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haidenehall's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
beths0103's review
5.0
Same Sun Here is a beautiful book told entirely in letters between two pen pals. It deals with some heavy social justice themes, but does so without being too heavy-handed.
This is one of those special books that hovers over the line between middle grade and young adult.
I highly recommend the audiobook. Both authors narrate and Silas House has one of the most soothing voices I have ever listened to.
This is one of those special books that hovers over the line between middle grade and young adult.
I highly recommend the audiobook. Both authors narrate and Silas House has one of the most soothing voices I have ever listened to.
c_rewie6's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
catwhisperflubbs's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It's such a cool book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
antharaa's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
2-3 stars for the book, 3-4 stars for the audiobook.
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of Same Sun Here. The book was really brought alive in the recording, probably because the two authors voiced the characters' letter that they each wrote. I probably would've liked the book less if I hadn't listened to it (which is the opposite of what usually happens for me).
Although I found the book funny, endearing and a convincing portrayal of the experiences of two middle grade kids that manages to touch on topics that I don't usually see in j-fiction (fully realized immigrant experience of a non-brain drain Indian family, life of a smart kid in Appalachia, close family relationships), I felt like the authors laid it on pretty thick, even saying in so many words that what made the two main characters best friends was that they were so similar and yet so different from each other, living under the "same sun."
I also understand the criticisms of the book that it seems at times as if the authors were using the characters as mouthpieces for liberal views. It didn't start to sound excessive until about 2/3 of the way through the book, when it just started to get to be too much (too many mentions of voting for Obama, landlords trying to get rid of tenants in rent-controlled apartments, and anti-mountaintop-removal mining).
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of Same Sun Here. The book was really brought alive in the recording, probably because the two authors voiced the characters' letter that they each wrote. I probably would've liked the book less if I hadn't listened to it (which is the opposite of what usually happens for me).
Although I found the book funny, endearing and a convincing portrayal of the experiences of two middle grade kids that manages to touch on topics that I don't usually see in j-fiction (fully realized immigrant experience of a non-brain drain Indian family, life of a smart kid in Appalachia, close family relationships), I felt like the authors laid it on pretty thick, even saying in so many words that what made the two main characters best friends was that they were so similar and yet so different from each other, living under the "same sun."
I also understand the criticisms of the book that it seems at times as if the authors were using the characters as mouthpieces for liberal views. It didn't start to sound excessive until about 2/3 of the way through the book, when it just started to get to be too much (too many mentions of voting for Obama, landlords trying to get rid of tenants in rent-controlled apartments, and anti-mountaintop-removal mining).
mandareads1690's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
auntieg0412's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet and heartwarming while delivering several important messages. Two twelve-year-olds bridge their very different worlds as pen pals: Meena, an immigrant girl from India living in New York City, and River, the son of a coal miner in eastern Kentucky. It's categorized as a middle school book but older teens and adults will like it as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
abbyreads12's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0