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trking's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was pretty good! Some of the decisions the protagonist made were pretty confusing to me, and as an autistic person I feel like it dwelled a little too much on the things that make being autistic hard and not the things that can make it great (pattern recognition, linear and analytical thinking, hyperfixating for productivity, etc.) The characters were solid and the vibes/tone were good--it's a good middle-grade read.
syntaxx's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I loved the kind, gentle nature of this book. It educates without being preachy. Diverse characters. I really enjoyed this one!
line_magnus's review
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
sarahdeutsch's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
A tender middle grade novel featuring Ellen, a thirteen year old Jewish autistic girl on a school trip to Spain with her father and classmates. While there she meets a new non-binary student who helps her to reimagine her world and the possibilities that exist. Great for helping middle graders learn to be more sensitive to pronouns and the different ways of being. I really enjoyed Ellen's relationship with her Dad as she learns more about his own sexual identity. The neurodiversity rep was great in this book too. Ellen has trouble with sensory processing and uses coping strategies. Her best friend doesn't always treat her as an equal because of it. Great on audio, I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it, especially for fans of A kind of spark.
daenknight's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Ever since I read Ana on the Edge, I've been hooked on Sass' books. This book was no different; the cover drew me in and the writing did the rest. There was so much about this book that I loved. The Jewish, LGBT, and autistic representation within was a treat to read. I related a lot to Ellen in several ways, and as such, the story connected hard with my emotions. This book might easily be one of my top favorite books, and I'm eager to read more from this author! :D
chickchick22's review
5.0
How dare this book make me cry as much as I did?!
Love love it. This book is 100% a 5-star for anyone.
Ellen is possibly the sweetest soul around. Sass did a good job building her character.
Isa? Oh…Isa is amazing. No other word can do her justice. In fact, “amazing” might not do her justice either. Andy just melted my heart. And Gibs? I adore him.
What I really loved though, was the whole idea. These kids were going to Barcelona and it’s just a really good way to allow the readers to jump into the story. While us readers are getting used to these new characters, the characters are getting used to the new place. It’s just perfect.
I loved all of the LGBTQIAP+ references too. Isa’s character did a great job of representing pan and non-binary people. In some of the other books I’ve read, “pan” doesn’t exist. They literally do not talk about it. Bi? Sure. Pan? No. But Isa…she was incredible. She was strong and stood up for herself. Andy was amazing as well. As a gay 13 year old, I can just imagine how hard it must’ve been to come out. And yet he did. I can also imagine how hard it must’ve been to trust Ellen again. But that’s for later. Gibs was just hilarious. I loved how accepting he was.
Ellen is a whole other story. Her experience as an autistic lesbian teenager was amazing. First, let’s address the autism. I loved how Sass added in the end: “Ellen’s experiences with autism are unique to her and not intended to be viewed as the only autistic experience.” The way that she was able to calm herself down was great. How Sass described her experiences was really amazing though. I was able to see through her eyes, and I could understand everything that she felt.
Next, the fact that Ellen is lesbian. She discovered that she was on her trip, and that just felt so real to me. Our identities are forever changing, and so is hers. Speaking of…she uses the pronouns she/her and they/them. I felt like Sass was able to represent so many types of characters, and I loved that.
Lauren and Ellen’s friendship was…complicated. You can see how Ellen can love spending time with Lauren since she is a good person, but Lauren is changing. I felt like that’s very realistic and I felt that I could really relate to Ellen.
The representation for LGBTQIAP+ people, people with autism, and 13 year olds with friend problems in general is amazing. Love this book.
Love love it. This book is 100% a 5-star for anyone.
Ellen is possibly the sweetest soul around. Sass did a good job building her character.
Isa? Oh…Isa is amazing. No other word can do her justice. In fact, “amazing” might not do her justice either. Andy just melted my heart. And Gibs? I adore him.
What I really loved though, was the whole idea. These kids were going to Barcelona and it’s just a really good way to allow the readers to jump into the story. While us readers are getting used to these new characters, the characters are getting used to the new place. It’s just perfect.
I loved all of the LGBTQIAP+ references too. Isa’s character did a great job of representing pan and non-binary people. In some of the other books I’ve read, “pan” doesn’t exist. They literally do not talk about it. Bi? Sure. Pan? No. But Isa…she was incredible. She was strong and stood up for herself. Andy was amazing as well. As a gay 13 year old, I can just imagine how hard it must’ve been to come out. And yet he did. I can also imagine how hard it must’ve been to trust Ellen again. But that’s for later. Gibs was just hilarious. I loved how accepting he was.
Ellen is a whole other story. Her experience as an autistic lesbian teenager was amazing. First, let’s address the autism. I loved how Sass added in the end: “Ellen’s experiences with autism are unique to her and not intended to be viewed as the only autistic experience.” The way that she was able to calm herself down was great. How Sass described her experiences was really amazing though. I was able to see through her eyes, and I could understand everything that she felt.
Next, the fact that Ellen is lesbian. She discovered that she was on her trip, and that just felt so real to me. Our identities are forever changing, and so is hers. Speaking of…she uses the pronouns she/her and they/them. I felt like Sass was able to represent so many types of characters, and I loved that.
Lauren and Ellen’s friendship was…complicated. You can see how Ellen can love spending time with Lauren since she is a good person, but Lauren is changing. I felt like that’s very realistic and I felt that I could really relate to Ellen.
The representation for LGBTQIAP+ people, people with autism, and 13 year olds with friend problems in general is amazing. Love this book.
fizzingweasleys's review
4.0
What an absolutely delightful book. I loved the attention to detail and vibrant worldbuilding that made reading this story a true pleasure.
llamallama527's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
This is a lovely book for middle grades and everyone older than that! The main character is autistic and this version of autism (as autism is a spectrum) is captured beautifully by this autistic author. This characters learn about friendship, neurodiveristy, and what it can mean to be LGBTQIA+ in such a natural and open way that it feels real, and the reader learns, too!