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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Solid ending to a series. I think this might have been my favorite of all, lots of unexpected connections!
I gave books 1 & 2 five stars but truly...books 3 & 4 are the shining stars in this series in my opinion. I am so happy that I decided to check them all out from the library at once because I'm not sure I would have returned to them otherwise (there are so many good books!!).
I loved Lu and his parents and their struggles as individuals and how the dealt with them as a family. I was impressed how the author tied in story lines from the previous books throughout the series.
I plan to buy the who series for my daughter when she's 10 or 11. These books present so many great life lessons and also show black young teenagers in their lives dealing with the good and the bad.
I loved Lu and his parents and their struggles as individuals and how the dealt with them as a family. I was impressed how the author tied in story lines from the previous books throughout the series.
I plan to buy the who series for my daughter when she's 10 or 11. These books present so many great life lessons and also show black young teenagers in their lives dealing with the good and the bad.
Jason Reynolds hits it out of the park with this series about an elite middle school track team. It started out strong with Ghost, but just got better and better. This one focuses on Lu, the one with the mouth who thinks he's better than everyone else, or so the first book would have you believe. I was really looking forward to this book, especially as I moved my way through the other books, because I KNEW Jason would not let me down and yes, I ended up really cheering Lu by the end. The overarching lesson in this fourth book is about family, both your real family and the family that Coach has created in his team. Lu has had trouble with his co-captain since the beginning and as the coach says, they are exactly alike--which is a big part of the problem. Lu is all swagger and talk, but he's got the talent and the gold chains and diamond earrings to back it up. At least that's what he thinks. By the end, we learn what it really means to win the gold medal and what the coach has been trying to teach them all along. I am so sad to say goodbye to these kids, but so happy I can revisit them at any time. I highly recommend this series to everyone, kids and adults alike.
It was bittersweet to finish off the series and I was wondering how the book would end since the other three all ended with competition cliffhangers. Overall, the series reminded me of my high school experience in track and this book in particular since I had run hurdles. The coach, however, reminded me of my high school basketball coach. Good memories.
young adult series, each focusing on another new member of a track team whose members have challenges in their lives. I love the way Jason Reynolds writes. I think his books are written where young adults will be able to see themselves and identify and be seen and feel understood and hopefully will get some insight on how to be good people, even though that's hard. empathy, focus, understanding, being there for others, being your best self.
Great end to this terrific series! Reynolds wraps up many details - including the whereabouts of Coach's prized Olympic gold medal. So fun to watch these characters grow & mature throughout their journey with the Defenders track team.
I love these kids. All four of them. I love listening to them, and I’m so glad Jason Reynolds was there to put their stories on paper. I hope they grow up to have lives filled with love. That’s all you need to o ow about these books. That you feel like you’re talking to a kid who is trying to make sense of big things, just like the rest of us did, and you won’t doubt for one second that they’re real.
Jason Reynolds is amazing. This was my favorite book in the series. They are all amazing but this one is a star. He did an amazing job on this series.
4 stars. Good all the way through, sappy at the end, and I am happy about it. This is series was a great read and so worthwhile. 100% recommend.