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trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this one. A well done story, told through verse, about one moment that changed a young woman's life. I like how she soul searched and how the story was told in such a unique way. I thought the journey was interesting.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
3.0
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
A novel-in-verse that follows Addi from one impulsive night leads her to a decision of abortion to the aftermath of that decision.
Having just read Exit, Pursued by a Bear, I was a little reluctant to pick up another book of similar topic so soon. However, I felt like, since the formats varied so radically (traditional novel vs. novel-in-verse), I’d give it a go.
I was pleased with this book’s format but not so much with the content. It was brutally honest and examined so many issues that a young girl could have after an impulsive evening with a boyfriend. But, I never really felt Addi’s depression. And then to have it veer, what I felt was wildly, into just left me stunned. I actually think the novel tried to cover too much; I felt that none of the issues were really given a resolution or thorough examination.
A novel-in-verse that follows Addi from one impulsive night leads her to a decision of abortion to the aftermath of that decision.
Having just read Exit, Pursued by a Bear, I was a little reluctant to pick up another book of similar topic so soon. However, I felt like, since the formats varied so radically (traditional novel vs. novel-in-verse), I’d give it a go.
I was pleased with this book’s format but not so much with the content. It was brutally honest and examined so many issues that a young girl could have after an impulsive evening with a boyfriend. But, I never really felt Addi’s depression. And then to have it veer, what I felt was wildly, into
Spoiler
her sexuality and a potential relationship with Julianamindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Raw and largely in actual poem form - not like many new free verse novels - this is a powerful YA story dealing with abortion, Christianity and sexuality. Perfect for fans of Ellen Hopkins, this is an incredibly fast read that many HS students will appreciate.
lawbooks600's review against another edition
2.0
Trigger warnings: Abortion, cheating
5/10, I don't get how this novel was even published since usually I like poetry but I gave this one 2 stars which was surprising. There were a lot of mature themes within the book but I think it didn't have enough pages to delve into detail about them and they weren't that explored and the plot is disjointed and messy. The main character Addie wasn't great since she showed her recklessness when she hooked up with her boyfriend and got pregnant in the process however she aborted her baby when she was six months pregnant and later on she cheated on her boyfriend with another girl called Juliana. None of the characters were fleshed out or developed and I don't know why the author made this a poetry novel since it didn't work out; maybe if it were written in prose it would have been better though I would dislike it. Sometimes the themes were a bit too much but without them it is just Addie living her life with nothing much happening; the ending felt incomplete and it fizzled out leaving me so many unanswered questions and if you like verse novels don't read this and pick up another one.
5/10, I don't get how this novel was even published since usually I like poetry but I gave this one 2 stars which was surprising. There were a lot of mature themes within the book but I think it didn't have enough pages to delve into detail about them and they weren't that explored and the plot is disjointed and messy. The main character Addie wasn't great since she showed her recklessness when she hooked up with her boyfriend and got pregnant in the process however she aborted her baby when she was six months pregnant and later on she cheated on her boyfriend with another girl called Juliana. None of the characters were fleshed out or developed and I don't know why the author made this a poetry novel since it didn't work out; maybe if it were written in prose it would have been better though I would dislike it. Sometimes the themes were a bit too much but without them it is just Addie living her life with nothing much happening; the ending felt incomplete and it fizzled out leaving me so many unanswered questions and if you like verse novels don't read this and pick up another one.
lovegirl30's review against another edition
5.0
"Tonight
I
will
tell
my parents
tonight.
Or maybe tomorrow.”
This was such a good novel in verse. I love novels in verse. They are something I don't think everyone will like but ever since I tried my first I am hooked on them. They are short and sweet but packed with emotion sometimes happiness and sometimes sadness. These emotional punches are super effective and the novel ends up being so powerful for me. I liked this one a lot but I felt like it incorporated too much in too little time.
The author starts out with love, then teen pregnancy then moves to abortion, then moves to the main character being a lesbian without dealing with all the emotional issues associated with all of those. This tiny book of small poems tries to be a full novel on life goals, sexuality, feminism, pro-choice, and pregnancy. It just feels like the author had to race to finish everything off.
The storyline follows Addie who attends a private religious school and she is also a cross country runner. The story starts out with her breaking up and getting together with another boy named James, falling pregnant and has lots of thoughts and feelings about that but not enough. Then she decided to have an abortion and her life changes and she has to figure out a way to get through it all.
I enjoyed it enough.
zoechao's review
1.0
Don't read this. I don't like it. I don't know why I read it. It is terrible. I finished it in 30 minutes. Don't read this.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed a lot of things about this, but mostly that this is the first YA I've read in a while that didn't feel like it was being through the adult lens. It felt a little more authentically juvenile, particularly Addie's voice and the way we kind of have what's going on in her mind a little more.
The verse itself was the weakness--the shorter passages worked. The longer ones, not so much.
The verse itself was the weakness--the shorter passages worked. The longer ones, not so much.
valeriianavarr's review
5.0
Well this was like plunging into cold water.
You get this brief feeling of like freshness and then it starts to get to you!
You get this brief feeling of like freshness and then it starts to get to you!
ciaralo's review against another edition
4.0
Verse novels are always a hit-or-miss for me. They can either completely immerse me in the story, or leave me feeling jarred and disjointed. For me, using verse in a novel needs to have purpose and be impacting. The words need to flow easily, lest they become choppy and distorted. Christine Heppermann's ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE is everything I hope for in a verse novel. It is touching, poignant, and moving, a must read for any young girl navigating this messy thing called life.
As most verse novels are for me, ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE was a very quick read. I flew through this story, barely glancing away from the page until I was done. There were a couple of poems that were real gems. Even though a part of the overall narrative, they stood out on their own. The writing work for me in so many ways. It was lyrical and powerful. I could feel the words seeping into my heart. It's one of those books I can see myself going back to, reading over again to feel the weight of those words.
As for the characters, Addie was really the focal point. None of the side characters I really connected with and that's okay. It wasn't their story. I appreciated how supportive Nick was of Addie, as well as how supportive her parents were. None of them knew exactly how to handle the situation, but they tried as best they could to be there for her. But, it wasn't always what Addie needed. ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE was her story, her journey, a snapshot into this moment in time and how it changed many aspects of her life.
I appreciated how sex-positive the novel was. And how it wasn't a tragedy. Addie's abortion was something that affected her life, but didn't derail it. She was able to move forward from it, which I think is such an important thing to show in YA. She struggled to find her place in her religion, her relationships, and her future. Addie's journey is something I think many young women can relate to and a really important narrative. There is so much to unpack in this slender book. You need to read to read it for yourself to feel how impacting it is.
From a completely aesthetic point of view, this book is the whole package. The font on the cover is eye-catching and the color scheme is gorgeous. I love how representative of the book it is. Honestly, I keep staring at it! Combine that with the incredible story on the pages, I think ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE is definitely worth the buy.
A slim novel that delivers quite the punch, ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE is a powerful look at one young girl's journey through new relationships and choosing a life for herself. It wasn't a easy, light read but an important, thoughtful one I think every young woman can appreciate. I know I did. Heppermann is an author I will be keeping my eye on.
- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)
As most verse novels are for me, ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE was a very quick read. I flew through this story, barely glancing away from the page until I was done. There were a couple of poems that were real gems. Even though a part of the overall narrative, they stood out on their own. The writing work for me in so many ways. It was lyrical and powerful. I could feel the words seeping into my heart. It's one of those books I can see myself going back to, reading over again to feel the weight of those words.
As for the characters, Addie was really the focal point. None of the side characters I really connected with and that's okay. It wasn't their story. I appreciated how supportive Nick was of Addie, as well as how supportive her parents were. None of them knew exactly how to handle the situation, but they tried as best they could to be there for her. But, it wasn't always what Addie needed. ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE was her story, her journey, a snapshot into this moment in time and how it changed many aspects of her life.
I appreciated how sex-positive the novel was. And how it wasn't a tragedy. Addie's abortion was something that affected her life, but didn't derail it. She was able to move forward from it, which I think is such an important thing to show in YA. She struggled to find her place in her religion, her relationships, and her future. Addie's journey is something I think many young women can relate to and a really important narrative. There is so much to unpack in this slender book. You need to read to read it for yourself to feel how impacting it is.
From a completely aesthetic point of view, this book is the whole package. The font on the cover is eye-catching and the color scheme is gorgeous. I love how representative of the book it is. Honestly, I keep staring at it! Combine that with the incredible story on the pages, I think ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE is definitely worth the buy.
A slim novel that delivers quite the punch, ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE is a powerful look at one young girl's journey through new relationships and choosing a life for herself. It wasn't a easy, light read but an important, thoughtful one I think every young woman can appreciate. I know I did. Heppermann is an author I will be keeping my eye on.
- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)