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lillimoore's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book in middle school and reread about 3 years ago in anticipation of watching the movie. This middle-grade novel balances on the line of charming and heartbreaking. We follow our protagonist, Heidi, and her mentally disabled mother, who are both watched over and cared for by their brilliant but agoraphobic neighbor Bernadette. It is a coming-of-age tale that has Heidi realizing all that is missing from the story of her life and coming to terms with her unique predicament. She travels across the country to fill in the missing pieces and understand herself, her mother, and her background.
While this is a very cute tale and introduces complicated and complex subject material to younger readers in an accessible way, it is not without the problems of being quite unrealistic. You really have to suspend belief to think that Heidi can be so highly functioning, let alone exist in the situation that she does. Her mother is only capable of communicating with an extraordinarily small vocabulary. Where is CPS? Both Heidi and her mother deserved so much better. Yes, this is a touching story that can help younger readers develop empathy for those in the mentally disabled community, but I believe it could have been better executed and hope genuinely that there are other middle grade books that deal with similar subjects in a more realistic manner. If you, like me, enjoy reading books and comparing the movie afterwards, then I hope you enjoy this quick and engaging read with interesting characters, but don't expect any form of realism from it. Perhaps seek other books instead.
While this is a very cute tale and introduces complicated and complex subject material to younger readers in an accessible way, it is not without the problems of being quite unrealistic. You really have to suspend belief to think that Heidi can be so highly functioning, let alone exist in the situation that she does. Her mother is only capable of communicating with an extraordinarily small vocabulary. Where is CPS? Both Heidi and her mother deserved so much better. Yes, this is a touching story that can help younger readers develop empathy for those in the mentally disabled community, but I believe it could have been better executed and hope genuinely that there are other middle grade books that deal with similar subjects in a more realistic manner. If you, like me, enjoy reading books and comparing the movie afterwards, then I hope you enjoy this quick and engaging read with interesting characters, but don't expect any form of realism from it. Perhaps seek other books instead.
onceuponthesewords's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
This book absolutely destroyed me when I first read it 15 years ago, and it wasn’t any different this time around. This book CONSUMED me. I read this in about two hours, and I am SO glad I kept this on my shelves even after all these years.
This was so beautifully written, and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. The characters are wonderful, and I cried my eyes out (once again).
And how am I just discovering that there’s a sequel to this book?! BRB while I purchase it AND watch the movie as soon as I post this review.
This book absolutely destroyed me when I first read it 15 years ago, and it wasn’t any different this time around. This book CONSUMED me. I read this in about two hours, and I am SO glad I kept this on my shelves even after all these years.
This was so beautifully written, and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. The characters are wonderful, and I cried my eyes out (once again).
And how am I just discovering that there’s a sequel to this book?! BRB while I purchase it AND watch the movie as soon as I post this review.
crownofsage's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
24marsha's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED this book. A deep and moving story of a little girl with a mentally disabled mother and so many questions.
mirdurshewrote's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I reread this because I remembered loving it as a preteen. It definitely holds up. I was pleasantly surprised that, even though I remembered the general story, I was still intrigued the entire time. I read this in about a day so it's definitely an easy read.
tiffanywang29's review against another edition
5.0
It's sooooo sad in the end... but it's really good.
justlily's review against another edition
4.0
I literally read this book in like an hour, cover to cover. It's pacing was great and you couldn't help but feel for Heidi and her situation. By the end, I wanted answers as much as she did. Really great, emotional read.
lspargo's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by my niece. I remember being her age and being really into sad, dramatic books like this one. Compelling story that I finished in one night.
retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book about a young teen named Heidi who lives with a mentally disabled mother and a neighbor/caregiver who doesn't leave the apartment next door except to come to theirs through a connecting opening. Heidi finds photos that give clues to her roots and sets off across the country by herself to find the truth about her mother and the one word her mother uses that she doesn't understand -- soof. It's very well-written, the characters well-drawn, and there are certainly thought-provoking situations for readers young and old. It is completely unrealistic if you stop and think about it, but satisfying to finish.