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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Not every teen is planning for college, some are transitioning straight into adulthood, working minimum wage jobs and staying home. Not every teen follows a direct path in their sexuality, some are still exploring their feelings, surprised when they are attracted to someone they didn't expect. Ramona lives in a trailer with her dad, her pregnant sister, and her sister's boyfriend. She works 3 jobs, is FIERCELY loyal to her family, and just got dumped by her girlfriend. This is a great example of character development in a novel, and there are teens who will find it slow, while others feel like they've moved to Mississippi with Ramona and really gotten to know her and her small gang of friends. This is a fantastic book in many ways, but it takes a long time to get there. It definitely feels like real life, with all of Ramona's frustrations and her reluctance to plan for the future.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There's some controversy around this book, because it centers on a high school girl questioning her sexuality... but in the opposite direction than we've more often seen (she's gay, but attracted to a boy for the first time). Some readers worried that such a story would belittle the experience of gay teens, or suggest that they would "get over it" once they met the right boy/girl.
That underestimates the novel. Julie Murphy handles that negotiation thoughtfully and compassionately, and deserves more credit than those initial responses gave her. Teen lives are complicated! Sexuality is complicated! It seems reasonable--even valuable--to acknowledge that in a YA novel.
That underestimates the novel. Julie Murphy handles that negotiation thoughtfully and compassionately, and deserves more credit than those initial responses gave her. Teen lives are complicated! Sexuality is complicated! It seems reasonable--even valuable--to acknowledge that in a YA novel.
A very socially relevant book although a bit long winded. Perhaps there is just too much stuff in the book.
It doesn't make sense to me, how you can not know. But I guess I don't have to get it, do I? I just gotta be here for you. And I am. Just so you know.
I think this book is the perfect definition of a solid 3 star read for me. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't head over heels in love with any parts of the story. Every single part of this book was just ok for me. I didn't really connect with the story and I think it could have had more discussion on the different issues it brought up. Also, I usually love character study type books where nothing really happens and it just ends. But this one didn't connect with me in the same way that those types of books usually do. I can't put my finger on why this book didn't really do it for me, as there wasn't anything obviously terrible or unpleasant about it.
However, the one thing I really loved was the discussion of sexual identities and having a character that is unsure about their identity and is very fluid with their sexuality. This aspect was refreshing for a young adult book.
I think this book is the perfect definition of a solid 3 star read for me. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't head over heels in love with any parts of the story. Every single part of this book was just ok for me. I didn't really connect with the story and I think it could have had more discussion on the different issues it brought up. Also, I usually love character study type books where nothing really happens and it just ends. But this one didn't connect with me in the same way that those types of books usually do. I can't put my finger on why this book didn't really do it for me, as there wasn't anything obviously terrible or unpleasant about it.
However, the one thing I really loved was the discussion of sexual identities and having a character that is unsure about their identity and is very fluid with their sexuality. This aspect was refreshing for a young adult book.
I thought this book slow in the beginning, but I really like where it ended up, and that for me it grew more interesting as it went on. I think the reminder of Katrina's impact is good, but mainly I like having a female character that is allowed to come of age, and know that the most important part of her sexuality is who she chooses. Oh, and I like all the supporting characters, except maybe her family.
*4.5 stars
When I started this, I was unsure if I was going to be into it, just like I was with the other Julie Murphy book I read a couple of months ago, Dumplin'. However, I REALLY ended up enjoying this. Ramona felt so real, and I loved reading her interactions with all of the different characters.
I docked half a star mostly because it felt a weeee bit too long, and I had hoped for a little bit more f/f romance (not that I'm really disappointed with how the romantic plot line went... it was mostly just expectation from blurbs and reviews).
Overall, surprisingly loved this and am excited to continue to read Murphy's other stories!
When I started this, I was unsure if I was going to be into it, just like I was with the other Julie Murphy book I read a couple of months ago, Dumplin'. However, I REALLY ended up enjoying this. Ramona felt so real, and I loved reading her interactions with all of the different characters.
I docked half a star mostly because it felt a weeee bit too long, and I had hoped for a little bit more f/f romance (not that I'm really disappointed with how the romantic plot line went... it was mostly just expectation from blurbs and reviews).
Overall, surprisingly loved this and am excited to continue to read Murphy's other stories!
I absolutely loved this. My favorite Julie Murphy book to date, hands down.