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yapha's review
4.0
This was a phenomenal story of love and family and hope for the future set on the backdrop of the civil rights movement in 1967 and the Supreme Court case of Loving vs. Virginia. Ariel (Ari for short) looks up to her older sister Leah, who is everything she wishes she could be. They are living in Connecticut, one of the few Jewish families in their small town. When Leah first falls in love with Raj, Ari is excited to be trusted with their secret. But when Leah and Raj elope, Ari is devastated. Her parents cut Leah off from the family for marrying someone who is not only not Jewish but also from India. Ari is desperate to reunite her family and will go to extremes to do so. Her poetry as she works through her emotions is one of the best parts of the book.
It was an interesting choice to write the book in second person. I'm not sure that I have actually ever read a novel in second person before. It mostly worked, but once a while the "you" would be jarring.
Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
It was an interesting choice to write the book in second person. I'm not sure that I have actually ever read a novel in second person before. It mostly worked, but once a while the "you" would be jarring.
Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
danyell919's review
5.0
Oh this was a wonderful book. It touched on so many issues, but I especially loved the author’s portrayal of the struggles of dysgraphia, which my son has. I’ve read books with characters with dyslexia, but never dysgraphia before. I thought Ariel was a thoughtful protagonist and I enjoyed this read so much.
abigailbat's review
Set in 1968, this novel explores life for a Jewish family in Connecticut when older sister Leah runs away and marries an Indian American man against her parents wishes, just after the Supreme Court's Loving Vs. Virginia decision legalized interracial marriage. Younger sister Ariel is 12 years old and misses her older sister, whom her parents have now cut out of their lives. She also deals with anti-Jewish bullying at school and a disability called dysgraphia that makes handwriting very difficult for her. I loved this detailed, character-driven novel and getting to know Ariel and her family.
sara_ndipity's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
stenaros's review
3.0
1960s-set story of a girl who finds writing (the actual producing letters on a paper) hard. At the same time, her older sister is dating a guy on the sly.
A solid historical fiction of family and choices.
This title is so bland I will never remember it. And in fact, I had it written down slightly incorrectly (you are, instead of you're) and Goodreads couldn't find it.
Read for Librarian Book Group
A solid historical fiction of family and choices.
This title is so bland I will never remember it. And in fact, I had it written down slightly incorrectly (you are, instead of you're) and Goodreads couldn't find it.
Read for Librarian Book Group
beb989's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
3.5
tcbueti's review
4.0
This managed to keep lots of ball in the air successfully.
I thought the use of poetry as a device both to express Ari's feelings and for her to gain confidence and fluency in her writing ability was really well done. The poems are not stellar, but that makes sense, and they are heartfelt.
The parallel between prejudice and persecution of Jews (including of Ari by her classmate) and then of Raj (on the train--is this man bothering you?) works really well. And then the coda of the two families working together to support each other is very satisfying, if somewhat unrealistic.
I thought the use of poetry as a device both to express Ari's feelings and for her to gain confidence and fluency in her writing ability was really well done. The poems are not stellar, but that makes sense, and they are heartfelt.
The parallel between prejudice and persecution of Jews (including of Ari by her classmate) and then of Raj (on the train--is this man bothering you?) works really well. And then the coda of the two families working together to support each other is very satisfying, if somewhat unrealistic.
tizzyreads's review
4.0
I haven't read a middle grade book in a while, but this story was so compelling that i had to read and what i found was a heartfelt coming of age that is perfect for children of this age. A lot of children in middle school feel the change from being a child to growing up and life throws so many hardships at once so i feel like it resonates well. Ariel, being a Jewish girl, has to deal with her sister leaving, her learning disability, and a bully. It deals well with racism, bullying, and political strife of that time. It definitely is able to tackle tough subjects while not being too pushy. The second person narrative is very foreign to me and it took me a second to really become accustomed to it, however, once i was able to get passed that, it didn't detract from the story. Ariel is so likable and personable that even with the hard hitting subjects, the story is a good read.
mlettus's review
4.0
This was an interesting story! I always enjoy finding historical fiction novels that are able to stand out. The 60's is a common time period to write about, but it was from a different point of view, and the characters were not cut and dry.