Reviews

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

nicole_mud's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

What a lovely and hopeful story…!

gracieschnitker's review

hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

kayteeem's review

Ware is 11, and had planned to live with his grandmother for the summer until she falls and breaks her hip. His parents are both working double-shifts to save for a down payment on a house, so he ends up at Summer Rec, which he despises. He's more of a loner, and would rather have time to exercise his imagination. He ends up never checking in to Rec, in favor of spending time in an abandoned church lot next door, which he imagines as a castle. There, he meets Jolene, who is using the space to grow papayas for extra money.

Over the course of the summer, they become friends, and work together on the papaya garden.

The summer interlude is threatened by developers who plan to knock down the old church to build a strip mall; Ware's parents, who don't understand him; local bird enthusiasts who see the vacant lot as dangerous to migrating birds (the empty parking lot looks too much like open water, and the birds will hurt themselves if they land there); and the end of summer itself.

Ware learns a bit more about himself and gains confidence, but is it enough to overcome the obstacles? Read and find out...

ninamanon's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Very cute read, Ware is a great character. Well written, and a good exploration of self-acceptance. 

tessakris's review

4.0

3.5 stars. Ware was a unique protagonist and I liked him. All of these kids though were like geniuses in certain subjects. I guess it usually is the kids who are quite that have hobbies that know an incredible amount of information about. It’s one I would recommend to my students but I don’t think most of them would be super into it- they’re into the Hunger Games mostly right now

blogginboutbooks's review

4.0

I enjoyed this empowering story about friendship, identifying your strengths, accepting yourself, and working hard to achieve a worthy goal. The characters are likable, the plot is unique, and the story is compelling. I didn't absolutely love the book, but I definitely liked it. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. Since I can't, I'll round up.

camichristine's review

3.0

Pretty cute little story

jenn_kidd's review

5.0

Wow!! One of my favorite books of the year so far!! Amazing story of friendship and finding/being true to who you are. My favorite quote: “Because you’re right. Bad stuff happens. But the real world is also all the things we do about the bad stuff. We’re the real world, too.” So much to love about this book. I honestly don’t even know where to begin!!

char9222's review

4.0

What a sweet book! Easy and light read, but very enjoyable. The message, that it's okay to be just the way are, is clear throughout the whole book - and that's wonderful.

acourtofreading's review

5.0

A very heartwarming story about friendship and finding your place in a world that doesn't always understand you.