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A review by gabbyreads
Positive: A Memoir by Ali Benjamin, Paige Rawl
5.0
"Maybe being broken helps you become a better person."
I had the honor of winning and ARC of this book, and it was incredible. I finished it in one sitting because it was so inspiring.
Wow, this is one of those books that you will never forget. It makes you feel every single emotion. I cried a lot because I could feel her pain and this book was written so well and beautifully. Paige has an amazing way with words, and I truly feel connected to her through this story. I was absolutely furious at the people who put her through so much, but I admired Paige's strength and will to go forward so much. It is unbelievable the things these people put her through. It wasn't just the middle school students and her peers, but the adults who were counselors and coaches should know better. I was literally fuming when I read about; like the counselor calling it "drama" and telling her to deny having HIV, and the soccer coach saying they could use her disability to benefit the team, it is absolutely disgusting. Paige's story is so eye-opening and inspiring.
I completely relate to everything Paige has written about getting bullied and being mistreated. I just started college and am about the same age as Paige and I can't even imagine all the pain and hurt that she has been through. You always think you had it bad until you read someone else's story and think wow I should be grateful. The way she describes feeling in middle school was spot on. She says "I was starting to feel frozen in place, that I was starting to dread school-that everyday, my stomach hurt as I got ready." I had the same experience with not wanting to go to school, and middle school was the absolute worst. Nobody is prepared for the amount of changing you go through in middle school, and I think everyone experiences bullying at some point in school. (Which is really sad.) But I totally get it. I hated going to middle school and high school because of my peers and not wanting to deal with them. Paige experienced such extreme hate, and it's unimaginable to think about going through that. I can't imagine feeling so alone, when not even the counselor has the decency to make sure you are okay. I also relate because I experienced losing a best friend at the beginning of high school who I was extremely close with my whole life. I understand the pain and hurt of losing a best friend and acting like complete strangers around one another.
I truly admire Paige for the way she handled the bullying because she was the bigger person. I literally yelled "What the hell?!" at some parts because I couldn't believe the ruthless behavior of these people and the cruelty. I wanted to throw the book across the room because I was so upset over these people's actions, but I admire the way Paige handled it so gracefully and has a positive outlook on life.
I was so moved by this story, and I'm so happy to own a copy of this book. I am convincing my sister and my Mom to read it because her story deserves to be heard, and it's really inspiring. Even though it got really depressing at some points, sometimes you have to be broken to see the bigger picture and become a better person. "Each day has the potential of being your best day. You decide what each day will bring." I love this message that is continuous throughout the whole story, that you decide to let people get under your skin, and you decide to have a great day, because I think that is something we are taught a little too late in life. I didn't have that realization until my senior year of high school. That I am the one who has the power to let people affect me. It's amazing when you discover that you have the power to save yourself.
Overall, this book will stick with me forever. It is easily the most powerful memoir I have ever read, and it's something special to me. I will never forget Paige's story.
I had the honor of winning and ARC of this book, and it was incredible. I finished it in one sitting because it was so inspiring.
Wow, this is one of those books that you will never forget. It makes you feel every single emotion. I cried a lot because I could feel her pain and this book was written so well and beautifully. Paige has an amazing way with words, and I truly feel connected to her through this story. I was absolutely furious at the people who put her through so much, but I admired Paige's strength and will to go forward so much. It is unbelievable the things these people put her through. It wasn't just the middle school students and her peers, but the adults who were counselors and coaches should know better. I was literally fuming when I read about; like the counselor calling it "drama" and telling her to deny having HIV, and the soccer coach saying they could use her disability to benefit the team, it is absolutely disgusting. Paige's story is so eye-opening and inspiring.
I completely relate to everything Paige has written about getting bullied and being mistreated. I just started college and am about the same age as Paige and I can't even imagine all the pain and hurt that she has been through. You always think you had it bad until you read someone else's story and think wow I should be grateful. The way she describes feeling in middle school was spot on. She says "I was starting to feel frozen in place, that I was starting to dread school-that everyday, my stomach hurt as I got ready." I had the same experience with not wanting to go to school, and middle school was the absolute worst. Nobody is prepared for the amount of changing you go through in middle school, and I think everyone experiences bullying at some point in school. (Which is really sad.) But I totally get it. I hated going to middle school and high school because of my peers and not wanting to deal with them. Paige experienced such extreme hate, and it's unimaginable to think about going through that. I can't imagine feeling so alone, when not even the counselor has the decency to make sure you are okay. I also relate because I experienced losing a best friend at the beginning of high school who I was extremely close with my whole life. I understand the pain and hurt of losing a best friend and acting like complete strangers around one another.
I truly admire Paige for the way she handled the bullying because she was the bigger person. I literally yelled "What the hell?!" at some parts because I couldn't believe the ruthless behavior of these people and the cruelty. I wanted to throw the book across the room because I was so upset over these people's actions, but I admire the way Paige handled it so gracefully and has a positive outlook on life.
I was so moved by this story, and I'm so happy to own a copy of this book. I am convincing my sister and my Mom to read it because her story deserves to be heard, and it's really inspiring. Even though it got really depressing at some points, sometimes you have to be broken to see the bigger picture and become a better person. "Each day has the potential of being your best day. You decide what each day will bring." I love this message that is continuous throughout the whole story, that you decide to let people get under your skin, and you decide to have a great day, because I think that is something we are taught a little too late in life. I didn't have that realization until my senior year of high school. That I am the one who has the power to let people affect me. It's amazing when you discover that you have the power to save yourself.
Overall, this book will stick with me forever. It is easily the most powerful memoir I have ever read, and it's something special to me. I will never forget Paige's story.