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the_jesus_fandom's reviews
501 reviews
Capyboppy by Bill Peet
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.5
A funny story, but if you think about it, it’s kinda not a great thing that the young man just bought a wild animal for a pet and that that pet then ends up as a zoo animal. So as a story it’s well-written and illustrated, it’s just that the concept itself a little messed up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Cora Frear by Susan E. Goodman
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The situation in this book is actually so scary. Very impressive story because of that.
Tornado by Betsy Byars
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
You know what? I feel bad for the dog’s original owners, or at least for the girl. But other than that, fun book. The artwork is amazing, I’m always impressed by artists doing such impressive work for children’s books. The pictures look almost like photographs.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Mysterious Handprints by Gail Owens, Donald J. Sobol
3.0
Another enjoyable book. There were slightly more important facts I didn’t know (hair and nail care), so I couldn’t solve all the cases.
The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Oof. What a book. I remember being horrified during the storm scene when I was younger. I knew slavery existed and was bad, but I think that was the first time I realised how bad it truly was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is such a sweet, beautiful book. The characters are all described with love, and their relationships and growth are the main focus. I don’t know what to say except that it’s so good! The setting, the people, the way it feels like we’re seeing things for the first time along with Betsy… I really love this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol
Death of parent: MC is an orphan;
Alcoholism, alcohol, addiction, child abuse: a child is mentioned to have an alcoholic father who uses all his money to buy licquor, we don't meet the father or see any abuse
The Worst Child I Ever Had by Anne Fine
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’d never heard of this character before, so it was actually pretty cool to find out it’s a “solve the mystery yourself” book. For some of the mysteries, you needed to know information not everyone could have (who knows baseball rules? Not me.)
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Carnival Crime by Donald J. Sobol
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’d never heard of this character before, so it was actually pretty cool to find out it’s a “solve the mystery yourself” book. For some of the mysteries, you needed to know information not everyone could have (who knows baseball rules? Not me.)
A Pack of Liars by Anne Fine
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
One of my faves from back then. I like how Anne Fine isn’t afraid to tackle relatively complex moral issues. It does mean that, for example, at the end when they choose to not tell the pen pal that Laura is not, in fact, Lady Melody it kind of rubs me the wrong way. Not that the pen pal really believed that… no way. That is a grown man; you can’t convince me he didn’t realise those letters were wayy over the top.
But yeah, it’s a book I remember well from when I was younger because of how interesting and creative the plot was.
But yeah, it’s a book I remember well from when I was younger because of how interesting and creative the plot was.
The Worry Website by Jacqueline Wilson
emotional
hopeful
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
3.25
Honestly, this book is super sweet. Contrary to typical Jacqueline Wilson style, the most serious story is a write-in by a child; all of Wilson’s stories are pretty chill.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying