Scan barcode
roseleaf24's review
4.0
Genie is headed to rural Virginia to spend a month with his grandparents -- who he's never met. His big brother, Ernie, is coming, too, but his parents have been having some problems and are going to Jamaica to get some time to work on them. Genie has a lot to worry about, and he's good at worrying. He's also good at asking questions, and he has a lot of them as the Brooklyn boy adjust to life in the country. I really appreciated this gently told story, and could identify a lot with several of the characters. I loved the warmth of the family, though it is not a perfect family, and the way we see the flaws of the adults through the eyes of children who love them. We all have personal challenges, both inside and outside of ourselves, and this novel does an excellent job of showing this and exploring the concept of bravery.
katrinareadsbooks's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
craftyanty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the book but found the ending abrupt.
Audiobook narrator was very good, especially voicing of Grandpa.
Audiobook narrator was very good, especially voicing of Grandpa.
aliyas_encanto's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Jason Reynolds brings a deeply authentic an honest voice to the character of 11-year-old Genie. His character has infectious little brother energy and such an inquisitive min, that you couldn't help but love him. When the Brooklyn-born brothers go to stay with their southern grandparents, I don't think either pair knew just how much they could learn from one another and heal in their world view and connection as a family. Love love love reading black boy joy and this book makes me want to feel less ashamed in my wonder (as it really is a part of what makes us human).
bickie's review
4.0
Authentic 11-year-old voice, though told in 3rd person primarily through his perspective. Addresses many issues children experience - unfamiliarity with certain terms and guesses about what they mean, reluctance to try new things, adults with mysterious behavior and difficult backgrounds, guilt and shame, uncertainty about how to handle situations. While this book covers many tough topics (Jim Crow past, war trauma, guilt and shame passed generation to generation), it does so in a way accessible to the target middle-grade audience, mixing a poop-slinging game with the fact that a blind grandfather is too "concerned" (aka scared) to go outside of his own house. Best for ages 9-12 [2-3 mild curse words such as pissed, damn, hell; mild romance (crush, hand-holding) of older (age 14) brother); complex issues but not really delving into older-kid identity too much].
kaitidid's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
5.0
heyhank's review
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sarahanne8382's review
4.0
As usual, Jason Reynolds delivers a solid middle-grade story, with the excellent audio narration of Guy Lockhart.
Brothers Genie and Ernie leave their home in the Bronx for a summer in rural Virginia with their grandparents. The set up reminds me of all my cousins who would come to visit for the summer because I lived near our grandparents who lived in the country, and they lived in far off cities.
I enjoyed getting a Reynolds story in a different setting than usual, but still full of everything that makes his stories great.
Brothers Genie and Ernie leave their home in the Bronx for a summer in rural Virginia with their grandparents. The set up reminds me of all my cousins who would come to visit for the summer because I lived near our grandparents who lived in the country, and they lived in far off cities.
I enjoyed getting a Reynolds story in a different setting than usual, but still full of everything that makes his stories great.
jessicary's review
3.0
Even though I gave this one three stars, it really is nourishing for the soul. I was reminded of my own grandparents and their quirks many times. While I definitely don't need a happy ending, I did feel like I wanted more closure between the dad and Grandpop. Or least a more in-depth conversation. This would be a heart warming read or a even a great read aloud for middle school students.