danacoledares's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely delightful. The opening and closing were both clunky, but the story in between was SO good that I can easily forgive both. That's the only reason this isn't five stars. The main character's aversion to conflict seemed to indicate extreme trauma which apparently didn't happen? An unwillingness to express ANY disagreement because "I didn't want to make you mad" is literally unhealthy. But, like I said, once I got past that section of the story and they were actually on the roller-coaster-road-trip it was FANTASTIC.
Note that this is also on my purchase list. Ooooof. I have to cull first, though. :(
Note that this is also on my purchase list. Ooooof. I have to cull first, though. :(
sketchysoymilk's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a bit young for me, but honestly that’s what is so great about it. This is a reminder that the world is progressing. It’s a little slice of life queer book directed at middle schoolers. It explains queerness in adolescence with no stigma, no judgement, and answers a lot of questions I personally had as a queer teen. The love story is super adorable and the author has a clear vision of the maturity difference between being 13 and 18, which is honestly uncommon in YA fiction. I love what this book represents and how it reflects how different things were when I was a questioning queer child, and I’m hoping it falls into the hands of queer kids around the world.
matteahayn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mostlyaudio47's review against another edition
5.0
I gave this book 5 stars based mostly on how many times I cried while listening to it (thanks to the emotionally spot-on performance by Em Grosland).
Somehow, Jake Maia Arlow, who was not even born when I was 13, managed to tell a story that my awkward, confused, anxious, lonely middle-school self really needed to hear. As I sit here, 35 years removed from my own Long Island Jewish childhood (complete with a similar lifelong passion for bagels), I only wish I could have had the kind of support that Dalia discovers in her chosen family.
Somehow, Jake Maia Arlow, who was not even born when I was 13, managed to tell a story that my awkward, confused, anxious, lonely middle-school self really needed to hear. As I sit here, 35 years removed from my own Long Island Jewish childhood (complete with a similar lifelong passion for bagels), I only wish I could have had the kind of support that Dalia discovers in her chosen family.
itsmxbee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
ashleyholcomb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
rbjennings's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
thealien_em's review against another edition
5.0
wow, okay… this book was adorably queer.
super cute, and had a girl in red reference (that i noticed, mind you. my mom can vouch for me. i may or may not have screamed loudly about how excited i was.)
i totally recommend this book, it was an easy middle grade read.
byeee
✨
super cute, and had a girl in red reference (that i noticed, mind you. my mom can vouch for me. i may or may not have screamed loudly about how excited i was.)
i totally recommend this book, it was an easy middle grade read.
byeee
✨