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kirk0198's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As an adult, it's a quick read and I enjoyed it. I feel like it needed an epilogue because it ended very abruptly. A lot of sad/bad things happen so I would recommend it for 11/12 and up and even then it would probably beat be read together because they probably wouldn't understand a lot that happens.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, War, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
beklovesbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Really good middle school book about the abuse of a young English horse-loving girl with a club foot in WWII Britain. Insightful story of evacuation of London children to the country. Addresses grief and PTSD including helpful models of good care for panic disorder are woven into the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, War, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Ableism, Classism, Violence, Blood, Cursing, Antisemitism, Child death, Confinement, Death, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
cedardleland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Death and War
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
euphemiajo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Abandonment, War, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Bullying, Body shaming, and Violence
katievh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death and Blood
thedisabledreader's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Considering that most of the book was a study into the lives of two of the characters, the background characters and subplots were still able to maintain consistency and characterization with unique voices for each situation. The narration is appropriate both for the character’s age as well as the target audience, but the heavily mature themes and topics are adequately blanketed to make young audiences safe while still discussing what it needs to.
Having the protagonist’s perspective be that of a physically disabled ten year old during the Holocaust was a bold move by the author, but it certainly paid off. The disability representation within this is solid, and it even manages to cover dense and complicated subjects without overwhelming younger audiences.
The portrayal of disabled life as not simply a tragedy or a waste or, rather, having those ideas combatted, was a very interesting experience because, within the context of the plot, characters, and the author, it does not seem like something that could be properly executed.
Disabled joy is an important aspect of disabled life and all lives, so I’m pleasantly surprised that it was incorporated into the story. Within representation of physical disabilities, it is rare to see an author attempt to express the liberation found in mobility aids, and the portrayal of them not only accomplishes that, it also brings it into discussion without the negativity coming from the trusted characters. The reaction to the usage of mobility aids fit the characters as well as the author’s ability to portray the disabled experience.
However, the language that the - publicly - physically nondisabled author uses made me, a physically disabled reader, very uncomfortable. I understand that it was period appropriate and to further the themes and character development, especially of the internalization of ableism, abuse, and trauma, but it is not a word that she is entitled to use no matter the context.
The themes of mental health and coping with trauma were also dealt with well, and it was obvious that the author was familiar with similar experiences. Trauma is not simply swept away; it instead continues to nag at the characters and brings the audience to a necessary awareness of many people’s experiences.
Due to the author’s experience with trauma, it was represented well and clearly personally, and although it is not sugarcoated, it is an important subject to not hide from kids of the target age range. Representation lets people know that they are not alone, that they are normal and it's okay to be who and how they are, even if they don’t feel okay. Representation wards off isolation, which often leads to a worsening of the underlying issue, so avoiding isolation and / or loneliness in identities or experiences is very important, especially for children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Confinement
scruffycat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Confinement
This is for young readers so the abuse is described but not super intense.
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