Reviews

Back on Track: Diary of a Street Kid by Margaret Clark

bobbijopmh's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was one of my favourite books during high school. I don’t feel like it really stood the test of time, though. The writing is average (though that’s ‘excused’ by the teen-girl diary format) and the plot and character development are both weak. 

I kind of wish I hadn’t reread it as an adult, so I could hold on to the false memory of greatness!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence

photogfrog's review against another edition

4.0

My students are reading this book next term so I had to read it first. I think they will enjoy it.

readsipsnuggle's review

1.0

I didn't like this book. I didn't enjoy the first few pages of the book at all but told myself to push through because I have read some books that may not have started of too well but got a lot better. Needless to say this did not. I think the in theory it was a good idea for a novel but the way it was written seriously made me want to put the book day walk away and never even consider finishing it. I did manage to make it to the end (still hoping it would improve) and I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I read a book I disliked as much as this one! Basically it was about s girl who left to live with a "boyfriend" ended up homeless and spent the majority of the book either on drugs, in hospital because of drugs or trying to find ways to afford drugs. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone.