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edshara's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book, but I don’t think the synopsis properly prepares you for what it is about. I believe this could be a hard one to go into, without reading the synopsis, but just know that it is only part of the story.
Octobia was a well-rounded character. She is, spunky, inquisitive and has a very good imagination. I loved that her Aunt Shuma basically saved this girl from a very limited existence, and allowed her to live the life of an active child. My only issue was I think the thoughts she had about Mr. Davenport went on a little too long. The remaining characters, filled out the plot just fine. They were likable and their actions were understandable for either their age or the time period.
A few reviewers called this book preachy but I think it was just right. When you have POC, women and Jews still experiencing treatment like those in the 1950’s, it’s important to do what you can to dispel those types of negative thoughts and actions. The overall story was unique and I really enjoyed the turn it took, I wasn’t really expecting it (the synopsis had me thinking differently). It was a bit frustrating how the author seemed to switch between showing us how the plot unfolded and just telling us. The switch between dialogue and narration, wasn’t always smooth, and it took some time to settle into.
This one is hard to rate because the story itself is 4 stars. I just think it could have been better executed. I do, however, still think this is worth the read.
Octobia was a well-rounded character. She is, spunky, inquisitive and has a very good imagination. I loved that her Aunt Shuma basically saved this girl from a very limited existence, and allowed her to live the life of an active child. My only issue was I think the thoughts she had about Mr. Davenport went on a little too long. The remaining characters, filled out the plot just fine. They were likable and their actions were understandable for either their age or the time period.
A few reviewers called this book preachy but I think it was just right. When you have POC, women and Jews still experiencing treatment like those in the 1950’s, it’s important to do what you can to dispel those types of negative thoughts and actions. The overall story was unique and I really enjoyed the turn it took, I wasn’t really expecting it (the synopsis had me thinking differently). It was a bit frustrating how the author seemed to switch between showing us how the plot unfolded and just telling us. The switch between dialogue and narration, wasn’t always smooth, and it took some time to settle into.
This one is hard to rate because the story itself is 4 stars. I just think it could have been better executed. I do, however, still think this is worth the read.
rjdenney's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS!!
This book right here, was incredible, heartbreaking, and full of mystery and heart. Octobia May wants nothing more than for everyone to believe her when she thinks Mr. Davenport, a young-war hero staying at her aunt's boarding house is a vampire. But no one will give her the time of day. She only has her best friend Jonah, new friend Bessie, and loving cat Juppie to keep her company and help her along the way to figure out this mystery. But if you're looking for a straight up MYSTERY, you're looking in the wrong place, though this does revolve around a mystery, this book is full of them and so much more.
You'll read about the struggle Octobia's aunt goes through for a black woman in the 50s to get a simple loan from a bank, to Octobia struggling to understand why a black girl her age can't go to a school with white children, to losing a friend forever, to solving a messy mystery, to learning what it is to be FREE in a world hell-bent on making it an eternal struggle.
You might also be wondering what the mystery was and if it worked? and I'm glad to say it did. Even with the heaviness you will find in this book, it still has a Nancy Drew vibe and I could totally see this becoming a movie. It would work amazingly.
I loved this book, but though I loved it and it was full to brim with BEAUTIFUL writing, it was a slow and confusing at parts. I honestly feel like the last 77 pages could've been cut from it, but that's just because I love fast-paced reads, and this one is not that at all. Don't let that sway you though, it is worth reading this amazing book. Even with its minor flaws, I still loved this book and think YOU reading this should give it a read sometime soon.
- Richard
This book right here, was incredible, heartbreaking, and full of mystery and heart. Octobia May wants nothing more than for everyone to believe her when she thinks Mr. Davenport, a young-war hero staying at her aunt's boarding house is a vampire. But no one will give her the time of day. She only has her best friend Jonah, new friend Bessie, and loving cat Juppie to keep her company and help her along the way to figure out this mystery. But if you're looking for a straight up MYSTERY, you're looking in the wrong place, though this does revolve around a mystery, this book is full of them and so much more.
You'll read about the struggle Octobia's aunt goes through for a black woman in the 50s to get a simple loan from a bank, to Octobia struggling to understand why a black girl her age can't go to a school with white children, to losing a friend forever, to solving a messy mystery, to learning what it is to be FREE in a world hell-bent on making it an eternal struggle.
You might also be wondering what the mystery was and if it worked? and I'm glad to say it did. Even with the heaviness you will find in this book, it still has a Nancy Drew vibe and I could totally see this becoming a movie. It would work amazingly.
I loved this book, but though I loved it and it was full to brim with BEAUTIFUL writing, it was a slow and confusing at parts. I honestly feel like the last 77 pages could've been cut from it, but that's just because I love fast-paced reads, and this one is not that at all. Don't let that sway you though, it is worth reading this amazing book. Even with its minor flaws, I still loved this book and think YOU reading this should give it a read sometime soon.
- Richard
lyrareadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A terrific character trapped in scatter-shot plot.
lesbrary's review against another edition
3.0
I keep picking up these kids'/all-ages mysteries and expecting them to be "the mystery of the missing necklace" and ending up with murder and conspiracies! I was expecting this to be a light, fluffy listen and ending up realizing I should have given this more attention, because there's a lot going on.
_reedmylife_'s review against another edition
I just could not get along with this book. It was a little too juvenile to me even though there are some good talks about race.
opticflow's review against another edition
2.0
Good things included a diverse cast of characters, funny 1950s lingo majingo, a convoluted mystery, and a heinous villain. Upsets included the death of a pet, a terrible home haircut, and red herring vampires. I liked the last half of this book but if I picked this up as a kid, I would have been angry at the bait and switch.
poorashleu's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted here
Unstoppable Octobia May is the story of Octobia May, who is a ten-year-old that, contrary to those around her, never stops asking questions. She is intrigued about everything, like most ten-year-olds are and Flake works on that. Throughout the story, I felt that Flake had a firm grasp on the character of Octobia. I related to her (even though we have nothing in common) and I understood why she was the way she was.
Which included living at a boarding house with her Auntie, who is not a typical Auntie. She’s unmarried, and and wants to own property during a time period that it was looked down upon and Auntie got along with Octobia extremely well and embraced Octobia for who she was. Even if Octobia was meant to be seen and not heard, her Auntie truly did not try to change her. However, all of her questioning does begin to get her in trouble. Her neighbors are not the people she thought they were and quickly her community turn on each other.
I was fascinated throughout this whole story and I hate saying this, but I could not put the book down. I adored it and wanted more of Octobia’s world. I wanted more inside her brain and the fact that racism was occurring in her own neighborhood where no one expected it. It was a quick read that left me questioning things that I didn’t expect when I began the novel. Highly recommend this clever novel.
Unstoppable Octobia May is the story of Octobia May, who is a ten-year-old that, contrary to those around her, never stops asking questions. She is intrigued about everything, like most ten-year-olds are and Flake works on that. Throughout the story, I felt that Flake had a firm grasp on the character of Octobia. I related to her (even though we have nothing in common) and I understood why she was the way she was.
Which included living at a boarding house with her Auntie, who is not a typical Auntie. She’s unmarried, and and wants to own property during a time period that it was looked down upon and Auntie got along with Octobia extremely well and embraced Octobia for who she was. Even if Octobia was meant to be seen and not heard, her Auntie truly did not try to change her. However, all of her questioning does begin to get her in trouble. Her neighbors are not the people she thought they were and quickly her community turn on each other.
I was fascinated throughout this whole story and I hate saying this, but I could not put the book down. I adored it and wanted more of Octobia’s world. I wanted more inside her brain and the fact that racism was occurring in her own neighborhood where no one expected it. It was a quick read that left me questioning things that I didn’t expect when I began the novel. Highly recommend this clever novel.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
This book has the most bonkers publisher’s blurb I have ever read in my life. It describes all the serious issues main character Octobia is dealing with as a black girl growing up in the 1950s, sent to live with her scandalously single and entrepreneurial aunt after a health scare. It lists all kinds of heavy topics, like racism, passing as white, equality for women...and then comes this line, and yes, I’m quoting: “And, perhaps most important: Do vampires really exist?”
WHAT?!?! I don’t know about you, but that is a book I could not wait to get my hands on. I dropped an Audible credit on it so fast my phone almost burned up from friction, and I was not disappointed. Octobia is my kind of girl, spunky, imaginative, and downright hilarious. This book is a total hoot. Round up all the kids in your life and read it aloud to them right now, man.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
WHAT?!?! I don’t know about you, but that is a book I could not wait to get my hands on. I dropped an Audible credit on it so fast my phone almost burned up from friction, and I was not disappointed. Octobia is my kind of girl, spunky, imaginative, and downright hilarious. This book is a total hoot. Round up all the kids in your life and read it aloud to them right now, man.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very unique and twisted mystery. I enjoyed it, but wondered if the confusion at the beginning would be difficult for young readers. It takes a while for things to untangle. I thought it was neat that a middle grade book mentioned passing. A new girl moves into the neighborhood. She has a black mother and white father. She doesn't look black. There is a discussion about whether she passes for white or will in the future. That was something that I didn't even think about or know about when I was growing up. It doesn't come up in literature too often. I loved Octobia's aunt and her drive for equal rights for women.