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kkdemarco's review against another edition
4.0
Such a beautiful read! I'm not often a huge fan of middle grade realistic fiction, but I really liked the narrator of Courage for Beginners, Mysti Murphy. She's sarcastically funny at times but also cares for her family and friends. There was some great writing going on in this book. I actually bought it at the book fair because I read the first page and was hooked!
jananza90's review against another edition
4.0
I was excited to read this book. I wanted to like it when I first opened the cover, but I wasn't quite sure about it, half way through I still wasn't sure how I felt. By then I was too attached to put it down. There are so many topics covered in this book, I felt just about every emotion while reading this book. Definitely worth the read!
listen_learn's review against another edition
5.0
Not sure this would have gotten five stars if it didn't find me at just the right time, it probably would have been a 4 or 4.5, since I'm picky with my 5 star ratings, but it did and so it is.
I think one of the best things about the story was its voice. The author was consistent, from beginning to end. I could definitely believe that an imaginative twelve year old was telling me this story, and because of that consistency the growth Misty experiences and her changing perspectives on the world are believable.
Another thing I liked was the quirky details: a morning with air balloons, the way certain labels were capitalized, eccentric neighbors, her mom's love of growing things, the irony of her mother being a painter, her idealization of Paris and other stuff I'm forgetting.
Here's a quote to show you some of what I mean:
"But not they are all smiling and happy as the paint color Lemon Yellow. I have to take a moment to see what my eyes see.
Wrapped presents. A tall chocolate cake with twelve candles. One for each year I haven't been anywhere else but here.
"Happy Birthday, Mysti!" Dad says. "Twelve, huh? Make a wish!" welve years from now, i will be in France. That is my wish. Poof, the candles are out and my wish is a smoke signal to the universe."
I would recommend this to people who want to read about finding courage in small ways and a story about an ordinary girl dealing with family issues with aplomb.
I think one of the best things about the story was its voice. The author was consistent, from beginning to end. I could definitely believe that an imaginative twelve year old was telling me this story, and because of that consistency the growth Misty experiences and her changing perspectives on the world are believable.
Another thing I liked was the quirky details: a morning with air balloons, the way certain labels were capitalized, eccentric neighbors, her mom's love of growing things, the irony of her mother being a painter, her idealization of Paris and other stuff I'm forgetting.
Here's a quote to show you some of what I mean:
"But not they are all smiling and happy as the paint color Lemon Yellow. I have to take a moment to see what my eyes see.
Wrapped presents. A tall chocolate cake with twelve candles. One for each year I haven't been anywhere else but here.
"Happy Birthday, Mysti!" Dad says. "Twelve, huh? Make a wish!" welve years from now, i will be in France. That is my wish. Poof, the candles are out and my wish is a smoke signal to the universe."
I would recommend this to people who want to read about finding courage in small ways and a story about an ordinary girl dealing with family issues with aplomb.
lollypopkins225's review against another edition
5.0
I may be a 40+ year old ,but when I grow up I want to be as sure of myself as Rama Khan ("RAMA KHAN!")and as creative in my thinking as Mysti. Mysti would love to be the character in a book and she makes up interesting stories about her life. Her real life is confusing. Her "best friend" is performing an experiment in which Mysti becomes the butt of his teasing at school and they have to pretend to not be friends during school. Her mother is agraphobic and her dad is hospitalized due to a fall. Mysti's mom refuses to ask for any help so Mysti has to worry about trying to figure out how to take care of her family while their food supplies dwindle. She has to deal with her "best friend" making her the butt of his jokes at school and worrying about school and friends. However she finds her way with the help of some friends and a Texas loving history teacher.
Great story would recommend it to all those who like well written realistic fiction and don't mind reading books written for middle school kids. I know I'm recommending it to lots of my patrons as a children's library assistant.
Great story would recommend it to all those who like well written realistic fiction and don't mind reading books written for middle school kids. I know I'm recommending it to lots of my patrons as a children's library assistant.
cheesecake123's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
-SPOILER-Her friend turns into a bully to be friends with another popular girl.
fantasyreader223's review against another edition
5.0
This book gave me the feels (aka it made me cry). I absolutely loved this book! It definitely falls into the "This book made me cry and I still loved it!" section. If you have read Counting by Sevens or Out of My Mind you will really love this book! I'm really glad this is on Oregon's BOB reading list for this year because it's just such an amazing read!!
afro8921's review against another edition
5.0
Mysti Murphy is an observant 12 year old entering the 7th grade. She spends her time investigating the walking habits of particular neighbor and maintaining a secret friendship with a boy from school. Mysti must find courage to provide for her family despite her mother's mental health issues. This book is ultimately about friendship and what it means to be a true friend.
lizmarkus's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bestdressedbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly - this is one of those books that didnt stick. I enjoyed parts of it but I really couldn't tell you what its about or much of what happened in it.....and i just finished it. Its may be because I kept putting it down, I just didnt get into it. This is more like a 2.5 star read for me.