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gabieowleyess's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars.
A really great book to talk with kids about gentrification and how it can affect people differently.
A really great book to talk with kids about gentrification and how it can affect people differently.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this take on the topic of gentrification for middle school readers.
It had a slower start, but once it got going I found it hard to stop.
It had a slower start, but once it got going I found it hard to stop.
danyell919's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a great MG book that teaches kids about gentrification in an easy to understand way. I loved the characters, especially Wes. He faced friendship struggles that I think lots of kids can relate to!
This was such a great MG book that teaches kids about gentrification in an easy to understand way. I loved the characters, especially Wes. He faced friendship struggles that I think lots of kids can relate to!
mkduds's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook review. This was a great YA. The narrator is 11 in the story and I think this would be a great book for 5th or 6th graders to read to consider who was on the land before them.
librandian's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
smallgourd's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
engmls1724's review against another edition
5.0
This middle grade novel focuses on Wesley “Wes” Henderson, a curious boy who realizes that his neighborhood, Kensington Oaks, is endangered by a development company looking to gentrify it and its surrounding areas. Along the way, Wes deals with the possibility of losing friends and tries to reconcile connections with a special friend.
The positives include Wes’ characterization and voice throughout the story. I found that his reactions to the impending changes were appropriate for his age, and seemed to handle certain conflicts realistically. I also enjoyed the relationships among his friend group.
Overall, I would recommend this book for middle grade students to learn more about gentrification and its effects on children in diverse, possibly “less prosperous” neighborhoods. This book is also for educators and librarians who work with these students and promote engaging discussion about gentrification and characterization.
The positives include Wes’ characterization and voice throughout the story. I found that his reactions to the impending changes were appropriate for his age, and seemed to handle certain conflicts realistically. I also enjoyed the relationships among his friend group.
Overall, I would recommend this book for middle grade students to learn more about gentrification and its effects on children in diverse, possibly “less prosperous” neighborhoods. This book is also for educators and librarians who work with these students and promote engaging discussion about gentrification and characterization.
daycia's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
southern_librarian's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was a fantastic middle grades read! I truly enjoyed it. Not in a this-is-good-for-a-middle-grades book way, but in a truly this-is-good way. I went into it knowing that the author is from Charlotte, NC, and I totally "saw" Charlotte all over this book, which I think made it a little extra fun for me. Also: Community Read 2022 middle grades pick. Theme: gentrification/finding home.
Wes is an 11-year-old living in an older neighborhood near downtown. His mom is a part-time activist on the weekends and drags Wes along to marches and service work. He has a great life, even if they don't have a huge house, with two supportive parents and a tight group of friends. One day all of that is threatened when his family and all the other families in his neighborhood get fantastic offer letters from a company. The company wants to buy all their houses and build fancy condos. This sets Wes off on a path to learn more about gentrification and what he can do to take back his block.
I loved how very authentically all the characters were written. It was perfect. None of the dialogue felt stilted; none of the relationships felt flat. There were many secondary characters and none felt superfluous or underdeveloped. Chrystal Giles is amazing and I am already looking forward to seeing what she does next.
Wes is an 11-year-old living in an older neighborhood near downtown. His mom is a part-time activist on the weekends and drags Wes along to marches and service work. He has a great life, even if they don't have a huge house, with two supportive parents and a tight group of friends. One day all of that is threatened when his family and all the other families in his neighborhood get fantastic offer letters from a company. The company wants to buy all their houses and build fancy condos. This sets Wes off on a path to learn more about gentrification and what he can do to take back his block.
I loved how very authentically all the characters were written. It was perfect. None of the dialogue felt stilted; none of the relationships felt flat. There were many secondary characters and none felt superfluous or underdeveloped. Chrystal Giles is amazing and I am already looking forward to seeing what she does next.
mysterymom40's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Classism
Police unfairly take a minor to the police station; the scene includes rough words towards the youth; depictions of homelessness and poverty which are key to the story; child bullied because of the ill-fitting clothes they wear