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adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
The first time I read this book, I was in middle school and I fell in love with it. I loved the underdog story and how all of the plot lines were revealed to be so intricately interwoven. More than a decade later, I uncovered my copy and rereading it still brought me the same feelings of enthusiasm and interest that I remembered from my first experience with it.
Through the story, the author has a lot to say about racism, classism, the prison pipeline, and the exploitative nature of detainment centers. There is also an impressive smattering of commentary about the things adults do and say that (either intentionally or unintentionally) leave a lasting negative impression on how children view themselves. As an adult with a more informed perspective on these topics, I now understand how a story set in Texas turned out to have all of these elements, so I found myself stopping to let certain details sink in that I know I missed as a kid. I think the fact that it isn't preachy, instead painting a straightforward picture for the readers and saying "you decide if this is right or wrong," is what imprinted this story on my heart.
I only recently learned that there is a sequel and I am looking forward to seeing what happened to the other boys from Camp Green Lake!
Through the story, the author has a lot to say about racism, classism, the prison pipeline, and the exploitative nature of detainment centers. There is also an impressive smattering of commentary about the things adults do and say that (either intentionally or unintentionally) leave a lasting negative impression on how children view themselves. As an adult with a more informed perspective on these topics, I now understand how a story set in Texas turned out to have all of these elements, so I found myself stopping to let certain details sink in that I know I missed as a kid. I think the fact that it isn't preachy, instead painting a straightforward picture for the readers and saying "you decide if this is right or wrong," is what imprinted this story on my heart.
I only recently learned that there is a sequel and I am looking forward to seeing what happened to the other boys from Camp Green Lake!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Racism, Violence
Minor: Animal death, Death, Fatphobia, Blood, Vomit, Murder
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, Violence
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I really want to rewatch the movie now.
This is honestly pretty much the same as the movie there was nothing to different other then Stanley is overweight. This was fun but nothing amazing. I am glad I read it after loving the movie for so long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia
hopeful
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism