You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I just discovered Jordan Sonnenblick via my seventh grader with Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. His novels are easily consumable novels for a younger teen reader (there's no sex or cursing, etc.) which feature smart, male narrators and a realistic teenage voice. The plot in this book does involve drunk driving - the protagonist goes on an out-of-character drinking binge one night and is about to go confront his father (mom & dad are in the midst of a divorce) and gets halfway down the block and decapitates a garden gnome when he ends up on the neighbor's yard. He is sentenced to community service so he is assigned to be a companion to a crotchety, Yiddish-speaking resident of a nursing home. Thus the book becomes a sort of YA Tuesdays with Morrie with enough plot twists to keep things interesting and touching without becoming overwrought.
I don't think this book aspires to be much more than it is: well-drawn, realistically flawed but likeable characters (like teenagers, really!), relatable plots that hook the reader, and themes that speak to the YA reader: family, friends, music, what is important in life, etc. They are a refreshing break from the bleak landscape of YA dystopias and as stand-alone novels, they are a welcome change from the parade of endless mediocre series that seem expertly crafted to sell as many books as possible in the teen marketplace.
I don't think this book aspires to be much more than it is: well-drawn, realistically flawed but likeable characters (like teenagers, really!), relatable plots that hook the reader, and themes that speak to the YA reader: family, friends, music, what is important in life, etc. They are a refreshing break from the bleak landscape of YA dystopias and as stand-alone novels, they are a welcome change from the parade of endless mediocre series that seem expertly crafted to sell as many books as possible in the teen marketplace.
Such a funny book with well-developed characters you fall in love with. Was NOT expecting that ending for this "fun, quick" read I picked up.
Highly recommend this book for 7th grade and up.
Highly recommend this book for 7th grade and up.
This book was tough for me, mainly because Sol's death mirrored my grandfather's almost exactly (smoking is bad, mmmkay?). That being said...
I. Loved. This. Book.
I loved that the romance was there, bubbling just under the surface, but didn't smack you in the face. I loved that Alex was indeed a smart-ass teenager, but a smart-ass teenager with a conscience and a soul and a true willingness to help people, something that I try to see in my students every day I walk into the classroom.
Too often, I feel that YA authors don't remember what it's like to be 16 and maybe in love with your best friend and dealing with your parents splitting and experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and sex, and experiencing your first major loss ALL WHILE you're just trying to pass algebra and make it through the day. Sonnenblick's experiences in his own classroom resonate through the characters in the book. Alex and Laurie were not only likeable, they were relatable.
Overall, an excellently done story that pulls at the heartstrings without being completely melodramatic and over the top. It also made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion and, let me tell you, that in itself is a rare occurrence.
I. Loved. This. Book.
I loved that the romance was there, bubbling just under the surface, but didn't smack you in the face. I loved that Alex was indeed a smart-ass teenager, but a smart-ass teenager with a conscience and a soul and a true willingness to help people, something that I try to see in my students every day I walk into the classroom.
Too often, I feel that YA authors don't remember what it's like to be 16 and maybe in love with your best friend and dealing with your parents splitting and experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and sex, and experiencing your first major loss ALL WHILE you're just trying to pass algebra and make it through the day. Sonnenblick's experiences in his own classroom resonate through the characters in the book. Alex and Laurie were not only likeable, they were relatable.
Overall, an excellently done story that pulls at the heartstrings without being completely melodramatic and over the top. It also made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion and, let me tell you, that in itself is a rare occurrence.
I really liked this book. It gave me major Percy Jackson vibes because of the writing style and mc. I enjoyed it.
Overall I really liked the book. It was really funny and relatable, but also pretty sad, I mean, it made me cry. I love the mention of jazz and Fiddler on the Roof, especially because I was going to do that show until covid hit. I recommend for a 10-12/13 age group for this. Great coming of age book, and good for a quick read.