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allicatca's review against another edition
Did not finish. Could not deal with the writing style. Short sentences.
If I were a teenager, I might get into the story but I'm an adult and just didn't want to read past the first few chapters.
Anyone who does read this should be aware that secrets from Star Wars will be given away.
If I were a teenager, I might get into the story but I'm an adult and just didn't want to read past the first few chapters.
Anyone who does read this should be aware that secrets from Star Wars will be given away.
librarianlizreads's review against another edition
4.0
Please note that this review is written for my use as a librarian and may not appeal directly to readers. Please review at your own risk.
Accelerated Reader has this book listed as being for middle grades, or readers in 4th to 8th grade. They also have listed that this read is worth 7 AR points.
I can’t even with this book. It’s so heart jerking but it is also so beautiful. It really sat well with me because it starts out with a young man who loves geeky things like Star Wars. My kind of people. I think that Paul Griffin did a really great job of writing this from a young man’s point of view. I don’t often get to read books that I can easily tell are narrated by a guy. I enjoyed that.
This story will make you believe in the good of humanity and remind you that real magic does exist. Just prepare yourself for sadness as well. It’s hard to not love Ben and in loving Ben, you suffer with him throughout his story. It is such a good story though.
Summary:
-Do not read past this point if you would like to avoid spoilers-
This is the story of Ben and Halley, two truly incredible kids. Ben has a hard life. He goes from foster homes where he loses a dear friend, to a perfect mom for him, to losing his mom, getting beaten up by bullies, and eventually hit by his aunt’s boyfriend. Yet Ben remains a shining star through everything. He’s an incredible young man and a small dog who follows him home brings Ben into a beautiful new world and helps everything work out. Flip, the dog, also unites Ben with the most important person in his life, Halley (like the comet). She is a beautiful rainbow of a girl who becomes Ben’s best friend and more. She helps Ben realize that his superpower is being an awesome human being and Ben helps Halley face the imminent death that her cancer is bringing. It is terribly sad and should perhaps be read with caution for younger readers, but it is real and it is passionate and it hits you right in the feels. There is a brief reference to lgbtq in a pure acceptance sort of way. Ben and Halley teach readers that everyone in the world deserves love and when you figure that out, you can survive anything.
Accelerated Reader has this book listed as being for middle grades, or readers in 4th to 8th grade. They also have listed that this read is worth 7 AR points.
I can’t even with this book. It’s so heart jerking but it is also so beautiful. It really sat well with me because it starts out with a young man who loves geeky things like Star Wars. My kind of people. I think that Paul Griffin did a really great job of writing this from a young man’s point of view. I don’t often get to read books that I can easily tell are narrated by a guy. I enjoyed that.
This story will make you believe in the good of humanity and remind you that real magic does exist. Just prepare yourself for sadness as well. It’s hard to not love Ben and in loving Ben, you suffer with him throughout his story. It is such a good story though.
Summary:
-Do not read past this point if you would like to avoid spoilers-
This is the story of Ben and Halley, two truly incredible kids. Ben has a hard life. He goes from foster homes where he loses a dear friend, to a perfect mom for him, to losing his mom, getting beaten up by bullies, and eventually hit by his aunt’s boyfriend. Yet Ben remains a shining star through everything. He’s an incredible young man and a small dog who follows him home brings Ben into a beautiful new world and helps everything work out. Flip, the dog, also unites Ben with the most important person in his life, Halley (like the comet). She is a beautiful rainbow of a girl who becomes Ben’s best friend and more. She helps Ben realize that his superpower is being an awesome human being and Ben helps Halley face the imminent death that her cancer is bringing. It is terribly sad and should perhaps be read with caution for younger readers, but it is real and it is passionate and it hits you right in the feels. There is a brief reference to lgbtq in a pure acceptance sort of way. Ben and Halley teach readers that everyone in the world deserves love and when you figure that out, you can survive anything.
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning! Such a special book with so much heart.
I adored everything about this book! The characters were perfect, and I am in love with them all. The pace of the book was perfect too, lots of quick talking back and forth between characters but it also seemed slow so you could savour the moments.
It's magical, quirky, heart-warming but also very heartbreaking. Please read this book!!
I adored everything about this book! The characters were perfect, and I am in love with them all. The pace of the book was perfect too, lots of quick talking back and forth between characters but it also seemed slow so you could savour the moments.
It's magical, quirky, heart-warming but also very heartbreaking. Please read this book!!
maryquitecontrary_22's review against another edition
2.0
Just ok for me. . . I assumed I was going to love this one based on the book's blurb and the reviews, but this one missed the mark-- too many "issues" packed into one book and too many cliche characters (does every MG/YA book have to have a nerdy protagonist, eccentric love interest, and one token gay character?!) Readability-wise-- the first third of the book was decent, the middle third I thought about abandoning it (had enough of the Magic Box story-within-a-story), and the last was pretty dang good-- if only the whole book was as good as the last third!
iceangel32's review against another edition
5.0
I did not expect what I got with this book. I laughed and most off I cried. I did not expect to react the way I did to this book. It was a great story of a boy finding himself through life. This book really did not candy coat life, it left it tough and raw and I think that is what made the book so great. I will say the only think that I did not like about this book being a middle school book was some of the language but maybe that is be being a little old fashion. I would defiantly recommend this book.
bickie's review against another edition
4.0
Authentic, 3D people; main character Ben is incredibly kind and a survivor but has weak moments. Perfect exploration of the beauty and heartbreak of life. Definitely gives you the feels but doesn't seem manipulative. Best for age 10-14 [Ben is 12; Halley is 13-almost 14; heavy topics of bullying, death of loved ones, alcohol/violence but at age-appropriate level].
appsinator's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
amypt46's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about love, loss and the amaziness of a great dog. It is sad and heartwarming. It is adventure and heartache.
theangrystackrat's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
rita_araujo's review against another edition
5.0
4,5*
“Quando se trata de amor pelos livros, o destino é uma realidade” ❤️
“Quando se trata de amor pelos livros, o destino é uma realidade” ❤️