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jemery07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? No
5.0
ava_a07's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is amazing. I’ve never been a character heavy book reader, I always enjoyed more plot heavy books, but I loved how immersive this was, the writing was unique, the characters changed for the better!
littlefish13's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great, young adult book with wonderful life lessons to be learned! I really enjoyed this novel.
stolen_tangerine's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
erinricks's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Gary D. Schmidt is amazing!
reading__queen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-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? No
3.5
joshkiba13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Like The Wednesday Wars, I've listened to this story so many times. It's touching to see a character from the aforementioned novel that we likely misjudged become the protagonist of his own story. It also deals with some complicated Vietnam War era issues, as well as emotional abuse and illnesses. It's such a fantastic story and I'm sure I'll be back.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Terminal illness and War
andrewdark28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
protoman21's review against another edition
5.0
This book started a little slowly for me in the very beginning, but then it built and built and built and somewhere about halfway through, I knew I would be rating it five stars. What an amazing and heartwarming story! Doug is a wonderful character who never gets to take the easy road. He has an abusive father, a trouble making brother, strict teachers who jump to conclusions, and a favorite brother off in the war. What I love most about Doug is that he isn't perfect himself. He talks back sometimes when he shouldn't and he hides the truth/lies to try and avoid confronting difficult situations.
There is so much in this book that is left unsaid, and Schmidt utilizes this technique brilliantly to demonstrate that many people do not face their problems head on, but instead bury them deep inside or pretend to not acknowledge them, though we all know that there is always a darkness there that is affecting you no matter how much you may pretend there isn't.
I loved the use of art to not only give Doug a passion to focus his energy on and teach him discipline, but to tie everything in together by comparing different characters at different times to the birds in the Audubon book. These moments carried such power and emotion that I found myself in tears at the sheer beauty of the perfectly captured connection between life, art and nature. Doug's quest to return the missing pages to the Audubon book was inspiring and uplifting. To see a young boy who cares that much about something so unselfishly is truly rare.
The relationships between Doug and the other characters are the backbone of this book. Doug and Lil are a mismatched pair, but their friendship/romance is so sweet and they both benefit from knowing the other. As a librarian myself, I really appreciated how Mr. Powell took Doug under his wing and introduced him to a brand new world in the library. He was the first to really be completely on Doug's side and never wavered in that support.
The way Schmidt has Doug finally connect with Coach Reed was one of my favorite parts of the book. Doug demonstrates insight and wisdom beyond his years when he realizes why Coach Reed is the way he is and Doug actually takes it upon himself to try and help this man who hasn't exactly been easy on him. This worked so well with the Lucas storyline and allowed Doug and the reader to not only see the damage war can do to an individual if left unchecked, but also leave hope that there is room for healing and in Lucas' case, hopefully much of it can be prevented.
I haven't even touched on Doug's relationship with Mrs. Windermere and Big Bucks Ballard. Both are positive role models that teach Doug kindness, determination, patience and friendship. And though Doug's mother lives in the shadow of his father, some of the most beautiful and touching passages involve her quiet dignity and infinite love for her boys.
I'm going to recommend this book to everyone...and I'm not lying!
There is so much in this book that is left unsaid, and Schmidt utilizes this technique brilliantly to demonstrate that many people do not face their problems head on, but instead bury them deep inside or pretend to not acknowledge them, though we all know that there is always a darkness there that is affecting you no matter how much you may pretend there isn't.
I loved the use of art to not only give Doug a passion to focus his energy on and teach him discipline, but to tie everything in together by comparing different characters at different times to the birds in the Audubon book. These moments carried such power and emotion that I found myself in tears at the sheer beauty of the perfectly captured connection between life, art and nature. Doug's quest to return the missing pages to the Audubon book was inspiring and uplifting. To see a young boy who cares that much about something so unselfishly is truly rare.
The relationships between Doug and the other characters are the backbone of this book. Doug and Lil are a mismatched pair, but their friendship/romance is so sweet and they both benefit from knowing the other. As a librarian myself, I really appreciated how Mr. Powell took Doug under his wing and introduced him to a brand new world in the library. He was the first to really be completely on Doug's side and never wavered in that support.
The way Schmidt has Doug finally connect with Coach Reed was one of my favorite parts of the book. Doug demonstrates insight and wisdom beyond his years when he realizes why Coach Reed is the way he is and Doug actually takes it upon himself to try and help this man who hasn't exactly been easy on him. This worked so well with the Lucas storyline and allowed Doug and the reader to not only see the damage war can do to an individual if left unchecked, but also leave hope that there is room for healing and in Lucas' case, hopefully much of it can be prevented.
I haven't even touched on Doug's relationship with Mrs. Windermere and Big Bucks Ballard. Both are positive role models that teach Doug kindness, determination, patience and friendship. And though Doug's mother lives in the shadow of his father, some of the most beautiful and touching passages involve her quiet dignity and infinite love for her boys.
I'm going to recommend this book to everyone...and I'm not lying!
mpalmer93's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0