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ahen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Gun violence
librayrian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Death, Murder, Child death, Bullying, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gun violence, Ableism, Blood, Misogyny, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Physical abuse
Minor: Racism
ilovegilmoregirls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Torture, Mental illness, Gun violence, Cursing, Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Bullying, Death, War, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Police brutality, Murder, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Alcohol
jemappellecat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Police brutality, Grief, and Violence
reclusivebookslug's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This novel encompasses for me the potential of the YA genre. Reading it again now as a college student with much more reading experience under my belt, it seems to me that this was a necessary predecessor to some of my other favorite YA novels (The Perks of Being a Wallflower in particular comes to mind). Coming-of-age stories are so important for people of all ages -- themes of self-discovery, learning to navigate the world around you, finding a place to belong, value formation, learning to empathize with people different from yourself, and dealing with new and difficult experiences will always be relevant.
I recently saw a clip of YA author John Green addressing criticism that real teenagers are not as well-spoken as those in his books. His response was that reflecting their internal sense of self and emotional reality was more important than being strictly realistic. Young people do not see themselves the way adults might. Their hopes and worries are real and important to them, no matter how trivial other people (i.e. unempathetic, out-of-touch adults) might think their problems and accomplishments are. I find this sentiment applicable to a lot of great YA fiction, including this book, which has also been accused of being unrealistic and melodramatic.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Police brutality, Death of parent, Violence, and Grief
anastasiamakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Classism, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
coriblake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Police brutality, Child death, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Racism, and Infidelity
bendersreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Drug use
jetstar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Suicide, and Violence
lusi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Child abuse, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent