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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Why are middle grade graphic novels so goooood? I love that these are books that both my kiddo and I love, and that provide such great topics for conversation.
I particularly enjoyed the way this book considered several topics, yet none of them got short shrift. It provides a lot of food for thought about what healthy friendships look like, when it may be time to move on from a friendship that no longer works, how girls receive mixed messages about who they ought to be and what they ought to do, about the toll anxiety takes, and about how important it is to blaze your own trail rather than going along with the crowd.
What I love most of all about this book and so many other middle grade books is not just their honesty, but the way they treat kids and their problems with dignity. I think it can be all to easy as an adult to dismiss kids' problems and forget how confusing and scary so much of what kids face is. I love that books like this offer parents and kids an avenue for exploring amd discussing those feelings.
I'd be remiss if I didn't specifically mention the art as well. I've read several books Pham has illustrated, and I love her style. The detail is wonderful, and the characters' faces are so expressive. The coloring is fantastic too.
I hope there will be more of these books. They're really wonderful.
Why are middle grade graphic novels so goooood? I love that these are books that both my kiddo and I love, and that provide such great topics for conversation.
I particularly enjoyed the way this book considered several topics, yet none of them got short shrift. It provides a lot of food for thought about what healthy friendships look like, when it may be time to move on from a friendship that no longer works, how girls receive mixed messages about who they ought to be and what they ought to do, about the toll anxiety takes, and about how important it is to blaze your own trail rather than going along with the crowd.
What I love most of all about this book and so many other middle grade books is not just their honesty, but the way they treat kids and their problems with dignity. I think it can be all to easy as an adult to dismiss kids' problems and forget how confusing and scary so much of what kids face is. I love that books like this offer parents and kids an avenue for exploring amd discussing those feelings.
I'd be remiss if I didn't specifically mention the art as well. I've read several books Pham has illustrated, and I love her style. The detail is wonderful, and the characters' faces are so expressive. The coloring is fantastic too.
I hope there will be more of these books. They're really wonderful.
novelette's review against another edition
3.0
This semi autobiographical novel made me so sad for Shannon. Shannon, I'll be your friend! I'll go back in time and not ride the roller coasters and hang out!
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Time for sixth grade, new rules, new social things, friendship, and more.
I finally had the chance to read the second book in this series! It was quite an interesting read~
I could relate to the MC quite a few times, I remember that I never was that into what was hip/happening (still am not that into it) and stood out in class. I remember the weird unwritten rules that kept changing. Remember how confusing it all was and that at times I was just wondering if I was the only one not understanding things.
It was very well written story and I am really happy I read this book. I felt for the MC at times and just wanted to reach out and give her a hug. Tell her she would find her tribe, her people. I was rooting for her to just tell these girls no for once. Because sorry, I just wasn’t a fan of the girls for most. Especially Jen/Jenny both of these were just horrible!
I loved the story Shannon writes in the beginning… but it just got eh later on when it turned more fantasy like. I don’t mind reading some fantasy stuff, but in general it is just not my cup of tea. I did think it was amazing that the MC could write this story at such a young age. She has an amazing imagination and more. I did like how it parallels with the normal parts.
But if she needs glasses to see? How did she go without the entire graphic novel? Why didn’t the mom buy new ones? I mean, she was squinting at times to see things… though at other times she seemed to see well, so that was very confusing. Did she get lenses sometime? Or did her vision just magically POOF go right? Very odd.
Also what the fuck America? Really, I keep getting surprised at crap that is OK in the US? I mean, the teacher just grabbed that boy, not even violently, because he wouldn’t stop. And she gets fired over that? WTF? I get maybe a warning? But firing? America is a weird place…
Sorry, I had a laugh that someone age 11 (going by the internet for ages in 6th grade US) thought writers weren’t real people. How do you think new books get made then? Magic? It just was a very strange thing, especially since she loved reading so much and worked in a library.
I like the ending (go go for the MC) + the photographs after that! That was a nice extra touch!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I finally had the chance to read the second book in this series! It was quite an interesting read~
I could relate to the MC quite a few times, I remember that I never was that into what was hip/happening (still am not that into it) and stood out in class. I remember the weird unwritten rules that kept changing. Remember how confusing it all was and that at times I was just wondering if I was the only one not understanding things.
It was very well written story and I am really happy I read this book. I felt for the MC at times and just wanted to reach out and give her a hug. Tell her she would find her tribe, her people. I was rooting for her to just tell these girls no for once. Because sorry, I just wasn’t a fan of the girls for most. Especially Jen/Jenny both of these were just horrible!
I loved the story Shannon writes in the beginning… but it just got eh later on when it turned more fantasy like. I don’t mind reading some fantasy stuff, but in general it is just not my cup of tea. I did think it was amazing that the MC could write this story at such a young age. She has an amazing imagination and more. I did like how it parallels with the normal parts.
But if she needs glasses to see? How did she go without the entire graphic novel? Why didn’t the mom buy new ones? I mean, she was squinting at times to see things… though at other times she seemed to see well, so that was very confusing. Did she get lenses sometime? Or did her vision just magically POOF go right? Very odd.
Also what the fuck America? Really, I keep getting surprised at crap that is OK in the US? I mean, the teacher just grabbed that boy, not even violently, because he wouldn’t stop. And she gets fired over that? WTF? I get maybe a warning? But firing? America is a weird place…
Sorry, I had a laugh that someone age 11 (going by the internet for ages in 6th grade US) thought writers weren’t real people. How do you think new books get made then? Magic? It just was a very strange thing, especially since she loved reading so much and worked in a library.
I like the ending (go go for the MC) + the photographs after that! That was a nice extra touch!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
saharafrost's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
rileyaurora83's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
4.75
librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
5.0
This was so perfect and accurate that it was almost painful to read. Anxiety! Friendship drama! Middle School !
jnjackson's review against another edition
3.0
Very cute and well written but it makes me terrified to have a middle schooler.