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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Beautifully written. I love the authors style. This book was sad and lovely and oh so maddening.
I read this book as a part of the Life's Library book club (https://www.lifeslibrarybookclub.com/)
I really enjoyed this book, I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, and it was nice to read a book that wasn't trying to be pretentious or something more than it was. It told its story and made me feel things, the way a good book is supposed to.
Yes of course it was more than just a story, it was a realistic portrayal of racism that an interracial couple experiences, and the opening to (as I understand it) a multiple decades long discussion about racism and how we can be better in America. But the book itself is simple, and that's what I needed for by reading slump. Also I think it's what this conversation needed.
I really enjoyed this book, I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, and it was nice to read a book that wasn't trying to be pretentious or something more than it was. It told its story and made me feel things, the way a good book is supposed to.
Yes of course it was more than just a story, it was a realistic portrayal of racism that an interracial couple experiences, and the opening to (as I understand it) a multiple decades long discussion about racism and how we can be better in America. But the book itself is simple, and that's what I needed for by reading slump. Also I think it's what this conversation needed.
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another great YA novel by Jacqueline Woodson. Her storytelling has this flow to it, amazing imo. I understand what Woodson means when she says that Miah and Ellie walked into her head and never left. I need some time to digest the fact that Miah is not here, that there is no more Miah and Ellie.
The first thing that struck me about this book is how specifically Woodson is able to sketch her characters. Ellie and Miah are both incredibly rendered in the small amount of space the book has-- their appearances, personalities, and very individualized emotional and family issues. This book doesn't talk down to its young intended audience in that way-- it invites them to come and get to know these people, however briefly, and understand them the way one begins to understand a person they speak to more and more. I think it's that brilliance of characterization that makes Ellie and Miah's love story ring true, and what makes the ending of the book so tragic and echoing.
Another thing I admire about Woodson's writing is her ability to introduce complex topics in an understandable, conversational way. She isn't didactic or presumptive in her depictions of race, instead exposing readers to different aspects or angles of a problem and inviting them to think about it from each of those vantage points. Ellie might be white in the way Miah's father describes whiteness-- as the privilege of not knowing what color you are-- but her introspection and questioning about race is very sincere. One of her conclusions-- that if she and her family aren't racist, why aren't there any black people populating their world?-- is both innocent and profound. At the same time, Miah's awareness of his race, the lessons he's been instilled with since he was very young, and the price he pays for singular moments of happy unawareness underscore the differences between growing up black or white in America, no matter what other privileges you have.
This book moves quickly and ends abruptly. But because of Woodson's deft characterization, poetic prose, and resonant emotion, it sticks with you and provokes thought.
Another thing I admire about Woodson's writing is her ability to introduce complex topics in an understandable, conversational way. She isn't didactic or presumptive in her depictions of race, instead exposing readers to different aspects or angles of a problem and inviting them to think about it from each of those vantage points. Ellie might be white in the way Miah's father describes whiteness-- as the privilege of not knowing what color you are-- but her introspection and questioning about race is very sincere. One of her conclusions-- that if she and her family aren't racist, why aren't there any black people populating their world?-- is both innocent and profound. At the same time, Miah's awareness of his race, the lessons he's been instilled with since he was very young, and the price he pays for singular moments of happy unawareness underscore the differences between growing up black or white in America, no matter what other privileges you have.
This book moves quickly and ends abruptly. But because of Woodson's deft characterization, poetic prose, and resonant emotion, it sticks with you and provokes thought.
I didn't find this to be well written and the whole plot was too bland for me. The love story was pretty lame and the characters were 'eh'.
This would probably be more well-suited to someone much younger. I think 12 and under. I expect a certain standard of writing and this was too dumbed-down for me. It took me no time to read because it was short, had HUGE font and was such simple writing.
I read it for a challenge(I had to read a YA book with a minority as one of the main characters). This was the only book that fit that challenge available at my library so I gave it a go.
If anyone is thinking about reading this, do yourself a favor and just read "Perfect Chemistry" or "Rules of Attraction" by Simone Elkeles instead. Her writing may not be "genius" but the books are interesting with characters that pop off the pages.
This just did nothing for me. MAYBE someone under 12 might find it interesting but I can't say anything good about it.
This would probably be more well-suited to someone much younger. I think 12 and under. I expect a certain standard of writing and this was too dumbed-down for me. It took me no time to read because it was short, had HUGE font and was such simple writing.
I read it for a challenge(I had to read a YA book with a minority as one of the main characters). This was the only book that fit that challenge available at my library so I gave it a go.
If anyone is thinking about reading this, do yourself a favor and just read "Perfect Chemistry" or "Rules of Attraction" by Simone Elkeles instead. Her writing may not be "genius" but the books are interesting with characters that pop off the pages.
This just did nothing for me. MAYBE someone under 12 might find it interesting but I can't say anything good about it.
It had a good plot, but the content itself was pretty sappy. And the ending kindof sucked. Plus the beginning is a bit confusing. I didn't think it was that great.