Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I picked up this book because my library didn't have a copy of Woodson's newer work "Brown Girl Dreaming" and I am incredibly glad that I did. It's a book filled with emotional richness and realism in the way teenagers love and process.
In full disclosure this book moved me to tears at least twice. The first was about mid-way through the book and the second was full on snot-running-from-nose-can't-catch-breath crying at the end. Woodson uses emotions and characters thoughts like paint to craft the lives of characters that are deep and genuine. She doesn't try to use overly youthful speech that would have made the novel feel dated. I'm a big fan of YA novels that show that the everyday lives of teenagers are filled with challenges, even ones that we consider very grown up. Those challenges don't just live in the world, they also live in the inner world of the teenager. How we fit love, independence, racial identity, and religious identity
One of my favorite insights from the novel was the conversation between Miah and his dad about how White people forget their white, which gets carried later into Ellie's thoughts. I also felt like Ellie's dawning racial consciousness was realistic. I also loved that Ellie was not super Jewish, it would have felt like too much and to me it made Ellie more realistic, it kept her from being a stereotype. And in Miah's mind, he's not in love with a Jewish girl, he's in love with a White girl.
I found this book incredibly engaging, moving, and thought provoking. It's also a relatively short read so seriously, what are you waiting for?
In full disclosure this book moved me to tears at least twice. The first was about mid-way through the book and the second was full on snot-running-from-nose-can't-catch-breath crying at the end. Woodson uses emotions and characters thoughts like paint to craft the lives of characters that are deep and genuine. She doesn't try to use overly youthful speech that would have made the novel feel dated. I'm a big fan of YA novels that show that the everyday lives of teenagers are filled with challenges, even ones that we consider very grown up. Those challenges don't just live in the world, they also live in the inner world of the teenager. How we fit love, independence, racial identity, and religious identity
One of my favorite insights from the novel was the conversation between Miah and his dad about how White people forget their white, which gets carried later into Ellie's thoughts. I also felt like Ellie's dawning racial consciousness was realistic. I also loved that Ellie was not super Jewish, it would have felt like too much and to me it made Ellie more realistic, it kept her from being a stereotype. And in Miah's mind, he's not in love with a Jewish girl, he's in love with a White girl.
I found this book incredibly engaging, moving, and thought provoking. It's also a relatively short read so seriously, what are you waiting for?
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
emotional
sad
fast-paced
The actual rating is 3.75 but unfortunately i can't give it something higher than that. The book was good and had a very important message but i felt as if nothing was fully developed. We only get to see snippets of Ellie and Miah's relationship even though it's one of the main focuses of the story. And i wish it would've gone a little more in depth with some of the external relationships.
emotional
sad
What a beautiful and heartrending story. The account of two teenagers (a black boy from Brooklyn, and a Jewish girl) who meet at their new private school (which happens to be very white and Gentile)and fall in love. The story alternates perspectives and shares their internal thoughts about the personal struggles they face and those they face from their community and their family in light of their burgeoning relationship.
I am incredibly glad I purchased this for my library. It was beautifully written and emotionally provoking, challenging our snap judgements of others in a necessary way even 20 years after it was first published. Thank you, Ms. Woodson, for this thoughtful piece of literature.
I am incredibly glad I purchased this for my library. It was beautifully written and emotionally provoking, challenging our snap judgements of others in a necessary way even 20 years after it was first published. Thank you, Ms. Woodson, for this thoughtful piece of literature.
“My mother calls to me from the bottom of the stairs, and I pull myself slowly from a deep sleep.”
What a heartbreaking story. I don’t think the pacing was perfect, but I’m so moved by how devastatingly resonant the story still is today. 3.5 stars.