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mjenae's review against another edition
4.5
I wasn't going to leave a written review because I didn't have anything special to say, but then the conclusion came and I had to speak up.
This book has fantastic morals. Most other books I've read with the theme of parental neglect only portray the child as a victim, and someone who needs healing. It's often a lot more about accepting hard things than changing them.
Whit is a really good example of how I was at his age. Unassertive, passive. Desperately afraid of upsetting anyone. And this book is a really good example of how someone like Whit—someone like me—can grow, can become more assertive. Maybe it's not everyone else's fault for ignoring you. Maybe you just need to speak up. I really really appreciate the author for writing this book. I think kids need more stories like this, stories that reccomend action and character growth instead of the inevitability of nature and nurture.
This book has fantastic morals. Most other books I've read with the theme of parental neglect only portray the child as a victim, and someone who needs healing. It's often a lot more about accepting hard things than changing them.
Whit is a really good example of how I was at his age. Unassertive, passive. Desperately afraid of upsetting anyone. And this book is a really good example of how someone like Whit—someone like me—can grow, can become more assertive. Maybe it's not everyone else's fault for ignoring you. Maybe you just need to speak up. I really really appreciate the author for writing this book. I think kids need more stories like this, stories that reccomend action and character growth instead of the inevitability of nature and nurture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Animal death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
a_manning11's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book. Stella is indeed a good friend to Whit, and vice versa. Children's lives aren't as idyllic as one might hope, and Stella and Whit both have to deal with a lot. I love how much both children grow towards the end of the book.
The one thing that didn't work for me was the title. I don't think it represents the content of the book in any way.
The one thing that didn't work for me was the title. I don't think it represents the content of the book in any way.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story. Very sweet. Started a bit slow, but liked the story much better as it went on.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
And sometimes when you follow authors you get surprised with something like this. I wouldn't have read this on its own. And when I got a non picture book from the library from a picture book author I almost skipped it. But instead I got to read a sweet but serious middle school book about a pair of 11 year olds. Both of them get kind of a crappy deal with life though of very different sorts. And they are both in somewhat better situations by the end. But it was just nice. And believable. And a bit weird. And somewhere in there we get to deal with parental responsibilities and addiction and the fear of guns. It was pretty heavy for a light book.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Solid story about animals, family, friendship, and secrets.
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