Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

6 reviews

passionatereader78's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.0

This is an emotional story. It was difficult to read because of the heaviness of the story. It's well written.  I like the way we alternate between Edward's life after the crash and the events that lead up to the crash. Edward or Eddie lost his immediate family in a plane crash. He was the only survivor in the crash. He has trouble facing what happened to him. His aunt and uncle try to protect him and take care of him the best they can.  He's in therapy, but refuses to discuss the crash. Outside of his bubble people have been posting about him on social media and family members of the other passengers want to ask him questions.  He is a 12 year old boy who has to deal with survivor's guilt and grief.  He makes friends with his neighbor Shay and she helps him deal with his issues. When he turns fifteen he and Shay find all of the letters that people have written him over the years. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

kimveach's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

When this book was published, I couldn't read it because it sounded too depressing.  I'm glad I decided to try it now.  The subject matter was sad, but the book was hopeful and uplifting.  It's a beautiful tale of grief and how being surrounded by good people can make it bearable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Blood, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Infertility, Drug use, Medical content, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, and Gore

jamiejanae_6's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Infertility, and Grief

Minor: Gun violence, Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Addiction, and Drug abuse

jen_again's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Grief, Infertility, and Death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug use and Suicide

mrswelborn's review against another edition

dark reflective sad 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? No

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. To me, the main focus of the entire story is trauma, and how a 12 yr old boy could ever possibly manage the crushing load of his experiences. Because of this, I disagree with other reviews that complain about the lack of emotion here, mistaking it for laziness on the author’s part; I consider it to reflect the opposite, the Napolitano has done her research when it comes to the brain, severe trauma, and the developmental stages a 12 yr old goes through. The book does read as detached as times, but its reflective of Edward’s experience, who has a mathematical, logical mindset - not to mention all the ways the brain “short-circuits” when trying to compute life circumstances that defy precedent. I loved the characters, the varied stories of each person on the plane, how you empathize with some and loathe others. This was a beautiful read about resiliency, the depth of pain, and what it looks like to piece a life together after it’s been shattered to pieces. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Drug use

lani's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Miscarriage

Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infertility, and Suicidal thoughts