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xosarahirene's review
5.0
Wow. I believe every classroom library should have a copy of this book in representation of multilingual language learners. The combination of chapter book with comics format, showing the “alien” language from both speakers’ perspectives, and showing the perspective of a MLL student’s voice often not addressed in fiction makes this a powerful piece.
chantal550's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This book tackled important themes of immigration and loss but it fell flat for me. Maybe it was all the other Asian books I read for the Asian readathon that handled these topics better that made me not like this one as much. I didn't like this one that much and I am very sad about this. Pie in the Sky was highly recommended to me by lots of reviewers I trust.
This book was not cohesive it felt like a series of vignettes that were strung together poorly. It was repetitive, Jingwen struggles with school in the same way so he bakes a cake rinse and repeat.
I did love the few comics sprinkled throughout the book, the art style was not my favorite but they were enjoyable to read. I love that the audiobook had martian sounds whenever someone would speak English to Jingwen and he didn't understand it.
I did somewhat connect to Jingwen's feelings of alienation from his peers and family. I deeply connected to the scene when he sees everyone as a martian but realizes that's how everyone sees him. How he had to take care of his little brother even though he was still a kid himself and his punishments for messing up were way harsher and worse than for his little brother.
I did enjoy some parts of this book but was left mostly disappointed. Other books that tackle similar topics that I liked better are Front Desk by Kelly Yang, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai, and Almost American Girl by Robin Ha.
This book tackled important themes of immigration and loss but it fell flat for me. Maybe it was all the other Asian books I read for the Asian readathon that handled these topics better that made me not like this one as much. I didn't like this one that much and I am very sad about this. Pie in the Sky was highly recommended to me by lots of reviewers I trust.
This book was not cohesive it felt like a series of vignettes that were strung together poorly. It was repetitive, Jingwen struggles with school in the same way so he bakes a cake rinse and repeat.
I did love the few comics sprinkled throughout the book, the art style was not my favorite but they were enjoyable to read. I love that the audiobook had martian sounds whenever someone would speak English to Jingwen and he didn't understand it.
I did somewhat connect to Jingwen's feelings of alienation from his peers and family. I deeply connected to the scene when he sees everyone as a martian but realizes that's how everyone sees him. How he had to take care of his little brother even though he was still a kid himself and his punishments for messing up were way harsher and worse than for his little brother.
I did enjoy some parts of this book but was left mostly disappointed. Other books that tackle similar topics that I liked better are Front Desk by Kelly Yang, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai, and Almost American Girl by Robin Ha.
toryhallelujah's review
3.0
Big thumbs-up on the portrayal of moving to a country where you don't speak the language. It's scary and hard! This also addressed the frustration of being out-performed by a younger sibling INCREDIBLY well. Hi, been there done that. 🙈
Less thrilled about the overall plot -- I get frustrated with stories of "I need to do the thing, and that will magically make everything better!" Because obviously it won't, and I'm frustrated on your behalf that you think it will. This kid needs some professional therapy along with baking cakes. (Also, his paranoid anxiety ["everyone is talking about me"] was incredibly stressful for me, being someone who has anxiety as well.)
Less thrilled about the overall plot -- I get frustrated with stories of "I need to do the thing, and that will magically make everything better!" Because obviously it won't, and I'm frustrated on your behalf that you think it will. This kid needs some professional therapy along with baking cakes. (Also, his paranoid anxiety ["everyone is talking about me"] was incredibly stressful for me, being someone who has anxiety as well.)
karisjmadison's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readtotheend's review against another edition
4.0
I really wanted to LOVE this book and got it for my daughter who gave up on it and DNFed. I was curious as to why she would abandon it and man, it was tough getting into this one. I did not give up though and past the halfway mark, it really started to get really good. It ended very strong and the story was touching and I loved the representation of coming to a country where you don't know the language (my cousins went through this in elementary school). But it took a LONG while to get to that point. For a middle grade book especially, I think it would've been better to make the first half of the book more concise. I found myself glossing/skimming at parts too! But the 2nd 1/3 of the book really redeemed it and so I'm rounding this 3.5 star read to a 4. I will say that the illustrations were lovely and really enhanced the book!
wordnerd153's review against another edition
3.0
Great story about brothers, grief, immigration and cake. Felt a little too long, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. I think some middle grade readers will lose interest.
molliebrarian's review
DNF - I wanted to like this but I've been struggling to get into it, for as long as I've been trying to read it. I wish it had been all graphic novel or at least more on the graphic novel side than regular novel, because I think the comics were the most interesting part of this.
ellalouise99's review
5.0
Pie in the Sky is a fantastic book for lower KS2 children. This would be a great book to base a scheme of work one due to the strong themes in the story as well as the range of language features.
The story follows a young boy as he moves to Australia, not knowing any English. He has previously lost his dad and moves away from his extended family and friends with only his mum and brother. Jingwen finds the transition very difficult and is reluctant to use the new language. The book follows his journey from feeling like an alien to belonging in this new place.
There are sensitive topics in this book including the death of a parent and isolation. It is therefore essential the teacher knows the class very well before using this book, considering any children who may find it too upsetting. As well as having some more serious themes in the book, there is also a lot of humour which children are likely to enjoy.
The book is part graphic novel which can help to engage children who are less enthusiastic about reading as well as those who find reading more difficult.
The story follows a young boy as he moves to Australia, not knowing any English. He has previously lost his dad and moves away from his extended family and friends with only his mum and brother. Jingwen finds the transition very difficult and is reluctant to use the new language. The book follows his journey from feeling like an alien to belonging in this new place.
There are sensitive topics in this book including the death of a parent and isolation. It is therefore essential the teacher knows the class very well before using this book, considering any children who may find it too upsetting. As well as having some more serious themes in the book, there is also a lot of humour which children are likely to enjoy.
The book is part graphic novel which can help to engage children who are less enthusiastic about reading as well as those who find reading more difficult.
tealmango's review
4.0
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.