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paigebarrett08's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
stephycbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
geniesurreal's review against another edition
4.0
A thoughtful representation of what a bullied teenager would go through. What I admired most is, Anderson did not dramatize the bullying actions to make them seem severe (ex. daily beatings, disgusting cyber bullying, movie-style high school torment). She focused more on the reality of bullying. How young girls can say harsh and hurtful things in a split second that would stick to you for the rest of the day. How being secluded feels from the inside even though it looks like sitting alone at lunch.
I appreciate Anderson's choices in talking about bullying. Although severe cases do happen they mostly overshadow the small and barely noticed cases. The silent teasing, judgmental glances, isolation, and the spread of rumors.
I appreciate Anderson's choices in talking about bullying. Although severe cases do happen they mostly overshadow the small and barely noticed cases. The silent teasing, judgmental glances, isolation, and the spread of rumors.
accalxa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lanalewis0's review against another edition
5.0
It was so heartbreaking to be completely honest. I’m so glad it was portrayed from Melinda’s point of view though. It means so much more that we got to see how she experienced everything. My heart is in pieces for her, she deserved so much better than her story. I’m so glad she somewhat got what she deserved in the end, you know? Just so sad that it happens everyday, so disgusting and terrifying.
futurama1979's review against another edition
4.0
Another book I read to get into the vibe for a YA genre study class.
This book is one of the most acclaimed and canonized pieces of semi-modern YA literature, and several of my friends were surprised I had never read it. I was also surprised I had never read it. I had no reason not to. Having read it, I can say that I should have read it earlier.
It's an incredibly well crafted book. The structure of it was incredible; the pacing was pretty much perfect. The character voice is so strong. To tackle establishing a strong POV character when that character very very rarely has dialogue interactions with others, especially within the YA genre, is a massive feat, and Anderson managed it like it was nothing.
There were a few weak side characters, but Anderson succeeded in taking a topic that is markedly horrific and difficult to discuss and inspected it with a lot of grace and a staggering amount of care. It's rare when I read a book and the author's love for their character is actually visible beyond the narrative but Anderson's love for Melinda was, for me, as driving a force in the book as anything plot-wise was.
This book is one of the most acclaimed and canonized pieces of semi-modern YA literature, and several of my friends were surprised I had never read it. I was also surprised I had never read it. I had no reason not to. Having read it, I can say that I should have read it earlier.
It's an incredibly well crafted book. The structure of it was incredible; the pacing was pretty much perfect. The character voice is so strong. To tackle establishing a strong POV character when that character very very rarely has dialogue interactions with others, especially within the YA genre, is a massive feat, and Anderson managed it like it was nothing.
There were a few weak side characters, but Anderson succeeded in taking a topic that is markedly horrific and difficult to discuss and inspected it with a lot of grace and a staggering amount of care. It's rare when I read a book and the author's love for their character is actually visible beyond the narrative but Anderson's love for Melinda was, for me, as driving a force in the book as anything plot-wise was.
tayface43's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
liaashryver's review against another edition
5.0
Such a short book with such a strong message… too bad it was banned from some schools tho… this book could teach kids some things about rape… and how they should speak and say something immediately…
Most impressive thing about this book it’s the authors interview at the end and the sites where you can learn some things about consent and sexual abuse.
It was a 4.5/5 ⭐️ and I totally recommend it!
Most impressive thing about this book it’s the authors interview at the end and the sites where you can learn some things about consent and sexual abuse.
It was a 4.5/5 ⭐️ and I totally recommend it!
bubblegumcreams's review against another edition
4.0
As a teenager, I remember loving and really relating to this book. As an adult, I don't remember anything about it. I want to reread it.