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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I knew the ending was coming, and it still got me.
Just sitting here crying at a 128-page children's book.
Just sitting here crying at a 128-page children's book.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
Jesse Aarons is the class misfit. Something of a dreamer, and a talented artist, he just doesn't fit in with his practical, competitive classmates. But Leslie Burke moves next door at the beginning of their fifth-grade year, and the two eventually become best friends. Leslie shows him that a different life is possible.
I'll just say it--this book irritated me to no end. It was crawling with Southern stereotypes. For a book that's trying to show that there's a place for everyone in the world, I just really found that unacceptable. It seemed like most of the characters went by two names: May Belle, Joyce Ann, Wanda Kay. I'm sure there were more. And then there was the fact that everyone, except for Jesse, Leslie, and her family, couldn't speak without throwing a double negative in there. It happens. It's not as bad as this book makes it sound. And then there was the way that all the poor kids were stupid, narrow-minded, and ignorant, and their parents beat them when they weren't in jail. Give me a break.
Had I read this when I was younger, I would probably have overlooked all of that and just focused on the story of the beautiful friendship between Jesse and Leslie and how she showed him that there is a bigger world out there and how we should always show each other kindness. That's a great message. But I didn't read it when I was younger and right now I just don't care.
I'll just say it--this book irritated me to no end. It was crawling with Southern stereotypes. For a book that's trying to show that there's a place for everyone in the world, I just really found that unacceptable. It seemed like most of the characters went by two names: May Belle, Joyce Ann, Wanda Kay. I'm sure there were more. And then there was the fact that everyone, except for Jesse, Leslie, and her family, couldn't speak without throwing a double negative in there. It happens. It's not as bad as this book makes it sound. And then there was the way that all the poor kids were stupid, narrow-minded, and ignorant, and their parents beat them when they weren't in jail. Give me a break.
Had I read this when I was younger, I would probably have overlooked all of that and just focused on the story of the beautiful friendship between Jesse and Leslie and how she showed him that there is a bigger world out there and how we should always show each other kindness. That's a great message. But I didn't read it when I was younger and right now I just don't care.
3.5/5
So I’ve had this book for a long time, and I’m sure I read it as a kid, but I honestly couldn’t remember the storyline. I didn’t cry while reading it, but it was such a beautiful story with a bittersweet ending. Definitely a heartbreaking and moving story about friendship and loss… now excuse me while I go watch the movie.
So I’ve had this book for a long time, and I’m sure I read it as a kid, but I honestly couldn’t remember the storyline. I didn’t cry while reading it, but it was such a beautiful story with a bittersweet ending. Definitely a heartbreaking and moving story about friendship and loss… now excuse me while I go watch the movie.
I actually thought this book was Christian for some reason lol.
It was okay, like the two stars says ;-)
A mention of b---- as a verb, and lots of spiritual stuff mixed in with Christianity. Leslie is an experimenter, basically.
It was okay, like the two stars says ;-)
A mention of b---- as a verb, and lots of spiritual stuff mixed in with Christianity. Leslie is an experimenter, basically.
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Extremely 90s book, reference to startrek and twinkies. Other than that, first watched the movie as child. Now listening to the book as an adult, damn it still hurts.