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jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful, uplifting book about community and the power of stories.
ninasbooks57's review against another edition
5.0
You are pulled into each of these children’s lives - it is amazing yet sad to encounter the same prejudices. I wish we could have seen the 20 year reunion!!
bookhails's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
dria_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.0
futurama1979's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: this was assigned reading for my MG and YA class.
I loved so much about this book - I read it in one sitting during a slow shift at the library and it made me tear up multiple times. I loved the characters, and I loved the narrative device of the recorder and how it prompted the kids to open up about their lives. I loved the talks about race and decolonization and class. The voices of some of the kids were really well written.
There were just some little things all throughout the book that kept taking me out of the story, though. Maybe it's because I've worked with kids in the demographic Woodson wrote about, but often the discussions or how they were approached were written just a bit older than the age she was going for (her kids were meant to be in 5th-6th grade and even my 7th-8th graders would often try to make light of things a little more). It's so believable that they'd be talking about what Woodson had them talk about, but the way they approach it is just a bit too mature, which detracted from the story's believability.
And even if it wasn't fully believable, it was still authentic, and fully enjoyable. Great MG read.
I loved so much about this book - I read it in one sitting during a slow shift at the library and it made me tear up multiple times. I loved the characters, and I loved the narrative device of the recorder and how it prompted the kids to open up about their lives. I loved the talks about race and decolonization and class. The voices of some of the kids were really well written.
There were just some little things all throughout the book that kept taking me out of the story, though. Maybe it's because I've worked with kids in the demographic Woodson wrote about, but often the discussions or how they were approached were written just a bit older than the age she was going for (her kids were meant to be in 5th-6th grade and even my 7th-8th graders would often try to make light of things a little more). It's so believable that they'd be talking about what Woodson had them talk about, but the way they approach it is just a bit too mature, which detracted from the story's believability.
And even if it wasn't fully believable, it was still authentic, and fully enjoyable. Great MG read.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
Another solid installment from Jacqueline Woodson's bibliography.
6 kids come together and learn that the world is bigger than them. It basically boils down to 'baby's first lesson in empathy'. Each of the kids has a personal struggle that is explored in a series of talks shared in their safe space at school.
The book explores immigration, deportation, grief, taking accountability, complex family dynamics, police violence, racism, poverty, and systemic oppression.
Jacqueline Woodson is gifted at lyrical, expressive prose. It's poetic and flowery without being purple - a hard line to tow. I enjoy how she writes things.
Even so, the book did not fully connect with me.
The multiple points of view split the narrative in a way that left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied with several of the kids' storylines. The kids also often engaged in discussions that felt beyond their years. I wholeheartedly believe kids perceive more than we give them credit for. I just think the articulation and complexity of their discussions did not fully match their purported ages. It meant that at certain junctures, I felt like Woodson was using them as mouthpieces to push specific messages.
The little interview she had with her son at the end of the audiobook was adorable. She and her partner seem really committed to raising considerate, thoughtful contributors to society. Their rapport was lovely.
Overall, it was a good book, just not as good as the other things I've read from her.
6 kids come together and learn that the world is bigger than them. It basically boils down to 'baby's first lesson in empathy'. Each of the kids has a personal struggle that is explored in a series of talks shared in their safe space at school.
The book explores immigration, deportation, grief, taking accountability, complex family dynamics, police violence, racism, poverty, and systemic oppression.
Jacqueline Woodson is gifted at lyrical, expressive prose. It's poetic and flowery without being purple - a hard line to tow. I enjoy how she writes things.
Even so, the book did not fully connect with me.
The multiple points of view split the narrative in a way that left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied with several of the kids' storylines. The kids also often engaged in discussions that felt beyond their years. I wholeheartedly believe kids perceive more than we give them credit for. I just think the articulation and complexity of their discussions did not fully match their purported ages. It meant that at certain junctures, I felt like Woodson was using them as mouthpieces to push specific messages.
The little interview she had with her son at the end of the audiobook was adorable. She and her partner seem really committed to raising considerate, thoughtful contributors to society. Their rapport was lovely.
Overall, it was a good book, just not as good as the other things I've read from her.
reader4evr's review
3.0
I think this is meant to be read aloud not sure about the kid appeal if they are just reading this by themselves.
Audio was good because of the multiple narrators.
Audio was good because of the multiple narrators.
awahle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this. I listed to the audio and it was really special (each character had their own reader). Especially loved that after the book ended, Woodon’s child interviews her about why she wrote this book and they chat about the characters and life and it was really great. I think people of all ages would love this book.
aagbunn's review against another edition
4.0
“I didn’t know it would be people you barely knew becoming friends that harbored you. And dreams you didn’t even know you had—coming true.”
I really enjoyed this book. Fell in love with the characters. Wonderful story that is being told, and I would recommend it to anyone, but especially young people.
I really enjoyed this book. Fell in love with the characters. Wonderful story that is being told, and I would recommend it to anyone, but especially young people.