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A review by sreddous
The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
Lovely, gentle, compassionate. But doesn't shy away from just how hard things can be sometimes with family relationships, disabilities, and peer relationships.
I adored both Etan and Malia as characters. (And, honestly, pretty much everyone else in their community!) Both characters are struggling with forms of disability. In my opinion, this book strikes a very careful balance -- there is enough triumph that shows that people who have health issues and disabilities can still follow their dreams and go on adventures in nature and create art and such. But I also don't think it's unrealistic to show how sometimes, disabilities are, in fact, disabling -- Malia truly suffers, and I don't think it's inherently or automatically ableist to show her wishing there could be some relief with things like "magical clay" and such. In my opinion, this book handles this balance with nuance.
The real-life events that happen around the plot are weaved in nicely, too. At first it's clear that this setting is the San Francisco area, and there are little notes about playing baseball in 1989 and using technology like tape cassettes, but when my brain actually accepted that it was 1989, I gasped out loud, "oh, no!" knowing what happened in San Francisco in 1989. It made the stakes and simmering way more urgent. So this plot accomplishes two things really well: the real life geological problems happening in the area, and the inter-personal problems between all the characters. Really, really good stuff with the pacing on both of those lines.
Etan's interactions with his grandfather, and therefore his connection to his Jewish heritage, is well-built-up and does a good job guiding his decisions.
The writing and in-verse style is lovely, the dialogue is believable and wise and shows people working through serious problems. This takes young readers seriously while also offering hope and patience.
Really lovely stuff. Another new favorite.
I adored both Etan and Malia as characters. (And, honestly, pretty much everyone else in their community!) Both characters are struggling with forms of disability. In my opinion, this book strikes a very careful balance -- there is enough triumph that shows that people who have health issues and disabilities can still follow their dreams and go on adventures in nature and create art and such. But I also don't think it's unrealistic to show how sometimes, disabilities are, in fact, disabling -- Malia truly suffers, and I don't think it's inherently or automatically ableist to show her wishing there could be some relief with things like "magical clay" and such. In my opinion, this book handles this balance with nuance.
The real-life events that happen around the plot are weaved in nicely, too. At first it's clear that this setting is the San Francisco area, and there are little notes about playing baseball in 1989 and using technology like tape cassettes, but when my brain actually accepted that it was 1989, I gasped out loud, "oh, no!" knowing what happened in San Francisco in 1989. It made the stakes and simmering way more urgent. So this plot accomplishes two things really well: the real life geological problems happening in the area, and the inter-personal problems between all the characters. Really, really good stuff with the pacing on both of those lines.
Etan's interactions with his grandfather, and therefore his connection to his Jewish heritage, is well-built-up and does a good job guiding his decisions.
The writing and in-verse style is lovely, the dialogue is believable and wise and shows people working through serious problems. This takes young readers seriously while also offering hope and patience.
Really lovely stuff. Another new favorite.
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism and Ableism