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welllovedspines's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
5.0
TL;DR: A middle-grade that can delight a reader of any age. Magical, lyrical, and capable of discussing difficult topics with strength and grace. Honestly one of the best books I've read in a really, really long time.
_____
The reason I read this book was simply due to it being an audiobook on Spotify. But I'm so glad that I did because I absolutely fell in love with it. I highly recommend the audiobook (narrator was incredible), and I will eventually be getting a physical copy to add to my shelves.
Kingston "King" James discovers that his brother transformed into a dragonfly in the bayou after his unexpected death, and his brother often visits him in his dreams to help him deal with the grief the family is experiencing. King grow so much from the start of the book, and even his mis-steps along the way provided opportunity for stepping into his real self.
Heavy topics like death, child abuse, racism, and homophobia are themes throughout this book, so please heed the trigger warnings. However, I think these topics are discussed with such honesty and showed strength in persevering. I think young readers dealing with similar things in their own lives would gain so much from how it was handled.
The atmosphere and voice in this book was incredible and made everything feel so real to me. I don't always read middle grade, but when I do I'm usually pleasantly surprised. Perhaps I should incorporate some into my reading schedules more often! My first experience reading Kacen Callendar's work was so utterly enjoyable. I will definitely be reading the other books they have written!
_____
The reason I read this book was simply due to it being an audiobook on Spotify. But I'm so glad that I did because I absolutely fell in love with it. I highly recommend the audiobook (narrator was incredible), and I will eventually be getting a physical copy to add to my shelves.
Kingston "King" James discovers that his brother transformed into a dragonfly in the bayou after his unexpected death, and his brother often visits him in his dreams to help him deal with the grief the family is experiencing. King grow so much from the start of the book, and even his mis-steps along the way provided opportunity for stepping into his real self.
Heavy topics like death, child abuse, racism, and homophobia are themes throughout this book, so please heed the trigger warnings. However, I think these topics are discussed with such honesty and showed strength in persevering. I think young readers dealing with similar things in their own lives would gain so much from how it was handled.
The atmosphere and voice in this book was incredible and made everything feel so real to me. I don't always read middle grade, but when I do I'm usually pleasantly surprised. Perhaps I should incorporate some into my reading schedules more often! My first experience reading Kacen Callendar's work was so utterly enjoyable. I will definitely be reading the other books they have written!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Death
michaelion's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
he just like me fr
But seriously, this is the second middle grade Callender book I've read and the only issue I have so far is the kids feel so young. King is uhh 13? In eighth or ninth grade? He feels much younger. I don't remember what I was like when I was in eighth and ninth grade, not fully, but I know I was a bit more mature. Then again, I am from a big city, and in hindisght I probably thought I was more mature than I was, but there are some things in the book where I thought "Okay now baby boy you should know about that by now." It's all perspective though I guess.
This book is perfect for readers of the same age, not old 20 year old hags like me. There's a little black 13 year old child who's gonna read this book and make it their entire personality. If it came out nine years ago, that child could've been me. And then when they turn twenty they'fe gonna look back and reread the book again for the first time in years and go, "Damn... he just like me fr."
Kacen Callender you will always be famous! ❤️ Call me.
But seriously, this is the second middle grade Callender book I've read and the only issue I have so far is the kids feel so young. King is uhh 13? In eighth or ninth grade? He feels much younger. I don't remember what I was like when I was in eighth and ninth grade, not fully, but I know I was a bit more mature. Then again, I am from a big city, and in hindisght I probably thought I was more mature than I was, but there are some things in the book where I thought "Okay now baby boy you should know about that by now." It's all perspective though I guess.
This book is perfect for readers of the same age, not old 20 year old hags like me. There's a little black 13 year old child who's gonna read this book and make it their entire personality. If it came out nine years ago, that child could've been me. And then when they turn twenty they'fe gonna look back and reread the book again for the first time in years and go, "Damn... he just like me fr."
Kacen Callender you will always be famous! ❤️ Call me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, Stalking, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Outing, and Police brutality
Minor: Abandonment
mandkips's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Child death
sierranorgan's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
VRC #2! I was not expecting this book to be what it was at all. I was surprised in the best sense. I will definitely read more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Outing, Death, and Grief
adriana1's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Domestic abuse
nerfie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Reading for my Children’s Lit class at Ithaca College
I find it crazy that this is marketed as middle grade. Such a strong, but heavy story—one that I don’t think could be told any other way, but might stress me out as a kid. I’m not sure if I would have been able to handle it while I was in the middle grade genre. Will be interesting to talk about it in class.
Books like this are so important to the canon. It’s a good way to introduce kids to diversity and grief.
I find it crazy that this is marketed as middle grade. Such a strong, but heavy story—one that I don’t think could be told any other way, but might stress me out as a kid. I’m not sure if I would have been able to handle it while I was in the middle grade genre. Will be interesting to talk about it in class.
Books like this are so important to the canon. It’s a good way to introduce kids to diversity and grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Violence
margotnelson's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse
parkmajor_books's review
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Child abuse, Racism, and Outing
purjosipuli's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, Racism, Homophobia, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Toxic friendship, Outing, Murder, and Hate crime