Scan barcode
mgdoherty's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was one of my childhood favorites, and to my surprise it holds up as an adult. The themes in it are as old as time, like a child missing their dead parent, wondering if they committed suicide and no one has been brave enough to tell them. That’s a subplot that completely went over my kid as a kid, but surprisingly, is one that resonates with me as an adult in surprising ways. I love that Margaret and Boyd get something they’ve each been lacking: Margaret gets answers and she gets her family back together again, even if it’s a little broken and glued together in jagged ways; Boyd gets to the cool indie guy who discovered Ratt’s comics before they were cool and gains some friends; both Margaret and Boyd find someone who supported them on the darkest night of their lives, a best friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
There’s a strong question of whether Margaret and Sophie’s father committed suicide by drowning, and Margaret’s complicated grief suffused the entire book. If that’s a sensitive topic for you, read this carefully.donxmore's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
souvlakihut's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
one of my childhood favorites (bought this at a scholastic book fair when i was 8 or 9?) and still holds up! as a kid, the themes of suicide, loss, and social isolation went over my head, but now revisiting the story as an adult they hit much harder, and now i can appreciate how well nickerson folded an adventure and mystery story into a very grounded exploration of grief and family secrets. margaret's internal monologue is written so well - there's a few sentences towards the end where she acknowledges that she can't imagine the depth of her mother's grief while raising two children, but still wants to lash out and hurt her that hit very close to home for me. obviously it's still geared towards a preteen/teen audience, but i thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this one.
readtoashes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
booklover160's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my all time favorites as a kid. I checked it out from the library a million times. I have to reread it soon
shiloniz's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced, young reader. I won't elude to anything but if your looking for a light hearted book you will not find that here. Although it was a light read there was some tough underlying real life issues that the characters are working through and learning to face head on. While still keeping enough distance from them so there is not overwhelming emotions behing brought out.
amberhayward's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't as good as my favorite YA novel, Speak, but it was made for a younger crowd. Also I don't love that it instills the belief of fate so hard in to kids but I guess it's a pretty big theme throughout literature so they had better get used to it and decide for themselves if they buy into it. I do like that it gives kids the idea that one day, one incident can change you as person and you can decide- despite fate- how it will change you. If you pee your pants in gym class, will you become a recluse or a better version of you?
ipreferquiet's review against another edition
4.0
Mystery story for kids, with some scary elements. Fast-paced and not too deep. The 12yo characters are both socially awkward and have more or less dysfunctional family dynamics. The mystery unfolds slowly and the ending is positive but not "everything is rainbows now".
goodmorningidea's review against another edition
5.0
Over the past few years I have been sort of YA-d out, but this book rang every bell for me. It was wonderfully written, mysterious, and I loved the characters. It felt like just the thing I would have loved equally as a young person.