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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Great Gilly Hopkins for the contemporary tween - complete with adorable small kid, making friends, and figuring out what a mom can (or should) be and how you yourself can change the path you're on.
By chapter 14: So far, my 5th graders understand some but not all of the emotional and social nuances, and by the end, I'm not sure how they'll explain Carley's changed thoughts and behaviors, but they do really like the writing and characters. We'll see how their next book club meeting goes!
By chapter 14: So far, my 5th graders understand some but not all of the emotional and social nuances, and by the end, I'm not sure how they'll explain Carley's changed thoughts and behaviors, but they do really like the writing and characters. We'll see how their next book club meeting goes!
I've gone back and forth a few times about how I feel about this book. It's a quick read, and it was really engaging. I felt that Carley's voice was authentic, and that it would be an alright late elementary to middle school novel.
But the more I've thought about the book, the more I realize that the ending is really problematic, and borderline-harmful. None of the issues, primarily the fact that Carley was both physically and emotionally abused, are ever really addressed. As another reviewer commented, "Carley had no professional to express her feelings to - not the social worker, not an attorney, not a counselor, no one. No foster child who had been through what she went through would have been without a therapist." Plus the fact that, at the end of the novel, Carley is returned to the custody of a mother who was actively responsible for both physically and emotionally abusing Carley. The idea that her mother "really loving her" was enough for her to be returned to her care was not only absurd, but is an incredibly dangerous for young readers who may be in a similar position. Because of that, I can't in good conscience recommend this book.
But the more I've thought about the book, the more I realize that the ending is really problematic, and borderline-harmful. None of the issues, primarily the fact that Carley was both physically and emotionally abused, are ever really addressed. As another reviewer commented, "Carley had no professional to express her feelings to - not the social worker, not an attorney, not a counselor, no one. No foster child who had been through what she went through would have been without a therapist." Plus the fact that, at the end of the novel, Carley is returned to the custody of a mother who was actively responsible for both physically and emotionally abusing Carley. The idea that her mother "really loving her" was enough for her to be returned to her care was not only absurd, but is an incredibly dangerous for young readers who may be in a similar position. Because of that, I can't in good conscience recommend this book.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The girls in my class were passing this book around and told me that I simply had to read it. I did and am very glad that I did. I wept as I read this because of the struggles of both being a foster parent and being a foster kid present.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes