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midnightverde's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal cruelty and Colonisation
bodybeingsoulstl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
... and your brother are inseparable
... have ever been suspended at school
... want to grow along with the characters
there is something about this book that I can’t quite put my finger on… it’s a beautiful story. it is completely raw, emotional, just as life tends to be, sometimes. there is also the reminder that life comes with hope + healing, too. they reference Braiding Sweetgrass, where the major lesson of that book is reciprocity - the inherent harmony in the world, both giving + taking.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Hate crime
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Minor: Colonisation
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There is also a great discussion about mental health throughout, especially as it relates to trauma. It's a story about healing, a story about moving on, and a story about finding your roots. Plus, the voice is one that we haven't often seen in YA lit. If you're looking for something that's a fairly quick read, but will definitely make you think, this one is for you!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Addiction
Minor: Racism, Suicide, and Alcoholism
xangemthelibrarian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an excellent example of a story that gently and deftly explores two brother's trauma and healing after living with their abusive father. Jay and Max are angry. So incredibly hurt and angry and they lash out, get suspended from school, defamed as monsters, struggle to redefine their relationship with each other and the people outside their family. They have normal teenage worries on top of their awful father. Max wants to go to college, and he is worried that his suspension will affect his ability to get into art school. Jay doesn't even know what he wants after graduation, and that is just as stressful as the college application process.
But through art and writing and reconnecting with their Bribri heritage, they do find a way to move forward and heal.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
timothyotte's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Grief, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Racism