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suehc's review against another edition
4.0
A student recommended this book to me. It was good but very sad. It involves the loss of a mother and how a family copes with this loss.
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent novel both for elementary school children and adults about coping with the loss of a loved one. Although Mimi has a happy ending, as you would expect in children's book, I didn't feel like the author was attempting to sugar-coat anything or magically pull a happily-ever-after out. Although the ending is happy, I don't feel as though Newman was promising a quick fix; rather he conveyed, particularly by initially marking the chapters as days after Mimi's mother's death, the long slow struggle for adjustment and the eventual light at the end of the tunnel. Mimi was written in a candid, realistic way that doesn't "talk down" to children, but which is also hopeful.
It was also clear that Newman has an understanding of children (likely because he teaches elementary school), their feelings, and quirks. There was enough humor in Mimi that made me crack a smile that I wasn't bogged down with the seriousness of the main topic.
As a last random note, I thought it was interesting that Mimi is actually is an adopted Chinese-Irish girl, but that this is only referenced obliquely a few times in the novel until the very end. Personally, I think that it's a good thing that there could be a story out there with a protagonist that is not only adopted, but of a different race than her adoptive family, and not have it be the Issue of the novel.
It was also clear that Newman has an understanding of children (likely because he teaches elementary school), their feelings, and quirks. There was enough humor in Mimi that made me crack a smile that I wasn't bogged down with the seriousness of the main topic.
As a last random note, I thought it was interesting that Mimi is actually is an adopted Chinese-Irish girl, but that this is only referenced obliquely a few times in the novel until the very end. Personally, I think that it's a good thing that there could be a story out there with a protagonist that is not only adopted, but of a different race than her adoptive family, and not have it be the Issue of the novel.
couillac's review against another edition
4.0
Mimi knows exactly how many days it's been since her mother was killed in a bike accident. The youngest and only adopted daughter in a close-knit Irish family, she has become comfortable in a new life shaped by her family's grief. Her father does nothing but stare into space and burn frozen pizzas nightly while Mimi and her two older siblings neglect their homework, stay up into the early hours of the morning, arrive late at school, and generally ignore each other and the situation. If not for a team of caring aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, the kids probably wouldn't even leave the house.
At first, I was just appalled at how neglectful a father could be - he is essentially unaware of his children's existence. But everything fits together so realistically, from his early behavior and the obvious effects it has on Mimi and her siblings to his relationships with other people and his slow development as a more defined character in his children's lives. Mimi adores her afterschool hours with her family members (who remain unaware of just how bad things have become in the children's home), and dreads showing up late to class with more excuses. This whole family is drawn with care and complexity and affection, and readers can't help but fall right into Mimi's mind as she relates all their little quirks. Even her father has a simple but realistic journey as he goes from abandoning them to becoming a stern taskmaster to finally allowing the four of them as a family to come together and pull themselves out of the darkness.
A beautifully written story full of delicate but memorable characters, and a realistic portrait of grief at its darkest and what can come out it.
At first, I was just appalled at how neglectful a father could be - he is essentially unaware of his children's existence. But everything fits together so realistically, from his early behavior and the obvious effects it has on Mimi and her siblings to his relationships with other people and his slow development as a more defined character in his children's lives. Mimi adores her afterschool hours with her family members (who remain unaware of just how bad things have become in the children's home), and dreads showing up late to class with more excuses. This whole family is drawn with care and complexity and affection, and readers can't help but fall right into Mimi's mind as she relates all their little quirks. Even her father has a simple but realistic journey as he goes from abandoning them to becoming a stern taskmaster to finally allowing the four of them as a family to come together and pull themselves out of the darkness.
A beautifully written story full of delicate but memorable characters, and a realistic portrait of grief at its darkest and what can come out it.
syrthio's review
1.0
I thought I would like this book, but it just fell flat in so many ways for me. It's a good concept with disappointing execution - but a less critical, younger reader than I would likely enjoy the story.
kevinhendricks's review
3.0
The story of a family dealing with the death of their mother and the three kids and father trying to carry on. It has some poignant moments, but it never really grabbed me.
paper_elytra's review
4.0
There was something rather heartbreaking about this book. The way the family fell apart was so simply and honestly told that I couldn't help but be moved. The matter-of-fact perspective as well as the constant reminder that life continues on each day combined for a powerful effect. There was something a little disturbing about it, but perhaps that's because as an adult reader I realized some of the problems more than the protagonist did.
an_cailin_corcaioch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
iymain's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because it came highly recommended by my eight-year-old. She was on to something, too.
With a tone reminiscent of Junie B. books, Mimi narrates her experience of life after her mother's death. Unlike Junie B. books, though, Mimi isn't annoying and her mistaken pronunciations and bits of confusion are legitimate in a little girl whose world has lost one of its moorings. It is told in a matter-of-fact way, complete with diary reading, bad jokes, embarrassing events and struggles with difficult kids at school.
Mimi has very human qualities that keep her from being a caricature like Junie B. I love it that even though she often misses the punch lines to her friend's jokes, she has her own sense of humor that is authentic and child like. (Her role playing as an old man, Dag, with her cousin who plays an old woman, Dig, are funny and quirky, and very believable, too.)
Mimi's struggles and triumphs make for a great plot. We also get elliptical portraits of how the rest of her family is dealing with the pain of losing a loved one. Her sister, Sally, becomes Goth and distant with a "dark secret" that also drives the story along. This is a sweet story about a family coming together to heal after a loss.
Initially I was disappointed (as I know my daughter was) that there aren't more of these books, like Junie B. (What number are they on now, anyway? Volume 124?) When I finished it however, the story was so neatly told and completely finished that I think it would be a disservice to write more. Or, if John Newman does write another one, he can't crank it out in serial form like the JB books. Books like this take time, thought and careful crafting and you can detect all of that when you read Mimi.
With a tone reminiscent of Junie B. books, Mimi narrates her experience of life after her mother's death. Unlike Junie B. books, though, Mimi isn't annoying and her mistaken pronunciations and bits of confusion are legitimate in a little girl whose world has lost one of its moorings. It is told in a matter-of-fact way, complete with diary reading, bad jokes, embarrassing events and struggles with difficult kids at school.
Mimi has very human qualities that keep her from being a caricature like Junie B. I love it that even though she often misses the punch lines to her friend's jokes, she has her own sense of humor that is authentic and child like. (Her role playing as an old man, Dag, with her cousin who plays an old woman, Dig, are funny and quirky, and very believable, too.)
Mimi's struggles and triumphs make for a great plot. We also get elliptical portraits of how the rest of her family is dealing with the pain of losing a loved one. Her sister, Sally, becomes Goth and distant with a "dark secret" that also drives the story along. This is a sweet story about a family coming together to heal after a loss.
Initially I was disappointed (as I know my daughter was) that there aren't more of these books, like Junie B. (What number are they on now, anyway? Volume 124?) When I finished it however, the story was so neatly told and completely finished that I think it would be a disservice to write more. Or, if John Newman does write another one, he can't crank it out in serial form like the JB books. Books like this take time, thought and careful crafting and you can detect all of that when you read Mimi.
lulugv's review against another edition
3.0
Reto 2015: un libro con un tÃtulo de una palabra
13/01/2016
13/01/2016
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