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wrathofglasses's review against another edition
2.0
This was written around the same time as Crank by Ellen Hopkins and while the subject matter may be different, it was hard not to compare the two as they are both written in free-verse. I believe that Hopkins masters the visual placement of free-verse every time as her placement is intentional and artful. I found Sones' use of free-verse to be a little more haphazard in placement, but equally as purposeful. (I don't care if anyone thinks I'm being nitpicky, poetry has a visual quality just as much as an aural one.) I think Sones does a nice job in her development of the protagonist, who is pretty vapid and oh, I don't know, "teenagery." Sones has some effective plot twists that I suspect would mislead teenage readers to the point where they were awed by the plot events. Personally, I found the book to be a little dry and the ending to be a little too quickly thrown together, but overall, this is a good classroom book for sure. :)
libbytx's review against another edition
2.0
Usually when a book receives reviews like “destined to captivate” and “fast, funny, touching” from well-known reviewers and magazines, I expect to read an intriguing book that holds my attention until the very end, maybe even makes me cry. But the only reason I cried over this book was because of the terrible writing and horrible storyline.
In her book, Sonya Sones wrote about a girl named Ruby. When Ruby’s mother passes away, she must move to California - away from her “gorgeous boyfriend” - in order to live with her father, who she holds a burning grudge against because he divorced her mom before she gave birth to Ruby.
The first thing out of many I can pick on about the book begins with the lack of effort Sones seemed to put into her novel. She had a predictable, all-too-perfect ending and it seemed like she did not plan the story out at all. Along with that, Sones’ attempts to mimic the teenage mindset resulted in complete failure. Her tacky friend nicknames and cliche teen drama proved she had an out-of-date idea of teenage behavior.
From the very start of the book I could tell I would get annoyed with Ruby. She became another stuck-up girl who encountered some tragedy in her life, and began to exaggerate the smallest little mishaps from there on out to make it seem like her whole life has begun collapsing around her. Not a very original take on a teenager’s life, and not even an entertaining one.
As for trying to create a realistic situation for Ruby to experience, Sones failed, yet again. Everything about the book just seemed too ideal that I could not even allow myself to become absorbed in the story. For Ruby, things just worked out. She did not have to struggle through any challenges, did not have to fight some sort of antagonist, there barely even arose any internal conflict, making for a dull story and dull protagonist.
I usually am a sucker for happy endings, but a character usually must earn the happiness they receive at the end. The protagonist goes through struggles in their story or comes to some realization that finally gives them peace. They do not get a happy ending by complaining the entire time and whining until they get what they want. That kind of story just makes me so angry that I throw the book across the room and leave a dent in my wall.
In the end, at least Sones had the ability to do something right in her novel. The title did a good job of capturing the essence of the book. It was a hideous book; the mother dying is just a side note.
In her book, Sonya Sones wrote about a girl named Ruby. When Ruby’s mother passes away, she must move to California - away from her “gorgeous boyfriend” - in order to live with her father, who she holds a burning grudge against because he divorced her mom before she gave birth to Ruby.
The first thing out of many I can pick on about the book begins with the lack of effort Sones seemed to put into her novel. She had a predictable, all-too-perfect ending and it seemed like she did not plan the story out at all. Along with that, Sones’ attempts to mimic the teenage mindset resulted in complete failure. Her tacky friend nicknames and cliche teen drama proved she had an out-of-date idea of teenage behavior.
From the very start of the book I could tell I would get annoyed with Ruby. She became another stuck-up girl who encountered some tragedy in her life, and began to exaggerate the smallest little mishaps from there on out to make it seem like her whole life has begun collapsing around her. Not a very original take on a teenager’s life, and not even an entertaining one.
As for trying to create a realistic situation for Ruby to experience, Sones failed, yet again. Everything about the book just seemed too ideal that I could not even allow myself to become absorbed in the story. For Ruby, things just worked out. She did not have to struggle through any challenges, did not have to fight some sort of antagonist, there barely even arose any internal conflict, making for a dull story and dull protagonist.
I usually am a sucker for happy endings, but a character usually must earn the happiness they receive at the end. The protagonist goes through struggles in their story or comes to some realization that finally gives them peace. They do not get a happy ending by complaining the entire time and whining until they get what they want. That kind of story just makes me so angry that I throw the book across the room and leave a dent in my wall.
In the end, at least Sones had the ability to do something right in her novel. The title did a good job of capturing the essence of the book. It was a hideous book; the mother dying is just a side note.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones and I really enjoyed it. It is about Ruby, 15, whose mother has passed away and she is being forced to fly across the country to live with her father who she has never met. She is leaving her best friend and first real boyfriend behind. On top of it all, this father she has never met is a very famous movie star. The book follows Ruby's transition from living in Boston to living in LA and learning to adjust to her new life.
I gave this book 4 stars.
I gave this book 4 stars.
ckausch's review against another edition
3.0
Sonya Sones writes One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies in free verse and emails from the main character's point of view. Ruby's mother recently died of cancer and her aunt isn't in a position to properly care for her, so she must go live with the father she's never known. Her perents divorced while her mom was pregnant, and it was something her mom never wanted to discuss with her. Her father is a famous actor by the name of Whip Logan and Ruby must get used to life in LA, attending school with other kids of famous actors, living next door to Cameron Diaz, leaving her best friend and boy friend behind, all while still mourning the loss of her mother and trying to live with a new father when she doesn't understand why he never cared to be involved before now.
It's a cute book, a fast read, especially good for reluctant teen readers. The element of fantasy in dealing with the famous friends of her father adds some fun to an emotional story.
It's a cute book, a fast read, especially good for reluctant teen readers. The element of fantasy in dealing with the famous friends of her father adds some fun to an emotional story.
kelseyinreallife's review against another edition
3.0
To be quite honest, I did not like this book as I was reading it. I liked it after the fact when I would think back on bits and pieces and certain quirks the characters had. I was able to relate to certain thoughts or habits the main character had. It's short so I do recommend reading it, but if it had been longer I would have to say pass it by. It's not as good as What My Mother Doesn't Know, but it's more out there.
jessthemama's review against another edition
4.0
good! i love books in verse so this was outimaticly a good book. ;D
ecka2's review against another edition
4.0
Jo så, det var en liten rolig sorgsam bok. http://frokenchristina.blogspot.se/2017/04/one-of-those-hideous-books-where-mother.html
ratgirlreads's review against another edition
Reading Sonia Sones as a teenager, I found the first-person voice of her characters highly satisfying. Reading One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies as an adult, her voice is still delightful if less personally relevant. Of course the fairy-tale ending for the story feels a little unlikely, but not contrived, and the neatness of the story is a pleasure.
side_effects's review against another edition
5.0
I absoutley loved this book. Its written if free verse so it only took me about an hour and a half to read it on a family road trip. To tell you the truth Im not sure why Ruby is so pissed if I lived next to cameron diaz and had a famous movie star of a father who WANTS to be with you and give you everything you want, I wouldnt act like the brat Ruby does. I was fuming when I found out what happened between Ray and Lizzie. I love all of these characters in this book, especially max. I guess what was going on half way threw the book and im really happy that thats how it ended and that Ruby like who her dad chosed to love.
katmeg17's review against another edition
3.0
I actually love the prose format that this book is written in because it lets us understand her feeling even better. It was a bit cliche, however, which is why it's only three stars.