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take_me_awayyy's review against another edition
It's not a bad book, it's just not the book for me. This is the like third or fourth book in a row that featured drugs or addiction, and if you've followed me for any amount of time, you'd know this is a no go for me. So give it a try if this content isn't triggering for you.
thisgayreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5 / 5 ⭐️‘s
"The Minus-One Club" by Kekla Magoon
I must say that this was an incredibly moving and thought-provoking read. The story follows a group of middle school students, all of whom have lost someone close to them, as they navigate grief and come together to form a club for others in the same situation.
One of the things that struck me most about this book was how authentic and honest the portrayal of grief was. Magoon doesn't shy away from the difficult emotions and moments that come with losing someone, but she also shows the characters finding moments of joy and connection amidst their pain. I found myself really rooting for these kids as they worked through their grief and began to find a sense of community with each other.
Another aspect of the book that I appreciated was the diversity of the characters. They come from different backgrounds and have different experiences with grief. Magoon does a great job of exploring the ways that race and culture can impact how we experience loss and grief, without ever feeling heavy-handed or preachy.
I would highly recommend this one!
This ARC was provided by @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
sicafy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
itshannah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
a_blue_box_full_of_books's review against another edition
5.0
The Minus-One Club is a moving and emotional young adult novel. Fifteen-year-old Kermit Sanders is deeply wounded by grief after losing his big sister in a tragic car accident. The Minus-One Club is the story of a transformation, as Kermit loses his last drops of childhood innocence. Emotional, mental and spiritual changes are rooted deeply in Kermit’s story.
Kekla Magoon wrote a powerful novel, raising strong and difficult topics. Death, grief, alcoholism, suicide, fear of rejection. Kermit’s homosexuality discovery is at the heart of the novel. His relationship with Matt is sweet, but also ingrained in fear. Kermit’s family is really religious, and the teenager knows he will never be accepted for who he really is.
The Minus-One Club is a good novel. You jump easily from smile to tears. I loved the evolution of the story, and how all the characters evolved. Even if Kermit is the main character, the secondary cast also plays an active part in the story. They all grow and learn from their shared experience.
Kekla Magoon wrote a powerful novel, raising strong and difficult topics. Death, grief, alcoholism, suicide, fear of rejection. Kermit’s homosexuality discovery is at the heart of the novel. His relationship with Matt is sweet, but also ingrained in fear. Kermit’s family is really religious, and the teenager knows he will never be accepted for who he really is.
The Minus-One Club is a good novel. You jump easily from smile to tears. I loved the evolution of the story, and how all the characters evolved. Even if Kermit is the main character, the secondary cast also plays an active part in the story. They all grow and learn from their shared experience.
ginkansas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, Grief, Death, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, and Bullying
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Minus One Club begins about a club uniting grieving students. These feelings of loss that hollow us out. These moments where they're there for each other, where they just understand each other without speaking, it forms the basis of The Minus One Club.All these memories of the past and their continual process of grief was heartbreaking. But as a whole, this book is about Kermit. About the pain he feels, but also the queer questioning, struggling with his relationship to religion, and also crushes.
The Minus One Club begins about a club uniting grieving students. These feelings of loss that hollow us out. These moments where they're there for each other, where they just understand each other without speaking, it forms the basis of The Minus One Club.All these memories of the past and their continual process of grief was heartbreaking. But as a whole, this book is about Kermit. About the pain he feels, but also the queer questioning, struggling with his relationship to religion, and also crushes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Religious bigotry
zinelib's review
5.0
Is literary YA a thing? If it is, Kekla Magoon is one of its premier artists. Her style features short, staccato chapters that are like poetry darts--but for poetry resisters such as myself, don't worry, it's all prose, no novel-in-verse treachery! The narrator and newest member of the Minus-One Club is Kermit, a closeted teen who just lost his older sister in a car accident. The object of Kermit's affection is Matt, a charter Minus-One member, who is part of the club by virtue of his mother's cancer death.
At first, I was concerned that Matt was suffering from perfect YA boyfriend syndrome, but as the story unfolds, we learn that despite Matt's outward appearance as the Indiana town's one public gay, he's just as troubled as the other members of the club. Unfortunately, a rule of Minus-One Club is there is no talking about it (death, grief, loss)--even at club events.
Kermit's story reminds us (me) that though things are easier now for queer teens than they once were, coming out is still a Big Deal, especially if you come from a Baptist family and live in a state that would elect Mike Pence governor.
It's mentioned in passing at one point that Kermit is biracial. None of his friends' racial identities is referenced. cw: drinking, suicidal ideation
At first, I was concerned that Matt was suffering from perfect YA boyfriend syndrome, but as the story unfolds, we learn that despite Matt's outward appearance as the Indiana town's one public gay, he's just as troubled as the other members of the club. Unfortunately, a rule of Minus-One Club is there is no talking about it (death, grief, loss)--even at club events.
Kermit's story reminds us (me) that though things are easier now for queer teens than they once were, coming out is still a Big Deal, especially if you come from a Baptist family and live in a state that would elect Mike Pence governor.
It's mentioned in passing at one point that Kermit is biracial. None of his friends' racial identities is referenced. cw: drinking, suicidal ideation
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
After losing his older sister in a car accident, Kermit is no stranger to grief. It seems that everywhere he looks, there's a reminder of her. A reminder that she's no longer there to give him advice, to support him. When Kermit goes back to school, he finds a mysterious note in his locker inviting him to the Minus-One Club. A club where all of the members have lost someone. A club where everyone gets grief.
One member of the club is Matt, the only out gay kid at school and someone who Kermit might have a crush on. Spending time with Matt seems to be one of the only things that helps Kermit with his grief. But as Kermit spends more time with Matt, he realizes how much pain Matt is actually hiding. And Kermit has to find the strenght to help keep Matt from falling apart.
Thanks to Henry Holt & Co. for an advanced copy of this book to review! Kekla Magoon is such a force in YA and kids literature that I knew I had to read her new book. This book definitely packs a punch; it doesn't flinch away from the difficult sides of grief, of religion, and of mental illness. There may be a lot to unpack in this book, but it doesn't feel overwhelming like it sometimes can.
This book is sort of fomatted like a series of vingettes in a way, as the chapters are very, very short. We get both present day and flashbacks of when Kermit's sister was alive. Throughout, we get to see Kermit struggling with his sexuality, especially because his parents are very religious. Kermit isn't sure how to feel about his feelings for Matt, and as readers, we can see this confusion playing out on the page. It's honestly wonderfully done.
The sections with Matt and Kermit are some of the best but also some of the most heart-wrenching. You can see how much Matt is struggling, with a non-existent support structure at home. Kermit does his best to be there for him, but they're also both teenagers. There's only so much he can actually do.
I also loved the concept of the Minus-One Club, inducting members who experience loss so they can realize that they aren't alone. The group evolves by the end of the book (by necessity), and I wish more high schools were able to have groups like this because it's so important to see that you're not alone when you're going through something traumatic like that.
The only thing I would change about this book is to add a little more resolution at the end. With the major event that happens towards the end of the book, I think the characters needed a little more room to breath. But other than that, this is a powerful book that you should have on your January TBRs!
One member of the club is Matt, the only out gay kid at school and someone who Kermit might have a crush on. Spending time with Matt seems to be one of the only things that helps Kermit with his grief. But as Kermit spends more time with Matt, he realizes how much pain Matt is actually hiding. And Kermit has to find the strenght to help keep Matt from falling apart.
Thanks to Henry Holt & Co. for an advanced copy of this book to review! Kekla Magoon is such a force in YA and kids literature that I knew I had to read her new book. This book definitely packs a punch; it doesn't flinch away from the difficult sides of grief, of religion, and of mental illness. There may be a lot to unpack in this book, but it doesn't feel overwhelming like it sometimes can.
This book is sort of fomatted like a series of vingettes in a way, as the chapters are very, very short. We get both present day and flashbacks of when Kermit's sister was alive. Throughout, we get to see Kermit struggling with his sexuality, especially because his parents are very religious. Kermit isn't sure how to feel about his feelings for Matt, and as readers, we can see this confusion playing out on the page. It's honestly wonderfully done.
The sections with Matt and Kermit are some of the best but also some of the most heart-wrenching. You can see how much Matt is struggling, with a non-existent support structure at home. Kermit does his best to be there for him, but they're also both teenagers. There's only so much he can actually do.
I also loved the concept of the Minus-One Club, inducting members who experience loss so they can realize that they aren't alone. The group evolves by the end of the book (by necessity), and I wish more high schools were able to have groups like this because it's so important to see that you're not alone when you're going through something traumatic like that.
The only thing I would change about this book is to add a little more resolution at the end. With the major event that happens towards the end of the book, I think the characters needed a little more room to breath. But other than that, this is a powerful book that you should have on your January TBRs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Suicide attempt, and Homophobia
Minor: Fatphobia and Vomit
qace90's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
i received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
Oof, this book is messy and centrally a story of living with and moving on from grief, but it’s also a story of friendships and identity. Full review closer to release.
Full review:
Oof, this book is messy and emotional. At it’s center The Minus-One Club is a story of grief and finding your way forward after the death of a loved one, but it is also a story of friendship and identity.
Kermit just lost his sister after a drunk driver hit her car head-on, and now he has to go back to school and try getting back to “normal.” But he finds an anonymous note in his locker inviting him to a secret meeting, where other classmates who’ve lost loved ones meet. But the most important rule of the club is they don’t talk about IT. At first this works and Kermit loves making new friends who get it, but as he gets closer to Matt and sees under his bright veneer, they start to learn there are some things you can’t keep bottled up all the time.
This book was hard to put down, but it was also a rough read on many fronts. Kermit and Matt don’t have the healthiest coping methods and there’s a lot of religious pressure on Kermit’s part about his sexuality and struggling with the idea of coming out. I appreciated that this is a story that really talks about how coming out isn’t as simple and clean cut as stepping out a door, but a constant process, and also talks about how you don’t have to come out to everyone to be valid - you’re safety is more important than any pressure to come out where it could make you unsafe. I especially liked how the story felt full-circle with the final chapter and seeing how much growth has occurred for these characters.
If you’re a fan of messy, grief-filled stories of teens surviving and growing, this may be perfect for you. Definitely be prepared for some rough topics and themes, but I felt like it was handled realistically and made efforts to challenge harmful ideas.
Oof, this book is messy and centrally a story of living with and moving on from grief, but it’s also a story of friendships and identity. Full review closer to release.
Full review:
Oof, this book is messy and emotional. At it’s center The Minus-One Club is a story of grief and finding your way forward after the death of a loved one, but it is also a story of friendship and identity.
Kermit just lost his sister after a drunk driver hit her car head-on, and now he has to go back to school and try getting back to “normal.” But he finds an anonymous note in his locker inviting him to a secret meeting, where other classmates who’ve lost loved ones meet. But the most important rule of the club is they don’t talk about IT. At first this works and Kermit loves making new friends who get it, but as he gets closer to Matt and sees under his bright veneer, they start to learn there are some things you can’t keep bottled up all the time.
This book was hard to put down, but it was also a rough read on many fronts. Kermit and Matt don’t have the healthiest coping methods and there’s a lot of religious pressure on Kermit’s part about his sexuality and struggling with the idea of coming out. I appreciated that this is a story that really talks about how coming out isn’t as simple and clean cut as stepping out a door, but a constant process, and also talks about how you don’t have to come out to everyone to be valid - you’re safety is more important than any pressure to come out where it could make you unsafe. I especially liked how the story felt full-circle with the final chapter and seeing how much growth has occurred for these characters.
If you’re a fan of messy, grief-filled stories of teens surviving and growing, this may be perfect for you. Definitely be prepared for some rough topics and themes, but I felt like it was handled realistically and made efforts to challenge harmful ideas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Vomit and Fatphobia
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