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blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet, poignant novel about friendship and learning to live again after a devastating loss. The kids at its center seem a little young to be declaring their undying love to each other, but through their memories, it's easy to see what a cute, loving relationship they had. The treasure hunt aspect made for a fun plot. While this one didn't knock my socks off, I did enjoy it. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could.
nicolesottiriou's review against another edition
4.0
A book I will cherish. What a read! The story follows Joy dealing with the aftermath of the tragic death of her best friend, Lukas. He left behind a birthday scavenger hunt for her with clues that all lead somewhere. A year ago, she didn’t have the strength to even breathe. But now, finding the answers is the key to her healing. A really beautiful story and lovely beach town setting. I found myself by the end just wishing there was more closure. It was unclear to me how she’d grown from the experience or what exactly had happened to Lukas, although there’s enough hinting to figure it all out. I guess I just wanted it more out there for me. Oh, and what happens to Lukas’s family?? Key details that I feel were owed for such a beautiful story.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
My heart is still inside this book. My pre-teen heart is still inside this book. With universal themes of friendship and who you love, and grief and growing, it's a book that will hit home with everyone.
Home is also an important idea in this book - who is your home? where is your home? is a home more than a family?
Written in alternate voices between our two main characters, Joy and Lukas, and written in two different time periods, takes us on a scavenger hunt. One story line tells us how the scavenger hunt unfolded and one perspective, and the other story line has us follow the character on the scavenger hunt. Meanwhile the reader is putting both pieces of the story together and while you know you're in for heartache by the end of the story, it also will put your heart back together in the other story line.
I don't want to say too much, because you just need to find out for yourself.
Home is also an important idea in this book - who is your home? where is your home? is a home more than a family?
Written in alternate voices between our two main characters, Joy and Lukas, and written in two different time periods, takes us on a scavenger hunt. One story line tells us how the scavenger hunt unfolded and one perspective, and the other story line has us follow the character on the scavenger hunt. Meanwhile the reader is putting both pieces of the story together and while you know you're in for heartache by the end of the story, it also will put your heart back together in the other story line.
I don't want to say too much, because you just need to find out for yourself.
xokristim's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a great middle grade novel. I enjoyed every second of reading it. It’s always tough to deal with such a real subject and do it in a way that’s understandable and makes you feel.
I loved the alternative chapters. Reading from both perspective was an excellent way to have you relate to each of the characters. I definitely teared up a lot while reading the now chapters because I got so much back story in the alternating chapters.
I am excited to read more by these authors, they have a wonderful writing dynamic. It was a nice, quick, moving read that I enjoyed so much.
I loved the alternative chapters. Reading from both perspective was an excellent way to have you relate to each of the characters. I definitely teared up a lot while reading the now chapters because I got so much back story in the alternating chapters.
I am excited to read more by these authors, they have a wonderful writing dynamic. It was a nice, quick, moving read that I enjoyed so much.
sab_reads14's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Abandonment and Addiction
jbrooxd's review against another edition
3.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
3.5 stars. I debated my rating for this for a long time. This is a very well written story, but I didn't enjoy it, if that makes sense. 3.5 stars is my personal rating. If I was rating the book outside my personal feelings, I would give it 4 stars. I thought the authors did a good job telling the story. I liked the choice of having both Joy and Lukas tell the story - Joy telling the contemporary story and Lukas telling the story of setting up the scavenger hunt before he died. It's the best way for the reader to get to know him. I also liked the realistic way they handled Joy's search for the clues. The chances of her finding all 7 after a year were so slim, but the authors did a great job of getting Joy through the whole scavenger hunt in a way that felt realistic.
For me personally, I would push the age for this to an older middle grade (10-14) rather than traditional middle grade because of the romantic angle and the seriousness of the story. That's personal bias. Sure, there are younger kids who would connect to the story of loss and the friendship pieces as well as the questions both Joy and Lukas wrestle with about the depth of their feelings for one another. But thinking of past students I believe my 5th and 6th graders would have connected better with this, on the whole, over my 3rd and 4th graders.
Again, personal preference - I didn't enjoy the anxiety of wondering through most of the book what happened to Lukas. As a storyteller, I appreciated how the authors chose to handle that part of the story, but as a reader, I didn't care for it. It distracted me from Joy's story of grief in the present moment.
If you enjoy middle grade stories that wrestle with mature topics like grief and loss, don't miss this one. As I said, it is well written. It just wasn't a great fit for me as a reader.
3.5 stars. I debated my rating for this for a long time. This is a very well written story, but I didn't enjoy it, if that makes sense. 3.5 stars is my personal rating. If I was rating the book outside my personal feelings, I would give it 4 stars. I thought the authors did a good job telling the story. I liked the choice of having both Joy and Lukas tell the story - Joy telling the contemporary story and Lukas telling the story of setting up the scavenger hunt before he died. It's the best way for the reader to get to know him. I also liked the realistic way they handled Joy's search for the clues. The chances of her finding all 7 after a year were so slim, but the authors did a great job of getting Joy through the whole scavenger hunt in a way that felt realistic.
For me personally, I would push the age for this to an older middle grade (10-14) rather than traditional middle grade because of the romantic angle and the seriousness of the story. That's personal bias. Sure, there are younger kids who would connect to the story of loss and the friendship pieces as well as the questions both Joy and Lukas wrestle with about the depth of their feelings for one another. But thinking of past students I believe my 5th and 6th graders would have connected better with this, on the whole, over my 3rd and 4th graders.
Again, personal preference - I didn't enjoy the anxiety of wondering through most of the book what happened to Lukas. As a storyteller, I appreciated how the authors chose to handle that part of the story, but as a reader, I didn't care for it. It distracted me from Joy's story of grief in the present moment.
If you enjoy middle grade stories that wrestle with mature topics like grief and loss, don't miss this one. As I said, it is well written. It just wasn't a great fit for me as a reader.
janeanger's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
xosarahirene's review against another edition
3.0
Joy and Lukas have been linked by a friendship of inside jokes, scavenger hunts, and adventures around town. How can Joy’s 13th birthday be joyful while dealing with the grief of losing Lukas a year ago?
I loved the alternating POVs, Lukas’ grappling with feelings as a preteen, and the authentic sway of emotions as Joy attempts to complete the scavenger hunt. I wish the story were longer, the plot slowed down toward the end, and more lose ends were tied in Lukas’ part of the story. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
I loved the alternating POVs, Lukas’ grappling with feelings as a preteen, and the authentic sway of emotions as Joy attempts to complete the scavenger hunt. I wish the story were longer, the plot slowed down toward the end, and more lose ends were tied in Lukas’ part of the story. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
theresa_mc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0