Scan barcode
lennareem's review
5.0
Holy crap. Where do I start?
First of all, it's almost midnight and I should be going to bed but I have been so moved by this book that I feel compelled to write a review right.now.
Without revealing anything, know that this book has a serious plot twist that isn't revealed until the end. This plot twist ties everything together and will leave you feeling relieved, and if you're like me at all, crying. This is the first book I have read in years that has left me tears. They weren't sad tears necessarily, just obligatory tears after having experienced an emotional journey. And that is exactly what this novel is.
This novel follows Kidd, a troubled teenager who is working maintaining beach campsites one summer. He meets and falls in love with Olivia, a beautiful and wealthy girl who stays at the campsites all summer with her family. Kidd's relationship with Olivia is the catalyst to his coming-of-age summer. She makes him question who is he and what he wants out of life. However, his experience is overshadowing by the unwelcome visit of his "friend" Devon.
The character of Devon made me so incredibly angry throughout this novel that I almost wanted to stop reading it. Devon claims he is Kidd's best friend, but does nothing but treat him horribly and try to get him into trouble. I found this to be a realistic relationship in that so many of us, especially as teenagers, have had friends who are bad influences on us. It's often these friendships that are the hardest to shake, and that is exactly what Kidd experiences.
This was an emotional read for me because it threw right back into what I felt like as a teenager: insecure, unwanted, and unsure about everything. I could relate to the character of Kidd in a variety of ways, so much so that it was almost difficult for me to continue reading.
Though this was an emotional, almost frustrating read for me, everything ties together in the end.
This is one of the better books I have read this year. I recommend this to anyone who is, or has been a teenager :)
First of all, it's almost midnight and I should be going to bed but I have been so moved by this book that I feel compelled to write a review right.now.
Without revealing anything, know that this book has a serious plot twist that isn't revealed until the end. This plot twist ties everything together and will leave you feeling relieved, and if you're like me at all, crying. This is the first book I have read in years that has left me tears. They weren't sad tears necessarily, just obligatory tears after having experienced an emotional journey. And that is exactly what this novel is.
This novel follows Kidd, a troubled teenager who is working maintaining beach campsites one summer. He meets and falls in love with Olivia, a beautiful and wealthy girl who stays at the campsites all summer with her family. Kidd's relationship with Olivia is the catalyst to his coming-of-age summer. She makes him question who is he and what he wants out of life. However, his experience is overshadowing by the unwelcome visit of his "friend" Devon.
The character of Devon made me so incredibly angry throughout this novel that I almost wanted to stop reading it. Devon claims he is Kidd's best friend, but does nothing but treat him horribly and try to get him into trouble. I found this to be a realistic relationship in that so many of us, especially as teenagers, have had friends who are bad influences on us. It's often these friendships that are the hardest to shake, and that is exactly what Kidd experiences.
This was an emotional read for me because it threw right back into what I felt like as a teenager: insecure, unwanted, and unsure about everything. I could relate to the character of Kidd in a variety of ways, so much so that it was almost difficult for me to continue reading.
Though this was an emotional, almost frustrating read for me, everything ties together in the end.
This is one of the better books I have read this year. I recommend this to anyone who is, or has been a teenager :)
falconerreader's review
3.0
Having read "Mexican Whiteboy," I picked this up without reading the jacket description. It was not what I was expecting, which is not a bad thing. Took me a surprisingly long time to figure out the plot twist, and then I had to flip back and check a few places. It still seems a little odd to me, and yet I know what trauma can do to a kid.
jillcd's review
4.0
Hard to summarize without giving a spoiler. However, the character complexity and relationship development make this an interesting and educational read. I could see a number of my students enjoying this book
bhrogan's review
4.0
I expected the big reveal at the end of the book, but it was still jarring. It's really haunting, and I've been thinking about Kidd since I finished the book yesterday morning!
cupsam123's review
5.0
The ending of this book game me a new perspective. I definitely want to reread it knowing what I know now.
jimmmmothy's review
5.0
I can't and will never be able to reiterate how much I loved this book. It's something you have to experience on your own. This is the book that may not appeal to everyone, but will have a lasting impact no matter what.
katiegrrrl's review
3.0
I am not sure how I feel about this one. I figured out the twist about the third of the way through, and kept reading to see how it would play out. I think it liked depth and real character development. Olivia felt real flat. With Red there was no background to why he felt close to Kidd, his losing a child doesn't explain him attaching to Kidd.
2017 Diverse Reads book challenge- Mental Health
2017 Diverse Reads book challenge- Mental Health