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mdevlin923's review against another edition
2.0
Meryl Lee Kowalksi is being sent to St. Elene's Preparatory Academy as a change of scenery. Meryl Lee is reeling from the death of her friend, Holling...and her parents don't want her to witness the decline of their marriage. Throughout the year, Meryl Lee copes with her grief, and builds community in many small, surprising ways.
I wasn't a fan of the writing style (jumping back and forth between POV / setting / timeline). I was also very disappointed that Holling's death wasn't really explained...especially since his story ended with so much hope. For it to be shattered without much care for the reader made me sad. As a "follow up" to The Wednesday Wars, it couldn't compare.
I wasn't a fan of the writing style (jumping back and forth between POV / setting / timeline). I was also very disappointed that Holling's death wasn't really explained...especially since his story ended with so much hope. For it to be shattered without much care for the reader made me sad. As a "follow up" to The Wednesday Wars, it couldn't compare.
_reading_with_kate_'s review against another edition
I 100% picked up this book because of the hockey stick on the cover... imagine my surprise when they play field hockey but never, ever touch an ice hockey stick. Though I would not have read the book without the presence of the deceptive sports equipment, I was not mad about it. I really enjoyed it and would love to grow up to be Dr. MacKnockater. (I am also putting this on my "hockey" bookshelf, the first field hockey book in over 100 titles.)
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
4.0
I love books set in Maine, especially books set in Maine in the 1960s (Brunswick, Bath, and Harpswell are prominently featured). This book is told from two perspectives. Meryl Lee has just suffered a tragedy so her parents send her to a girls boarding school in Maine to have a fresh start. Thirteen year old Matt mysteriously appears in the same town and you learn about his life and the traumas he has suffered through flashbacks. Because it’s set in the 60s you get some introduction to the Vietnam War, though mean Mrs. Connolly does not think it a suitable topic for conversation, especially for girls. This book has a great cast of characters (though very little diversity, as is the way in Maine) and for me, boarding schools are a fascinating setting. There is a teacher who made my blood boil, as she was supposed to do, and I found myself imagining her as the Wicked Witch of the West. I really loved how Schmidt revisited other characters from his other books in this one.
This is just a great read with great characters in a great setting!
This is just a great read with great characters in a great setting!
roseleaf24's review against another edition
5.0
It was so good to pick up a book I couldn't put down. My last few reads have not been like that. This was beautiful and funny and suspenseful. As usual, Schmidt does not shy away from the brutal parts of life, but wraps them in Hope.
tracepowers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
librariansrule's review against another edition
5.0
Too much times passes between Schmidt novels, so I try to read them slowly so as to make them last longer.
It never works.
I love his respect for people. For kids and their feelings, for adults and their perspectives.
It never works.
I love his respect for people. For kids and their feelings, for adults and their perspectives.
meggratopp's review against another edition
5.0
I so enjoyed this book! The differing perspectives added a really cool dimension to the story, and the main characters were compelling. I love the way the author describes grief as “the blank” and allows the adolescent characters to dive into their own baggage, ask for help, and find solace in their friendship. Highly recommend this one!
avonleagal's review against another edition
5.0
this is like my fourth time reading this book and the ending gets me every time.
so many good things in this book. it is, however, a bit unfinished at the end. In a good way. In real life, not everything turns out perfectly in the end. but anyway I love it. and Matt. And Marylee.
so many good things in this book. it is, however, a bit unfinished at the end. In a good way. In real life, not everything turns out perfectly in the end. but anyway I love it. and Matt. And Marylee.
lrosenzweig23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No