You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
saidtheraina 's review for:
Apple in the Middle
by Dawn Quigley
There are a lot of things I like about this book.
I'm really into the cover.
And the concept.
And obviously, the REPRESENTATION. It's great to read an ownvoices YA book by an indigenous author.
I also liked the wide variety of characters in the reservation community. I'm taking this out to my middle school virtual class visits this year, and my booktalk focuses on how Apple's grandparents are part of a real true Community. The most effective theme in this book for me was about how isolated Apple felt in her life back home, and how major it is for her to experience a more connected community environment during this summer on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Unfortunately, there was something about the writing style and overall character voice that never clicked for me. I didn't quite believe Apple's quirk or attitude, and some of her story didn't feel consistent. And there were some passing moments that felt fat-phobic or prejudiced against people with disabilities (i.e. page 50: "Grandma, is Little Inez . . . you know . . . a 'special needs' child? Because, well . . . she seems to have a violent streak.") - especially because they were never addressed or dealt with.
I wonder if some of those issues might have been handled differently if this had gone through the editorial process at a publisher that specializes in YA. This is put out by North Dakota State University Press.
For me, the good outweighed the troubling (clearly, since I'm booktalking it!). More like this, please!
I'm really into the cover.
And the concept.
And obviously, the REPRESENTATION. It's great to read an ownvoices YA book by an indigenous author.
I also liked the wide variety of characters in the reservation community. I'm taking this out to my middle school virtual class visits this year, and my booktalk focuses on how Apple's grandparents are part of a real true Community. The most effective theme in this book for me was about how isolated Apple felt in her life back home, and how major it is for her to experience a more connected community environment during this summer on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Unfortunately, there was something about the writing style and overall character voice that never clicked for me. I didn't quite believe Apple's quirk or attitude, and some of her story didn't feel consistent. And there were some passing moments that felt fat-phobic or prejudiced against people with disabilities (i.e. page 50: "Grandma, is Little Inez . . . you know . . . a 'special needs' child? Because, well . . . she seems to have a violent streak.") - especially because they were never addressed or dealt with.
I wonder if some of those issues might have been handled differently if this had gone through the editorial process at a publisher that specializes in YA. This is put out by North Dakota State University Press.
For me, the good outweighed the troubling (clearly, since I'm booktalking it!). More like this, please!