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roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is written in verse, though the pretty didn't shine for me like Kwame Alexander or Elizabeth Acevedo. I really enjoyed this story, though. LaVaughn has the goal to go to college, and this becomes clearer and more specific as she begins to really work for it. There struggles she has in getting there were eye opening for me. Even though her life was very different from mine, there was still a lot I could relate to.
sternbergjulie's review against another edition
5.0
If you'd like an illustration of how great contemporary books for teens can be, try True Believer. It's the second book of a trilogy, and I confess that I've read neither the first (Make Lemonade) nor the third (This Full House). Standing alone, TRUE BELIEVER is fantastic. It tells the story of a fifteen-year-old, LaVaughn, growing up and falling in love in the projects. She has a strong, single mom; friends who have begun to go their own way; and a commitment to making it to college. The text includes no spare word or moment. It's beautifully written and filled with tension, redemption, and hope.
emilymorgan02's review against another edition
4.0
A continuation of LaVaughn's story and how she's beginning to see the possibilities in her life. I love reading about caring adults who help to guide her along her path, and I love watching her bloom as she figures out some pretty big truths.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
I did this as an audio book and I think that is the wrong way to enjoy this book
You lose the lyrical quality because the audio book is just reading. I didn't even realize it should be read/understood as poems because she just reads.....
I think this might have been a 4 star for me....except how I read it. But an audio was the only way for me to get the book so I read it that way anyway.It was cute and I like how much growing each person does as the book progresses. and I like how the secret was handled, without shame or "wronging".
You lose the lyrical quality because the audio book is just reading. I didn't even realize it should be read/understood as poems because she just reads.....
I think this might have been a 4 star for me....except how I read it. But an audio was the only way for me to get the book so I read it that way anyway.It was cute and I like how much growing each person does as the book progresses. and I like how the secret was handled, without shame or "wronging".
allmadhere106's review against another edition
4.0
Told in four parts and expressed through poems. LaVaughn is fifteen and searching for a unique identity. She hopes to become a nurse and escape the life of near-poverty that she has endured with her caring mother. She takes advanced classes and works to improve her grammar—-something that the other students and her friends despise her for. Her two best friends suddenly join a religious group that is not accepting of others and very extreme, something which LaVaughn is resistant to. She also falls in love with Jody, a boy from her past that has moved back into town. This love interest seems to be the main topic of the novel though Jody does not appear to return LaVaughn’s feelings fully. The novel takes great care to poetically describe the people in LaVaughn’s life as she struggles to place herself in the world around her. A quick and entertaining read. Interesting to examine through the different poetry used and how the poetry appears on the page.
diadandy's review against another edition
2.0
Based on a skim of this book I had actually gained the impression that it might be written by a Christian and I was really looking forward to listening to it in audio form while I worked today. I was, however extremely dissapointed. This book blasted Bible believing Christians and set up a very liberal idea of religion as being the correct one. This book was well written but despite its several awards I would not recommend it to anyone.
agenderberry335's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
This is a darling coming-of-age story set in an impoverished community. But the protagonist has a dream... to go to college some day.
(Catching up on reviews for books read before blogging/Goodreads days, made from notes made at the time the book was read. Written on 7/27/21.)
(Catching up on reviews for books read before blogging/Goodreads days, made from notes made at the time the book was read. Written on 7/27/21.)
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second novel in the Making Lemonade series. LaVaughn is trying to rise above her neighborhood. Both LaVaughn and her mother are passionate about her getting in to college. Even though LaVaughn is driven, there are so many other confusing things going on in her life. Her friends have joined a religious group and have begun ignoring her because she refuses to join. LaVaughn has a huge crush on her childhood friend Jody, but could he ever love her back. LaVaughn is making new friends and struggling through new experiences.
This was a wonderful coming of age novel.
This was a wonderful coming of age novel.
drakean8's review against another edition
3.0
Ah, high school. Where the drama is real and every problem is life-changing.