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mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I was quite intrigued by this cover and also by the blurb, I just had to try it out, and I am glad I had the chance to do so. However, it was hard to read at times, at times I was annoyed with Harriet’s parents, other times with Harriet for not telling her parents what was going on (not just how she felt but also that her body was once again doing things that it shouldn’t do). Plus the art….
But in the end, I am happy I have read this book as it was pretty gorgeous in the end. Not only is it about Harriet, how she had to move to Chicago and leave people behind, about her illness (which at first is unknown but then we slowly find out what is going on), about her “friends” at the camp, about her imagination), but also about the older lady who also lives in the house and about her son (who had polio back in the 50s).
I loved how the author wove both of these stories and made them just click together. How both of these illnesses made these two characters connect even if they don’t know each other. Harriet has MS, Nicholas had/has polio. Being a kid and going to teenagehood isn’t easy, and especially not if you have an illness. Harriet wants to make friends, but how is she going to do it if her body keeps failing, or what if she is having a sleep over and her body betrays her and she pees in a bed/sleeping bag? She is worried about things, and I just wanted to hug her.
The parents were really nice, but I was sad that they had to leave Harriet alone so much. Especially now so soon after the move and with Harriet’s body not doing well. She really could use someone to be with her, so I was glad that she found someone in the older lady downstairs.
As for the topic of reading books for school, I do know all about that, it really destroyed my liking for that sort of book (the classics). It made me like reading a bit less. Plus I can only think back to those books with a form of dread. Being forced to read a book is just a no-no. So I am glad that the old lady understood and tried to help her out.
For the title? Well, she is writing letters to Nicholas, which I found adorable. I was happy that she could tell her feelings to someone, even if it was just on paper.
The art, well, it was pretty nice, but I just didn’t like how the characters went from looking very young to very old. At one point Harriet looked like she was in her sixties instead of being a teen. At times she looked more kid than teen. It just wasn’t that consistent.
But all in all a beautifully told book. I am delighted I had the chance to read it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was quite intrigued by this cover and also by the blurb, I just had to try it out, and I am glad I had the chance to do so. However, it was hard to read at times, at times I was annoyed with Harriet’s parents, other times with Harriet for not telling her parents what was going on (not just how she felt but also that her body was once again doing things that it shouldn’t do). Plus the art….
But in the end, I am happy I have read this book as it was pretty gorgeous in the end. Not only is it about Harriet, how she had to move to Chicago and leave people behind, about her illness (which at first is unknown but then we slowly find out what is going on), about her “friends” at the camp, about her imagination), but also about the older lady who also lives in the house and about her son (who had polio back in the 50s).
I loved how the author wove both of these stories and made them just click together. How both of these illnesses made these two characters connect even if they don’t know each other. Harriet has MS, Nicholas had/has polio. Being a kid and going to teenagehood isn’t easy, and especially not if you have an illness. Harriet wants to make friends, but how is she going to do it if her body keeps failing, or what if she is having a sleep over and her body betrays her and she pees in a bed/sleeping bag? She is worried about things, and I just wanted to hug her.
The parents were really nice, but I was sad that they had to leave Harriet alone so much. Especially now so soon after the move and with Harriet’s body not doing well. She really could use someone to be with her, so I was glad that she found someone in the older lady downstairs.
As for the topic of reading books for school, I do know all about that, it really destroyed my liking for that sort of book (the classics). It made me like reading a bit less. Plus I can only think back to those books with a form of dread. Being forced to read a book is just a no-no. So I am glad that the old lady understood and tried to help her out.
For the title? Well, she is writing letters to Nicholas, which I found adorable. I was happy that she could tell her feelings to someone, even if it was just on paper.
The art, well, it was pretty nice, but I just didn’t like how the characters went from looking very young to very old. At one point Harriet looked like she was in her sixties instead of being a teen. At times she looked more kid than teen. It just wasn’t that consistent.
But all in all a beautifully told book. I am delighted I had the chance to read it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
librarydosebykristy's review
3.0
This is a different kind of graphic novel... hits that realistic fiction thing so beloved by Raina Telgmeir people but is a lot more moody and sad. It focuses on a girl spending a lonely summer in a new city, at home by herself most of the day and longing to make friends. We find out later that she has MS, which is the reason her family moved.
0liviamarie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
extrabees's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
I enjoyed the book but it felt too short and unfinished, I wanted to actually see Harriet find friends that appreciated her and grow in confidence
joannalumpia's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
svnz's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
A moving story about a girl with MS. It's difficult enough for Harriet to adjust to being a young teenager but then she also has to deal with her chronic illness and the loneliness she feels as a result. She forms an unlikely bond with her elderly neighbour who encourages her to express herself creatively and find her passion. Recommended for readers of all ages but especially children and young adult.
A moving story about a girl with MS. It's difficult enough for Harriet to adjust to being a young teenager but then she also has to deal with her chronic illness and the loneliness she feels as a result. She forms an unlikely bond with her elderly neighbour who encourages her to express herself creatively and find her passion. Recommended for readers of all ages but especially children and young adult.
saraheawn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I appreciated the subtle Easter eggs of queerness in the illustrations that included the name of her mother’s old band, “Sappho-saurus Rex." I always love reading queer writers and illustrators, and subtle queerness put into graphic novels.
quefelicia's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Harriet Flores recently moved to Chicago with her family. It's still the summer, so she doesn't have an easy way to connect with new people. Even worse, her old friends from summer camp aren't responding to her letters. Harriet's parents are both settling in at new jobs, working lots of hours, and she's left feeling very lonely.
Over the course of the book, Harriet builds a relationship with Mrs. Pearl, her downstairs neighbor. They connect over books, writing, but also over living with chronic illness -- it turns out that Harriet has MS, while Mrs. Pearl's son had polio back in the 1950s.
I loved how bits of information about Harriet were revealed slowly. At first, she seems to just be a sullen teenager with a tendency to tell lies. But as more of her experiences come to light, you can see that Harriet is desperate for some genuine connection, especially someone she can relate to about her illness. There are some great literary references, but apart from maybe recognizing titles, I'm not sure many students would make the connections. I loved the artwork -- it was comforting and added a lightness to a story that otherwise could be depressing. Overall, this is a strong title that I would recommend.
Harriet Flores recently moved to Chicago with her family. It's still the summer, so she doesn't have an easy way to connect with new people. Even worse, her old friends from summer camp aren't responding to her letters. Harriet's parents are both settling in at new jobs, working lots of hours, and she's left feeling very lonely.
Over the course of the book, Harriet builds a relationship with Mrs. Pearl, her downstairs neighbor. They connect over books, writing, but also over living with chronic illness -- it turns out that Harriet has MS, while Mrs. Pearl's son had polio back in the 1950s.
I loved how bits of information about Harriet were revealed slowly. At first, she seems to just be a sullen teenager with a tendency to tell lies. But as more of her experiences come to light, you can see that Harriet is desperate for some genuine connection, especially someone she can relate to about her illness. There are some great literary references, but apart from maybe recognizing titles, I'm not sure many students would make the connections. I loved the artwork -- it was comforting and added a lightness to a story that otherwise could be depressing. Overall, this is a strong title that I would recommend.