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ronniegayreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It would be 5 stars if there wasn't the bit about Hazel not being a victim to the sexual harassment because she "wasn't desirable"
SA is about power, NOT attraction. Super dangerous to mix that up.
Otherwise it was really powerful and made me really emotional because it was so similar to My experience, except I didn't have a friend like Hazel or Riley. My "friends", BEFRIENDED him. And encouraged him. So it was very emotional because how I wish this had been my experience.
I also appreciated that the girl who didn't feel safe enough to share was included, and she wasn't shamed.
It was very strange that one of the only (or the only) ethnic name in the entire thing was a really minor character who's angry all the time 😅 (Mr Patel)
SA is about power, NOT attraction. Super dangerous to mix that up.
Otherwise it was really powerful and made me really emotional because it was so similar to My experience, except I didn't have a friend like Hazel or Riley. My "friends", BEFRIENDED him. And encouraged him. So it was very emotional because how I wish this had been my experience.
I also appreciated that the girl who didn't feel safe enough to share was included, and she wasn't shamed.
It was very strange that one of the only (or the only) ethnic name in the entire thing was a really minor character who's angry all the time 😅 (Mr Patel)
hermoonreads's review
5.0
I don't have the words for how important I think this book is. If I'd had this as a 12 year old I genuinely believe it would have become my favourite book, as well as helping me feel seen and prepared to deal with this stuff at my own school.
A queer, feminist story about a group of girls trying to get the popular guy harassing girls held accountable. I don't usually read middle grade but that description was an instant add to my TBR, and I'm so so lucky I got an ARC, so big thanks to the author & netgalley for that.
I knew I was gay when I was 11, I didn't have any representation for how I felt, and even now this is the first time I've seen any sort of media where a character this age knows they are queer, and their story is not at all focused on them coming out or struggling with their identity. Hazel is a lesbian, but that isn't her main plot point, it's just another layer on the amazing, passionate, hardworking person that she is.
I could physically feel the frustration of having the adults in the story not listening to the girls and what they were saying, the author so perfectly portrays what that feels like to a teenager while not making it seem childish at all. I also really loved the inclusion of stats about sexual harassment & assault, as well as having characters discuss that these actions *are* harassment and assault no matter the age of the people involved.
I hope that any teen reading this is inspired to stand up for themselves, that they never have to deal with a classmate like Tyler, and that they feel seen.
A queer, feminist story about a group of girls trying to get the popular guy harassing girls held accountable. I don't usually read middle grade but that description was an instant add to my TBR, and I'm so so lucky I got an ARC, so big thanks to the author & netgalley for that.
I knew I was gay when I was 11, I didn't have any representation for how I felt, and even now this is the first time I've seen any sort of media where a character this age knows they are queer, and their story is not at all focused on them coming out or struggling with their identity. Hazel is a lesbian, but that isn't her main plot point, it's just another layer on the amazing, passionate, hardworking person that she is.
I could physically feel the frustration of having the adults in the story not listening to the girls and what they were saying, the author so perfectly portrays what that feels like to a teenager while not making it seem childish at all. I also really loved the inclusion of stats about sexual harassment & assault, as well as having characters discuss that these actions *are* harassment and assault no matter the age of the people involved.
I hope that any teen reading this is inspired to stand up for themselves, that they never have to deal with a classmate like Tyler, and that they feel seen.
kalynwebb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
reidy_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
barefootmegz's review against another edition
5.0
If Hazel Hill were in my school when I was twelve, she would GET me. Hazel is everything I love in a tween-protagonist, and EVERYTHING I would have loved to read at that age.
With a plot that is nail-bitingly realistic, characters that refuse to be archetypal, and delightfully witty dialogue, Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One is compulsively readable - one of my best this year, so far.
My favourite thing about Hazel’s story is that, even though she identifies as queer and is not yet “out”, the plot is not at all centred around her sexuality. The major conflict is that of sexual harassment (and listening to victims when they speak out). Her queerness is certainly not in the background - not a “quota” situation. In fact, it informs most of her actions and views. (Okay, so Hazel is a little more self-aware than most 12-year-olds, but we all want protagonists that have something special to offer.)
Further themes on friendships - the good and the toxic - and vulnerability are relatable and important. And the secret romance that is only juuuuust barely hinted at, made my heart melt from cuteness.
I can imagine that the #notallmen brigade will take much issue with this book; and no doubt some older readers will find Hazel’s precocious, cheeky manner annoying.
As for me, I would love to see it read widely - from classrooms and libraries, to book clubs, and waiting rooms all over. Go, find a copy!
Thanks to Firefly Press and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
With a plot that is nail-bitingly realistic, characters that refuse to be archetypal, and delightfully witty dialogue, Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One is compulsively readable - one of my best this year, so far.
My favourite thing about Hazel’s story is that, even though she identifies as queer and is not yet “out”, the plot is not at all centred around her sexuality. The major conflict is that of sexual harassment (and listening to victims when they speak out). Her queerness is certainly not in the background - not a “quota” situation. In fact, it informs most of her actions and views. (Okay, so Hazel is a little more self-aware than most 12-year-olds, but we all want protagonists that have something special to offer.)
Further themes on friendships - the good and the toxic - and vulnerability are relatable and important. And the secret romance that is only juuuuust barely hinted at, made my heart melt from cuteness.
I can imagine that the #notallmen brigade will take much issue with this book; and no doubt some older readers will find Hazel’s precocious, cheeky manner annoying.
As for me, I would love to see it read widely - from classrooms and libraries, to book clubs, and waiting rooms all over. Go, find a copy!
Thanks to Firefly Press and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
nsc_librarian's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
girlglitch's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade coming of age novel.
For a story based around sexual harrassment, it's surprisingly feel-good, filled with female friendship, humour and empowerment. Horne perfectly captures the pre-teen phase, and there's something particularly resonant about pitching this story to that age-group. I think there are a lot of young readers who will be able to relate to it, whether that's Hazel finding her own voice, the challenges she faces or the adults having to learn to take her seriously.
It's also fantastically well-written with warmth and humour, and so nicely paced that I found I couldn't put it down.
In short: Hazel Hill is a winner.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
For a story based around sexual harrassment, it's surprisingly feel-good, filled with female friendship, humour and empowerment. Horne perfectly captures the pre-teen phase, and there's something particularly resonant about pitching this story to that age-group. I think there are a lot of young readers who will be able to relate to it, whether that's Hazel finding her own voice, the challenges she faces or the adults having to learn to take her seriously.
It's also fantastically well-written with warmth and humour, and so nicely paced that I found I couldn't put it down.
In short: Hazel Hill is a winner.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
nourray's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5