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kayladaila's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual harassment
kristiespacilova's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-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
berkls2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
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? No
4.25
scoutabout's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? No
4.75
softshepard's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those book that makes you think and gives you hope. Hazel and her friends are the hope for a future when sexual harassment and bullying are things of the past
The author did an excellent job in dealing with very serious topics and never sound preachy or delivering a drammatic story.
It's compelling, thought provoking, and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The author did an excellent job in dealing with very serious topics and never sound preachy or delivering a drammatic story.
It's compelling, thought provoking, and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
finlay's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
321zeggy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It kept me engrossed from start to finish
If it's not worth it, that means we aren't worth it. And I can't just keep living in a world where we are aren't worth it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Bullying
Minor: Outing
sorrenbriarwood's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It's a bit of a cliche to call a book "important," but that's the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. Horne tackles the thorny subject of sexual harassment with such grace, care and empathy. Without talking condescendingly to her readers, or minimizing how awful it can be to deal with, the book remains appropriate reading for its target audience, but never becomes a miserable reading experience, thanks to plenty of fun and touching moments as the girls become friends. Horne struck a fantastic balance in demonstrating that adults won't always listen or be sympathetic, and will often even victim-blame, but reinforcing that it is their responsibility to do something about harassment and that the girls were in the right by continuing to speak until someone heard them out. That Horne did this without condemning or assigning guilt or blame to those too afraid to speak out was incredibly impressive. Reflecting on this book, it's obvious how much careful thinking went into every aspect, but the book itself is so full of heart that the scaffolding vanishes when you dive in, and even divorced from all that, it's a really successful story.
One of the huge strengths of this novel is the characters- all so memorable and true to life that I found a wealth of memories from my own experiences at this age rushing back to me. Hazel in particular was such a fantastic protagonist, with some really witty narration but also realistic flaws and insecurities. I also really appreciated that Hazel's being gay was something that contributed to those worries, but by no means her whole struggle, and that this book didn't also try to be a love story (the beginnings of romantic development between Hazel and a friend was adorable and perfect, as far as I was concerned) or a coming-out narrative. Hazel's own confidence in her identity will no doubt be comforting to young queer readers, yet her (not unfounded) worries about being outed or treated differently by her peers as a result, make this a realistic, relatable depiction of what it's like to know you're queer at such a young age. Horne also really grasps the nuances of how tweens interact with one another- some of the bullying is really insidiously subtle, and some of is more overt, but at no point did this feel like the "bad health class videos," this book (rightly) mocks.
This is probably going to end up being one of my favourite books of the year: it was so compelling, and I raced through it. I will absolutely be rushing to grab a copy for my little cousin who's Hazel's age, the moment that this book is out, and couldn't recommend it enough. I want this book in every school and local library.
It's a bit of a cliche to call a book "important," but that's the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. Horne tackles the thorny subject of sexual harassment with such grace, care and empathy. Without talking condescendingly to her readers, or minimizing how awful it can be to deal with, the book remains appropriate reading for its target audience, but never becomes a miserable reading experience, thanks to plenty of fun and touching moments as the girls become friends. Horne struck a fantastic balance in demonstrating that adults won't always listen or be sympathetic, and will often even victim-blame, but reinforcing that it is their responsibility to do something about harassment and that the girls were in the right by continuing to speak until someone heard them out. That Horne did this without condemning or assigning guilt or blame to those too afraid to speak out was incredibly impressive. Reflecting on this book, it's obvious how much careful thinking went into every aspect, but the book itself is so full of heart that the scaffolding vanishes when you dive in, and even divorced from all that, it's a really successful story.
One of the huge strengths of this novel is the characters- all so memorable and true to life that I found a wealth of memories from my own experiences at this age rushing back to me. Hazel in particular was such a fantastic protagonist, with some really witty narration but also realistic flaws and insecurities. I also really appreciated that Hazel's being gay was something that contributed to those worries, but by no means her whole struggle, and that this book didn't also try to be a love story (the beginnings of romantic development between Hazel and a friend was adorable and perfect, as far as I was concerned) or a coming-out narrative. Hazel's own confidence in her identity will no doubt be comforting to young queer readers, yet her (not unfounded) worries about being outed or treated differently by her peers as a result, make this a realistic, relatable depiction of what it's like to know you're queer at such a young age. Horne also really grasps the nuances of how tweens interact with one another- some of the bullying is really insidiously subtle, and some of is more overt, but at no point did this feel like the "bad health class videos," this book (rightly) mocks.
This is probably going to end up being one of my favourite books of the year: it was so compelling, and I raced through it. I will absolutely be rushing to grab a copy for my little cousin who's Hazel's age, the moment that this book is out, and couldn't recommend it enough. I want this book in every school and local library.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
A middle grade debut that really packs a punch. For the girls who are fed up of not being listened to, Hazel Hill is your heroine!
Hazel is twelve. She knows she’s gay, but because she’s not that popular she doesn’t fret too much about how people see her. Hazel’s biggest problem when we first meet her is whether she can beat her nemesis, Ella Quinn, in the annul speech competition. However, events quickly take over and our focus shifts to a bigger stage.
While the story focuses on Hazel and her developing friendship with Ella, our prince target is the cheesecake Tyler who has been targeting girls all year, sending them offensive messages and making life generally unpleasant for them.
Hazel and Ella come up with a plan - with a little prompting from the amazing Miss A - so audacious in its simplicity. All they want is to have an adult believe them…so they find the right audience and go for it!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
Hazel is twelve. She knows she’s gay, but because she’s not that popular she doesn’t fret too much about how people see her. Hazel’s biggest problem when we first meet her is whether she can beat her nemesis, Ella Quinn, in the annul speech competition. However, events quickly take over and our focus shifts to a bigger stage.
While the story focuses on Hazel and her developing friendship with Ella, our prince target is the cheesecake Tyler who has been targeting girls all year, sending them offensive messages and making life generally unpleasant for them.
Hazel and Ella come up with a plan - with a little prompting from the amazing Miss A - so audacious in its simplicity. All they want is to have an adult believe them…so they find the right audience and go for it!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.