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hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
A timely collection of short stories and essays by some big name teen writers takes on the topic of guns and gun culture. Read my full review here.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of stories that discusses the role of guns in society. There is a diverse group of authors, with a diverse focus on guns. Stories address the historical role, gender roles, school violence, hunting, and inner city impacts. Overall, this collection really creates a great environment for discussion of gun roles, as they relate to both teens and adults.
I found some of the stories boring and not to my liking, but several were okay. I like what this book attempted to do, but I didn't connect to these stories in a truly powerful way (or not as powerfully as I had hoped).
I found some of the stories boring and not to my liking, but several were okay. I like what this book attempted to do, but I didn't connect to these stories in a truly powerful way (or not as powerfully as I had hoped).
rfonta69801's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars
Character Development: Not really, since this was a book of short stories
Diversity: Yes,
Likes: I loved the message this book that this book told me about
Dislikes: About half the book I really didn't find the interest in it
What mood should you read this book in?: Emotional, Realistic,
Pace: Fast
Likable Characters?: 1/4 of the whole books characters.
Characters or Plot?: Character,
Overall, I had higher hopes for this book, but loved the message!
Character Development: Not really, since this was a book of short stories
Diversity: Yes,
Likes: I loved the message this book that this book told me about
Dislikes: About half the book I really didn't find the interest in it
What mood should you read this book in?: Emotional, Realistic,
Pace: Fast
Likable Characters?: 1/4 of the whole books characters.
Characters or Plot?: Character,
Overall, I had higher hopes for this book, but loved the message!
rfonta69801's review
3.0
2.75 stars
Character Development: Not really, since this was a book of short stories
Diversity: Yes,
Likes: I loved the message this book that this book told me about
Dislikes: About half the book I really didn't find the interest in it
What mood should you read this book in?: Emotional, Realistic,
Pace: Fast
Likable Characters?: 1/4 of the whole books characters.
Characters or Plot?: Character,
Overall, I had higher hopes for this book, but loved the message!
Character Development: Not really, since this was a book of short stories
Diversity: Yes,
Likes: I loved the message this book that this book told me about
Dislikes: About half the book I really didn't find the interest in it
What mood should you read this book in?: Emotional, Realistic,
Pace: Fast
Likable Characters?: 1/4 of the whole books characters.
Characters or Plot?: Character,
Overall, I had higher hopes for this book, but loved the message!
lawmixitup's review against another edition
3.0
Some of the short stories here are beautiful and challenging and will stay with me for a long time. Others were mediocre. I honestly struggled with a rating to give this book because of it but I do think a majority of the book is worthwhile. Also, definitely give the podcast in the introduction a listen. I learned a lot from it!
brandinh's review against another edition
3.0
Solid YA anthology that tackles the subject of guns in a variety of ways. As other reviewers have mentioned, more stories in urban settings would have strengthened this collection. Nevertheless, there are a few truly standout entries and only one that I truly did not enjoy (due to its depiction of animal cruelty). Recommended for high school libraries.
Roach by Walter Dean Myers 3 stars
Embraced by Raven Arms by Tim Wynne-Jones 4 stars
Shoot by Gregory Galloway 3.5 stars
The Bodyguard: A Fable by Ron Koertge 3 stars
Fight or Flight by Alex Flinn 4 stars Flinn delivered a fun take on the reality that being a liberal Democrat does not require you to be anti-gun ownership. Also, she handily makes the point that all those crazy doomsday preppers might come in handy one of these days. π
Certified Deactivated by Chris Lynch 3 stars
Love Packs Heat by Eric Shanower 3 Stars
The Dragon Francesca Lia Block 4 Stars Powerful and terrifying.
The Babysitters by Jenny Hubbard 5 stars Tragically beautiful.
The Battle of Elphinloan by Elizabeth Wein 4 stars
Dark Hobby by Edward Averett 1 Star Trigger warning - animal cruelty that made this story too atrocious to enjoy.
The Gunslinger by Peter Johnson 4 stars
Heartbreak by Joyce Carol Oates 4 stars
Roach by Walter Dean Myers 3 stars
Embraced by Raven Arms by Tim Wynne-Jones 4 stars
Shoot by Gregory Galloway 3.5 stars
The Bodyguard: A Fable by Ron Koertge 3 stars
Fight or Flight by Alex Flinn 4 stars Flinn delivered a fun take on the reality that being a liberal Democrat does not require you to be anti-gun ownership. Also, she handily makes the point that all those crazy doomsday preppers might come in handy one of these days. π
Certified Deactivated by Chris Lynch 3 stars
Love Packs Heat by Eric Shanower 3 Stars
The Dragon Francesca Lia Block 4 Stars Powerful and terrifying.
The Babysitters by Jenny Hubbard 5 stars Tragically beautiful.
The Battle of Elphinloan by Elizabeth Wein 4 stars
Dark Hobby by Edward Averett 1 Star Trigger warning - animal cruelty that made this story too atrocious to enjoy.
The Gunslinger by Peter Johnson 4 stars
Heartbreak by Joyce Carol Oates 4 stars
emdoux's review against another edition
annotation for one story:
Block, Francesca Lia. βThe Dragon.β An elementary school teacher recalls a day her classroom was invaded by a potential shooter, concerned her opposition of gun-carry laws for educators may have more endangered her students.
Block, Francesca Lia. βThe Dragon.β An elementary school teacher recalls a day her classroom was invaded by a potential shooter, concerned her opposition of gun-carry laws for educators may have more endangered her students.
krissyyne's review against another edition
2.0
"I continue. "Not everyone who likes to shoot or even hunt is a crazy who wants to own Uzis or doesn't believe in background checks. Not everyone thinks the framers of the Constitution were talking about machine guns. There are plenty of responsible gun owners like my dad - like me - who shoot targets as a sport, because it releases tension, tension caused by dealing with idiots.""
I was very much underwhelmed by Taking Aim. I read it because I had met one of the authors, Elizabeth Wein ([b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)|Elizabeth E. Wein|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388161911l/11925514._SY75_.jpg|16885788]. And while the idea was one to be acknowledged, I felt it was poorly executed in some regards.
I would say 85% of the stories were lukewarm. They often took place in almost unbelievable circumstances. And that one story about the bodyguard was just weird. I didn't completely understand how it fit in with the other stories, exempting the common theme of hunting.
I have to give props, though. Jenny Hubbard's story, The Babysitters , was incredible. I felt so many emotions in her heart-breaking writing. The Babysitters is the entire reason for those two stars.
I absolutely stand with this book's premise. Understanding gun culture is a big part of fixing gun safety, so it was very interesting to read these stories. However, I couldn't help but feel let down by some of them, as they seemed disconnected from each other and were, to a degree, poorly written.
I was very much underwhelmed by Taking Aim. I read it because I had met one of the authors, Elizabeth Wein ([b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)|Elizabeth E. Wein|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388161911l/11925514._SY75_.jpg|16885788]. And while the idea was one to be acknowledged, I felt it was poorly executed in some regards.
I would say 85% of the stories were lukewarm. They often took place in almost unbelievable circumstances. And that one story about the bodyguard was just weird. I didn't completely understand how it fit in with the other stories, exempting the common theme of hunting.
I have to give props, though. Jenny Hubbard's story, The Babysitters , was incredible. I felt so many emotions in her heart-breaking writing. The Babysitters is the entire reason for those two stars.
I absolutely stand with this book's premise. Understanding gun culture is a big part of fixing gun safety, so it was very interesting to read these stories. However, I couldn't help but feel let down by some of them, as they seemed disconnected from each other and were, to a degree, poorly written.
squidbag's review
1.0
What a mess.
Especially after a book about teens and gun violence that fit together so well, this was a preachy, pointless, silly and often off-topic mishmash of stories kind of about guns with what seemed to be a well-intentioned mission, but no real plan for carrying it out. Editing would have maybe been something to do, here, or maybe this project was rushed to publication because of the other one, I don't know. Read the preface and the final story and put this back on the shelf, says I.
Especially after a book about teens and gun violence that fit together so well, this was a preachy, pointless, silly and often off-topic mishmash of stories kind of about guns with what seemed to be a well-intentioned mission, but no real plan for carrying it out. Editing would have maybe been something to do, here, or maybe this project was rushed to publication because of the other one, I don't know. Read the preface and the final story and put this back on the shelf, says I.
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