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cassandraswan's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
pich's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Death
brookefrye's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
shannonsheedlo's review
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Child abuse
freppy's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
this is a stunning read. Kit, the narrator, speaks in the voice of a keen observer as she grows up in a family of mixed race and limited means with heart and grit and resourcefulness. She speaks to us from a school where she has been sent after her life has been unalterably changed by people of professed "faith." The school is a web of terrors. Kit is a survivor and ultimately, a hero of this incredibly powerful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Child abuse
rachelle_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Wow. I went into this book expecting a lot of residential school horror. That was there. But the bigger story was the compelling point of view of the young protagonist, an elementary school student (3rd-4th grade) trying to make sense of the world around her during a whole lot of family turmoil and grownups disagreeing on what’s in her best interest.
I was especially drawn into the exploration of when to push back against oppressive systems/people and when to accept them quietly, although not willingly.
I will be reflecting on this book for a long time to come and seeking out more by this author.
I was especially drawn into the exploration of when to push back against oppressive systems/people and when to accept them quietly, although not willingly.
I will be reflecting on this book for a long time to come and seeking out more by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
lcg527's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness
autumn_alwaysreadingseason's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Heartbreaking.
I thought I was prepared for how devastating this was going to get after reading about residential schools in Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse, but Verble wrote details that were extremely difficult to read. She perfectly captured the innocence of childhood and broke down how it can be lost. The series of events that occur was so maddening and when you think about how this is based on real events, it adds fuel to the rage.
After her mother dies, Kit spends her days fishing to put food on the table for herself and her father. One day, she notices that a woman, Bella, has moved into her Uncle's old shack and she becomes curious about her. Two different cars visit Bella frequently and Kit wants to know what's going on there. She aims to befriend Bella and succeeds. But her friendship will be the catalyst for everything that follows, ultimately sending Kit to a Christian boarding "school."
I thought I was prepared for how devastating this was going to get after reading about residential schools in Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse, but Verble wrote details that were extremely difficult to read. She perfectly captured the innocence of childhood and broke down how it can be lost. The series of events that occur was so maddening and when you think about how this is based on real events, it adds fuel to the rage.
After her mother dies, Kit spends her days fishing to put food on the table for herself and her father. One day, she notices that a woman, Bella, has moved into her Uncle's old shack and she becomes curious about her. Two different cars visit Bella frequently and Kit wants to know what's going on there. She aims to befriend Bella and succeeds. But her friendship will be the catalyst for everything that follows, ultimately sending Kit to a Christian boarding "school."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Child abuse
Moderate: Murder
dominmuenster's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
reading_rainbow_with_chris's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“Stealing” by Margaret Verble
CW: Rape, child abuse
Kit is a young Cherokee girl who has experienced a lot of sadness for her age, but her indomitable spirit and curiosity about the world keeps her moving forward. Her curiosity is what leads her to meet the woman who moved into her late Uncle Joe’s cabin, and her world starts to unfold around her. I am deliberately trying to be vague in this review because a significant amount of the impact of the book is how Verble passes the revelation of information, so I will stop with any indication of the plot. What I will say is that Verble has a deft hand at handling sensitive topics. She doesn’t shy away from hard moments, but they still have a sense of delicacy to them in a way that shows they aren’t about excess or shock; they are needed for the narrative. My one critique for the novel is that I don’t particularly care for the narrator voice. For me, it felt as if Verble were trying to write with three different voices: author, 9-year old Kit, and older Kit. As a result, I don’t feel I got a clear sense of character in the voice. However, it’s not so far off; a minor adjustment in any direction would give it more character, and it is certainly not such a distraction as to take away from this heartwrenching and important novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Child abuse
Minor: Gun violence and Alcoholism