Scan barcode
flintsloveofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I knew this book would make me cry and I was 100% right, but it was worth it.
sarah_hessing1498's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed this book. It was mainly just a good palate cleanser to help me with this finals-induced reading slump I have been in for the last few months.
lillimoore's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so relatable and would have been so important to me if I'd had it in middle school. The portrayal of addiction in this story was heartbreaking but so spot-on and fortunately did come with a happy ending. There was so much tragedy along the way, though. I loved the character of Eli but Anna really frustrated me and I kept thinking, "God. she is selfish," but I had to back up and remember that she's just 17 and all this is going on, and would I have been doing any better? All things considered, she was a good sister and the siblinghood between our two main characters is very cute and heartwarming.
However, nothing irritates me more in a book than just going entirely overboard with the amount of shocking events and tragic moments in one person's life. I don't want to get into many specifics or spoilers here but the relatives and relationships mentioned throughout the novel just feel overdone—these are all heavy things and I respect that some people truly do live consistently tragic lives, but I think having a nuanced conversation about one or two of these issues instead of creating an entire barrage of them is more effective in a novel setting because it maintains focus in that shorter span of time. I thought the book handled Eli's sexuality and gender issues as well as Carrie's addiction issues and relationship with her sister extremely well, but I thought the relationships and characters of Anna and Eli's fathers were both heavy-handed and poorly executed.
Overall it just felt like there was too much going on at all times, but I loved this book anyways because of how well it touched on those themes and how much I felt for dear Eli. I went through really similar things around the same age and I just love her character. Would definitely recommend this to the middle grade-aged kids in my life.
However, nothing irritates me more in a book than just going entirely overboard with the amount of shocking events and tragic moments in one person's life. I don't want to get into many specifics or spoilers here but the relatives and relationships mentioned throughout the novel just feel overdone—these are all heavy things and I respect that some people truly do live consistently tragic lives, but I think having a nuanced conversation about one or two of these issues instead of creating an entire barrage of them is more effective in a novel setting because it maintains focus in that shorter span of time. I thought the book handled Eli's sexuality and gender issues as well as Carrie's addiction issues and relationship with her sister extremely well, but I thought the relationships and characters of Anna and Eli's fathers were both heavy-handed and poorly executed.
Overall it just felt like there was too much going on at all times, but I loved this book anyways because of how well it touched on those themes and how much I felt for dear Eli. I went through really similar things around the same age and I just love her character. Would definitely recommend this to the middle grade-aged kids in my life.
bhrtng's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
A middle school book club choice that I enjoyed! Yay!
Middletown is about two sisters, Eli and Anna, who have to figure out how to survive on their own after their mother is sent to court-ordered rehab. They don't want to be sent into the foster care system, so they have to be creative about how to avoid social services and familiar adults and teachers. Eli is in 8th grade and Anna is a junior in high school and I feel like both of them were portrayed so accurately for their age. Eli didn't behave like a 4th grader (like some middle school books are written) and Anna made typical teen mistakes. The dialogue even felt authentic between them! I also feel like Eli's gender questioning was portrayed realistically for her age. She didn't feel like a girl or a boy and will probably grow up to identify as non-binary in some way, but she was clearly at the very beginning of those considerations. Great representation, engaging story, all around entertaining read.
Middletown is about two sisters, Eli and Anna, who have to figure out how to survive on their own after their mother is sent to court-ordered rehab. They don't want to be sent into the foster care system, so they have to be creative about how to avoid social services and familiar adults and teachers. Eli is in 8th grade and Anna is a junior in high school and I feel like both of them were portrayed so accurately for their age. Eli didn't behave like a 4th grader (like some middle school books are written) and Anna made typical teen mistakes. The dialogue even felt authentic between them! I also feel like Eli's gender questioning was portrayed realistically for her age. She didn't feel like a girl or a boy and will probably grow up to identify as non-binary in some way, but she was clearly at the very beginning of those considerations. Great representation, engaging story, all around entertaining read.
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that are so so important. Its so rare to see middle grade story really delve into tougher subjects like the ones discussed in this book and it was refreshing to see it done in such a thoughtful and respectful way. These are the types of things some kids go through and being able to see themselves represented in a book like this can make things seem just a bit easier. This is one of those books that I would love to see in schools and libraries everywhere so kids who need it have access to it. I am definitely going to do my part to recommend this book and make sure it gets into as many hands as possible.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Middletown was an okay book. Which is slightly disappointing to me because I was pretty excited to dive into this one. After meeting Eli and Anna, well, it was pretty obvious that they were basically looking out for themselves at this point in their lives.
Their mother seems to like alcohol a bit more than taking care of them. So it wasn't a complete shock when she gets arrested twice for driving drunk and ends up in rehab. On the day that a judge has required her to go, Anna dresses up as their Aunt Lisa and says she will take care of Anna and Eli while her sister is away getting help.
If you think things went smoothly after that you'd be wrong. They of course go through their own ups and downs with a dash of social services coming to their door. It also did dive into some nice surprises and interesting moments throughout the book as well. I really liked seeing Eli exploring and understanding her own sexuality a bit more than anything else.
So, in a way, it pains me to say that this was an okay book. I still liked it but I was mostly bored with this one.
Middletown was an okay book. Which is slightly disappointing to me because I was pretty excited to dive into this one. After meeting Eli and Anna, well, it was pretty obvious that they were basically looking out for themselves at this point in their lives.
Their mother seems to like alcohol a bit more than taking care of them. So it wasn't a complete shock when she gets arrested twice for driving drunk and ends up in rehab. On the day that a judge has required her to go, Anna dresses up as their Aunt Lisa and says she will take care of Anna and Eli while her sister is away getting help.
If you think things went smoothly after that you'd be wrong. They of course go through their own ups and downs with a dash of social services coming to their door. It also did dive into some nice surprises and interesting moments throughout the book as well. I really liked seeing Eli exploring and understanding her own sexuality a bit more than anything else.
So, in a way, it pains me to say that this was an okay book. I still liked it but I was mostly bored with this one.
djkirsikirs's review against another edition
4.0
This book was cute. It's definitely for a younger audience (7th-9th grade maybe), but that's perfect because younger readers need books like this. It had amazing queer representation, which can be hard to find in middle grade/younger YA stories. There was also a lot of real life subjects tackled in this book including alcoholism, neglect, child protective services, and homophobia . I'll agree with some of the other reviewers that the dialogue was cheesy, but because so many intense things are happening to the characters I think the cheesy dialogue kept it from being hard to read. I'd have more of a problem with it if the book was intended for older readers, but as it was I think the cheesy moments fit.
lesbrary's review against another edition
4.0
Read this one if you like: complicated, flawed, and loving families; road trips and family secrets; queer community and resilient friendships; characters questioning their gender; sneaky revenge on misogynists; or nuanced portrayals of addiction.
Eli and Anna know the routine. The cops come to the door in the middle of the night, Eli tries to look as young and adorable as possible, then Anna puts on eyeliner, grabs a beer from the fridge, and tries to sweet talk them into looking the other way about the two teenagers left alone while their mom is in the drunk tank. Soon, their mom will come home again, all apologies. Eli will forgive her immediately–though she doesn’t really buy the promises. Anna will run up to her room and slam the door. It’s not a great routine, but it is familiar.
Except that this night, something changes. Their mother has gotten her second DUI in about a month, and there’s no looking the other way. She has to go to rehab. But her being in rehab means social workers, and foster care, and splitting Eli and Anna–Peanut Butter and Banana, as they call each other–apart. They’re determined to find a way to stick together, including Anna pretending to be their aunt taking care of them. But the longer they have to keep up the act, the more it seems like their luck is about to run out.
Middletown is a YA novel from the point of view of a 13-year-old. Eli is struggling through middle school. She has to two great friends, Javi and Meena, but she doesn’t feel like she really fits in with them. Meena is gorgeous and has a picture-perfect home life. She’s also straight, and Eli has a hopeless crush on her. Javi is gay, obsessed with Drag Race, and he’s the principal’s son. They both have big, vibrant personalities, and Eli feels like she doesn’t belong with their duo. When she’s not around them, she’s bullied for being too “boyish”–and she can’t say they’re wrong. She doesn’t exactly feel like a girl or a boy. Or maybe she feels like both.
When her mom goes to rehab, she’s left with just her sister at home. Anna and Eli used to be inseparable, but Anna has changed. Once a girly soccer star, now she’s withdrawn, angry, dresses all in black, and she threw out all her soccer gear one afternoon without explanation. They need each other and they love each other–but they’re kids. Anna tries her best to take care of Eli, but they’re playing an impossible hand. They need to find money for groceries and rent, make food for themselves, keep the house livable, and not let on to anyone that they’re doing it alone. That’s not even mentioning trying to process their anger and pain at their mother’s neglect.
One of the things I appreciated the most about this story is the nuanced portrayal of addiction. Their mother hurt them, but she’s also not a villain. She’s a flawed person who also loves them deeply and has done a lot of good, courageous, and selfless things in her life. She’s just dealing with addiction. It also emphasizes that addiction is hereditary. We see the damage addiction can do, but we also see examples of recovering addicts and how that damage can be repaired or at least worked through. There are no easy answers, and people aren’t treated as disposable for struggling with addiction.
Of course, you’re reading a Lesbrary review, so there is also significant queer content here. Eli likes girls–Meena in particular–and is also questioning her gender. She’s still young and figuring herself out, so we don’t get any solid identity labels, but I imagine she will grow up to identify as non-binary. One of my favorite moments of the book is when Eli and Javi go to a production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. They both dress in drag, and it captures the magic of first encountering a queer community. It gives Eli a glimpse into an expansive future that will embrace whoever she ends up being, and I think that’s an incredible experience in any queer person’s life.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but the second half was my favorite, which involves a road trip and discovering family secrets–including more queer content. I love the complicated, resilient family portrayed here. They don’t always know what to say to each other, they can accidentally (or impulsively) hurt each other, but they love each other and try to be there for each other.
Read this one if you like: complicated, flawed, and loving families; road trips and family secrets; queer community and resilient friendships; characters questioning their gender; sneaky revenge on misogynists; or nuanced portrayals of addiction.
Review originally went up at the Lesbrary.
Eli and Anna know the routine. The cops come to the door in the middle of the night, Eli tries to look as young and adorable as possible, then Anna puts on eyeliner, grabs a beer from the fridge, and tries to sweet talk them into looking the other way about the two teenagers left alone while their mom is in the drunk tank. Soon, their mom will come home again, all apologies. Eli will forgive her immediately–though she doesn’t really buy the promises. Anna will run up to her room and slam the door. It’s not a great routine, but it is familiar.
Except that this night, something changes. Their mother has gotten her second DUI in about a month, and there’s no looking the other way. She has to go to rehab. But her being in rehab means social workers, and foster care, and splitting Eli and Anna–Peanut Butter and Banana, as they call each other–apart. They’re determined to find a way to stick together, including Anna pretending to be their aunt taking care of them. But the longer they have to keep up the act, the more it seems like their luck is about to run out.
Middletown is a YA novel from the point of view of a 13-year-old. Eli is struggling through middle school. She has to two great friends, Javi and Meena, but she doesn’t feel like she really fits in with them. Meena is gorgeous and has a picture-perfect home life. She’s also straight, and Eli has a hopeless crush on her. Javi is gay, obsessed with Drag Race, and he’s the principal’s son. They both have big, vibrant personalities, and Eli feels like she doesn’t belong with their duo. When she’s not around them, she’s bullied for being too “boyish”–and she can’t say they’re wrong. She doesn’t exactly feel like a girl or a boy. Or maybe she feels like both.
When her mom goes to rehab, she’s left with just her sister at home. Anna and Eli used to be inseparable, but Anna has changed. Once a girly soccer star, now she’s withdrawn, angry, dresses all in black, and she threw out all her soccer gear one afternoon without explanation. They need each other and they love each other–but they’re kids. Anna tries her best to take care of Eli, but they’re playing an impossible hand. They need to find money for groceries and rent, make food for themselves, keep the house livable, and not let on to anyone that they’re doing it alone. That’s not even mentioning trying to process their anger and pain at their mother’s neglect.
One of the things I appreciated the most about this story is the nuanced portrayal of addiction. Their mother hurt them, but she’s also not a villain. She’s a flawed person who also loves them deeply and has done a lot of good, courageous, and selfless things in her life. She’s just dealing with addiction. It also emphasizes that addiction is hereditary. We see the damage addiction can do, but we also see examples of recovering addicts and how that damage can be repaired or at least worked through. There are no easy answers, and people aren’t treated as disposable for struggling with addiction.
Of course, you’re reading a Lesbrary review, so there is also significant queer content here. Eli likes girls–Meena in particular–and is also questioning her gender. She’s still young and figuring herself out, so we don’t get any solid identity labels, but I imagine she will grow up to identify as non-binary. One of my favorite moments of the book is when Eli and Javi go to a production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. They both dress in drag, and it captures the magic of first encountering a queer community. It gives Eli a glimpse into an expansive future that will embrace whoever she ends up being, and I think that’s an incredible experience in any queer person’s life.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but the second half was my favorite, which involves a road trip and discovering family secrets–including more queer content. I love the complicated, resilient family portrayed here. They don’t always know what to say to each other, they can accidentally (or impulsively) hurt each other, but they love each other and try to be there for each other.
Read this one if you like: complicated, flawed, and loving families; road trips and family secrets; queer community and resilient friendships; characters questioning their gender; sneaky revenge on misogynists; or nuanced portrayals of addiction.
Review originally went up at the Lesbrary.
texcajunlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I received the audio version of this book for free as an ALC from Libro.fm and I am so glad that I chose this title.
This is a great story which is relatable for folks growing up or who grew up in dysfunctional families. It's the kind of book many adults will wish they had read growing up and has some very profound messages about growing up and moving beyond survival to thriving. It has a lot of tough themes, from sexual harassment and implied assaults, child abandonment, alcoholism, recovery/12 steps, bullying, and coming of age as a queer kid in a small town. There were a few unrealistic scenes but of course it is a fiction book, and the audiobook definitely could have had a better narrator (they weren't bad but not great). Regardless, I binged the whole thing in just a few days and cried a whole lot while listening to it. The characters are 13 to 17 and I would recommend it for the same age range, although it does have adult crossover appeal.
This is a great story which is relatable for folks growing up or who grew up in dysfunctional families. It's the kind of book many adults will wish they had read growing up and has some very profound messages about growing up and moving beyond survival to thriving. It has a lot of tough themes, from sexual harassment and implied assaults, child abandonment, alcoholism, recovery/12 steps, bullying, and coming of age as a queer kid in a small town. There were a few unrealistic scenes but of course it is a fiction book, and the audiobook definitely could have had a better narrator (they weren't bad but not great). Regardless, I binged the whole thing in just a few days and cried a whole lot while listening to it. The characters are 13 to 17 and I would recommend it for the same age range, although it does have adult crossover appeal.
adriannatriche's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book and how it wasn't preachy it was just enough to make you understand the seriousness of the girl's situations but done in a great way. Would recommend.