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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
bethanybook's review
5.0
Amazing. Brilliant. Fantastic. Perfect.
This book needs to be read by everyone! And I mean everyone. Especially young people in school. It’s message is one everyone should know and take onboard. I love this book.
Hazel is amazing and I really resonated with her as well as Ella and Riley. The way their friendship blossomed and they all stuck by each other was so wholesome and enjoyable to follow along.
Tyler Tyler Tyler… I’ve known of and know of (and no doubt will come across many more Tyler’s in the future) guys like you my whole life and it’s sad. So so so sad that you think that way and spend a lot of effort to think that way. Do you not get bored? Do you not see what a massive loser and creep you are? I guess not. Sucks to be you.
The whole story was just amazing and honestly had me tearing up at points because of how overwhelmingly empowered I felt and how seen I felt. This is pure girl power and I’m so so so here for it!!
This book needs to be read by everyone! And I mean everyone. Especially young people in school. It’s message is one everyone should know and take onboard. I love this book.
Hazel is amazing and I really resonated with her as well as Ella and Riley. The way their friendship blossomed and they all stuck by each other was so wholesome and enjoyable to follow along.
Tyler Tyler Tyler… I’ve known of and know of (and no doubt will come across many more Tyler’s in the future) guys like you my whole life and it’s sad. So so so sad that you think that way and spend a lot of effort to think that way. Do you not get bored? Do you not see what a massive loser and creep you are? I guess not. Sucks to be you.
The whole story was just amazing and honestly had me tearing up at points because of how overwhelmingly empowered I felt and how seen I felt. This is pure girl power and I’m so so so here for it!!
vickylovesreading's review
5.0
Many girls in Hazel’s school are hearing from an anonymous person online who is harassing them. Plaguing them with knowledge of all their tiny little insecurities and the dreams they have. Hazel thinks she knows who is responsible, but no one is willing to come forwards. She knows that she must fight for what is just and for what is right.
I was extremely lucky to have the opportunity to read Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One early and wow was I not disappointed. With Hazel Hill, Maggie Horne has written a powerfully feminist story that deserves to be told throughout schools everywhere. The messaging in Hazel Hill tells some of the most important points that I think readers deserve and must hear in order to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. Assault and harassment are horrific events that do happen and do need to be spoken about in order to enable people everywhere to know that they have the power to change what is happening.
Hazel herself is fierce and likeable – a truly heroic main character who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. She is outraged about what is going on and she won’t let herself be silenced, no matter what the consequences are. I love the development of her character across the novel from a girl who is stubbornly pleased to be alone to one who does want and in facts finds joy from having friendships with Ella and Riley. I particularly enjoy that Maggie Horne does not shy away from villainising Tyler completely – recent incidences of sexual harassment in the media perpetuates victim blaming and shaming and this book certainly does not do any of that, thank goodness!
This is a very special story and one that absolutely deserves to be told. 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Firefly Press for providing a review copy.
I was extremely lucky to have the opportunity to read Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One early and wow was I not disappointed. With Hazel Hill, Maggie Horne has written a powerfully feminist story that deserves to be told throughout schools everywhere. The messaging in Hazel Hill tells some of the most important points that I think readers deserve and must hear in order to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. Assault and harassment are horrific events that do happen and do need to be spoken about in order to enable people everywhere to know that they have the power to change what is happening.
Hazel herself is fierce and likeable – a truly heroic main character who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. She is outraged about what is going on and she won’t let herself be silenced, no matter what the consequences are. I love the development of her character across the novel from a girl who is stubbornly pleased to be alone to one who does want and in facts finds joy from having friendships with Ella and Riley. I particularly enjoy that Maggie Horne does not shy away from villainising Tyler completely – recent incidences of sexual harassment in the media perpetuates victim blaming and shaming and this book certainly does not do any of that, thank goodness!
This is a very special story and one that absolutely deserves to be told. 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Firefly Press for providing a review copy.
bookslucyking's review against another edition
5.0
VIDEORECENZE/VLOG: https://youtu.be/KBVT5GhhtPk
Takovýchto knih potřebujeme víc. Ta frustrace těch holek, jak jim nikdo nevěřil, se na mě neskutečně přenášela. Musíme víc otevřít oči a větu "kluci jsou kluci" nechat v minulosti. Jen protože jsou to děti, neznamená, že takové obtěžování je okay. NENÍ!
Takovýchto knih potřebujeme víc. Ta frustrace těch holek, jak jim nikdo nevěřil, se na mě neskutečně přenášela. Musíme víc otevřít oči a větu "kluci jsou kluci" nechat v minulosti. Jen protože jsou to děti, neznamená, že takové obtěžování je okay. NENÍ!
poppyjessica's review
4.0
'Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One' by Maggie Horne is such an important book - it presents topics of cyberbullying, assault and feminism in a way which is completely accessible to young teenagers and will be a wonderfully inspiring narrative.
Hazel Hill starts the book academically brilliant but friendless and a bit stuck. She frequently find herself an outlet for the ramblings of popular boy Tyler, sharing his latest crush of the week. This all shifts when one day, Tyler says his ex-girlfriend has a crush... on Hazel! This causes her to go down a path of uncovering Tyler's vile actions towards girls in their year group, making a friend or even two, and perhaps finally winning the speech contest?
Hazel is such a fantastic character who is going to absolutely inspire a whole host of young people. She is a badass feminist who, despite being 12, will speak out for what is right. This book is for anyone who has been made to feel uncomfortable and then an adult brushed aside their feelings... never again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hazel Hill starts the book academically brilliant but friendless and a bit stuck. She frequently find herself an outlet for the ramblings of popular boy Tyler, sharing his latest crush of the week. This all shifts when one day, Tyler says his ex-girlfriend has a crush... on Hazel! This causes her to go down a path of uncovering Tyler's vile actions towards girls in their year group, making a friend or even two, and perhaps finally winning the speech contest?
Hazel is such a fantastic character who is going to absolutely inspire a whole host of young people. She is a badass feminist who, despite being 12, will speak out for what is right. This book is for anyone who has been made to feel uncomfortable and then an adult brushed aside their feelings... never again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
lizahotta's review
3.0
John Tucker Must Die but for middle graders. Cute and fun read with a serious theme.
svtiwari1's review
5.0
Strong queer lead who is confident in her thinking and develops confidence in her voice. Compelling and realistic story of addressing unchecked sexual harassment in middle school and on social media.
The story flowed smoothly but I wish side characters were a bit more developed earlier on. I appreciated the author’s note at the end connecting the book to aspects of her own life while also connecting young people to support and resources
The story flowed smoothly but I wish side characters were a bit more developed earlier on. I appreciated the author’s note at the end connecting the book to aspects of her own life while also connecting young people to support and resources
ailsareads's review
5.0
An absolutely brilliant book about 12 year old Hazel Hill who stands up for herself and her friends against sexual harassment in school. This book is just so perfect and what I love most is that it is still very much a book for kids. It's perfectly pitched at the age range it's for and it is empowering and inspirational.