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tinytrashqueen's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chibiloki's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
potatoaficionado's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
I ended up reading the last third as a physical book, which was a much better reading experience! The journal entries from Sarah are stylized in a neat way that wasn't translated well to the e book.
Overall book was okay, kind of a lot going on and sometimes felt a little heavy handed, but it is a kid's book.
Overall book was okay, kind of a lot going on and sometimes felt a little heavy handed, but it is a kid's book.
metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
cozyreader9752's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
reading_girlmadeofstars's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
alyssagb's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
madelinefmcguire's review
5.0
Avery Hart has recently been diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a disease that affects her joints so instead of riding her dirt bike or playing her drum kit she splits her time between endless physical therapy and worrying that her fun and independence are over for good. Sarah Bell is familiar with anxiety for months she's been unable to control hers through either art of praying and she's starting to worry she's stuck that way forever. Just as both girls are reaching the peak of their fears their school is seemingly attacked by a gunmen. While they later learn it was just a drill the traumatic experience bonds them together and leads down new paths for dealing with their perceived weaknesses.
alisazhup's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-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: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Ableism, Mass/school shootings, Bullying, Gun violence, and Racism
Minor: Vomit
evamadera1's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected. Machias depicts mental and physical health struggles far better than almost any other book I have ever read and certainly better than any middle grade book. (It likely helps that they also suffer from the physical disability and general anxiety described in the book.) Machias also creates distinct voices for each of the protagonists which is also aided by having two narrators for the audiobook. Each character reads like real eighth graders and grow in believable, realistic ways. I also appreciate the fact that even though Machias filled the narrative with a number of issues, they avoided sounding preachy.