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karrama's review against another edition
4.0
I do not recommend this book for younger, MG readers. It is a difficult book in some ways. The issues are sensitive and mature. I cannot speak to another person's mind, but I can say that the institutionalized prejudices that a special needs student confronts comes through in their thoughts and interactions about one another and that is also examined through a character in this book. Having worked with and lived with special education students, I have heard the students speak in the way we see in this book.
To speak to points made in an earlier review, I do believe the girls had different voices in this book, though they blurred. The language and dialect don't bother me as I've heard speakers, educated and respected, speak with a southern accent. I've also been in close contact with youths/ adults of many parts of society who bear Biddie's reactions to the world: optimism.
To speak to points made in an earlier review, I do believe the girls had different voices in this book, though they blurred. The language and dialect don't bother me as I've heard speakers, educated and respected, speak with a southern accent. I've also been in close contact with youths/ adults of many parts of society who bear Biddie's reactions to the world: optimism.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
What a short book with a lot of depth & sadness.
This is definitely a book I want to share with my Special Ed teachers at school.
This is definitely a book I want to share with my Special Ed teachers at school.
chelsea2020's review against another edition
5.0
This has got to be one of my favorite (new favorite) school-read books of all time (second only to The Book Thief). It takes absolutely no time at all to read and keeps your emotions in constant chaos, clutching at your heartstrings and plucking them try. You will feel everything from happiness to heartache, and so much more in between. This was worth every second of my time reading it.
Two Speddie (Special Education) girls have just graduated from school and are looking to get a fresh start in the world as working adults. Biddy and Quincy are put up by Elizabeth, an older woman in need of a full-time homeworker. Biddy will make her living cleaning Miss Lizzy's home from top to bottom and assisting her whenever needed. Quincy will make her living as a chef-of-sorts, working at the local grocery store 'Brown Cow.' Both girls work to their strengths as they become acclimated to this new and hopefully better life of theirs. Never having truly belonged anywhere before, both girls are hopeful that they have finally found somewhere to call 'Home.'
Biddy is a sweet and bubbly 18-year-old woman who looks at the world as a magical place with greatness around every corner. She sees people for how they act, and for the goodness that they harbor in their deepest hearts. She acknowledges the sometimes bad in people, though despite her past seems to largely overlook in it favor of the lightness that every beautiful creature in the world holds. As we delve into her time spent in her new life, she becomes a bolder and more outspoken girl. She completely come out of her shell and transforms into a fiercely protective person, more concerned with other than with her own issues. She is always open about how she feels, though in a way that is respectful of all company she's with. The changes made in her life are without a doubt for the better.
Quincy is a conservative and highly independent 18-year-old woman who looks at the world as a dark force with heartache hiding behind every corner, and at people as always having a secret motive to their every act. She sees people as superficial and incapable of caring for her in any way that counts. Because of her past, she has always lived her life lashing at others before they have a chance to lash out at her. And though this is how her story goes for much of the book, she will find a change in herself that she never expected. Despite her past, she may yet learn what it means to be a part of a family, and to fight for and protect them at all costs.
It is true that in the beginning Quincy was harsh, as all other had been for so many years, to Biddy and saw no more than what everyone else told her about the 'Ho girl,' but after becoming roommates and learning to see the real Biddy, she can no longer torment the fragile girl who has known little else since she was barely a teen girl. Likewise, once Biddy gets to know the real Quincy behind the tough exterior, she can no longer see her as indestructible and incapable of knowing pain. Once they put their difference aside and to good use, the two young women become close as any sisters could be. They bring each other up when the other is down and support their strengths as well as their weaknesses.
The changes that these two girls have made in their lives could not be summed up any better than this final quote from Quincy's own thoughts:
"Every once in a while, I hug that fool girl. Just for nothing."
Two Speddie (Special Education) girls have just graduated from school and are looking to get a fresh start in the world as working adults. Biddy and Quincy are put up by Elizabeth, an older woman in need of a full-time homeworker. Biddy will make her living cleaning Miss Lizzy's home from top to bottom and assisting her whenever needed. Quincy will make her living as a chef-of-sorts, working at the local grocery store 'Brown Cow.' Both girls work to their strengths as they become acclimated to this new and hopefully better life of theirs. Never having truly belonged anywhere before, both girls are hopeful that they have finally found somewhere to call 'Home.'
Biddy is a sweet and bubbly 18-year-old woman who looks at the world as a magical place with greatness around every corner. She sees people for how they act, and for the goodness that they harbor in their deepest hearts. She acknowledges the sometimes bad in people, though despite her past seems to largely overlook in it favor of the lightness that every beautiful creature in the world holds. As we delve into her time spent in her new life, she becomes a bolder and more outspoken girl. She completely come out of her shell and transforms into a fiercely protective person, more concerned with other than with her own issues. She is always open about how she feels, though in a way that is respectful of all company she's with. The changes made in her life are without a doubt for the better.
Quincy is a conservative and highly independent 18-year-old woman who looks at the world as a dark force with heartache hiding behind every corner, and at people as always having a secret motive to their every act. She sees people as superficial and incapable of caring for her in any way that counts. Because of her past, she has always lived her life lashing at others before they have a chance to lash out at her. And though this is how her story goes for much of the book, she will find a change in herself that she never expected. Despite her past, she may yet learn what it means to be a part of a family, and to fight for and protect them at all costs.
It is true that in the beginning Quincy was harsh, as all other had been for so many years, to Biddy and saw no more than what everyone else told her about the 'Ho girl,' but after becoming roommates and learning to see the real Biddy, she can no longer torment the fragile girl who has known little else since she was barely a teen girl. Likewise, once Biddy gets to know the real Quincy behind the tough exterior, she can no longer see her as indestructible and incapable of knowing pain. Once they put their difference aside and to good use, the two young women become close as any sisters could be. They bring each other up when the other is down and support their strengths as well as their weaknesses.
The changes that these two girls have made in their lives could not be summed up any better than this final quote from Quincy's own thoughts:
"Every once in a while, I hug that fool girl. Just for nothing."
shirarweiss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
This book grew on me. It took me some time to warm up to the language and eventually they stole my heart. I appreciate the dual POV and how quickly it switched back and forth to share moments from both characters’ perspectives. There were some loose ends and details missing - especially with Stephen - but I also get that it’s a short book that really focuses on the main narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Chronic illness, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Ableism, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
erindb's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Abandonment, Rape, Stalking, and Ableism
Moderate: Eating disorder, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
jwinchell's review against another edition
3.0
I was not ready for the gruesome rape scene or the references to prior rape--but then again, who is? In that respect, maybe its treatment is true to life. But I also felt that the author was somewhat irresponsible with this; it didn't resolve well, the girls didn't go through treatment or receive much support, and there wasn't a satisfactory conclusion. Maybe that's all true to life, too, but I would want everyone to know this about the book before suggesting it to a young reader.
I have taught many SPED girls like these, and it broke my heart to get their inner monologues and reflections: growing realizations that others see them differently, that others look down on them and think them capable of very little, that they therefore deserve to be used and abused.These girls got themselves together, and that part of the story was very affirming.
I have taught many SPED girls like these, and it broke my heart to get their inner monologues and reflections: growing realizations that others see them differently, that others look down on them and think them capable of very little, that they therefore deserve to be used and abused.These girls got themselves together, and that part of the story was very affirming.
snapplespice's review against another edition
5.0
Quincy and Biddy are self-described “speddies,” girls who were in special education and teased mercilessly because of it. This book details their life after graduation, and we see these girls adjust to adulthood despite the fact that they view themselves as lesser people. This book is not simply a story about a growing friendship and overcoming hardship, it’s a story about survival and empowerment. Quincy and Biddy learn from each other through their most painful experiences, and despite all of the suffering they endure, we are left feeling hopeful in the end. Overall a great read – I finished the book in a day!
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=5661
While reading this book, I had no question that it deserved the Schneider Teen Award. The Schneider Family Book Award honors a “book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for adolescent audiences,” and Girls Like Us take us into Quincy and Biddy’s worlds as they learn to transition from a special-ed classroom in high school to real life in such a true matter, it definitely meets the criteria for the award. In many ways, the book is like any book about girls who just graduated from high school: learning to live with a roommate you don’t understand, learning to be responsible, etc. However, the challenges that these young ladies face because of their disabilities puts the book on a whole different level. Although the book is primarily about Quincy and Biddy’s life, it does illuminate some serious issues towards the treatment of differently abled individuals. (P.S. I love the ending very much!)
There is so much to talk about with this book! Because it impacted myself and a few of my friends, we decided to have a Twitter chat focused around it (#GLUChat). If you have read the book (because there are spoilers) check out our conversation: https://storify.com/trkravtin/girls-like-us-twitter-chat. Thank you to Teresa for archiving and Michele, Carrie, Alyson, and Leigh for taking part in it with me!
While reading this book, I had no question that it deserved the Schneider Teen Award. The Schneider Family Book Award honors a “book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for adolescent audiences,” and Girls Like Us take us into Quincy and Biddy’s worlds as they learn to transition from a special-ed classroom in high school to real life in such a true matter, it definitely meets the criteria for the award. In many ways, the book is like any book about girls who just graduated from high school: learning to live with a roommate you don’t understand, learning to be responsible, etc. However, the challenges that these young ladies face because of their disabilities puts the book on a whole different level. Although the book is primarily about Quincy and Biddy’s life, it does illuminate some serious issues towards the treatment of differently abled individuals. (P.S. I love the ending very much!)
There is so much to talk about with this book! Because it impacted myself and a few of my friends, we decided to have a Twitter chat focused around it (#GLUChat). If you have read the book (because there are spoilers) check out our conversation: https://storify.com/trkravtin/girls-like-us-twitter-chat. Thank you to Teresa for archiving and Michele, Carrie, Alyson, and Leigh for taking part in it with me!
maryehavens's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book more than I thought I would. Probably a 3.5. I think they could have done without the judge’s wife scene at the end.
This book surprised me because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wish the author would have given some background information - why she wanted to write a book like this, what research she conducted to get the characters right, etc. I wonder what the statistics are (if there are any) about intellectually disabled persons and sexual assault. It’s a terrifying and heartbreaking thought.
Glad I listened to this- the narrator was good although Texans don’t talk like that. That’s Georgia.
This book surprised me because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wish the author would have given some background information - why she wanted to write a book like this, what research she conducted to get the characters right, etc. I wonder what the statistics are (if there are any) about intellectually disabled persons and sexual assault. It’s a terrifying and heartbreaking thought.
Glad I listened to this- the narrator was good although Texans don’t talk like that. That’s Georgia.