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panda_incognito 's review for:
Courtney Friendship Superhero
by Kellen Hertz
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, since the premise involves HIV. Parents typically choose American Girl as a safe, wholesome option for their children, and wouldn't expect an American Girl chapter book to teach their eight-year-old girls about sexually transmitted diseases. However, despite my initial concerns, the author handles the topic at an age-appropriate level, and it's a great book overall.
The story focuses on Courtney's new friendship with a boy she meets at the arcade. As they get to know each other, and as she incorporates him into her friend group, she learns that he gets sick a lot. Over time, she ends up learning that he had contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. He deals with persecution in the local community because of people's ignorance and fear about this disease, and Courtney helps stand up for him, learning about HIV and educating other people so that they will understand that this boy isn't contagious, and so that they will see him as a person instead of a threat.
The book is very emotionally intense, but it is authentic and realistic, portraying the challenging emotions that Courtney would feel in this situation. However, this isn't too serious or dark for the intended audience. The story also includes lighthearted and fun moments as Courtney enjoys life with her family and friends, and there is a fun subplot about her discovering a Pleasant Company catalog and wanting a Molly doll, which she receives from her dad for Christmas.
Other reviewers view this as egregious product placement, and I can see why, but I absolutely loved it. Molly was my favorite American Girl when I was growing up, and I loved reading the descriptions of the doll, and of Courtney's enthusiasm for Molly's story. Also, I cracked up laughing over the way that Courtney's mom responded to the doll's price point. I never would have expected an American Girl character to exclaim over how expensive American Girl dolls are, but it was so relatable!
The photo-illustrated historical note shares great information, and continues to skirt the sexually transmitted aspect of HIV/AIDS. One paragraph says, "Because many of the earliest patients were gay men, a lot of people wrongly saw AIDS as a gay disease. But AIDS impacted all kinds of people..." This is the only reference to LGBT issues, and it still does not mention anything about sexual transmission. The historical note mostly focuses on the true story of Ryan White, the child whose experiences inspired this story, and the character of Courtney's friend.
Parents will definitely want be aware of the topic that this book covers, and some may want to wait until their children are older before letting them read this book, but this does not involve sexual content or sexual references. This is a historically relevant, moving story about friendship and family, and about the importance of having empathy and not ostracizing other people. I enjoyed it, think that it fits well within the American Girl world, and am glad that the author handled the topic with such sensitivity and care.
The story focuses on Courtney's new friendship with a boy she meets at the arcade. As they get to know each other, and as she incorporates him into her friend group, she learns that he gets sick a lot. Over time, she ends up learning that he had contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. He deals with persecution in the local community because of people's ignorance and fear about this disease, and Courtney helps stand up for him, learning about HIV and educating other people so that they will understand that this boy isn't contagious, and so that they will see him as a person instead of a threat.
The book is very emotionally intense, but it is authentic and realistic, portraying the challenging emotions that Courtney would feel in this situation. However, this isn't too serious or dark for the intended audience. The story also includes lighthearted and fun moments as Courtney enjoys life with her family and friends, and there is a fun subplot about her discovering a Pleasant Company catalog and wanting a Molly doll, which she receives from her dad for Christmas.
Other reviewers view this as egregious product placement, and I can see why, but I absolutely loved it. Molly was my favorite American Girl when I was growing up, and I loved reading the descriptions of the doll, and of Courtney's enthusiasm for Molly's story. Also, I cracked up laughing over the way that Courtney's mom responded to the doll's price point. I never would have expected an American Girl character to exclaim over how expensive American Girl dolls are, but it was so relatable!
The photo-illustrated historical note shares great information, and continues to skirt the sexually transmitted aspect of HIV/AIDS. One paragraph says, "Because many of the earliest patients were gay men, a lot of people wrongly saw AIDS as a gay disease. But AIDS impacted all kinds of people..." This is the only reference to LGBT issues, and it still does not mention anything about sexual transmission. The historical note mostly focuses on the true story of Ryan White, the child whose experiences inspired this story, and the character of Courtney's friend.
Parents will definitely want be aware of the topic that this book covers, and some may want to wait until their children are older before letting them read this book, but this does not involve sexual content or sexual references. This is a historically relevant, moving story about friendship and family, and about the importance of having empathy and not ostracizing other people. I enjoyed it, think that it fits well within the American Girl world, and am glad that the author handled the topic with such sensitivity and care.