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gdietz1's review against another edition
4.0
I must say I was a bit skeptical in the beginning and the ending did feel a bit rushed, but my god was that a punch to the gut in just 180 pages
adriana_jgr's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
sarahshock's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
queerkidreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Overall, I liked this story a lot. It had some very touching moments, and I cried over the ending. The parallels between the ending and beginning of the book I really liked. The way Jacks parents (and Jack himself) immediately just took him in, and didn't care what anyone said, they were just so determined to love and help him, was very sweet. And of course, Josephs undying love for Madeline and Jupiter was touching, and really admirable as well. It was nice and short, and I probably could've read it in one sitting had I had the time. The writing was very easy to digest, hence why it was such a quick read apart from its short length.
That being said, I also had my issues with this book. Despite the writing being easily digestible, I also found it a bit immature, for a lack of better words. I suppose it makes sense, seeing as the main character, Jack, is 12 years old and the story is told from his perspective, but non the less, it didn't work for me. The pacing also felt kind of off, which might've been because of its only 183 pages, but still. Yes, the characters had many nice moments, but I still kind of felt like we didn't get to know the characters that well. I wouldn't say necessarily they lacked depth, some of them just seemed very simple. Maybe it was on purpose, or it might just have been me.
Criticism aside, I'm glad I read it, as it's very different from what I usually read, so it was a nice experience.
That being said, I also had my issues with this book. Despite the writing being easily digestible, I also found it a bit immature, for a lack of better words. I suppose it makes sense, seeing as the main character, Jack, is 12 years old and the story is told from his perspective, but non the less, it didn't work for me. The pacing also felt kind of off, which might've been because of its only 183 pages, but still. Yes, the characters had many nice moments, but I still kind of felt like we didn't get to know the characters that well. I wouldn't say necessarily they lacked depth, some of them just seemed very simple. Maybe it was on purpose, or it might just have been me.
Criticism aside, I'm glad I read it, as it's very different from what I usually read, so it was a nice experience.
allison_sirovy's review against another edition
5.0
Could not put this book down. Let me go and cry now.
jennah's review against another edition
5.0
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!! THE ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JAIL!
batsinthecastle's review against another edition
4.0
Woah.
Okay, so I don't really know where to start with this one and, admittedly, I had to take a few days to process.
1 star - The shortness in the length of the book both lent to reluctant readers as well as the quick pace of the story. Easily readable in a day.
2 stars - That being said, it makes up for its shortness in a depth of emotion and unexpected moments. This is great realistic fiction as well as a book for troubled teens.
3 stars - It also gives a very different take for today's teens. I was pretty sure it was set in present day Maine (which WOOT WOOT I loved! (Even if the author got Maine geography a bit wrong...)). However, there are several incidents that happen that make me question the time of this setting. Most teens have cellphones, or at least that is the presumption. But neither of these characters did, which was both good for them and also impacted them. I loved this disconnect to technology, it really brought me back to home, and I felt it added some layers to the world Schmidt created. However, I couldn't help but feel a juxtaposition between the information Joseph didn't know and what he could have read online, where I feel many kids get their information or keep up on each other. That beings said, it didn't matter, but was rather something that popped into my brain at some point.
4 stars - That cast of characters though! We had anyone from a gym teacher to a priest and all of them felt like the impacted the story somehow. Even the characters I hated (because they were meant to be hated) were so well fleshed out. I really liked out narrator and his take on cows too. He really was a beautiful little boy; even if he didn't always understand the situation, he found a way to interpret it.
An excellent read.
Okay, so I don't really know where to start with this one and, admittedly, I had to take a few days to process.
1 star - The shortness in the length of the book both lent to reluctant readers as well as the quick pace of the story. Easily readable in a day.
2 stars - That being said, it makes up for its shortness in a depth of emotion and unexpected moments. This is great realistic fiction as well as a book for troubled teens.
3 stars - It also gives a very different take for today's teens. I was pretty sure it was set in present day Maine (which WOOT WOOT I loved! (Even if the author got Maine geography a bit wrong...)). However, there are several incidents that happen that make me question the time of this setting. Most teens have cellphones, or at least that is the presumption. But neither of these characters did, which was both good for them and also impacted them. I loved this disconnect to technology, it really brought me back to home, and I felt it added some layers to the world Schmidt created. However, I couldn't help but feel a juxtaposition between the information Joseph didn't know and what he could have read online, where I feel many kids get their information or keep up on each other. That beings said, it didn't matter, but was rather something that popped into my brain at some point.
4 stars - That cast of characters though! We had anyone from a gym teacher to a priest and all of them felt like the impacted the story somehow. Even the characters I hated (because they were meant to be hated) were so well fleshed out. I really liked out narrator and his take on cows too. He really was a beautiful little boy; even if he didn't always understand the situation, he found a way to interpret it.
An excellent read.
cangel33's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mad_pall's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredibly sad. I am not a book crier. This and the book thief are the only books that have ever made me cry. I didn’t realize how harshly I could judge someone based on circumstances without knowing anything about them. This was so different than I expected. It is very short; so not a big commitment if you want to read it.