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woopsdontknowhowigothere's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
It wasn’t bad I think it just wasn’t what I particularly like to read
geggal's review against another edition
2.0
Picked this up at the library not realizing that it was just a bunch of lazily written prose. I liked the idea of this story but the execution was lackluster and the characters were flat.
agvis's review against another edition
2.5
I appreciate how realistic to life this book was and how it didn't try to force a cheesy, happy ending.
This book is extremely representative of present day student experiences. As a future teacher, I think, no matter what I believe concerning gender identity, compassion and respect are so so important. People lay on different sides of religion, politics, and society when it comes to topics like gender. Heck, I'm reading this book because the prompt for my college class' assigned book review was "Controversial Literature." But that shouldn't dismiss love from the conversation. This book is really good at getting into the heads of Vanessa, Brendan, and Angel. It opens perspective and reveals common adolescent worries and insecurities.
The way it read like poetry was interesting. The layout gave the look of it, but the words themselves still read like a typical novel, often without rhyme or pattern. In that sense, I think the writing fell a little short.
I have to say this book's topic jumped out at me more than the actual book itself (especially since I was choosing a book topic that fit within set class parameters). It was a solid story with a realistic and thematic plot. I just didn't find myself overly attached by the end of the story.
2.5 stars⭐️⭐️1/2
This book is extremely representative of present day student experiences. As a future teacher, I think, no matter what I believe concerning gender identity, compassion and respect are so so important. People lay on different sides of religion, politics, and society when it comes to topics like gender. Heck, I'm reading this book because the prompt for my college class' assigned book review was "Controversial Literature." But that shouldn't dismiss love from the conversation. This book is really good at getting into the heads of Vanessa, Brendan, and Angel. It opens perspective and reveals common adolescent worries and insecurities.
The way it read like poetry was interesting. The layout gave the look of it, but the words themselves still read like a typical novel, often without rhyme or pattern. In that sense, I think the writing fell a little short.
I have to say this book's topic jumped out at me more than the actual book itself (especially since I was choosing a book topic that fit within set class parameters). It was a solid story with a realistic and thematic plot. I just didn't find myself overly attached by the end of the story.
2.5 stars⭐️⭐️1/2
celjla212's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first novel I've read in free verse, and I have to be honest, it isn't my favorite way to read. The line breaks and shapes interrupt the flow of reading. The subtle messages aren't so subtle. But I get it, this novel wasn't really written for someone like me. In spite of all that, I enjoyed it.
The book is written from three different characters' points of view. Brendan, high school jock who's beginning to think maybe being a boy isn't what's right for him. His girlfriend, Vanessa, who is in love/infatuation with Brendan, to the point that she's left all her other friends behind. And Angel, who runs a teen center in Brendan's town, and happens to know what he's going through, being trans herself.
The Brendan sections by far stood out the most, but I understand why we needed to hear from Vanessa too. When something as huge as your gender identity is in flux, it doesn't only affect one person. Brendan's whole world is changing. You can't help but feel sorry for him, as going through something like questioning your gender is hard enough; but add in the stress of high school and it's almost too much to handle.
This was a quick read even though it's over 400 pages, because the pages contain so little text. I hope other kids who may be struggling with questions such as Brendan had will find solace knowing that they're not alone. For that reason, this book needed to be written.
The book is written from three different characters' points of view. Brendan, high school jock who's beginning to think maybe being a boy isn't what's right for him. His girlfriend, Vanessa, who is in love/infatuation with Brendan, to the point that she's left all her other friends behind. And Angel, who runs a teen center in Brendan's town, and happens to know what he's going through, being trans herself.
The Brendan sections by far stood out the most, but I understand why we needed to hear from Vanessa too. When something as huge as your gender identity is in flux, it doesn't only affect one person. Brendan's whole world is changing. You can't help but feel sorry for him, as going through something like questioning your gender is hard enough; but add in the stress of high school and it's almost too much to handle.
This was a quick read even though it's over 400 pages, because the pages contain so little text. I hope other kids who may be struggling with questions such as Brendan had will find solace knowing that they're not alone. For that reason, this book needed to be written.
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I liked it, but I don't think it really ever delved deep enough. And the best characters were not the ones the story mainly featured. I wanted to know more about them and less about Brendan the MC.
Review to come.
I liked it, but I don't think it really ever delved deep enough. And the best characters were not the ones the story mainly featured. I wanted to know more about them and less about Brendan the MC.
Review to come.
monicathiele11's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.0
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
4.0
From the outside, Brendan Chase seems to have it pretty easy. He’s a star wrestler, a video game aficionado, and a loving boyfriend to his seemingly perfect match, Vanessa. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong—why he sometimes fantasizes having long hair, soft skin, and gentle curves. Is there even a name for guys like him? Guys who sometimes want to be girls? Or is Brendan just a freak?
In Freakboy's razor-sharp verse, Kristin Clark folds three narratives into one powerful story: Brendan trying to understand his sexual identity, Vanessa fighting to keep her and Brendan’s relationship alive, and Angel struggling to confront her demons.
Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: beautifully diverse; I have such a huge soft-spot for verse novels; quick read, but packed with so much to think about; this approaches diversity and gender identity in a sensitive, mature way; also covers things like bullying, abuse, and suicidal ideations; there's also a huge focus on different types of family
I know Jesus says forgive but
I’m not Jesus— I’m just a girl with
a vacuum cleaner, suckin’ up shards,
and they may look like they’re gone
’cause you can’t see ’em,
but they’re poking around inside.
This verse novel, in my opinion, gets SO many things right. Much like Ellen Hopkins, Kristin Elizabeth Clark approaches such a wide variety of themes, emotions, and moods in her writing--offering readers an intimate glimpse both into human nature and ourselves. I have always had a soft spot for verse novels, though I don't get the chance to pick them up often. I really should work on that--they always leave me feeling broken, emotionally challenged... and so grateful for the experience.
In this novel, we follow three main perspectives-- Angel, Vanessa, and Brendan. Each approaches the same situation with unique and vastly different perspectives. Each made me reconsider, rethink, and readjust my perspective. Of course, there are more than just these three characters--and ALL of them are individualized, unique, and equally important. Even the bullies, even those whose opinions oppose what the narrative is striving to impart, brought this picture together...and helped to teach me, to shape me.
Kristin Elizabeth Clark took a challenging, difficult subject and attempted to push readers toward a different line of thinking. In my opinion, she achieved this with brilliance and poise. While the read isn't always easy--there are some very mature subjects broached, including bullying, abuse, and suicidal ideation--there are so many important, powerful morals/messages happening throughout. This read is so, SO important, in my opinion--especially in light of recent tragic events.
Long after you go down
and the vessel rusts apart
your bones sunken
buried in the ocean floor
I wonder if you miss people?
All this is to say... This book? Pick it up. Don't let the fact that it's written in verse hold you back--there is a heart-wrenching, powerful story to be found in these pages. No, let me rephrase that--there are at least three, but also so many more, powerful stories in these pages. Trigger warning for sensitive readers: topics include suicidal ideation; abuse (physical and emotional); assault; and bullying. If any of these are triggers for you, please be careful if you decide to pick this book up. This read will teach you something about human nature--and yourself--if you let it; even such short verse can go a long, long way and say so very much.
christajls's review against another edition
5.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
This is my second verse novel. The first one I read was ok. Interesting story but the poetry didn’t really add anything for me. If anything it was more of a distraction. With Freakboy I had the opposite reaction. The verse style really enhanced the emotion of the story, and really allowed me to get into the heads of the characters.
Freakboy is actually the story of three individuals – Brendan, Vanessa and Angel.
Brendan is at the centre of the story. On the surface he’s your average teenage boy. Does well at school, on the wrestling team, girlfriend who loves him. Life isn’t too bad. But that’s just the surface. Underneath things are a lot more confusing. His sexual identity feels more wibbly wobbly than all of time and space. Gay and straight don’t even begin to cover it. Freakboy does a gret job exploring the fluid nature of sexuality and sometimes our current language and labels aren’t enough to fully explain how we feel. This is where the verse style adds to the story – it allows Brenden to speak more freely about what he’s going through.
The same goes for Vanessa, Brenden’s girlfriend. She thinks she’s got it all in Brenden. A loving, caring boyfriend who sneaks her pancakes in bed. She’s so sure he’s all she needs, she’s willing to give up almost everything else for him, including her friends. But when Brendan starts pulling away from her, it sends her into a bit of an emotional roller coaster. This may be Brenden’s story but Freakboy illustrates that no person is island. Brendan may be the one struggling but those struggles have ripple effects.
And last but certainly not least is Angel. She is a male-to-female transexual who has already come to terms with who she is. She serves as a juxtaposition to Brenden who is trying to figure himself out. She was easily my favourite of the three. I loved her positive attitude and how strong she was despite everything that had happened to her. She serves as a bit of a mentor/guide for Brenden and I wished everyone who is questioning their sexual identity had someone like Angel to talk to.
Freakboy is totally a character driven novel. It explores the challenges of discovering who you are, and how “who you are” is never truly set in stone. I also appreciated that Freakboy presented sexuality as something that’s fluid. We shouldn’t necessarily try and stick labels on everything just to make ourselves feel more comfortable. Sometimes messy and complicated are what we need.
Even if you don’t think the novel in verse format is for you Freakboy is worth a shot. It made a convert out of me.
This is my second verse novel. The first one I read was ok. Interesting story but the poetry didn’t really add anything for me. If anything it was more of a distraction. With Freakboy I had the opposite reaction. The verse style really enhanced the emotion of the story, and really allowed me to get into the heads of the characters.
Freakboy is actually the story of three individuals – Brendan, Vanessa and Angel.
Brendan is at the centre of the story. On the surface he’s your average teenage boy. Does well at school, on the wrestling team, girlfriend who loves him. Life isn’t too bad. But that’s just the surface. Underneath things are a lot more confusing. His sexual identity feels more wibbly wobbly than all of time and space. Gay and straight don’t even begin to cover it. Freakboy does a gret job exploring the fluid nature of sexuality and sometimes our current language and labels aren’t enough to fully explain how we feel. This is where the verse style adds to the story – it allows Brenden to speak more freely about what he’s going through.
The same goes for Vanessa, Brenden’s girlfriend. She thinks she’s got it all in Brenden. A loving, caring boyfriend who sneaks her pancakes in bed. She’s so sure he’s all she needs, she’s willing to give up almost everything else for him, including her friends. But when Brendan starts pulling away from her, it sends her into a bit of an emotional roller coaster. This may be Brenden’s story but Freakboy illustrates that no person is island. Brendan may be the one struggling but those struggles have ripple effects.
And last but certainly not least is Angel. She is a male-to-female transexual who has already come to terms with who she is. She serves as a juxtaposition to Brenden who is trying to figure himself out. She was easily my favourite of the three. I loved her positive attitude and how strong she was despite everything that had happened to her. She serves as a bit of a mentor/guide for Brenden and I wished everyone who is questioning their sexual identity had someone like Angel to talk to.
Freakboy is totally a character driven novel. It explores the challenges of discovering who you are, and how “who you are” is never truly set in stone. I also appreciated that Freakboy presented sexuality as something that’s fluid. We shouldn’t necessarily try and stick labels on everything just to make ourselves feel more comfortable. Sometimes messy and complicated are what we need.
Even if you don’t think the novel in verse format is for you Freakboy is worth a shot. It made a convert out of me.
rapidlyrena's review against another edition
5.0
OMG this was an amazing book!
The story was great, the way it was written was perfect, the message it sends.
I mean even the the fluidity of the verses were representation of his gender fluidity. This book opens your eyes to see the difficulty transgender people have it. I mean even at the end of the book Angel warns him not to tell his parents because his parents would most likely shun his transgender side, and that it would be easier to have a life if he goes to college.
It really is inspiring that the author went through the trouble doing the research.
The story was great, the way it was written was perfect, the message it sends.
I mean even the the fluidity of the verses were representation of his gender fluidity. This book opens your eyes to see the difficulty transgender people have it. I mean even at the end of the book Angel warns him not to tell his parents because his parents would most likely shun his transgender side, and that it would be easier to have a life if he goes to college.
It really is inspiring that the author went through the trouble doing the research.