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mco123's review against another edition
4.0
Good read. Ending was a little anticlimactic, but it’s a perfect, moody, syndical teen book. Unique approach to setting each chapter as an entry in a field guide.
readingwithnella's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jennnafziger's review against another edition
4.0
This isn’t the most revolutionary or innovative book I’ve ever read, but it is a nice high school story with interesting characters.
aham4679's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read a lot of YA, but this book was suggested on the front page of Libby and as someone who changed schools a lot growing up, the premise caught my eye. I thought I'd probably skim through the part where Norris moves and then move on to my reading list, but I got hooked in the first chapter and sped through the rest.
Norris is a hilarious and witty narrator, and the world Philippe creates for him feels so real. This book really captures the weird variety of people you meet in high school, and I appreciated that it reflects some universal aspects of being the new kid while also being specific to being a second-generation Haitian French-Canadian lad moving from Montreal to Austin. I come from a different immigrant background and typically pass as white, so it was really eye-opening for me to see how differently Norris and his mother navigated their new home (in the South, no less!) as a black family. Overall, this was an excellent read with a good balance of humor and substance.
Other highlights - I loved how the shared immigrant background was both an underlying tension and bonding catalyst in Norris's relationship with Aarti. I feel like that's a not uncommon experience when growing up with immigrant parents, and it was cool to see it portrayed in fiction. Norris's whole experience of meeting Aarti's family was really entertaining. I also quite enjoyed Norris having ZERO filter whatsoever.
Norris is a hilarious and witty narrator, and the world Philippe creates for him feels so real. This book really captures the weird variety of people you meet in high school, and I appreciated that it reflects some universal aspects of being the new kid while also being specific to being a second-generation Haitian French-Canadian lad moving from Montreal to Austin. I come from a different immigrant background and typically pass as white, so it was really eye-opening for me to see how differently Norris and his mother navigated their new home (in the South, no less!) as a black family. Overall, this was an excellent read with a good balance of humor and substance.
Other highlights - I loved how the shared immigrant background was both an underlying tension and bonding catalyst in Norris's relationship with Aarti. I feel like that's a not uncommon experience when growing up with immigrant parents, and it was cool to see it portrayed in fiction. Norris's whole experience of meeting Aarti's family was really entertaining. I also quite enjoyed Norris having ZERO filter whatsoever.
shelleydavis's review against another edition
4.0
Cute coming of age story that examines not only being an immigrant from Canada to the U.S. But also a black male in texas. Touches on race a nd cultural issues while still focusing on the issues most high schoolers face - relationship and family drama
millies_mini_library's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sophiexmae25's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This novel is YA and was recommended to me. I loved the authors ability to fluidly incorporate diversity within the novel. There is a myriad of dynamics and people in this novel but none of it is glaring— it just is. And it feels the way all books should be! I would have loved this even more as a teenager, so would def reccomend to anyone into YA.
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this even better than I thought I would! I like how Philippe wrote the moving to a new school narrative. Things happen so slowly that one day you look up and realize you made a life for yourself somewhere and I think he really drew that idea well. I really liked these characters and for the most part they felt real (if not a little too well adjusted in how they deal with break ups). Ben Philippe is definitely a writer to watch!