A review by rebeccap
Cut Loose! by Stacy Davidowitz, Ali Stroker

emotional reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books for an advanced reader copy.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Cut Loose! by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is the second book in The Chance to Fly series. It takes place during the first half of Natalie (Nat)’s 8th grade year. Middle school is hard for everyone but especially when you have a disability (been there). Nat is the new kid which also doesn’t help make things easier. I both liked and disliked this book more than the first one. In this book Nat’s experiences felt more “real” to me as an adult with a disability. Nat grappled with more real world accessibility / disability focused issues on top of the typical middle school growing pains. This is also part of the reason I disliked the book at times: I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be in middle school and found some of Nat’s behavior to be annoying (so much “screaming” and a little bit of being self centered). But, I think readers who are actually in middle school will relate well.  I’d give this 4.5 stars.