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rainmisoa's review against another edition
3.0
Ah, such a cute little read. I like this book. It was short but very sweet. I've never read a book that was centered around the disease Xeroderma Pigmentosum so I was interested in Angela Johnson's spin on the rare skin disease. However, this is by no means a dark book. It was very light and sometimes fluffy. I thought it was a pretty good book to read in just one sitting. I was a little disappointed with how, besides not being able to be in the sun and other UV-Rays, we didn't learn much else from the disease. However, we did get something more sweet instead so it made up for it.
Johnson's writing style is not for me. I was rather annoyed with how there were absolutely no capital letters in the book. Also, at times it felt like the book was written by a two-year-old because the writing style was too simplistic. I understand the fact that it was written from a eight/nine-year-olds point of view but I think the author could have written it a bit more creatively than just making it too simple. I felt like I was back in grade school reading this even though it's supposed to be for young adults. I don't know... maybe if it was directed towards elementary school students than I would understand her choice for writing the book like this. But it wasn't, hence, I'm annoyed.
The story was cute, though. I really enjoyed Lila's character. She's so young and innocent and only wants to find a way to be in the sun without having to have layers of clothes and wear big sunglasses. I understood her longing and I felt like I just wanted to jump into the book so that I can help her as well. Alyssa and Elizabeth are two girls who appear to Lila at night to play with her and claim they can help her be in the sunlight. They were fun and adorable little girls. Monk, Lila's sister, was very caring and understanding. Lila's father sounded like a cool dad that always treated Lila as his angel. Lila's mother was a bit a stick-in-the-mud but it goes within reason. She wants the best for her daughter and I don't blame her for being strict at times. Then there's David. I love that little boy. He is such a good friend to Lila even though he goes to a different school and sometimes can't always be there to spend some time with her since he needs to be up and about during the day. I love the characters in this book and the ending to the story was just so sweet. It gives you a sense of relief and tells you that Lila is a very strong little girl and will be able to handle her disease.
This was a very cute novel. I am glad I read it. It shows that even if things seems to be difficult, with a little faith and heart, you will be able to overcome anything. I know I had some issues with the writing style and you may have some, too, but I don't think you should let that stop you from reading this sweet book. The concept for the book is very creative and it does let you see some of how the daily life is with someone that has Xeroderma Pigmentosum. I enjoyed this book. You should check it out if you haven't alreay!
Johnson's writing style is not for me. I was rather annoyed with how there were absolutely no capital letters in the book. Also, at times it felt like the book was written by a two-year-old because the writing style was too simplistic. I understand the fact that it was written from a eight/nine-year-olds point of view but I think the author could have written it a bit more creatively than just making it too simple. I felt like I was back in grade school reading this even though it's supposed to be for young adults. I don't know... maybe if it was directed towards elementary school students than I would understand her choice for writing the book like this. But it wasn't, hence, I'm annoyed.
The story was cute, though. I really enjoyed Lila's character. She's so young and innocent and only wants to find a way to be in the sun without having to have layers of clothes and wear big sunglasses. I understood her longing and I felt like I just wanted to jump into the book so that I can help her as well. Alyssa and Elizabeth are two girls who appear to Lila at night to play with her and claim they can help her be in the sunlight. They were fun and adorable little girls. Monk, Lila's sister, was very caring and understanding. Lila's father sounded like a cool dad that always treated Lila as his angel. Lila's mother was a bit a stick-in-the-mud but it goes within reason. She wants the best for her daughter and I don't blame her for being strict at times. Then there's David. I love that little boy. He is such a good friend to Lila even though he goes to a different school and sometimes can't always be there to spend some time with her since he needs to be up and about during the day. I love the characters in this book and the ending to the story was just so sweet. It gives you a sense of relief and tells you that Lila is a very strong little girl and will be able to handle her disease.
This was a very cute novel. I am glad I read it. It shows that even if things seems to be difficult, with a little faith and heart, you will be able to overcome anything. I know I had some issues with the writing style and you may have some, too, but I don't think you should let that stop you from reading this sweet book. The concept for the book is very creative and it does let you see some of how the daily life is with someone that has Xeroderma Pigmentosum. I enjoyed this book. You should check it out if you haven't alreay!
snowbenton's review
3.0
Like a baby version of Francesca Lia Block, Johnson writes poetically about almost nothing at all. It's a sweet and fluffy read. Thankfully it is for children so it has none of Block's gruesome themes and is instead about growing up and imaginary friends.
poetdreaming's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
caeliste's review
5.0
I was absolutely amazed by Lila's struggles. I didn't understand if Alyssa and Elizabeth were real or not, but as I read on, I figured out they were real in the beginning, because Mama walks over to Alyssa and smiles at her or something. Anyway, Alyssa and Elizabeth give Lila a "sun bag", which she has to fill with objects that represent the sun (I think before her ninth birthday or something?)
So Lila fills her sun bag, with help from A&E (Alyssa and Elizabeth) until she has only one left. Then it gets confusing. Lila starts hallucinating that A&E are there, but they're not. Once, she "sees" them outside, giggling and hiding behind a car. Then she sees them at a supermarket and she says hi to them. They move closer to one another(they're sisters)and wave. They are behind an old lady; When Lila turns to her older sister, Monk, to tell her that she sees A&E, she turns back around and they are gone. The old lady(who looks like she has lila's condition)shakes her head, thinking Lila is nuts.
I'm starting to think that maybe A&E died. They were real in the beginning, but i'm starting to think they both died. Then, when Lila didn't hear from them for 2 months, she started to hallucinate, making everyone think she's crazy. Lila has a friend who goes way back with her, before Alyssa and Elizabeth. David Gallucci got stuck in his garage with Lila and they ended up eating 26 popsicles.
So in the end, Lila still had one sun object, but A&E never visited her again. She turned nine, never seeing the sun, never feeling the warmth on her skin. Her ninth birthday party consisted of the entire neighborhood. Except Alyssa and Elizabeth.
So Lila fills her sun bag, with help from A&E (Alyssa and Elizabeth) until she has only one left. Then it gets confusing. Lila starts hallucinating that A&E are there, but they're not. Once, she "sees" them outside, giggling and hiding behind a car. Then she sees them at a supermarket and she says hi to them. They move closer to one another(they're sisters)and wave. They are behind an old lady; When Lila turns to her older sister, Monk, to tell her that she sees A&E, she turns back around and they are gone. The old lady(who looks like she has lila's condition)shakes her head, thinking Lila is nuts.
I'm starting to think that maybe A&E died. They were real in the beginning, but i'm starting to think they both died. Then, when Lila didn't hear from them for 2 months, she started to hallucinate, making everyone think she's crazy. Lila has a friend who goes way back with her, before Alyssa and Elizabeth. David Gallucci got stuck in his garage with Lila and they ended up eating 26 popsicles.
So in the end, Lila still had one sun object, but A&E never visited her again. She turned nine, never seeing the sun, never feeling the warmth on her skin. Her ninth birthday party consisted of the entire neighborhood. Except Alyssa and Elizabeth.
keyanamiller's review
4.0
The book is really cute and and creative, but it can get confusing with how simplistic the writing style is. It leaves many things left unsaid and you have to create your own ideas in some things that happen in the story.
Overall, it's a lovely little book to read when you have time and you're in the mood for something a little different.
Overall, it's a lovely little book to read when you have time and you're in the mood for something a little different.
matt_and_cheez's review
3.0
I read this a LONG time ago, back in elementary school. It's about a girl who has a skin disorder and can't go out during the day time or she'll get severely burned. So she can only go out at night, but still has to wear protective clothing.
plexippa's review
4.0
Nearly-nine-year-old Lila lives in the dark, forced out of the sunlight by a skin condition. She has a plan for getting into the light, though, with the help of two mysterious friends. Who are Alyssa and Elizabeth, and why do they disappear whenever anyone else is around?
Lila's distinctive voice sounds almost like poetry, creating intense images for the reader to share. The characters are intriguing, and Lila's secretive plans will keep older children and adults alike turning the pages.
Lila's distinctive voice sounds almost like poetry, creating intense images for the reader to share. The characters are intriguing, and Lila's secretive plans will keep older children and adults alike turning the pages.
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