and simple. I enjoyed the story and the characters.
martha_schwalbe's review against another edition
3.0
Just at the point I wanted to yell, "It isn't your fault, move on!" a wonderful scene would appear. Johnson's writing elicits strong visual images for me, one that stands out is the screen door. The funny thing is that I'm not even sure the door actually exists in the text.
I'd recommend this book to all students, but especially to reluctant readers.
I'd recommend this book to all students, but especially to reluctant readers.
tashrow's review
5.0
Johnson continues to write powerful books in a short format. Here we meet Scotty, a teenage girl who thinks of herself as rather bland, like tofu. The people around her seem more vibrant and complex like her little brother who has autism and enjoys trains, being naked, and eating cookies. Her best friends too seem to be more interesting to Scotty. Then in October everything changes because of a train accident. Scotty’s little brother is injured severely and another boy is killed. Scotty feels responsible for both of them, though she barely knew the other boy. This is a story that takes the small details of life and then shows how a single event can tear through, changing life forever.
Johnson writes like a poet, using unique symbolism to make her points. Scotty sees herself as tofu, bland until someone else adds flavor. Readers though will immediately understand that that is how Scotty views herself, not how the she actually is. Instead Scotty is an intriguing mix of teen angst, intelligence, and a big heart.
Johnson writes her characters in real life. They all read as real people, not even the parents becoming stereotypical. The teen boys are just as human as the main character, treating the girls with respect and friendship. It’s a refreshing change to see male secondary characters who are more than a stereotype too. When Scotty is grieving, the power of family and friendship together is obvious.
With its dynamic cover and short length, this book is sure to be picked up by teen readers. Here they will find a strong heroine who is intensely and utterly real. Appropriate for ages 13-15.
Johnson writes like a poet, using unique symbolism to make her points. Scotty sees herself as tofu, bland until someone else adds flavor. Readers though will immediately understand that that is how Scotty views herself, not how the she actually is. Instead Scotty is an intriguing mix of teen angst, intelligence, and a big heart.
Johnson writes her characters in real life. They all read as real people, not even the parents becoming stereotypical. The teen boys are just as human as the main character, treating the girls with respect and friendship. It’s a refreshing change to see male secondary characters who are more than a stereotype too. When Scotty is grieving, the power of family and friendship together is obvious.
With its dynamic cover and short length, this book is sure to be picked up by teen readers. Here they will find a strong heroine who is intensely and utterly real. Appropriate for ages 13-15.
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