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drraytay's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Ableism, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Bullying
bibliophile_elizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
I absolutely DEVOURED Anna Sortino's debut novel, Give Me a Sign, when I read it in 2023, and this book was no different! I read it from "cover" to "cover" in a day! Truthfully, I liked her first book better, but her sophomore release holds space for just as touching, timely, and nuanced discussions around the disabled experience.
What I LOVED:
What I LOVED:
- The sobering message that anyone, at any time, can become disabled. We've talked about this a lot in the last few years in terms of (long) COVID, when even people who had been "healthy" their entire lives were put on ventilators and suffering from symptoms long after testing negative again. Especially when we're young, we think about disability as something that happens to us later in life (we all get old, then have trouble taking care of ourselves). This is Jackson's perception at the beginning of the book. But like Jackson, young people can become disabled when they're... well, young.
- How even well-intentioned parents can hurt us. Jackson's dad pushes him WAY too hard to always be moving ("hey son, let's go do CrossFit training after you played a scrimmage all morning"). His mom is basically anti-vax (she regrets getting him vaccinated so he could go to public school) and believes in homeopathic medicine. Both his parents are skeptical of traditional medicine and only rush him to the doctor/hospital when something is SERIOUSLY wrong. Jackson's diagnosis is a miniscule come-to-Jesus moment for them (mainly for his dad; his mom still researches 'alternative' treatments and tries to control his diet).
- The importance of finding community. When Ellie is forced to mainstream after her Deaf school is shut down, she loses her Deaf community that she had built over the last five years. She returns home to a hearing family who never bothered to learn sign and doesn't understand why she needs hearing breaks (her mother tells her that unless she is sleeping, she MUST have her cochlear and hearing aid in). She is now the only deaf student at her school and must rebuild that sense of community. I loved her little found family and the Deaf House. After his diagnosis, an essential part of Jackson's healing comes from finding community in the MS group.
- Ellie's nuanced perspective on disability pride. Having pride doesn't mean you never wish for a cure for your disability. It means knowing your disability doesn't make you "lesser than" abled people or who you were before disability.
- Ellie's acknowledgment that her experience of disability since birth is different from Jackson's experience of sudden disability. Ellie does not know a life before or without her Deafness, so it does not feel like a loss to her. Her Deafness is also a stable part of her identity (it won't get worse as she gets older). But Jackson's entire lifestyle must change after his MS diagnosis (he can no longer be as active as he once was or play soccer to the same degree as he once could), and he faces a scary and unknown future (as MS is a progressive disease).
What I think could be improved:
- The pacing. The build up to Jackson's diagnosis took up much of the book.
- Ellie and Jackson's relationship. I don't know, I didn't feel a huge connection or spark between them. They seemed to like each other almost immediately. There wasn't much tension or pining.
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the advanced copy of this book! All thoughts are my own.
danileah07's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Chronic illness
hipearson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
After reading give me a sign, I was really glad I got the chance to read the ARC for on the bright side.
I really loved this book and once I started it was hard to put down. As with all of Anna’s work, the disability representation is amazing and gives me a new perspective. As a partner of a hard of hearing person, Anna’s books really make me think critically about the accessibility of the world around me even in terms of my own relationship and household.
I highly recommend reading this book both for the information and experiences that clearly shine through the characters, but for a YA rom com that will have you giggling and kicking your feet throughout.
I really loved this book and once I started it was hard to put down. As with all of Anna’s work, the disability representation is amazing and gives me a new perspective. As a partner of a hard of hearing person, Anna’s books really make me think critically about the accessibility of the world around me even in terms of my own relationship and household.
I highly recommend reading this book both for the information and experiences that clearly shine through the characters, but for a YA rom com that will have you giggling and kicking your feet throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Ableism, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content and Vomit
megsbookishworld's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.75
bethany6788's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I loved this author’s book Give Me a Sign and was so happy and excited to get an ARC of this book (thank you NetGalley and the publisher)!
This book follows Ellie and Jackson, two teenagers handling different experiences. Ellie goes to a deaf centered school and it closes - leaving her to be immersed in a hearing school which she is not happy about. She also struggles with her family, because they don’t use ASL and expect her to always understand what’s going on. Jackson is a soccer star whose health takes a turn.
Things I loved about this book:
This book felt raw and real for the teenager experience. Ellie and Jackson are flawed, lovable characters that you root for!
Ellie’s anger was so understandable and I felt for her.
Jackson’s frustration was relatable and I loved how he embraced his vulnerability with Ellie.
Even though that first kiss was a little stressful, it was 👌🏻
I liked how Ellie stood up to her parents.
Loved the Deaf community Ellie found in this book!
Teenage sexual experiences are often messy and are not perfect. This was portrayed so well between these two characters who were figuring things out together.
Loved that NYE party 🥹
Such a great ending!!
Fully recommend picking this one up.
This book follows Ellie and Jackson, two teenagers handling different experiences. Ellie goes to a deaf centered school and it closes - leaving her to be immersed in a hearing school which she is not happy about. She also struggles with her family, because they don’t use ASL and expect her to always understand what’s going on. Jackson is a soccer star whose health takes a turn.
Things I loved about this book:
This book felt raw and real for the teenager experience. Ellie and Jackson are flawed, lovable characters that you root for!
Ellie’s anger was so understandable and I felt for her.
Jackson’s frustration was relatable and I loved how he embraced his vulnerability with Ellie.
Even though that first kiss was a little stressful, it was 👌🏻
I liked how Ellie stood up to her parents.
Loved the Deaf community Ellie found in this book!
Teenage sexual experiences are often messy and are not perfect. This was portrayed so well between these two characters who were figuring things out together.
Loved that NYE party 🥹
Such a great ending!!
Fully recommend picking this one up.
booksandbreadcrumbs's review against another edition
4.5
This was such a beautiful and sweet story, and I loved Jackson and Ellie so so much. I might have liked this even more than Give Me a Sign!
leahjanespeare's review against another edition
5.0
A touching and nuanced peek into the lives of two teenagers navigating the world with disabilities. As someone with a chronic illness similar to Jackson's, I found it extremely relatable and overwhelming (in a good way) to see his experiences and thoughts on the page leading up to and following his diagnosis. While this is a super sweet romance story at heart, I also loved seeing the differences in how Ellie and Jackson's families each approach their kid's disability. This novel dives into the real fears, insecurities, and frustrations living disabled in a world not built for you, and the importance of support systems and friendships through difficult times. On the Bright Side is absolutely beautiful in spirit, and full of emotion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Ableism
navyyodachef's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I really like how the author shows the differences of two different disabilities. She has a way of captivating me with her stories. I enjoy how she italicizes whenever ASL is used in the story. It helps me visualize the conversation in my head. I liked how the two main characters didn't always understand what was going on with the other but then opened up and let each other in. This book is a fantastic read.
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