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laureliz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kryten's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
5.0
So I’m willing to bet my retirement account that the one “parent” in the local school district that got this author’s visit canceled and this book banned from the library has never read this book. Furthermore, the other 414 “parents” who signed that petition have also not read this book. The charges of “Critical Race Theory” and “Marxism” are complete horseshit. I’m not a big fan of graphic novels nor YA (generally), but this was a really good book. I’d gladly pass it to my daughters to read. So what is it about, since it’s obviously not about the two previously mentioned topics? It’s about how a kid can feel like they don’t fit in at school. It’s about how kids can pick on outsiders or those they don’t see as having much in common with them. It’s about the financial haves and the have nots and how they view one another. It’s about how kids can be misunderstood by adults. It’s about how stereotypes and prejudices are frequently wrong. It’s about how sniping and ignorance can make people feel insignificant. It’s about how you never really know another person’s past based on your perceptions of them. It’s about making friends and finding common ground and eliminating hate towards others. The 414 “parents” in this local district I wouldn’t classify as hateful, necessarily, just misinformed and ignorant. Like I said I’d slice up a baseball hat and eat it if more than 10 of them have actually read this book. It was a sweet read and had so many redeeming qualities for anyone who didn’t feel like their school years were “the greatest years of their lives’”. It’s all about acceptance and not wanting to feel alienated. The main character’s (who is a self-professed light-skinned Black kid) closest friends at his new school are a White kid, a Black kid, a Jewish girl, and an Asian girl. This book is NOT about “Critical Race Theory” or “Marxism” and it happens to be a great read (I suppose that’s why it won the Newbery Medal). And moreover I’ll give my neighborhood hatemonger a pass on her nasty social media post where she called Craft a “sick person”, because ultimately I know she hasn’t read this book, she’s merely responding to local media hype. But that should be a lesson to everyone, quit making statements about things for which you have no knowledge (the pandemic, books, vaccines, politics, epidemiology, other peoples’ ethics, etc) and the world would be a better place. Stop being so goddamn judgmental, which coincidentally is exactly what this book was all about.
calebmatthews's review against another edition
4.0
Fun and gives you a perspective! I really liked the art in this graphic novel. It made me laugh and does a good job of coming alongside. You get to experience with the main character which makes the story relatable.
crawfordsmt's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shksprsis's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kdorka's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
aagbunn's review
5.0
First graphic novel read, and I LOVED it! I enjoyed the themes that were being conveyed. I enjoyed it as an adult, and think it is a good read for everyone.
rollinsad's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75