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A review by mj2148
Accidental by Alex Richards
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
5 Stars
I was planning on another lazy review, but then I finished this beauty.
Accidental follows seventeen-year-old Johanna, who lives a half-normal life. Her mother passed away in a tragic car accident just a couple years after Jo was born, and her father has been out of the picture since. Jo is a typical teen, who loves music, art, and hanging with her best friends, Gabby and Leah. She lives with her loving grandparents, who have taken her under their arms since the accident. Overall, life is good. That is, until, Jo's Dad gets in contact with her again and she soon finds out something that will change her life forever: Her Mom didn't die in a tragic car accident - Jo shot her. Jo was just two years old and found a handgun hidden under her parent's bed. Soon after, Jo accidentally shot and killed her mother in her sleep. Her grandparents did everything they could for Jo to live a normal life - that included lying to her about her mother's death for almost eighteen years.
This was a true hidden gem. I don't even remember how I found this, possibly from a small recommendations list online. But, judging off the number of ratings, it is hidden from the world of YA readers - very hidden. I checked this out a long time ago from Libby, in fact, I think it was September. I renewed this book almost ten times until I finally opened it up.
And I am so glad I gave this book a chance. It covers a controversial topic I have never read about, or even heard about, in the YA world: Gun Laws.
I have my own opinions of gun safety, and I'm sure all of you may too, but I will tell you something: this book may have been centered around a controversial topic, but the author wrote about it in a way that didn't seem pushy, forceful, or in your face in ANY way. I'm sure people with opposite views on gun safety could read this and enjoy it.
But let's face it! Gun safety, no matter your opinion, is a current issue that needs to be discussed in today's society! And this book did it in a special way.
We may not even realize it, but every week in the USA, multiple people are killed by guns. And I'm not even talking about murders. I'm talking about accidents. Accidental deaths. And what I never even thought about before I read this book... Some of these deaths of parents, teachers, siblings... they're caused by innocent children all thanks to improper gun safety.
Imagine growing up without your mother, and finding out you killed her before you could even talk.
It would change your life.
And it changed Johanna's life.
This book is just as important on any current issue - rape, racism, homophobia, transphobia, I could go on and on. Because what makes them similar, is that people get hurt because of them. And a lot of those issues can be traced back to invalid, or a lack of, education on those topics.
So if you'd like to change the future - your future - in a way, even a way you think is small - I would suggest educating yourself, and this book is a great way to start!
---
If you'd like me to get more into the book itself, well, where do I start?
The characters were flawless. I loved Jo's personality, from her bravery to wit to inner-beauty. Her family may have had their flaws, but every member was loving, especially towards Jo. Gabby and Leah, her best friends, may have been opposite people, but they were both amazing people, always there for Jo, even if in different ways. And then we have... Milo...
Milo was just as perfect, if not, more perfect, than Johanna, which is saying a lot. He was just so hilarious and kind and one of the best boyfriends you could ask for. And then their relationship was even more adorable. They were always there for each other and every time they kissed, I was on the verge of tears. *smiles like proud Grandma* One of my favorite YA couples, ever.
And the plot? I don't even know how to explain how raw and breathtaking it was. (view spoiler)And the author is so skilled and I truly praise her for doing so much research on such a fervent topic and writing it in such a powerful and realistic way.
That isn't all I have to say about this wonderful read, but I think that's all I can type without my fingers falling off! Overall, Accidental is a unique and breathtaking book that everyone should read.
I was planning on another lazy review, but then I finished this beauty.
Accidental follows seventeen-year-old Johanna, who lives a half-normal life. Her mother passed away in a tragic car accident just a couple years after Jo was born, and her father has been out of the picture since. Jo is a typical teen, who loves music, art, and hanging with her best friends, Gabby and Leah. She lives with her loving grandparents, who have taken her under their arms since the accident. Overall, life is good. That is, until, Jo's Dad gets in contact with her again and she soon finds out something that will change her life forever: Her Mom didn't die in a tragic car accident - Jo shot her. Jo was just two years old and found a handgun hidden under her parent's bed. Soon after, Jo accidentally shot and killed her mother in her sleep. Her grandparents did everything they could for Jo to live a normal life - that included lying to her about her mother's death for almost eighteen years.
This was a true hidden gem. I don't even remember how I found this, possibly from a small recommendations list online. But, judging off the number of ratings, it is hidden from the world of YA readers - very hidden. I checked this out a long time ago from Libby, in fact, I think it was September. I renewed this book almost ten times until I finally opened it up.
And I am so glad I gave this book a chance. It covers a controversial topic I have never read about, or even heard about, in the YA world: Gun Laws.
I have my own opinions of gun safety, and I'm sure all of you may too, but I will tell you something: this book may have been centered around a controversial topic, but the author wrote about it in a way that didn't seem pushy, forceful, or in your face in ANY way. I'm sure people with opposite views on gun safety could read this and enjoy it.
But let's face it! Gun safety, no matter your opinion, is a current issue that needs to be discussed in today's society! And this book did it in a special way.
We may not even realize it, but every week in the USA, multiple people are killed by guns. And I'm not even talking about murders. I'm talking about accidents. Accidental deaths. And what I never even thought about before I read this book... Some of these deaths of parents, teachers, siblings... they're caused by innocent children all thanks to improper gun safety.
Imagine growing up without your mother, and finding out you killed her before you could even talk.
It would change your life.
And it changed Johanna's life.
This book is just as important on any current issue - rape, racism, homophobia, transphobia, I could go on and on. Because what makes them similar, is that people get hurt because of them. And a lot of those issues can be traced back to invalid, or a lack of, education on those topics.
So if you'd like to change the future - your future - in a way, even a way you think is small - I would suggest educating yourself, and this book is a great way to start!
---
If you'd like me to get more into the book itself, well, where do I start?
The characters were flawless. I loved Jo's personality, from her bravery to wit to inner-beauty. Her family may have had their flaws, but every member was loving, especially towards Jo. Gabby and Leah, her best friends, may have been opposite people, but they were both amazing people, always there for Jo, even if in different ways. And then we have... Milo...
Milo was just as perfect, if not, more perfect, than Johanna, which is saying a lot. He was just so hilarious and kind and one of the best boyfriends you could ask for. And then their relationship was even more adorable. They were always there for each other and every time they kissed, I was on the verge of tears. *smiles like proud Grandma* One of my favorite YA couples, ever.
And the plot? I don't even know how to explain how raw and breathtaking it was. (view spoiler)And the author is so skilled and I truly praise her for doing so much research on such a fervent topic and writing it in such a powerful and realistic way.
That isn't all I have to say about this wonderful read, but I think that's all I can type without my fingers falling off! Overall, Accidental is a unique and breathtaking book that everyone should read.