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jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
Reading the first third of this book made my heart hurt in so many ways. Poor Apple! She was so adrift, trying so hard to fit in that she forgot what made her special. Thank goodness she finally found friends who saw those qualities and helped her see them for herself.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
In true Erin Estrada Kelly fashion, her ability to convey the absurd phenomena that is adolescence to a painstakingly earnest yet agonizing degree shines above all else.
This is the third book I’ve read by her and I enjoyed it as much as I always do. That being said, it's pretty clear this is her first book. While she captures the mannerisms and behaviors of middle schoolers exceptionally well - as is typical - the other aspects of the story are not nearly as refined.
Apple has a lot of internalized racism due to being the only Filipino kid at her school and presumably the only, if not one of the very few, kids of color. She takes a lot of her self-hate out on her immigrant mother as she blames her for the bullying and discrimination she faces. The reason for her ire towards her mother is two fold. She resents her mother for making them move to Louisiana in the first place and her mothers’ view of America as heavily influenced by her Filipino upbringing runs counter to Apple’s lived experience. Apple has lived in America since she was 4 years old. As such she is quintessentially American in a way her mother does not understand nor desire to. While she still has her Filipino heritage, of course, she is not confident enough to see it for the boon it is.
There are many things that Apple shouldn’t feel embarrassed about - her mother’s accented English, the food they eat, their relatively meager funds compared to her so-called friends to name a few - as these are things that a great many kids can relate to in one way or another. However, that is only scratching the surface of the tension between the two.
I do not have immigrant parents so I’m speaking from a place of first hand knowledge of my own minority parents expectations. There is overlap but keep in mind each provides a distinct upbringing unique to the individuals involved.
As is common for minority parents - though it does seem to particularly stand out when looking at immigrant parents - Apple's mother can't connect with her emotionally. She substitutes discipline for care, exerting authority over Apple as a way to show her compassion but all it does is drive the wedge deeper since Apple only feels the contempt not the concern underneath. This cultural difference exacerbates the divide at every turn. The strong hold the former country has on the parent makes sense as the parent spent most of their life in that country absorbing those norms. It also is just natural for people to identify with their roots especially for minorities as we tend to be collectivist in manner. However, this strict adherence often puts them at odds with their kids because American ideals predominantly run directly opposed to those of collectivist cultures. The kids are caught in the middle as they are expected to follow societal standards they don’t have a personal attachment to while balancing the American way of life which is far more relevant due to the weight of its impact on their lives comparatively.
The nonfiction book Minor Feelings summarizes part of the reason for this disconnect well. Minor feelings are described as "the racialized range of emotions that are negative, dysphoric and therefore untelegenic built from the sediments of everyday racial experience and the irritation of having one's perception of reality constantly questioned or dismissed. Minor feelings occur when American optimism is enforced upon you which contradicts your own racialized reality thereby creating a static of cognitive dissonance". Apple is just starting to recognize these feelings and it’s a source of great stress for her since she lacks the proper support to cope. Her mother surely feels this on some level as well as it’s not exclusive to the younger generation, but as an adult she’s likely to have the emotional wherewithal to handle it whereas Apple is only a kid.
Her mother also buys into the misconception America is a meritocracy so she believes that school is the entire secret to getting ahead in life causing Apple to be kept from the one thing that might possibly combat her feelings of inadequacy: music.
All that being said, this plot thread unfortunately does not follow through. It’s very strong in the beginning only to peter off in the middle. I cannot emphasize enough how malicious Apple was to her mother in speech, but to a far greater extent in her negative thoughts about her. Even taking into account her mother’s hand in the widening gulf between them, Apple’s hostility borders on the obscene. It tapers off into mild intolerance from the middle on when it really should have stayed the same if not ratcheted up higher. As deeply opposed as Apple was to her mother it made no sense for her rancor to dissipate so rapidly. The issues I saw in the relationship were things that would not have fallen off without outside intervention or a huge blow up where Apple crossed the line to force the issue to a head. The unfolding of this plot is further hindered by the disappearance of her mother from the plot. What stands as a central theme in the beginning is abandoned in favor of focusing on Apple’s rising self esteem. That is an important facet of Apple’s arc, but since her low self esteem is anchored in it, it should have been addressed simultaneously.
Per the synopsis Apple gets dumped by her friends. She finds true, real friends along the way. But, one of her old friends is actually not all bad. She just lacks a backbone to stand up to the ringleader. I actually really liked this. Gretchen is weirdly a pretty good friend in her own way. Through her, Kelly is able to communicate the full messy scope of these kind of group friend dynamics. Gretchen is just a kid herself who is unsure of how to navigate these difficult circumstances. Though it’s not nearly enough, she does what she can. Gretchen certainly could stand up for Apple in a bombastic way. However, to a point it's important for Apple to advocate for herself instead. Apple is always going to be the best defender of her own personhood. Gretchen only sees part of Apple’s disquiet and Apple doesn't share her full feelings so the depth of her despair is not readily apparent for Gretchen to comment on, even if she wanted to.
What I didn’t like was how Gretchen’s feelings of hurt eventually superseded that of another wronged party.
Gretchen inevitably ends up on Alyssa’s bad side. She quickly comes under heavy fire for reasons out of her control and is ostracized by everyone. Apple reaches out to support her in her time of need.
On the other side of the coin, there was a girl Alyssa and a bunch of the popular kids bullied relentlessly. Apple never said anything directly, but she was guilty of standing by and even laughing.
Of course once Apple is kicked out of her group she and Halina become friends. Yet, Apple never actually apologizes to her despite her suffering through way worse than Gretchen does based on duration alone. Gretchen has a few days of malicious behavior directed at her. Halina has had at least a year. Regardless, the narrative shifts entirely to pitying Gretchen solely. Apple realizes she screwed up with Halina in text only to not take any sort of real accountability. It’s particularly noticeable because the other two characters she hurts in major ways receive meaningful acknowledgements of the harm she causes them.
I don’t believe Gretchen deserves to be bullied, but it's disappointing that the book takes pains to drum up support for Gretchen, who for all intents and purposes is an enabler, when Halina has done absolutely nothing wrong at all and she doesn't get a modicum of Apple’s commiseration.
Overall, this was a decent showcase just not the usual level of quality I’ve come to expect from Erin Entrada Kelly. Her average is still better than many other authors’ best so I’d definitely still recommend it. I’m only pointing out that if this is your first and you’re not feeling it there is better to come so don’t give up.
This is the third book I’ve read by her and I enjoyed it as much as I always do. That being said, it's pretty clear this is her first book. While she captures the mannerisms and behaviors of middle schoolers exceptionally well - as is typical - the other aspects of the story are not nearly as refined.
Apple has a lot of internalized racism due to being the only Filipino kid at her school and presumably the only, if not one of the very few, kids of color. She takes a lot of her self-hate out on her immigrant mother as she blames her for the bullying and discrimination she faces. The reason for her ire towards her mother is two fold. She resents her mother for making them move to Louisiana in the first place and her mothers’ view of America as heavily influenced by her Filipino upbringing runs counter to Apple’s lived experience. Apple has lived in America since she was 4 years old. As such she is quintessentially American in a way her mother does not understand nor desire to. While she still has her Filipino heritage, of course, she is not confident enough to see it for the boon it is.
There are many things that Apple shouldn’t feel embarrassed about - her mother’s accented English, the food they eat, their relatively meager funds compared to her so-called friends to name a few - as these are things that a great many kids can relate to in one way or another. However, that is only scratching the surface of the tension between the two.
I do not have immigrant parents so I’m speaking from a place of first hand knowledge of my own minority parents expectations. There is overlap but keep in mind each provides a distinct upbringing unique to the individuals involved.
As is common for minority parents - though it does seem to particularly stand out when looking at immigrant parents - Apple's mother can't connect with her emotionally. She substitutes discipline for care, exerting authority over Apple as a way to show her compassion but all it does is drive the wedge deeper since Apple only feels the contempt not the concern underneath. This cultural difference exacerbates the divide at every turn. The strong hold the former country has on the parent makes sense as the parent spent most of their life in that country absorbing those norms. It also is just natural for people to identify with their roots especially for minorities as we tend to be collectivist in manner. However, this strict adherence often puts them at odds with their kids because American ideals predominantly run directly opposed to those of collectivist cultures. The kids are caught in the middle as they are expected to follow societal standards they don’t have a personal attachment to while balancing the American way of life which is far more relevant due to the weight of its impact on their lives comparatively.
The nonfiction book Minor Feelings summarizes part of the reason for this disconnect well. Minor feelings are described as "the racialized range of emotions that are negative, dysphoric and therefore untelegenic built from the sediments of everyday racial experience and the irritation of having one's perception of reality constantly questioned or dismissed. Minor feelings occur when American optimism is enforced upon you which contradicts your own racialized reality thereby creating a static of cognitive dissonance". Apple is just starting to recognize these feelings and it’s a source of great stress for her since she lacks the proper support to cope. Her mother surely feels this on some level as well as it’s not exclusive to the younger generation, but as an adult she’s likely to have the emotional wherewithal to handle it whereas Apple is only a kid.
Her mother also buys into the misconception America is a meritocracy so she believes that school is the entire secret to getting ahead in life causing Apple to be kept from the one thing that might possibly combat her feelings of inadequacy: music.
All that being said, this plot thread unfortunately does not follow through. It’s very strong in the beginning only to peter off in the middle. I cannot emphasize enough how malicious Apple was to her mother in speech, but to a far greater extent in her negative thoughts about her. Even taking into account her mother’s hand in the widening gulf between them, Apple’s hostility borders on the obscene. It tapers off into mild intolerance from the middle on when it really should have stayed the same if not ratcheted up higher. As deeply opposed as Apple was to her mother it made no sense for her rancor to dissipate so rapidly. The issues I saw in the relationship were things that would not have fallen off without outside intervention or a huge blow up where Apple crossed the line to force the issue to a head. The unfolding of this plot is further hindered by the disappearance of her mother from the plot. What stands as a central theme in the beginning is abandoned in favor of focusing on Apple’s rising self esteem. That is an important facet of Apple’s arc, but since her low self esteem is anchored in it, it should have been addressed simultaneously.
Per the synopsis Apple gets dumped by her friends. She finds true, real friends along the way. But, one of her old friends is actually not all bad. She just lacks a backbone to stand up to the ringleader. I actually really liked this. Gretchen is weirdly a pretty good friend in her own way. Through her, Kelly is able to communicate the full messy scope of these kind of group friend dynamics. Gretchen is just a kid herself who is unsure of how to navigate these difficult circumstances. Though it’s not nearly enough, she does what she can. Gretchen certainly could stand up for Apple in a bombastic way. However, to a point it's important for Apple to advocate for herself instead. Apple is always going to be the best defender of her own personhood. Gretchen only sees part of Apple’s disquiet and Apple doesn't share her full feelings so the depth of her despair is not readily apparent for Gretchen to comment on, even if she wanted to.
What I didn’t like was how Gretchen’s feelings of hurt eventually superseded that of another wronged party.
Gretchen inevitably ends up on Alyssa’s bad side. She quickly comes under heavy fire for reasons out of her control and is ostracized by everyone. Apple reaches out to support her in her time of need.
On the other side of the coin, there was a girl Alyssa and a bunch of the popular kids bullied relentlessly. Apple never said anything directly, but she was guilty of standing by and even laughing.
Of course once Apple is kicked out of her group she and Halina become friends. Yet, Apple never actually apologizes to her despite her suffering through way worse than Gretchen does based on duration alone. Gretchen has a few days of malicious behavior directed at her. Halina has had at least a year. Regardless, the narrative shifts entirely to pitying Gretchen solely. Apple realizes she screwed up with Halina in text only to not take any sort of real accountability. It’s particularly noticeable because the other two characters she hurts in major ways receive meaningful acknowledgements of the harm she causes them.
I don’t believe Gretchen deserves to be bullied, but it's disappointing that the book takes pains to drum up support for Gretchen, who for all intents and purposes is an enabler, when Halina has done absolutely nothing wrong at all and she doesn't get a modicum of Apple’s commiseration.
Overall, this was a decent showcase just not the usual level of quality I’ve come to expect from Erin Entrada Kelly. Her average is still better than many other authors’ best so I’d definitely still recommend it. I’m only pointing out that if this is your first and you’re not feeling it there is better to come so don’t give up.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful book, but due to some stuff in there, I can't rate it more than 4 stars.
Let's start with the good stuff first. I really liked Analyn/Apple for most of the book. Her struggle to fit in, her troubles with her mom, her trouble with expectations it all felt real and I was really cheering for her to stay positive through this all.
I also loved her love for her guitar, for the Beatles and for trying to keep the memory alive of her dad. Her dad, who died so long ago, and who her mother tries hard not to think about.
I liked the fact that Analyn/Apple is from the Philippines, and I love how she tried to keep holding on her identity, but also trying to become more American. Her problems at school, and the way people bullied her was really real and I while I don't approve of bullying or mean people, I do appreciate this was added. I would have found it all weird if she was accepted just like that.
I loved the setting, it was really interesting, but at times also a tiny bit boring.
The twist near the end (No spoilers), but I really liked that. I didn't expect that to be the case. Wow, nicely added. :)
Now for the stuff I didn't particularly like. I didn't like Analyn/Apple in the beginning, how she just stood by laughing or not saying anything while her friends were making jokes and saying mean things about other people. Sure, she changed in the later parts, but this part? I didn't particularly like. Though I guess it was needed so that she could grow and could show us how amazing she is.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom throughout the book. I can imagine why she is so grumpy, and I can understand that her mom isn't always the smartest about things, but seriously? She was just mean and rude. Never once thinking that maybe her mom is hiding a big loss, that her mom is sad, but doesn't want to show it. That her mom is trying to raise her kid in the best way possible.
And her quest to get a guitar? Meh. It was also a bit anticlimactic that she could
But, all in all, I really liked this book. It was realistic, it was fun and while Apple/Analyn is at times a bleh character, she is real, she is growing up and I was cheering for her throughout the book. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Let's start with the good stuff first. I really liked Analyn/Apple for most of the book. Her struggle to fit in, her troubles with her mom, her trouble with expectations it all felt real and I was really cheering for her to stay positive through this all.
I also loved her love for her guitar, for the Beatles and for trying to keep the memory alive of her dad. Her dad, who died so long ago, and who her mother tries hard not to think about.
I liked the fact that Analyn/Apple is from the Philippines, and I love how she tried to keep holding on her identity, but also trying to become more American. Her problems at school, and the way people bullied her was really real and I while I don't approve of bullying or mean people, I do appreciate this was added. I would have found it all weird if she was accepted just like that.
I loved the setting, it was really interesting, but at times also a tiny bit boring.
The twist near the end (No spoilers), but I really liked that. I didn't expect that to be the case. Wow, nicely added. :)
Now for the stuff I didn't particularly like. I didn't like Analyn/Apple in the beginning, how she just stood by laughing or not saying anything while her friends were making jokes and saying mean things about other people. Sure, she changed in the later parts, but this part? I didn't particularly like. Though I guess it was needed so that she could grow and could show us how amazing she is.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom throughout the book. I can imagine why she is so grumpy, and I can understand that her mom isn't always the smartest about things, but seriously? She was just mean and rude. Never once thinking that maybe her mom is hiding a big loss, that her mom is sad, but doesn't want to show it. That her mom is trying to raise her kid in the best way possible.
And her quest to get a guitar? Meh. It was also a bit anticlimactic that she could
Spoiler
instantly play it. I don't believe that one bit. Maybe there are prodigies like that, but it just felt weird that she needs to do a lot of things to get somewhere, but can instantly play guitar.But, all in all, I really liked this book. It was realistic, it was fun and while Apple/Analyn is at times a bleh character, she is real, she is growing up and I was cheering for her throughout the book. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
The bullying middle school setting holds many stories here, including those who had immigrated, those who weigh more than others, those who are interested in different things, those who have focused on climbing the ladder, those who just want to escape. Mix that with Beatles music and what is to be learned about being a friend.
berkls2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly appealed to me for so many different reasons. I am always looking for good, MG school stories, and this is one about an immigration experience as well. It's a good one too with strong characters, excellent themes, and a realism about middle school that made me slightly sick to my stomach.
Analyn, known by her nickname, Apple, moved to the US from the Philippines when she was only four years old. In the years since she has learned a disdain for herself and her mother. She is embarrassed by the food her mother cooks and how she saves every penny. She longs to be more like her American classmates. It is not easy being the only Filipino in her small town Louisiana school. Things get worse when Apple's social climbing friends want to have boyfriends, and it is revealed that Apple has made the school's "Dog Log". Apple hates herself more and more as school becomes even less bearable. Things at home are not much better. All Apple wants to do is learn to play guitar, and her mother won't allow her. Through some new friends, a lot of awful mistakes, and some hard lessons Apple begins to look beyond the small mindset of middle school social dynamics and works hard to make her future dreams a reality.
This book is seriously well done. So well done it actually hurts to read it. Middle school is the worst. I actually had knots in my stomach as I read about Apple's life. The often racist teasing. The yearning to fit in and be the same. The realization that her friends were not behind her. It's a wretched time for anyone and Apple's story conveys that so well. All MG readers will understand Apple on some level. In addition to the typical middle school story we also have Apple's feelings on being an immigrant child. Her embarrassment and resentment of her mother is conveyed so well. This is something else that readers will be able to identify with. What middle schooler isn't embarrassed and resentful of their family? But through Apple's eyes and story, readers will also learn that everyone has a story. The majority of the supporting characters are just as well drawn as Apple and each has a perfect place and moment in her story.
Blackbird Fly is a book about learning who you are and embracing it. I like that it doesn't make everything perfect though. There is one scene that is a bit over the top as far as breakthrough moments go, but it fits so well into where it is in the story and everything else around it is so real, I'm okay with that. And there is no indication that life is sunshine and roses after that. I did feel the end wrapped up a little quickly, but I also like that the books is as short as it is.
I enjoyed reading Blackbird Fly and recommend it to anyone who loves good MG school stories. I will certainly be putting a copy of it in the hands of my daughter.
I read an e-galley made available by the publisher, Greenwillow Books, via Edelweiss. Blackbird Fly goes on sale on March 24th.
Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly appealed to me for so many different reasons. I am always looking for good, MG school stories, and this is one about an immigration experience as well. It's a good one too with strong characters, excellent themes, and a realism about middle school that made me slightly sick to my stomach.
Analyn, known by her nickname, Apple, moved to the US from the Philippines when she was only four years old. In the years since she has learned a disdain for herself and her mother. She is embarrassed by the food her mother cooks and how she saves every penny. She longs to be more like her American classmates. It is not easy being the only Filipino in her small town Louisiana school. Things get worse when Apple's social climbing friends want to have boyfriends, and it is revealed that Apple has made the school's "Dog Log". Apple hates herself more and more as school becomes even less bearable. Things at home are not much better. All Apple wants to do is learn to play guitar, and her mother won't allow her. Through some new friends, a lot of awful mistakes, and some hard lessons Apple begins to look beyond the small mindset of middle school social dynamics and works hard to make her future dreams a reality.
This book is seriously well done. So well done it actually hurts to read it. Middle school is the worst. I actually had knots in my stomach as I read about Apple's life. The often racist teasing. The yearning to fit in and be the same. The realization that her friends were not behind her. It's a wretched time for anyone and Apple's story conveys that so well. All MG readers will understand Apple on some level. In addition to the typical middle school story we also have Apple's feelings on being an immigrant child. Her embarrassment and resentment of her mother is conveyed so well. This is something else that readers will be able to identify with. What middle schooler isn't embarrassed and resentful of their family? But through Apple's eyes and story, readers will also learn that everyone has a story. The majority of the supporting characters are just as well drawn as Apple and each has a perfect place and moment in her story.
Blackbird Fly is a book about learning who you are and embracing it. I like that it doesn't make everything perfect though. There is one scene that is a bit over the top as far as breakthrough moments go, but it fits so well into where it is in the story and everything else around it is so real, I'm okay with that. And there is no indication that life is sunshine and roses after that. I did feel the end wrapped up a little quickly, but I also like that the books is as short as it is.
I enjoyed reading Blackbird Fly and recommend it to anyone who loves good MG school stories. I will certainly be putting a copy of it in the hands of my daughter.
I read an e-galley made available by the publisher, Greenwillow Books, via Edelweiss. Blackbird Fly goes on sale on March 24th.
calypsogilstrap's review against another edition
Anybody who loves Beatles music will love this coming of age story's references as Apple is making her way through a difficult year of middle school. Honest and heartbreaking at times. Good plot twists. Easy to read.
sanagsam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
_basicbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Apple and her mother came to American from the Philippines when she was very young. Now, as a twelve year old, she realizes how much she doesn’t fit in. Her mom still cooks Filipino food, and doesn’t always speak English well. And Apple is on the Dog List, the list of the ugliest girls in school. And the worst part is, even her friends are turning on her. But then Apple decides to learn how to play guitar and makes new friends and learns that she is special.
The first couple of the chapters broke my heart with all of the Xenophobic comments made by Apple’s classmates, and with all of the anti-Asian racism happening recently, it hit especially hard. This book was emotional and painful at times (cw: lots of bullying) but at its heart has a beautiful message of appreciating differences. Again, I already bought it for my classroom after listening because I want to share this with my students immediately.
It’s a great story, unfortunately too realistic, and enlightening to the experiences of immigrant children. I highly recommend this one, and not just to children. This is one middle grade book that adult readers will also enjoy.
Thanks to Libro.fm for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The first couple of the chapters broke my heart with all of the Xenophobic comments made by Apple’s classmates, and with all of the anti-Asian racism happening recently, it hit especially hard. This book was emotional and painful at times (cw: lots of bullying) but at its heart has a beautiful message of appreciating differences. Again, I already bought it for my classroom after listening because I want to share this with my students immediately.
It’s a great story, unfortunately too realistic, and enlightening to the experiences of immigrant children. I highly recommend this one, and not just to children. This is one middle grade book that adult readers will also enjoy.
Thanks to Libro.fm for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.