Reviews

Focused by Alyson Gerber

gracepizza40's review

4.0

The beginning was better than the end. The narration and thoughts started to become formulaic and/or a little repetitive. Also, tweens/teens don't text like that, even back in 2018 - at least in the late 2010s. However, this is an informative resource about kids with ADHD. It showed how a supportive family really helps one's outlook on life and themselves.

Spoiler

I want to see more disabled people (kids, teens, adults) of color, especially in YA (it's a popular genre and one of my favorite genres).

I noticed that many or even all of the books about ADHD kids by ADHD authors have a very similar voice.

wise1librarian's review

4.0

I really appreciated the story of the lived experience of an ADHD tween. This is an easily read book that highlights what seems to be a common trajectory of a girl with ADHD (later diagnosis, some difficulties with recognizing this in a girl). Though I found the parents somewhat unbelievable in that they are so understanding and when their perceptions are challenged that they immediately are able to make a change, they probably needed to be that way to keep the story firmly with the protagonist. I think this book can help an ADHD child see themselves in this character which is a rare find in fiction.

carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition

5.0

I was skeptical of this book at first because in our library it was right next to the author's other book "Braced" - my first thought was "oh great, someone who writes about all the disabilities but has none of them." Not only was I wrong (the author writes a wonderful note about their own struggles with ADHD, the motivation for writing the book), but I enjoyed this book so much. The book begins with Clea being undiagnosed and later finding out she has ADHD, and the process of coming to terms with that and learning to manage her ADHD is written so well.

I think my only grievance with the book - and it's really not something to fault the author or the book for - is that it's catalogued in our library as teen, but Clea is in seventh grade and it really read as more middle grade to me than teen. That could just be our poor categorization of the book but I thought it was worth noting!

trix21's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.0

cdale8's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 rounded to 4. Good voicing and clear storyline arc for an ADHD central character. Bonus points that it showed the pitfalls around having ADHD as a girl navigating middle school, as so much is written from the hyperactive primary grade (joey pigza) or teen boy (percy jackson) perspective. Was a little unrealistic in the tidy accommodations and responses to the ADHD by the friends, school personnel, parents, etc. and the ease/quickness with which a full workup was obtained without the main character actually in any crisis/legal trouble to fast-track them into an appointment.

bekah_'s review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. As an aspiring teacher, it was great to learn about ADHD and how a student may be thinking. It gives a new perspective that I would have never experienced myself in my life. But I can gain that understanding through that book. Clea is very much has the voice of a 7th grade girl, which is something important to remember. I would recommend this book to my classmates and future students to give understanding to what other students may experience in their school lives.

squirrelsonbookshelves's review against another edition

5.0

Amazing book that I am recommending to those with ADHD, or those with ADHD in their lives.

Perfectly shows the ups and downs of ADHD. The ups and downs of loving someone with ADHD. How diagnosis feels and navigating this new normal.

mrs_bookdragon's review against another edition

5.0

I am a huge fan of books that challenge my thinking and provide me with insight that can help me be a better teacher. This book opened my eyes into the world of ADHD. The inner conflict in Clea makes this Books one of my favorites this year so far. Gerber has mastered her craft and it is beautiful.

mglidden's review against another edition

4.0

Great insight from a student’s perspective of having ADHD.

nssutton's review against another edition

5.0

A great #ownstory about a girl learning she has ADHD as a middle schooler, which is a book I wish I had in our collection several years ago, before a string of our graduates went through this experience. A little didactic at times, but Gerber puts in the work to try and take you through the main character's experience of learning about her new diagnosis rather than making it feel like she's explicitly telling the reader everything they should know about ADHD herself. Invaluable for students as a window/mirror and a great read for chess lovers, though the (minor) relationship storyline butts against my quickly crumbling rule about romance in the elementary school library. I'll be bringing it to the librarian round table this fall share. Sidebar: was anyone super frustrated at how much energy she put into Red's problems? I guess I was the same at that age, but a parent, I think I would have tried to nip some of that in the bud.