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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
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:
Complicated
I'm finding that I really enjoy Erin Entrada Kelly's style of writing. She manages to weave multiple POV narratives together in a way that is truly impressive, while also maintaining distinct character voices. I was a little nervous when I initially saw that the book focused on the weeks leading up to and immediately following the Challenger launch, but I also felt that she handled this with tremendous care. Overall, I would recommend this book for older (or mature) middle grade students who are interested in realistic fiction (and are okay with themes such as loss, grief, and bullying).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Grief
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- SIS battle of the books 2021-22
- 3 perspectives: Cash, Flitch, Bird
- forgotten most of the story- could re-read at some point
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The parents’ constant sniping exhausted me. The oldest, Cash, struggles in sports and school. Fitch is consumed by anger, which bursts out of him in unpredictable ways. Bird’s mechanical mind and love of science charms, but she is slowly being crushed by her dysfunctional family. School for all of them is full of bad friends, and major and minor humiliations. The bright spot is Bird’s anticipation of The Challenger launch, and her excitement over the female astronauts. Unfortunately that outcome is already known. So there’s not a lot of “happy” in this book. Much is left unresolved, and isn’t really finished in a satisfying way.
But I was ok with that. All three siblings journey a bit and change, and ultimately come together as parents, science, and friends all fail them. There were some really well-written moments, and the best parts were when one of the characters changes trajectory and makes a new decision.
But I was ok with that. All three siblings journey a bit and change, and ultimately come together as parents, science, and friends all fail them. There were some really well-written moments, and the best parts were when one of the characters changes trajectory and makes a new decision.