Reviews

In the Role of Brie Hutchens... by Nicole Melleby

majaolivia18's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kmsmith's review

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

chess__bored's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I have never rooted for a child like this since Percy Jackson 

libwinnie's review against another edition

4.0

I think this book had a lot going for it. Brie is questioning so many things, her orientation, her religion, her relationship with her mother. Very relatable, as was her family's economic situation and the fear-driven way Brie responded to her world. The things I found less relatable--the soap opera frame and the lack of context around Crowning Mary.

biblioberry's review against another edition

5.0

this is the book i wish thirteen year old me had. it almost brought me to tears and just hit so so so close to home and was so personal and well-done. i love you brie <3

hsinjulit's review against another edition

4.0

Brie Hutchens lied to her mom in a panic when she almost got caught looking up naked photos of her favorite actress. Being a mediocre student at a Catholic school, her lie of being chosen to crown Mary was unlikely to come true. And it certainly did not help when Kennedy, the perfect girl in her class, gave Brie butterflies in the stomach.

I did not plan on reading this book from Holy Saturday to the midnight of Easter. It felt special when I realized so.

Melleby did a wonderful job of tackling the issues of figuring out oneself and navigating family relationships. We followed Brie, a somewhat unreliable narrator, as she tried to come out to herself and loved ones. I personally relate to her on so many levels, including attending Catholic middle school and finding emotional release in theatre. Though Brie was not particularly likeable, she was certainly very relatable. We experienced her yearnings of being liked by her mom, confusion over her own feelings, and attraction to Kennedy.

This book is oh-so-very-cute and heartwarming in every way. For any queer teens out there, I think it makes them feel seen and gives them hope and assurance that everything is going to be okay. I highly recommend In the Role of Brie Hutchens… to readers of any age.

I received an e-ARC from Algonquin Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

megatsunami's review against another edition

5.0

Really well done. This book's voice so accurately captured this age (13) and really felt like it was told from the inside. I loved that there were no easy good guys/ bad guys - everyone got to have some complexity - and all the family relationships and interactions felt very real.

fell4's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

4.0

haley_j_casey's review against another edition

4.0

This was lovely.

jessicapc's review against another edition

3.0

Truly cute book about coming out, for younger readers - definitely middle grade.