Reviews

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

lara_bookella's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted 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

5.0

Mi è piaciuto davvero tanto, lo devo ammettere.
Mi è piaciuto soprattutto come sono stati gestiti i due protagonisti, Ware soprattutto: mi piace che questo ragazzino “anomalo” non ha una famiglia di disagiati/disastrati/distratti ma una famiglia normale, pur con pregi e difetti.

Ho adorato l’ambientazione, questo terreno che era qualcosa, diventa qualcosa e poi diventerà qualcos'altro. Mi ha ricordato le estati della mia adolescenza, con mio cugino più piccolo, trascorse a immaginare, creare e costruire nell'orto di casa.
Ho adorato come questa storia sia fatta di sole, di fantasia, di cose pratiche e concrete, senza cellulari e tecnologia e computer e social network. Avrei voluto vivere io una avventura così, durante un’estate di quando ero ragazzina. Un’estate fatta di cieli, di acqua e di terra.

Leggendo questa storia mi sono ritrovata anche io tra le righe. Un sacco di cose che Ware pensa, dice e prova le conosco benissimo, anche e soprattutto quella sensazione di sentirsi “fuori” e un po’ “nel proprio mondo”, con tutti che ti urlano che quello è “il mondo reale”… Davvero, alcune cose che gli vengono dette – in bene e in male – le sentivo dette anche a me. Adoro quando i confini tra i libri e “il mondo reale” diventano così sottili.

lulleaby_'s review against another edition

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4.0

Such a sweet, short and easy-to-read book!

thomasmannia's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

This was my first reread of this book, and I loved it just as much as I did when I first read it. Besides a few insignificant details that put me off, it was largely fantastic. I would certainly recommend it. 4.5 stars.

canuckmum's review

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5.0

Absolutely fell in love with Ware and Jolene. Utterly charming and touching in all the best ways.

annaswhite's review

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5.0

Sweet little story about childhood and figuring out who you are...I really loved it ❤️

recenzje_oli's review against another edition

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4.0

Świetna historia o przyjaźni, która potrafi naprawdę wiele zdziałać. Uwielbiam praktycznie wszystkich bohaterów, momentami utożsamiam się z Ware’m i jego podejściem do przebywania z rówieśnikami. Polecam każdemu :)

danyell919's review

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4.0

What a sweet book! I loved Ware and Jolene. This story did such a good job showing kids that it’s okay to be different. Most of all, it showed the power of kindness and compassion and how who you are inside is what matters most!

areidj's review

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5.0

Where to begin? Although I had to nudge myself to get into the storyline, by the middle of the book I was mesmerized by Ware, Jolene, and this mission to make something beautiful out of a discarded, demolished church lot.

There is discussion of what is holy in this novel, an element not to be missed. Holy, sacred, born-again - such huge ideas for young people, but the author handles the ideas with care and a light touch.

This is a book I want to hand to every 11 year old I know and say, “Here. This will help you live in the real world.”

brenna_law's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

elijahcuba's review

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4.0

I haven't read middle grade for quite a while, and the cover to this one sucked me in. It's very reminiscent of every young coming of age story I've read, but there's just quite a few layers more here than you would expect. It weaves a lot of different things together and does it efficiently. Ware is a mood, incredibly easy to root for and has great Voice throughout.

Near to the end it was five-stars but the actual ending fell a tad short--undercutting some of the Real World impact it was promising. Overall though? Amazing.

It's the only possible newbery contender I've read but I sure hope it wins.