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gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Finding herself - or rather finding out who she isn't anymore - it's all such a complicated journey.
Everyone does it differently, and interactions with others are tenuous while all is shifting.
Everyone does it differently, and interactions with others are tenuous while all is shifting.
mlejmeyer's review
3.0
Between a 3 and a 4 on this one for me...but I do think this is great YA lit in the fact that I think most of the girls I taught would have rated this a 4 or a 5. Vivian writes adolescent characters so well...the writing always rings very "true" to me.
readwithpassion's review
4.0
This book does an excellent job capturing those moments of loneliness that teenagers (and all humans) feel. Emily wants to be liked and will transform herself to fit in with others. At times, the other characters in the book are quite mean to her, and the reader feels complete empathy for her and wants her to feel a sense of belonging. She struggles to develop independent thoughts and ideas, but often, she finds herself emulating a very dominant female in her life, Fiona. The book was very well-written, and I would definitely recommend it.
appifanie's review
4.0
liked this book a lot, because it just appealed to a me that I wished could have existed (an artistic me who has fun and meets cool people and lives life).
kaitrosereads's review
4.0
Emily is searching for something: her true self. Summer in her hometown of Cherry Hill isn't as fun as it used to be since her best friend, Meg, got a boyfriend. Every time they hang out Emily feels like the third wheel. Finally, she finds something just for her. A two month summer art program at a nearby college in Philadelphia. She has always seemed to excel at drawing so she decided to give it a try.
Little did she know that all the kids attending are way ahead of her. Most of them know exactly what they want to do with their lives after high school and most of their choices involve their art. The only reason Emily really liked art was because it was the one thing she was good at.
As Emily is drawn deeper into her art and the lives of the students in her art class she starts to discover that she isn't the same person she always was. But is the new Emily the real Emily, or even the girl she wants to be?
Sadly, I was a little disappointed in the main character of the book. The story was amazing but it seemed like Emily was lacking in maturity and her own sense of self. As the book begins Emily seems to be imitating her best friend Meg and as the book progresses she seems to begin to imitate her new friend, Fiona. She never really seemed to develop her own personality.
I did enjoy this book and I would still recommend it because I still really liked the story. It's a very real portrayal of how you can get caught up in what others want you to be and put aside your true self to be something you're not.
Little did she know that all the kids attending are way ahead of her. Most of them know exactly what they want to do with their lives after high school and most of their choices involve their art. The only reason Emily really liked art was because it was the one thing she was good at.
As Emily is drawn deeper into her art and the lives of the students in her art class she starts to discover that she isn't the same person she always was. But is the new Emily the real Emily, or even the girl she wants to be?
Sadly, I was a little disappointed in the main character of the book. The story was amazing but it seemed like Emily was lacking in maturity and her own sense of self. As the book begins Emily seems to be imitating her best friend Meg and as the book progresses she seems to begin to imitate her new friend, Fiona. She never really seemed to develop her own personality.
I did enjoy this book and I would still recommend it because I still really liked the story. It's a very real portrayal of how you can get caught up in what others want you to be and put aside your true self to be something you're not.
yapxinyi's review
5.0
4.5 stars.
Incredible.
I picked up this book, knowing next to nothing except that it was about art, finding yourself, friendship and maybe some romance. Well, that and the fact that I read the reviews on the book jacket.
Siobhan Vivian is a pretty cool author. I loved the book she co-wrote with Jenny Han, Burn for Burn(and the series too!) for its thrill, and mystery.
Anyhow.
Emily Thompson isn't your typical artsy student, having loved art since young or whatever you stereotype with those who take art programmes. She is, in fact, just that bit interested, and wanted to try something new. Maybe that was why she stuttered when her new art professor asked her why she joined this programme. She didn't know exactly why.
But she would be soon finding out.
Plain, bored Emily left her comfort zone, cul-de-sacs in her little town and her best friend Meg whom she had grown up with for a curiosity and interest that feeded her, only to be plunged into bigger-than-life Philadelphia where all the other art students are serious, arty, and totally not like her.
How would she ever belong or fit in?
She meets quirky and artsy Fiona, a girl who is not afraid of her own style and art, whom she soon becomes friends with despite their rocky start.
As she learns more about herself, her art, and courage, she soon realises that things cannot go back to the way they were before. She had changed. It was impossible to revert back.
But the thing is, I'm seeing it now. I'm seeing it, like Fiona said, once you do, you can't turn back.
You have to move forward.
This book spans over a couple of months, from June to September, and I especially liked the fact that we knew the months were passing, and that everyone in it was growing and changing. Emily, mostly, her sister Claire, and even her young teaching professor Yates.
What I especially loved about Same Difference was the realism of it. I could envision it happening, the classes she took, the trips to the museum, her friends' reactions. The art programme spanning over six weeks was of a limited and temporary time to escape, but also one of discovery and growth.
The ending was unexpected (well, maybe to some of you out there, but not me) but gave me the tingles. I love such endings! I won't spoil it much for you, but let's say...it's not so much of a cliffhanger per se, but more of a room—nah, make it a world—to explore. ;)
I would have loved it better if the author had expounded more on the title. I found it intriguing, that differences could be the same (that was what drew me to pick up this book, anyway) but that the author didn't say much about it was just a tad bit disappointing. (Mind you, just a tad bit. Absolutely still worth reading! :D )
My hand itched to draw after reading it. And my mind was filled with possibilities. (Hmm, maybe I should consider joining an art programme...)
Perhaps one day we can be like Emily.
To be brave enough to chase our dreams.
Incredible.
I picked up this book, knowing next to nothing except that it was about art, finding yourself, friendship and maybe some romance. Well, that and the fact that I read the reviews on the book jacket.
Siobhan Vivian is a pretty cool author. I loved the book she co-wrote with Jenny Han, Burn for Burn(and the series too!) for its thrill, and mystery.
Anyhow.
Emily Thompson isn't your typical artsy student, having loved art since young or whatever you stereotype with those who take art programmes. She is, in fact, just that bit interested, and wanted to try something new. Maybe that was why she stuttered when her new art professor asked her why she joined this programme. She didn't know exactly why.
But she would be soon finding out.
Plain, bored Emily left her comfort zone, cul-de-sacs in her little town and her best friend Meg whom she had grown up with for a curiosity and interest that feeded her, only to be plunged into bigger-than-life Philadelphia where all the other art students are serious, arty, and totally not like her.
How would she ever belong or fit in?
She meets quirky and artsy Fiona, a girl who is not afraid of her own style and art, whom she soon becomes friends with despite their rocky start.
As she learns more about herself, her art, and courage, she soon realises that things cannot go back to the way they were before. She had changed. It was impossible to revert back.
But the thing is, I'm seeing it now. I'm seeing it, like Fiona said, once you do, you can't turn back.
You have to move forward.
This book spans over a couple of months, from June to September, and I especially liked the fact that we knew the months were passing, and that everyone in it was growing and changing. Emily, mostly, her sister Claire, and even her young teaching professor Yates.
What I especially loved about Same Difference was the realism of it. I could envision it happening, the classes she took, the trips to the museum, her friends' reactions. The art programme spanning over six weeks was of a limited and temporary time to escape, but also one of discovery and growth.
The ending was unexpected (well, maybe to some of you out there, but not me) but gave me the tingles. I love such endings! I won't spoil it much for you, but let's say...it's not so much of a cliffhanger per se, but more of a room—nah, make it a world—to explore. ;)
I would have loved it better if the author had expounded more on the title. I found it intriguing, that differences could be the same (that was what drew me to pick up this book, anyway) but that the author didn't say much about it was just a tad bit disappointing. (Mind you, just a tad bit. Absolutely still worth reading! :D )
My hand itched to draw after reading it. And my mind was filled with possibilities. (Hmm, maybe I should consider joining an art programme...)
Perhaps one day we can be like Emily.
To be brave enough to chase our dreams.
minty's review
4.0
This book made me horribly homesick on many many levels. I loved the characters--I KNOW these characters--and loved this book, simple as it was.
jerrica's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, let me just say, I really really liked this book.
It starts with a girl named Emily, living in Cherry Grove, New Jersey. She is rich, and from many peoples' point of view she has the perfect life. She has all the opportunities, a soccer mom, and according to her best friend Meg, she is beautiful and has hair to die for.
But ever since Meg got a boyfriend, buff, generic football player Rick, Emily begins to feel like a third wheel. She's tired of endless days of Starbucks and tanning. So when her eccentric art teacher offers to send her to an arts "camp" of sorts in Philly, Emily accepts, thinking she could start herself over again, and not just be known as Meg's best friend, or Rick's girlfriend's best friend.
But the camp is not what she thought. After unknowingly flirting with her student art teacher while running late on the first day, her intimidating teacher basically deems her as useless. But that day is also the day that Emily meets Fiona, the girl who draws chalk shadows.
At first, Emily is reluctant to go back to camp, but she begins to learn that she has a gift she needs to embrace. And when Fiona takes Emily under her stylishly clothed wing, she takes her a journey to show her how much fun city life can be.
The concept is a little overused, which is why it only gets four stars, but I liked the characters and even though I pretty much knew how the book would end, it was a good journey to the finish.
It starts with a girl named Emily, living in Cherry Grove, New Jersey. She is rich, and from many peoples' point of view she has the perfect life. She has all the opportunities, a soccer mom, and according to her best friend Meg, she is beautiful and has hair to die for.
But ever since Meg got a boyfriend, buff, generic football player Rick, Emily begins to feel like a third wheel. She's tired of endless days of Starbucks and tanning. So when her eccentric art teacher offers to send her to an arts "camp" of sorts in Philly, Emily accepts, thinking she could start herself over again, and not just be known as Meg's best friend, or Rick's girlfriend's best friend.
But the camp is not what she thought. After unknowingly flirting with her student art teacher while running late on the first day, her intimidating teacher basically deems her as useless. But that day is also the day that Emily meets Fiona, the girl who draws chalk shadows.
At first, Emily is reluctant to go back to camp, but she begins to learn that she has a gift she needs to embrace. And when Fiona takes Emily under her stylishly clothed wing, she takes her a journey to show her how much fun city life can be.
The concept is a little overused, which is why it only gets four stars, but I liked the characters and even though I pretty much knew how the book would end, it was a good journey to the finish.
holsarmstrong's review against another edition
3.0
(3-3.5- I can’t decide!!)
I did really liked this book. I mean, I am not an art fan but the concept was interesting and I liked how much Emily progressed in this story. I liked Emily’s character, although her decisions were so dependent on others and she’s defo a people pleaser. I guess the thing that really got me is how much I disliked Fiona. she was crazy, obsessive and arrogant and I think she was completely toxic and awful for Emily and everyone. I kept waiting for Emily to snap out of it and realise how much of a shite person she was to her and others but she never did - spoiler. I literally felt like screaming reading the second half of the book because Emily was being completely naive, ugh.
I did really liked this book. I mean, I am not an art fan but the concept was interesting and I liked how much Emily progressed in this story. I liked Emily’s character, although her decisions were so dependent on others and she’s defo a people pleaser. I guess the thing that really got me is how much I disliked Fiona. she was crazy, obsessive and arrogant and I think she was completely toxic and awful for Emily and everyone. I kept waiting for Emily to snap out of it and realise how much of a shite person she was to her and others but she never did - spoiler. I literally felt like screaming reading the second half of the book because Emily was being completely naive, ugh.