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4.68 AVERAGE
4.68 AVERAGE
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is one of my new favorite authors. I will read anything she writes. The War That Saved My Life and its sequel were two of my very favorite books last year. And this one, though different, is equally as good. I knew that Ms. Bradley must’ve suffered some sort of trauma in order to be able to understand abuse and portray it so well. In the note after this book, I found out this was true. I am so sad for her, but her pain has made her a deeply empathetic writer.
In this book, the young protagonist faces homelessness, an incarcerated mother who suffered from addiction and a severe lack of parenting skills, foster care, sexual abuse, an attempted suicide by her beloved sister, and bullying and abuse at school. Those are some pretty weighty topics. They are handled deftly and with care. I think students who read this book will come away with a better understanding of other’s lives, and they will also have tools that they could use so that they are never taken advantage of. My favorite scene was when all the girls in the class stand up against a boy who has been sexually harassing them. It was very powerful.
As difficult as this book was at times, it was beautifully written and I loved this funky protagonist. This book will be one of my favorites this year. And I hope for more books by this author soon.
In this book, the young protagonist faces homelessness, an incarcerated mother who suffered from addiction and a severe lack of parenting skills, foster care, sexual abuse, an attempted suicide by her beloved sister, and bullying and abuse at school. Those are some pretty weighty topics. They are handled deftly and with care. I think students who read this book will come away with a better understanding of other’s lives, and they will also have tools that they could use so that they are never taken advantage of. My favorite scene was when all the girls in the class stand up against a boy who has been sexually harassing them. It was very powerful.
As difficult as this book was at times, it was beautifully written and I loved this funky protagonist. This book will be one of my favorites this year. And I hope for more books by this author soon.
This book is an excellent read on the tough subject of child sexual abuse. The author does a great job of exploring and sharing all that kids go through physically, mentally and emotionally when dealing with this type of abuse.
Amazing! The topic is hard, yes, but the author’s structure gives the child reader warnings and permission to take a breather from the story or press forward. Della’s voice is unique, grabbing the reader from the first page and not letting go. The descriptions in the book are never gratuitous and the emotional and plot arcs are beautifully woven and realistic. I absolutely loved Francine who is never a cliched adult hero but a flawed human being.
challenging
emotional
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:
Complicated
Della is ten years old, clinging to the safety of her sixteen year old sister Suki. Having escaped their abusive step father, they have now made their way into foster care and are transitioning into life at new schools. While Della has her own struggles and story of abuse, her sister's struggles are also prevalent, with severely unsupported mental health. While Suki grapples with trying to finish school and getting a job and save so that she can afford to apply for custody, she can't escape the realities of her former abuse and the impacts upon her mind. Della doesn't understand or recognize the severity of the situation until all the pieces fall into place during an eye awakening crisis.
This is raw and realistic and shows the struggles of a teenager responsible for their younger sibling, and how our current systems of support provide next to nothing but negligence and neglect.
This is raw and realistic and shows the struggles of a teenager responsible for their younger sibling, and how our current systems of support provide next to nothing but negligence and neglect.
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Narrated by the 10 year old, tender, trauma, and recovery.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fighting words in a very sad book about two sisters who was sa'ed from their own father and neglected by their mother. Della and Suki are in foster care and that might seem good, but they have serious trauma from their parents. This book is very good but also very emotional!
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book had a tremendous impact on me. I think I would have a hard time picking the middle grade reader I would recommend this to without having knowledge about them, but I could easily see sending this home with a teen or adult. It is compassionate and takes an approach that feels true to life while also inspiring and heartwarming. Della and Suki's stories are ones that need to be told, and they are told here with love and tenderness and a deft hand.
This is the most powerful piece of literature I have read this year. Probably one of the most ever. I hurt for these characters and cried more than I have in a long time. I absolutely do not care that it is juvenile fiction because this book goes to prove that juvenile fiction is real, powerful, and raw. You cannot love this book, but you can believe and respect it.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes