Reviews

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

yarydoll's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-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

It's an emotional story of a Indian American girl growing up feeling torn between her cultures in the 80's and all the 80's references were cool for someone who lived through that era. She wants to make her parents proud and she wants to fit in with her peers at school. She also wants to be a doctor but faints at the sight of blood. Then something happens that turns her world upside down. Highly recommend.

 

bea_reads_books's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

mamahest's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

megmu18's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

elizabethwillett's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

4.0

Loved this story about Reha, a middle school student trying to find where she belongs. At school, she is the only Indian American student. At home, she is steeped in her family's culture and Hindu religion. You get a window into her life in 1983, which was fun for me, but then you also glimpse into how a child learns about and experiences her mother's illness. The title, Red, White, and Whole was perfect as Reha is straddling two worlds and trying to find what makes her whole. It also ties into the red and white blood cells that are wrecking havoc on her mother's body. Beautiful and immersive, the poetic verse format really worked for this book. I also have to say I loved the mention of Mix Tapes and had a fun time explaining them to my 6th grade classes.

thepetitepunk's review against another edition

4.0

Loved this. Heartbreaking, and a great use of verse. I especially enjoyed the audiobook.

✧ ✧ ✧

≪reading 31 books for 31 days of january≫
╰┈➤ 1. funny feelings by tarah dewitt
╰┈➤ 2. winterborne home for vengeance and valor by ally carter
╰┈➤ 3. garvey’s choice by nikki grimes
╰┈➤ 4. ghost music by an yu
╰┈➤ 5. decoding boys by cara natterson
╰┈➤ 6. the sunbearer trials by aiden thomas
╰┈➤ 7. the house in the pines by ana reyes
╰┈➤ 8. the lost apothecary by sarah penner
╰┈➤ 9. we are all so good at smiling by amber mcbride
╰┈➤ 10. ms ice sandwich by mieko kawakami
╰┈➤ 11. love & other disasters by anita kelly
╰┈➤ 12. red, white, and whole by rajani larocca

melodys_library's review against another edition

5.0

For fans of “Other Words for Home.” I loved all of it.

gracepizza40's review against another edition

5.0

I love this book so much.

pages_on_fire's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0