Reviews - Turning Twelve: (A Graphic Novel)

39 reviews for:

Turning Twelve: (A Graphic Novel)

Kathryn Ormsbee

4.25 AVERAGE

39 reviews for:

Turning Twelve: (A Graphic Novel)

Kathryn Ormsbee

4.25 AVERAGE

bookittome's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring 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: Complicated

Content Warnings

23missb's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

redpanda100's review against another edition

4.75

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I really loved this book it was so great and so amazing I would read it again and again and again. The one thing I don’t like is

that’s she never tells anyone that she’s a lesbian and that upsets me because I want to know if her family does or doesn’t except her. I know her sister will but I don’t know about her parents.

But other than that this book was SO AMAZING.

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

It’s okay to disappoint other people. It’s what you want for your life that matters. Don’t let others squish you into their box.

Things I Loved —

Coming of age in the late 90s and early aughts were THE BEST. I loved this throwback and glimpsing all the nods to this time in history. The clothes, the decor, the sayings, the snail mail… yes. Reading this graphic novel was like speaking straight to middle school Danielle and I loved it.
Even though most of us experience our first crush around this time (11-12), I’m not sure the feeling of crushes feeling amazing and terrible simultaneously ever really goes away no matter what age you might be.
I loved seeing Katie come into her own through her experience acting in Annie. Acting seems to be an outlet many people use to work through the challenges they are experiencing in their every day lives.
Changing friendships are so normal at this age. I’m so glad to see this normalized - friends moving away, friendships growing, changing, and evolving.

Things That Didn’t Work For Me —

While I know this was all accurate both during this time period and for this religious group, I hated seeing Katie told she couldn’t like someone just because of her/their gender. Again, I know this was set during a different time but I hate young people seeing that in literature and possibly having things they have heard said to them “reaffirmed” in a setting that should be safe for them.
The first book, Growing Pains, had a large focus on Katie’s OCD. While I know she said she had a better handle on it, I was surprised how little it was mentioned in this book. It was almost like it went away? Maybe my mental health journey is different but I’ve never had my mental illness practically disappear, even with medication and treatment. I wish this had been a little bit more present throughout this story.

Thank you to Random House Children’s, Random House Graphic, and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Content Warnings