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midnightverde's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
5.0
This book is so beautiful and tender. The story builds slowly and there are a lot of things to wonder about as you learn about Jay and Max. There is a realness to the trauma and abuse that I appreciated.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal cruelty and Colonisation
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
This is a great debut, focusing on the voices of two brothers after a particularly violent incident with one of their classmates. Both of them are struggling with their abusive father and how that relates to what happened. The voices of both brothers are distinct enough, and I appreciated that this is a mix of poetry and short vignettes. It made the story flow nicely and really focused on the overall emotions between the two brothers.
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!
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
pejms's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism
xangemthelibrarian's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? Yes
5.0
This.
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.
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
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