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ellamaricc's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
4.0
ronniegayreads's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My first experience of a novel in free verse and I loved this style! It was really cool and well written, as a writer I will definitely try this form out.
What lowered my rating is I wad confused about the plot & what I was supposed to feel at the end. I don't think it was badly written but I think it wasn't for me because I didn't really understand or resonate with it.
What lowered my rating is I wad confused about the plot & what I was supposed to feel at the end. I don't think it was badly written but I think it wasn't for me because I didn't really understand or resonate with it.
oxiegen's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
An easy one-sitting quick-read novel in free verse.
The main character, Jorie struggles with 3 dilemmas - one of her family, one of her love life, and one of her creativity. We don’t get to see the resolution of all of them on the page, leaving some room for interpretation, as is often the case with poetry.
I do wish there was more character development for Jorie, because at the end it felt like we understood her mother’s character more than her. While I do understand that that’s the whole point, but if you take away the fungi references and context, there’s really not much left to Jorie. Although I did enjoy the free verse very much, the story felt very sparse to me.
The main character, Jorie struggles with 3 dilemmas - one of her family, one of her love life, and one of her creativity. We don’t get to see the resolution of all of them on the page, leaving some room for interpretation, as is often the case with poetry.
I do wish there was more character development for Jorie, because at the end it felt like we understood her mother’s character more than her. While I do understand that that’s the whole point, but if you take away the fungi references and context, there’s really not much left to Jorie. Although I did enjoy the free verse very much, the story felt very sparse to me.
chellyreadsalot's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
This is the first time I’ve ever read a novel-in-verse. I loved it. Very quick read, but so challenging for author and reader to cram an entire story into this format, the I genuinely enjoyed every bit of it. I also got to learn a lot about mushrooms, which was unexpected. I don’t expect this to be my last novel-in-verse. It was very captivating.
karaxandria's review against another edition
1.0
An extremely brief novel written in verse. So disjointed and no particular message tying the poems together. I’m honestly a bit angry I bought this at the Barnes & Noble half off hardcover sale.
tx2its's review against another edition
2.0
Reading 2020
Book 133: What Goes Up by Christine Heppermann
#30booksin30days (book 4) and #youbetYA2020 (book 3). Working my way through the month of challenges.
A YA novel in verse, is the story of Jorie who's life is a mess. She is trouble by her father's affair, and her mother's seeming acceptance of the whole thing. She is acting out of character going to parties, and breaking up with her boyfriend. Through the whole book the discussion of her world in relationship to mushrooms.
This book was not for me, the mushroom metaphors throughout the book were distracting. When the book finished I was not sure what I read or what I was supposed to get from the book. Reviewed for ages 14 and older, this book was published in August this year. My rating 2 ⭐️.
Book 133: What Goes Up by Christine Heppermann
#30booksin30days (book 4) and #youbetYA2020 (book 3). Working my way through the month of challenges.
A YA novel in verse, is the story of Jorie who's life is a mess. She is trouble by her father's affair, and her mother's seeming acceptance of the whole thing. She is acting out of character going to parties, and breaking up with her boyfriend. Through the whole book the discussion of her world in relationship to mushrooms.
This book was not for me, the mushroom metaphors throughout the book were distracting. When the book finished I was not sure what I read or what I was supposed to get from the book. Reviewed for ages 14 and older, this book was published in August this year. My rating 2 ⭐️.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Huh. I read this in my quest to read a book in free verse each month, and chose this particular book after a Book Riot newsletter mentioned that the MC makes mushroom art. Because my daughter is an artist and loves mushrooms. So, it was a worthwhile 15 minutes of reading and I passed it on to my daughter - despite the all around “huh” nature of the book, still a win for my quest.
nerdygirlk's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
ashleyaewert's review against another edition
1.0
A bit overdramatic in my opinion. If they were already broken up, why was it all such a big deal? While all the mushroom facts were interesting, I don't think it helped the book any.