Reviews

Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins

winterbear07's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

narratedbyrein's review against another edition

4.0

omg i loved this with my whole heart. This was so beautiful and i related to cal a lot. The only thing that bugged me was the change in pov's was a bit unclear, but overall it was AMAZING! new favorite middle-grade of all time.

kaylaannsreads's review against another edition

emotional informative sad fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Alcoholism

__allison__'s review against another edition

3.0

there were a lot of serious topics in this one, and i think ellen handled them in a very middle-grade appropriate way
which makes sense, because this is a book for middle schoolers
it was fine
there was nothing horrible about it, but there was nothing exceptional that makes me go "omg 5 stars"
this was also a quick read because it's in verse

readinglover22's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Addiction, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

kristin_boren's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-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

A really lovely middle grade book with themes of difficult childhoods and how hard it is to be a kid with trauma. I feel like every Ellen Hopkins book holds messages both children and adults would benefit from thinking about and reflecting on.

cboundy's review against another edition

adventurous sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jbird04's review against another edition

5.0

Great book. Makes me sad to think that kids have to live in situations like Cal did. I appreciated that his moving in with his aunt's family wasn't seamless and was protrayed in such a real way. Such a different feel from Hopkins YA books. It still has elements of abuse but not in such a heavy, dark way. Great read.

lrlong11's review against another edition

4.0

This tear jerker provides a realistic portrayal of the impact trauma can have on young minds. A realistic story about how the support of family really can make the difference in someone's life. Read this one for sure!