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vivianbernard2012's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Lila and Hadley is definitely a book that should be read! I liked it a lot! So much, in fact, that I finished in less than two days!
It made me smile a lot especially when it mentioned (spoiler:) Shelby and how nice she was.
I liked that Hadley was very troubled and lost. I feel like she had real concerns and thought the way a kid should. (I see that in many children's books like this one; the main character acted too mature and adult-like.)
It even included LGBTQ+ characters in it. It acted like it was a natural and normal thing which I really like.
The only thing that I personally felt was needed was more action and suspense. I mean, really, it was great as it was, but for me to keep reading, I have to have something that makes me laugh, or gasp, or makes me think: what in the world just happened? It was honestly amazing for what it was and it didn't really need that action or suspense. I just happen to like books like that. Would definitely be a 5 star read to those who like books by Judy Blume or something of that sort.
It made me smile a lot especially when it mentioned (spoiler:) Shelby and how nice she was.
I liked that Hadley was very troubled and lost. I feel like she had real concerns and thought the way a kid should. (I see that in many children's books like this one; the main character acted too mature and adult-like.)
It even included LGBTQ+ characters in it. It acted like it was a natural and normal thing which I really like.
The only thing that I personally felt was needed was more action and suspense. I mean, really, it was great as it was, but for me to keep reading, I have to have something that makes me laugh, or gasp, or makes me think: what in the world just happened? It was honestly amazing for what it was and it didn't really need that action or suspense. I just happen to like books like that. Would definitely be a 5 star read to those who like books by Judy Blume or something of that sort.
sandyrabanana's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jackesq's review against another edition
4.0
Was expecting a simple story like a “who rescued who” bumper sticker and it was that but had more depth. Add to that the accurate depiction of a blind teenager and it became a very good book.
abigailbat's review against another edition
After Hadley's mom goes to prison, Hadley is shuttled off to live with her older sister Beth in Kentucky, away from all her friends and the only home she's ever known. Hadley's not happy about it and she refuses to take her mom's nightly phone calls. Beth works as a dog trainer at a local dog rescue. Hadley's not a dog person. But when she happens to be the one person that shelter dog Lila responds to, Beth convinces her to bring Lila home and try to work with her so she can be adopted. As Hadley works with Lila and has success, she comes around to the idea of doing mobility training to help her manage as she loses her sight to a progressive disability. This is a summer unlike any Hadley ever pictured, but it will change Hadley's life forever.
This is a wonderful own-voices story that will appeal to readers who love dog stories or who like books about kids dealing with big family issues. Hadley's strong voice makes her story leap off the page and the details about her handling her progressive blindness add much to the story. Hand to fans of Because of Winn Dixie, Just Like Jackie, or Fighting Words.
This is a wonderful own-voices story that will appeal to readers who love dog stories or who like books about kids dealing with big family issues. Hadley's strong voice makes her story leap off the page and the details about her handling her progressive blindness add much to the story. Hand to fans of Because of Winn Dixie, Just Like Jackie, or Fighting Words.
kristinakg's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.0
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
3.0
This is a middle grade novel (pretty sure) about a girl who's going blind and befriends a dog that doesn't like people. It's a sweet story about growing and the grieving process. Definitely a great book for young readers going through a big change.
lovelyannalee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The best thing about this novel was the dogs, but that’s obvious, right? I didn’t hate Lila and Hadley, but I didn’t really love it either. I thought that Hadley being legally blind was really interesting, but it didn’t feel like it was that big of a plot point—it seems like she just talked a lot about how she was afraid of people judging her more than her actually dealing with her condition. I wish that there would’ve been more scenes of her navigating life with low vision.
I also hated Hadley’s personality. She didn’t get better at the end at all, and I’m tired of these young adult/middle-grade novels portraying characters that are super bratty without any repercussions. You can be angry and frustrated and confused, but the sheer amount of yelling, shrugging, eye-rolling, and huffing that Hadley grated my nerves!!
I also hate, hate, HATE how Michelle magically found her way to the shelter and was able to identify Lila as her dog. It’s so super convenient that she went to jail … for stealing dog food?? That sounds so ridiculous and I don’t like how that was Hadley’s eye-opening moment to realize that her mother’s theft was also somehow justified? It seems like the author was trying to say, “Hey, breaking the law sometimes is okay if you’re doing it virtuously!” Like, no?? That’s why you go to jail???
Anyway, the novel was just okay—by far not the worst novel I’ve read recently.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
gidget1982's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. However, I could not get past the way Hadley talked - there were way to many aint’s and don’t gottas for me. Just because she’s from Tennessee doesn’t mean she has to speak incorrectly. I thought it was very stereotypical. Otherwise, I loved the premise of Hadley, a young girl who is going through some very difficult childhood trauma (she is going blind and Mom is in jail), working with a depressed shelter dog and figuring some things out about herself along the way.
aprilshowersnc's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet book. Frantically trying to get my read harder challenge complete.. checking another off the list