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sc104906's review
4.0
Gianna is many things, great runner, funny, friendly, but she is also a procrastinator (to the extreme). If Gianna doesn't complete her leaf project on time, she will not be allowed to participate in her track meet. There are many people rooting for Gianna and helping her, while others are waiting in the wings for her failure. The pressure is even further on because Gianna's grandmother has started to act funny and is beginning to forget major things.
This is a perfect middle school book. The characters are fun to read about and real. This book also shows what it is like to live with someone who has Alzheimer's disease, not something that is approached in many novel for this age.
This is a perfect middle school book. The characters are fun to read about and real. This book also shows what it is like to live with someone who has Alzheimer's disease, not something that is approached in many novel for this age.
onalark's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Death, and Grief
Minor: Bullying
lazygal's review
2.0
I really wished I'd liked this more, but there were too many things that I think the author tried to do at the same time for it to work. Take, for example, Gianna's procrastination/inability to organize. I thought we'd get some AD/HD information, but no. Or perhaps her mother was afraid that with Nonna showing signs of Alzheimers, that Gianna was acting a little too like Nonna? Again, no.
The leaf identification project really seemed interesting, and I wish more information about the different types of leaves had been incorporated. Gianna's problems with Bianca seemed very real, as did her not talking to anyone about them (although it was hinted at the Coach knew about them - in which case, why didn't Coach actually do or say anything to cheer Gianna up?). The poetry was wonderful, but again, snippets were doled out.
As I said, just too much going on for this book to really work for me. Younger readers (say, 5th or 6th graders) will probably have fewer problems with this.
The leaf identification project really seemed interesting, and I wish more information about the different types of leaves had been incorporated. Gianna's problems with Bianca seemed very real, as did her not talking to anyone about them (although it was hinted at the Coach knew about them - in which case, why didn't Coach actually do or say anything to cheer Gianna up?). The poetry was wonderful, but again, snippets were doled out.
As I said, just too much going on for this book to really work for me. Younger readers (say, 5th or 6th graders) will probably have fewer problems with this.
emmhur07's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
3.25
book_nut's review
3.0
A good story -- if a little predictable. Liked the feel of it, the mixture of science and fiction.
readingthroughtheages's review
5.0
Yeah, these characters are going to stick with me for a little while! Kate Messner writes with such an authentic voice for middle grade kids.
jen_lizbeth's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
curiouslibrarian's review
4.0
I adored this book! Gianna in her epic capacity for disorganization and procrastination reminded me of a younger (and thankfully worse) version of myself.
Gianna has left her large leaf identification project until the last few days, as usual. If she doesn't finish on time she won't be able to compete in the big cross-country meet, and she's one of the top runners. Add to this a rival who is trying to take her place on the team, a grandmother who is slipping into early stage Alzheimer's, a mother who won't admit there's a problem, and a relationship with a male best friend that might be starting to change, and Gianna has a lot more on her plate than just a leaf project!
Gianna is a great character: she has her strengths (art, running) and her weaknesses (deadlines). As things fall apart around her, she redoubles her efforts. This is a kid you root for and identify with whether she is dealing with her father tossing out her leaves, climbing a fence into private property for the perfect leaf, or just relating as a friend, daughter and granddaughter in her shifting relationships. I love Gianna's choice about the project in the end. It's all her and it's wonderful.
Also, I know one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I'm just so drawn to the joy and the colors on this cover. It inspired me to go leaf-playing on my birthday this year.
Highly recommended for grades 4-7.
Gianna has left her large leaf identification project until the last few days, as usual. If she doesn't finish on time she won't be able to compete in the big cross-country meet, and she's one of the top runners. Add to this a rival who is trying to take her place on the team, a grandmother who is slipping into early stage Alzheimer's, a mother who won't admit there's a problem, and a relationship with a male best friend that might be starting to change, and Gianna has a lot more on her plate than just a leaf project!
Gianna is a great character: she has her strengths (art, running) and her weaknesses (deadlines). As things fall apart around her, she redoubles her efforts. This is a kid you root for and identify with whether she is dealing with her father tossing out her leaves, climbing a fence into private property for the perfect leaf, or just relating as a friend, daughter and granddaughter in her shifting relationships. I love Gianna's choice about the project in the end. It's all her and it's wonderful.
Also, I know one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I'm just so drawn to the joy and the colors on this cover. It inspired me to go leaf-playing on my birthday this year.
Highly recommended for grades 4-7.
mon_ique's review
4.0
Beautiful, but not that rememberable to me though. I loved the little chemistry between best boy-girl-next-door-neighbor-sorta relationship, and I loved how it was more something to be developed on when they got older. It made me think, maybe she'll write a book about 6 years later and take up the story then.
azajacks's review
5.0
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
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