Scan barcode
A review by melbsreads
How to Spell Catastrophe by Fiona Wood
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
Trigger warnings: mental health, vomit, death of a parent (in the past), bushfire (in the past), anaphylaxis
Fiona Wood always does a fabulous job of capturing the teen/middle grade voice, and while this was occasionally heavy handed in regards to climate change and youth protest, the way it discussed the complexities of becoming a blended family and the anxiety that can be brought on by such change was well done. The friendship complexities were well handled, although I did want a TAD more character development from Plum.
I do have to note that as a school employee, the publisher's decision to write "grade six blue" every time Nell's homeroom was mentioned made my eye twitch. Like, I know publishing conventions say that you should write out numbers under one thousand (I think??) in words, but please, for the love of God, just write 6 Blue and call it good.
Fiona Wood always does a fabulous job of capturing the teen/middle grade voice, and while this was occasionally heavy handed in regards to climate change and youth protest, the way it discussed the complexities of becoming a blended family and the anxiety that can be brought on by such change was well done. The friendship complexities were well handled, although I did want a TAD more character development from Plum.
I do have to note that as a school employee, the publisher's decision to write "grade six blue" every time Nell's homeroom was mentioned made my eye twitch. Like, I know publishing conventions say that you should write out numbers under one thousand (I think??) in words, but please, for the love of God, just write 6 Blue and call it good.