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fennyisreding's review
3.0
“I didn't wanna stick around when the police got there, in case they saw me and thought I was involved. I didn't wanna end up being arrested, or searched, like what normally happens.”
A coming-of-age story of three teenagers, who came together when something happened at the mall one day. If you’re a big fan of Angie Thomas, look out for this book because it’s very immersive and hard to put down. Content warnings include themes that may find upsetting, including racism, violence and death.
What I really like about this book was that it talks about the struggles of being a part of the black community albeit your family’s background. There were a few instances that I just wanted to throw the book across the room because I felt that it wasn’t fair for these teenagers being put at fault just for the colour of their skin!
Not going to lie, the pace in the middle was getting slow and the ending was slightly anti-climactic but that’s the truth about racism, isn’t it? That it’s still is an ongoing issue today and that’s just upsetting.
Many thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for this powerful review copy! This book will come out at the end of March 2022 so watch out for this book in any good bookstores!
A coming-of-age story of three teenagers, who came together when something happened at the mall one day. If you’re a big fan of Angie Thomas, look out for this book because it’s very immersive and hard to put down. Content warnings include themes that may find upsetting, including racism, violence and death.
What I really like about this book was that it talks about the struggles of being a part of the black community albeit your family’s background. There were a few instances that I just wanted to throw the book across the room because I felt that it wasn’t fair for these teenagers being put at fault just for the colour of their skin!
Not going to lie, the pace in the middle was getting slow and the ending was slightly anti-climactic but that’s the truth about racism, isn’t it? That it’s still is an ongoing issue today and that’s just upsetting.
Many thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for this powerful review copy! This book will come out at the end of March 2022 so watch out for this book in any good bookstores!
elise_dragon13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
szpelts's review
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
khutzz_readin's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
steel_city_peach's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
So Good
This book turned out to be such a pleasant surprise for me. I was quickly drawn into the story. The writing was very vibrant and contemporary. Each of the three main characters were very likable. It was so easy to root for them. I really enjoyed watching them blossom and grow. Their unlikely bond was very special. The storyline tackled racism, classism, and cultural biases. It showed how Black children are treated like criminals in the media and in their day to day lives. It also highlighted how awful the foster care system can be. I appreciated that the author didn’t water down these tough topics. I found myself getting so upset at the unfair treatment that each of the teens received. It was a testament to how well the story was written. I became so invested in what these kids were going through. The ending wasn’t overly happy. It was realistic and satisfying.
nickymaund's review
5.0
Before I start I should mention that there’s content warnings and potential spoilers - that some readers might want to know about, so check at the end if you want to know more.
Right, now to the main event. Wow. I don’t know how Jawando does it. She’s not shy of tackling heavy topics and her newest offering is no exception. In short summary, When Our Worlds Collided is all about the impact of the stabbing of a young boy on three teens who witness it and offer their help. The young boy is black. The three teens are also black.
These are three very different teens, but they’ve all been exposed to their own trauma or struggles, they’re all at a key moment in their lives as they prepare for their GCSEs, and most importantly, they’ve all been affected by racism. Passing comments, treatment by police, expectations at school and that’s only a few. But things come to ahead following the stabbing.
This was so immersive and engaging - I was desperate to learn the fate of the three main characters. And I was so angry for them - at the injustice and unfairness they’ve been subject to. The disparity between how the world views and respond to white people and Blake people. She’s also managed to create such wonderful characters with their own difficult backstories.
This is such a powerful read - and I urge every young person (and even the adults out there) to read this.
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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: there’s references to and detail of racism, domestic abuse, murder, gang violence ⚠️
Right, now to the main event. Wow. I don’t know how Jawando does it. She’s not shy of tackling heavy topics and her newest offering is no exception. In short summary, When Our Worlds Collided is all about the impact of the stabbing of a young boy on three teens who witness it and offer their help. The young boy is black. The three teens are also black.
These are three very different teens, but they’ve all been exposed to their own trauma or struggles, they’re all at a key moment in their lives as they prepare for their GCSEs, and most importantly, they’ve all been affected by racism. Passing comments, treatment by police, expectations at school and that’s only a few. But things come to ahead following the stabbing.
This was so immersive and engaging - I was desperate to learn the fate of the three main characters. And I was so angry for them - at the injustice and unfairness they’ve been subject to. The disparity between how the world views and respond to white people and Blake people. She’s also managed to create such wonderful characters with their own difficult backstories.
This is such a powerful read - and I urge every young person (and even the adults out there) to read this.
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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: there’s references to and detail of racism, domestic abuse, murder, gang violence ⚠️
myaaaaaa's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
thickthighs_no_lies's review against another edition
5.0
Firstly thank you to Danielle & Amina at Simon Schuster Children’s for my gifted copy of the book!
This book blew me away!! I went from crying laughing to being filled with such rage! Heartbroken to so proud! I moved through so many emotions reading this book that sometimes it felt like I knew Chantelle, Jackson & Marc personally. I wanted to scoop them up and protect them from the goings on around them.
The book starts off so innocuously in the Arndale, with Jackson waiting for his date. But just a few pages in, things take a turn for the worst! All hell breaks loose and you are sucked in to a point of no return.
Three teens from very different walks of life are pulled together by a single violent event.
The language and phrases used by the white characters in this book are all too familiar for many of the POC who I know. Some of the phrases have been said to me personally.
This books needs to be in schools but not only to be read by the students, but by the teachers aswell. It may give an insight to some of how what they say and how the langue they use has such a massive impact on the young minds around them.
I feel like this book would make an EPIC 3 part series (Channel 4 I’m looking at you right now
This book blew me away!! I went from crying laughing to being filled with such rage! Heartbroken to so proud! I moved through so many emotions reading this book that sometimes it felt like I knew Chantelle, Jackson & Marc personally. I wanted to scoop them up and protect them from the goings on around them.
The book starts off so innocuously in the Arndale, with Jackson waiting for his date. But just a few pages in, things take a turn for the worst! All hell breaks loose and you are sucked in to a point of no return.
Three teens from very different walks of life are pulled together by a single violent event.
The language and phrases used by the white characters in this book are all too familiar for many of the POC who I know. Some of the phrases have been said to me personally.
This books needs to be in schools but not only to be read by the students, but by the teachers aswell. It may give an insight to some of how what they say and how the langue they use has such a massive impact on the young minds around them.
I feel like this book would make an EPIC 3 part series (Channel 4 I’m looking at you right now
bbrookesmith23's review
5.0
Wildly underrated, brilliant book!
I was lucky enough to hear the Danielle discuss her book at a talk for my university. What really struck me was how down to earth she was and that really comes through in the writing.
Chantelle, Jackson and Marc are normal teenagers facing all the challenges of puberty, and being black in modern Manchester. Their voices are strong, as are their stories. This book had a lump in my throat more than once, I really connected to and cared for the characters and felt particularly emotional about the injustices they faced.
Overall ‘When Our Worlds Collided’ was a great read, one that was deeply emotive and entertaining but also stayed with me far beyond the last page.
I was lucky enough to hear the Danielle discuss her book at a talk for my university. What really struck me was how down to earth she was and that really comes through in the writing.
Chantelle, Jackson and Marc are normal teenagers facing all the challenges of puberty, and being black in modern Manchester. Their voices are strong, as are their stories. This book had a lump in my throat more than once, I really connected to and cared for the characters and felt particularly emotional about the injustices they faced.
Overall ‘When Our Worlds Collided’ was a great read, one that was deeply emotive and entertaining but also stayed with me far beyond the last page.