Scan barcode
savedbybooks's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The main character of this book will get on your nerves. Misery sure loves company. However, the surrounding characters demonstrates love & compassion. I would have given this book all 5 stars, but the ending felt rushed/unfinished. I was craving more of this story with its ending.
laurenexploresbooks's review against another edition
5.0
14 year old Gayle is sent to the South with her son Jose to her Aunt and Uncle’s house. Gayle is determined to get back to New York, but begins to learn and build roots by learning about her family history, and spending time with her cousin Cookie. She learns about her family’s faith and about her own place within her family’s history. This work is touching, difficult and openly discusses sexual experiences, thoughts, and boundaries. Tw: abortion.
cgreens's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm.
First, why do most of the reviews for this book sound like middle school book reports?
I don't even agree that this is necessarily "realistic fiction"--there is a touch of magical realism, or lyrical fiction, at the least.
The writing style is beautiful, and the story premise is wonderful. I am shocked I didn't enjoy this book more. But . . . I didn't. I wish it was longer and more descriptive, especially in terms of really painting a picture of the setting. There were some beautiful scenes, like when Cookie's "pride" compels her to ruin a church solo, but others that dragged. The Telling was hard not to skim through. I wonder if the author was shackled by needing a 14yo protagonist for the story premise but then being pigeon holed into writing a YA book. I actually think the whole premise of "writing to readers a few years younger than the protagonist" for YA/NA books falls apart for a lot of stories, and this is easily one of them. I think a longer book marketed to adults with the proper space to submerge the reader in the story would be spectacular.
First, why do most of the reviews for this book sound like middle school book reports?
I don't even agree that this is necessarily "realistic fiction"--there is a touch of magical realism, or lyrical fiction, at the least.
The writing style is beautiful, and the story premise is wonderful. I am shocked I didn't enjoy this book more. But . . . I didn't. I wish it was longer and more descriptive, especially in terms of really painting a picture of the setting. There were some beautiful scenes, like when Cookie's "pride" compels her to ruin a church solo, but others that dragged. The Telling was hard not to skim through. I wonder if the author was shackled by needing a 14yo protagonist for the story premise but then being pigeon holed into writing a YA book. I actually think the whole premise of "writing to readers a few years younger than the protagonist" for YA/NA books falls apart for a lot of stories, and this is easily one of them. I think a longer book marketed to adults with the proper space to submerge the reader in the story would be spectacular.
rakishabpl's review against another edition
5.0
A very well written, tightly edited realistic fiction for teens about a 14 year old mother sent to live down south with family members who don't like her. Except for a finale that tied up lose ends a little too perfectly, this book was great. It is perfect for reluctant readers and fans of urban or realistic fiction. I read three-quarters of it in 3 hours.
korilondon's review
5.0
This was AMAZING!!! I cried 2 times at the end and I’m really amazed this book doesn’t have more reviews! To think I stumbled across this looking for a book by Gayl Jones and figured I’d use this as a “light” read since the book I originally wanted wasn’t available!.
This book is Funny, relatable , thought provoking and I’m shocked it’s marketed towards teens just due to the subject matter , but then again the author is not discussing things that teens aren’t going through. But Do not let that stop you from reading this if you’re an adult (I’m an adult and I loved it lol)
**trigger warning this does deal with forced abortion , teen motherhood , and explicit content**
My issue with the cover of this book is they depicted the 14 year young mother as a brown /dark skinned girl when she is a light skinned girl. Disgusting they would not only get the cover wrong on the original but also on the updated version. Gayle is described as “yellow bone” there’s absolutely NO REASON to make her brown/dark skinned on the cover of this book except to play into colorism stereotypes. I blame this on the publisher !!
But as far as the writer this was a fantastic story! Great for mature teens and adults !
This book is Funny, relatable , thought provoking and I’m shocked it’s marketed towards teens just due to the subject matter , but then again the author is not discussing things that teens aren’t going through. But Do not let that stop you from reading this if you’re an adult (I’m an adult and I loved it lol)
**trigger warning this does deal with forced abortion , teen motherhood , and explicit content**
My issue with the cover of this book is they depicted the 14 year young mother as a brown /dark skinned girl when she is a light skinned girl. Disgusting they would not only get the cover wrong on the original but also on the updated version. Gayle is described as “yellow bone” there’s absolutely NO REASON to make her brown/dark skinned on the cover of this book except to play into colorism stereotypes. I blame this on the publisher !!
But as far as the writer this was a fantastic story! Great for mature teens and adults !
taralorraine's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked this book, but I thought the end was just too abrupt and unresolved where it should have been- at least a little bit.
And what was the point of view? 90% seemed limited, but then randomly there would be another characters thought, for just a second. Which was mildly confusing.
And what was the point of view? 90% seemed limited, but then randomly there would be another characters thought, for just a second. Which was mildly confusing.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this sounded interesting, because I can't even begin to know what it would be like to be a twice pregnant, African american 14 year old. It's a great book. Hard to put down, and there's something deeply compelling about Gayle's hard shell -- I was fascinated at the idea that one of the things your community does for you is to fight with with you, That snapping at each other is a healing thing. I loved her journey, even though it is certainly a hard one. And I particularly loved that she was always 100% into her kid. Not always a stellar exemplar of parenting, but definitely very attached and committed to him.
Being reissued, got the advanced reader's copy from Edelweiss.
Being reissued, got the advanced reader's copy from Edelweiss.
crowyhead's review against another edition
4.0
Gayle's fourteen and already has one baby; after she gets pregnant and has an abortion, her mother sends her south to live with her aunt and uncle in Georgia. At first she only thinks about escape, but gradually comes to be part of the family, after bonding with her fiesty great-grandmother, called Great. A quick read, and totally engaging; it manages to be both funny and moving and also totally realistic, which is an impressive feat.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite by Williams-Garcia, but still good!
amandajeanne's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0