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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This was just so poorly written. We definitely need more books from Native voices in the United States but this was just bad.
I feel bad for not liking this awarded book. But I really really don't like it. I wanted a YA novel about Native Americans by an authentic author. However, the protagonist was so ignorant, running from one contrived blunder into the next, it was hard to believe anyone could be so dense. Especially if you make her out to be interested in accents in the beginning and then not make her understand what people mean when they say "innit"
The author claims they wanted to show what it's like to live life on a reservation, yet they only show us glimpses of it which are overshadowed by the main character's self- absorption and her supernatural ability. And what was up with that? Is it supposed to be a fantasy extra or do Native Americans really have certain abilities?
The story only gets worse, when in the end something happens for the simple purpose of tearing at your heartstrings. But instead of bringing tears to my eyes I could only roll them. And it's not even over after this. Convenient coincidence follows sudden enlightenment follows highschool love trope follow kitsch message.
So, I'm sorry, but I don't see how this book could be praised that highly. It only shows that we are in desperate need of Native American representation.
The author claims they wanted to show what it's like to live life on a reservation, yet they only show us glimpses of it which are overshadowed by the main character's self- absorption and her supernatural ability. And what was up with that? Is it supposed to be a fantasy extra or do Native Americans really have certain abilities?
The story only gets worse, when in the end something happens for the simple purpose of tearing at your heartstrings. But instead of bringing tears to my eyes I could only roll them. And it's not even over after this. Convenient coincidence follows sudden enlightenment follows highschool love trope follow kitsch message.
So, I'm sorry, but I don't see how this book could be praised that highly. It only shows that we are in desperate need of Native American representation.
funny
hopeful
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
I like the idea of this book—it addresses a lot of great topics and issues! I was lukewarm over the character development of Apple. As some other reviewers pointed out, she needed to be fleshed out a little more and her dialog/thought process was a little waffly throughout the book. Overall, an enjoyable read.
I really wanted to love this book. I’m reading more native stories, but this protagonist wasn’t my favorite, the tension in the story needed lots of work, and the editing (or lack thereof) was really distracting. So many quotations needed to be close.
The timeline drove me bananas: a story set in this early 2000s with a mom born in 1968, graduated from high school in 1988 with Leif Garrett posters everywhere? The grandfather who fought in WWII but is said to be in his 60s? The dad who stopped drinking when the protagonist was a year and a half and somehow the character knew about this but also the dad was drinking well into her childhood?
The external conflict didn’t really need to exist because the protagonist was coming of age and had so much internal conflict. The pacing was super rushed. A character really unnecessarily died. A lot of plot points were unnecessary or didn’t add up.
The timeline drove me bananas: a story set in this early 2000s with a mom born in 1968, graduated from high school in 1988 with Leif Garrett posters everywhere? The grandfather who fought in WWII but is said to be in his 60s? The dad who stopped drinking when the protagonist was a year and a half and somehow the character knew about this but also the dad was drinking well into her childhood?
The external conflict didn’t really need to exist because the protagonist was coming of age and had so much internal conflict. The pacing was super rushed. A character really unnecessarily died. A lot of plot points were unnecessary or didn’t add up.
I really enjoyed this book as it was a lucky pick up from my local library YA section. It's YA but I also think younger ages could read this as well. I loved the humor that was Apple --how she dealt with situations that made her uncomfortable but then later the humor of her grandparents is not only insightful but LOL. It was interesting to learn more about Ojibwa/Chippewa culture from words, food, history, family and also you get some insights.
We go along with Apple's journey of what it's like to be in the "white world" but also the "Indian world" as she try's to understand both her sides.
I highly recommend this book.
We go along with Apple's journey of what it's like to be in the "white world" but also the "Indian world" as she try's to understand both her sides.
I highly recommend this book.
I had some issues with this book’s timeline. It didn’t add up lots of times. Her Grandfather was in WW2 in the 1940’s. Her mother was born in 1968 while he was in college which would have put him well into his forties which is possible but weird. I might have been able to let that go but she also writes that Apple comes home at 9 to her dad drinking but then later says her dad bought the house shortly after she was born/her mom died and married Judy a year and a half later and Judy helped him stop drinking.
I don't think I've ever read a book with a dumber protagonist.
I really wanted to like this book. I'm trying to read books with more diverse protagonist and authors but...oof. This book isn't the one folks.
I really wanted to like this book. I'm trying to read books with more diverse protagonist and authors but...oof. This book isn't the one folks.
What I liked: Apple’s relatives, descriptions of tribal land, history, and culture. Junior.
What ruined the story for me: timeline inconsistencies that should have been edited. Apple is kind of bratty and sounds like a 12 year old instead of the 15-16 year old she is supposed to be. The unnecessary death at the end.
This is an excellent premise that needed better editing.
What ruined the story for me: timeline inconsistencies that should have been edited. Apple is kind of bratty and sounds like a 12 year old instead of the 15-16 year old she is supposed to be. The unnecessary death at the end.
This is an excellent premise that needed better editing.
Such an awesome story and beautifully written. It is marketed as YA, but I definitely think it could also be middle grade. I’m so glad I didn’t pass it up because of the YA label! I know I will be adding it to my 5th grade class library. The character is a teen...10th grade...but grade5-6 would enjoy. We need so many more contemporary fiction stories from Native people! Middle grade please!