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Goodbye, Rebel Blue
Rebecca Blue is a rebel with an attitude whose life is changed by a chance encounter with a soon-to-be dead girl. Rebel (as she’s known) decides to complete the dead girl’s bucket list to prove that choice, not chance, controls her fate. In doing so, she unexpectedly opens her mind and heart to a world she once dismissed—a world of friendships, family, and faith. With a shaken sense of self, she must reevaluate her loner philosophy—particularly when she falls for Nate, the golden boy do-gooder who never looks out for himself. Perfect for fans of Jay Asher’s blockbuster hit Thirteen Reasons Why, Coriell’s second novel features her sharp, engaging voice along with realistic drama and unforgettable characters.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
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August 31, 2016
THIS WILL NOT BE A LONG REVIEW.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue was an interesting contemporary. It was unlike another I had read. It had romance but unlike in other contemporaries, it wasn't the primary focus of the story. This story was about growth and ultimately becoming who you are. Living up to your own expectations and not doing what others want of you. It was embracing the fact you can change from events that happen in your life. That ultimately, everything happens for a reason.
I honestly wasn't expecting the depth of the story and I was beyond shocked in some parts. I was wide-eyed and staring at my phone like "oh, my gosh". It was a great feeling, let me tell you.
This book tells the story of Rebecca Blue, or better than as Rebel. The story begins with her in detention where she meets Kennedy Green, a girl who ultimately leads to everything that happens in this book, with family and friendships. I think the reason I couldn't rate this book four stars purely because I didn't feel everyone was too torn up by the death of Kennedy Green. The girl who was the star of everything and always helping. I didn't believe the level of grief in the book. I've had people from one of my high schools die over the past three years, from suicide and other events. People I wasn't close with, and I was overwhelmed with sadness. To this day I still feel sad for this young lives that were ended before they even turned 18.
Characters
Rebecca, or Reb or Rebel, was amazing. She didn't care. She doesn't like shoes, she doesn't like rules and she loves fresh air. She swears, she does what she wants and she doesn't give a hell who she hurts in the process. That is until she calls Kennedy Green a moron and the girl commits suspected suicide the same day.
I loved her personality and the way she did what she wanted. I loved how she didn't want to do what her aunt told her. I loved the development throughout the book. I just loved her.
Nate is our token boy. He is good and always doing what everyone wants him to. His father wants him to play major league baseball, so he's going to do it. People want him to be student concoul representative (is that right?), so he will. That's until Rebel.
Both these characters have such growth in this book that it warms my heart.
Overall
Overall, I kept this review short and sweet because you deserve to go into this book not knowing what to expect because that's what I did.
“People are exactly where they need to be when they need to be there."
Goodbye, Rebel Blue was an interesting contemporary. It was unlike another I had read. It had romance but unlike in other contemporaries, it wasn't the primary focus of the story. This story was about growth and ultimately becoming who you are. Living up to your own expectations and not doing what others want of you. It was embracing the fact you can change from events that happen in your life. That ultimately, everything happens for a reason.
I honestly wasn't expecting the depth of the story and I was beyond shocked in some parts. I was wide-eyed and staring at my phone like "oh, my gosh". It was a great feeling, let me tell you.
This book tells the story of Rebecca Blue, or better than as Rebel. The story begins with her in detention where she meets Kennedy Green, a girl who ultimately leads to everything that happens in this book, with family and friendships. I think the reason I couldn't rate this book four stars purely because I didn't feel everyone was too torn up by the death of Kennedy Green. The girl who was the star of everything and always helping. I didn't believe the level of grief in the book. I've had people from one of my high schools die over the past three years, from suicide and other events. People I wasn't close with, and I was overwhelmed with sadness. To this day I still feel sad for this young lives that were ended before they even turned 18.
Characters
Rebecca, or Reb or Rebel, was amazing. She didn't care. She doesn't like shoes, she doesn't like rules and she loves fresh air. She swears, she does what she wants and she doesn't give a hell who she hurts in the process. That is until she calls Kennedy Green a moron and the girl commits suspected suicide the same day.
I loved her personality and the way she did what she wanted. I loved how she didn't want to do what her aunt told her. I loved the development throughout the book. I just loved her.
Nate is our token boy. He is good and always doing what everyone wants him to. His father wants him to play major league baseball, so he's going to do it. People want him to be student concoul representative (is that right?), so he will. That's until Rebel.
Both these characters have such growth in this book that it warms my heart.
Overall
Overall, I kept this review short and sweet because you deserve to go into this book not knowing what to expect because that's what I did.
November 19, 2013
Rebecca Blue or Rebel as she prefers to be known as is a rebel; she’s been a rebel at heart since a young age. Instead of going to school as a regular child, she was “home schooled” whist she and her mum travelled. Her mum was a photographer and loved taking shots in the moment. However the care free fun life that Rebel led was soon ripped away when her mum died and she had to go live with her uncle and family. Rebel still had the rebellious side to her growing up; she streaked her hair blue, was barely passing at school and just floating by through life. That was until Kennedy Green and her bucket list strolled into her life. After one life changing detention with Kennedy, Kennedy ends up crashing her car and leaving behind a bucket list only Rebel knows about. Rebel wasn’t a friend of Kennedy, but she feels like she’s left with all the responsibility of checking off some of the items off the list.
Deciding to attempt some of the items of Kennedy’s bucket list was a sort of life changing experience for Rebel. It made her want to become more involved and actually wake up and take notice of things around her. Things weren’t all that bad, she had a family who cared about her and provided a roof over her head and a friend in Macey who needed a comfort and encouragement the most at this time. Also by doing some of these things off Kenney’s list, they made Rebel attempt things she would never have considered; planting trees at her school, volunteering, taking up running and meeting Nate. Nate was the best thing that could have happened to Rebel. I just wished she would quit continually pushing him away and cutting him short when he was speaking the truth and she thought she was lying. Through Nate, she also got to meet his family and learn some great life lessons along the away.
Rebel went through a pretty big learning curve in Goodbye Rebel Blue, and despite her trying her hardest to not want to be part of it was an important thing that she had to do. There is great character growth along the way for Rebel; nice escapades of watching her complete her tasks and some eye opening scenes too. Goodbye Rebel Blue may not have been one of my most memorable reads of the year, but it’s a poignant story nonetheless.
Deciding to attempt some of the items of Kennedy’s bucket list was a sort of life changing experience for Rebel. It made her want to become more involved and actually wake up and take notice of things around her. Things weren’t all that bad, she had a family who cared about her and provided a roof over her head and a friend in Macey who needed a comfort and encouragement the most at this time. Also by doing some of these things off Kenney’s list, they made Rebel attempt things she would never have considered; planting trees at her school, volunteering, taking up running and meeting Nate. Nate was the best thing that could have happened to Rebel. I just wished she would quit continually pushing him away and cutting him short when he was speaking the truth and she thought she was lying. Through Nate, she also got to meet his family and learn some great life lessons along the away.
Rebel went through a pretty big learning curve in Goodbye Rebel Blue, and despite her trying her hardest to not want to be part of it was an important thing that she had to do. There is great character growth along the way for Rebel; nice escapades of watching her complete her tasks and some eye opening scenes too. Goodbye Rebel Blue may not have been one of my most memorable reads of the year, but it’s a poignant story nonetheless.
May 26, 2014
I wanted more from Goodbye, Rebel Blue. The book's premise - a girl completes the bucket list of a peer who passes away - is intriguing. Shelley Coriell creates a believable teen voice with her protagonist, Rebel, and supplies her with a tension-filled family dynamic, a best friend with secrets, and an angelic love interest.
Mainly, I desired to see more of Rebel's internal development. There's a compelling conflict in the book between staying true to who you are and realizing that you need people to support you, but that idea never took flight beyond a basic revelation. Because this intrinsic dilemma never felt fully addressed, I found all of Rebel's external conflicts shallow as well, though I appreciated her relationship with Macey the most. Perhaps if less time had been devoted to her romantic relationship with Nate, Rebel's bonds with other people as well as her own self-improvement would have felt more moving.
Liked it, didn't love it. I don't regret reading it, but I doubt it will stick with me. Thank you to The Midnight Garden for supplying me with a free copy!
Mainly, I desired to see more of Rebel's internal development. There's a compelling conflict in the book between staying true to who you are and realizing that you need people to support you, but that idea never took flight beyond a basic revelation. Because this intrinsic dilemma never felt fully addressed, I found all of Rebel's external conflicts shallow as well, though I appreciated her relationship with Macey the most. Perhaps if less time had been devoted to her romantic relationship with Nate, Rebel's bonds with other people as well as her own self-improvement would have felt more moving.
Liked it, didn't love it. I don't regret reading it, but I doubt it will stick with me. Thank you to The Midnight Garden for supplying me with a free copy!
October 9, 2013
When I first saw the cover for Goodbye, Rebel Blue I immediately wanted to read it. The color of the title, the girl's blue extensions, the idea completing a dead girl's bucket list. Everything about it pulled me in, and I wasn't disappointed. I was completely charmed by this book and loved following Rebel as she used another girl's bucket list to discover herself.
Rebecca Blue, who goes by Rebel, is living a life she doesn't want. During her formidable years she traveled the globe with her photographer mother. The two were never tied down and never needed for anything. They had each other and the outdoor world, and that was enough. After her mother's death a few years ago she was forced to move in with her uncle, Bob, his wife, Evelyn, and their daughter, Penelope, who is the same age as Rebel. Never feeling completely welcome in their perfect family unit, Rebel...well, rebels. She dyes her hair bright blue and is a frequent visitor of detention after school. It is during detention when her entire world changes.
On this particular day in detention a do-gooder girl named Kennedy Green has also inexplicably received detention. On this day, the detention supervisor decides that the students in detention will spend the time writing out a bucket list. Kennedy tries sparking up a conversation with Rebel, stating that she always believed the two could be great friends due to their last names--blue-green being her favorite color--and that she knows the two are there at the same time for a reason. That fate must have decided to throw them together because fate knows when two people need the other in their lives. Rebel scoffs it off, and is shocked when she finds out that Kennedy died in a car accident that night after they left the school.
Rebel becomes obsessed with the idea of their bucket lists residing in the waste basket in the detention room where both girls had thrown them on their way out and breaks in during school to retrieve them. She decides the best thing to do is to give it to Kennedy's parents, but a series of events leads Kennedy's bucket list to remain in her possession no matter what she does to get rid of it. Is fate telling her that she must complete Kennedy's list in order to get her out of her life? Rebel believes it is worth a shot.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue is a wonderful novel about self-discovery. Even though the story revolves around a dead girl's bucket list, the novel is full of warmth and humor. While tackling issues like what it means to be a family, self-mutilation, and, of course, death, it is never weighted down by these issues.
What makes the novel so wonderful is Rebel, herself. I was drawn to her character immediately and loved following her on her journey. Rebel feels kind of lost without her mother and never knew her father. Her uncle stands up for her sometimes, but she still feels like an outsider in their house. Aunt Evelyn is a strict and seemingly perfect woman. Her job is to "stage" houses that our for sale, and Rebel feels like she is living in a staged home. Her cousin, Pen, is bitter that she has to share her room and her parents with this wild child. The two maintain a mostly civil, but volatile relationship. Pen blames Rebel for any disagreements her parents have and believes that Rebel ruins everything she touches. Pen never invited Rebel into her world when Rebel first moved in and, even now, Rebel remains an outsider not only in their house, but in school.
Her one friend is a girl named Macey. The two often have detention together, but are not the type of friends who hang out outside of school. They are friends of convenience. This begins to change as Rebel starts completing items on Kennedy's list. Rebel begins to feel like she could use a real friend after all and is surprised when she begins to see how good of a friend Macey could really be.
Finally, I absolutely adored the addition of the sweet love story between Rebel and good boy, Nate. Nate was in the philanthropy club that Kennedy was a member of. Rebel joins the club for the list and is shocked to find herself falling for Nate, a boy she wouldn't have looked at twice even just a couple of weeks ago. I loved Nate's crazy family which was reminiscent of Jase's family in My Life Next Door. There are lots of siblings and always a lot going on in his house whenever she goes over. My favorites were his grandmother who teaches the two to tango and his little sister, Gabby, who wants to be a fashion designer and is entranced by Rebel and her bright blue hair.
I highly recommend this warm and lovely book. I loved being a part of Rebel's journey and will most definitely be on the lookout for Ms. Coriell's next book.
*I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.*
Rebecca Blue, who goes by Rebel, is living a life she doesn't want. During her formidable years she traveled the globe with her photographer mother. The two were never tied down and never needed for anything. They had each other and the outdoor world, and that was enough. After her mother's death a few years ago she was forced to move in with her uncle, Bob, his wife, Evelyn, and their daughter, Penelope, who is the same age as Rebel. Never feeling completely welcome in their perfect family unit, Rebel...well, rebels. She dyes her hair bright blue and is a frequent visitor of detention after school. It is during detention when her entire world changes.
On this particular day in detention a do-gooder girl named Kennedy Green has also inexplicably received detention. On this day, the detention supervisor decides that the students in detention will spend the time writing out a bucket list. Kennedy tries sparking up a conversation with Rebel, stating that she always believed the two could be great friends due to their last names--blue-green being her favorite color--and that she knows the two are there at the same time for a reason. That fate must have decided to throw them together because fate knows when two people need the other in their lives. Rebel scoffs it off, and is shocked when she finds out that Kennedy died in a car accident that night after they left the school.
Rebel becomes obsessed with the idea of their bucket lists residing in the waste basket in the detention room where both girls had thrown them on their way out and breaks in during school to retrieve them. She decides the best thing to do is to give it to Kennedy's parents, but a series of events leads Kennedy's bucket list to remain in her possession no matter what she does to get rid of it. Is fate telling her that she must complete Kennedy's list in order to get her out of her life? Rebel believes it is worth a shot.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue is a wonderful novel about self-discovery. Even though the story revolves around a dead girl's bucket list, the novel is full of warmth and humor. While tackling issues like what it means to be a family, self-mutilation, and, of course, death, it is never weighted down by these issues.
What makes the novel so wonderful is Rebel, herself. I was drawn to her character immediately and loved following her on her journey. Rebel feels kind of lost without her mother and never knew her father. Her uncle stands up for her sometimes, but she still feels like an outsider in their house. Aunt Evelyn is a strict and seemingly perfect woman. Her job is to "stage" houses that our for sale, and Rebel feels like she is living in a staged home. Her cousin, Pen, is bitter that she has to share her room and her parents with this wild child. The two maintain a mostly civil, but volatile relationship. Pen blames Rebel for any disagreements her parents have and believes that Rebel ruins everything she touches. Pen never invited Rebel into her world when Rebel first moved in and, even now, Rebel remains an outsider not only in their house, but in school.
Her one friend is a girl named Macey. The two often have detention together, but are not the type of friends who hang out outside of school. They are friends of convenience. This begins to change as Rebel starts completing items on Kennedy's list. Rebel begins to feel like she could use a real friend after all and is surprised when she begins to see how good of a friend Macey could really be.
Finally, I absolutely adored the addition of the sweet love story between Rebel and good boy, Nate. Nate was in the philanthropy club that Kennedy was a member of. Rebel joins the club for the list and is shocked to find herself falling for Nate, a boy she wouldn't have looked at twice even just a couple of weeks ago. I loved Nate's crazy family which was reminiscent of Jase's family in My Life Next Door. There are lots of siblings and always a lot going on in his house whenever she goes over. My favorites were his grandmother who teaches the two to tango and his little sister, Gabby, who wants to be a fashion designer and is entranced by Rebel and her bright blue hair.
I highly recommend this warm and lovely book. I loved being a part of Rebel's journey and will most definitely be on the lookout for Ms. Coriell's next book.
*I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.*
October 8, 2013
This was such an enjoyable read. Rebel (aka Rebecca) is an interesting character. She keeps everyone at a distance, so when she ends up alone in detention with Kennedy (who believes in fate) Rebel isn’t exactly friendly. The next day Kennedy is dead and Rebel is left with the bucket list Kennedy wrote.
Why Rebel decided to fulfil Kennedy’s bucket list is explained in the book, I don’t want to go into it as I think that particular chapter shows Rebel’s view on life so well. Armed with a bucket list of things that are about helping others Rebel begins.
Shelley Coriell has this wonderful way of balancing serious and humour. At times I couldn’t stop laughing. I loved the variety of characters in this story, as well as how so many of them grow. It’s not just Rebel but Pen, Macey and Nate. Rebel’s friendship with Macey was one of my favourite storylines overall.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue is a book that will have you laugh and reach for tissues at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from start to finish and think I’ll be moving Shelley Coriell onto my insta-buy list.
Why Rebel decided to fulfil Kennedy’s bucket list is explained in the book, I don’t want to go into it as I think that particular chapter shows Rebel’s view on life so well. Armed with a bucket list of things that are about helping others Rebel begins.
Shelley Coriell has this wonderful way of balancing serious and humour. At times I couldn’t stop laughing. I loved the variety of characters in this story, as well as how so many of them grow. It’s not just Rebel but Pen, Macey and Nate. Rebel’s friendship with Macey was one of my favourite storylines overall.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue is a book that will have you laugh and reach for tissues at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from start to finish and think I’ll be moving Shelley Coriell onto my insta-buy list.
July 22, 2017
I liked that this YA contemporary was not all about the romance, but instead was more about growing up and figuring out who you want to be. The premise of doing the items on someone else's bucket list is a neat one, and I liked that it pushed Rebel into doing a whole bunch of "do-gooder" types of things that she was so firmly cynical about at the start of the novel. Yes, it's a little on the nose with the message/moral, but Rebel herself recognizes that she's changing and at first she's kinda unsettled by it!
I did find that there was a lot of introspective reflection in here, and I think that could have been pared down (and perhaps replaced with more plot points or conversations). I liked Rebel's character overall, although I found her snarky, cynical attitude a bit tiresome (this may have been intentional); also, she sometimes said things that didn't sound very teen-authentic. While we get to know Rebel fairly well, I thought a lot of the side characters weren't very fleshed out. The ending scenes totally reminded me of 90's teen movies (in a cheesy but cute kind of way).
Also, on a purely aesthetic note: why did they choose a font that assaulted my eyes?? WHY? I so rarely even notice the font of a book, but this one was painful to look at.
I did find that there was a lot of introspective reflection in here, and I think that could have been pared down (and perhaps replaced with more plot points or conversations). I liked Rebel's character overall, although I found her snarky, cynical attitude a bit tiresome (this may have been intentional); also, she sometimes said things that didn't sound very teen-authentic. While we get to know Rebel fairly well, I thought a lot of the side characters weren't very fleshed out. The ending scenes totally reminded me of 90's teen movies (in a cheesy but cute kind of way).
Also, on a purely aesthetic note: why did they choose a font that assaulted my eyes?? WHY? I so rarely even notice the font of a book, but this one was painful to look at.
February 13, 2020
I think the theme of this book is everything happens for a reason.
November 21, 2013
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Goodbye, Rebel Blue was a cute read but there wasn't anything particularly unique in this book. It is the tried-and-true story of the "rebel" girl figuring out that maybe she really does want more mainstream things in her life. The premise for getting Rebel started on the bucket list was pretty flimsy and she could be a frustrating character at times, but the story was an easy read and I think younger YA readers will find a lot to like here.
Rebel Blue (yes, that's really her name) meets Kennedy Green in detention one day and they are told to spend the time writing bucket lists. Rebel and Kennedy end up throwing their lists away at the end of the period and then go off in separate ways. The next day, Rebel learns that Kennedy died the night before and she decides to complete Kennedy's bucket list in her memory. Doing the "goodie goodie" items on Kennedy's list starts to change Rebel and she begins to realize that she wants more out of life than just standing out.
Rebel was an okay character, but she did frustrate me greatly at times. She was mainly a loner, but it was really her own fault and I barely bought it. She might not have been a popular, preppy kid, but Rebel never seemed that different from any other emo teenager around. Supposedly she scared people off because she had a blue streak in her hair and her bag had shark teeth on it, but c'mon. The real situation is the Rebel never made an effort to spend time with anyone and used her snark and sarcasm to keep them at a distance. She does eventually start to make an active effort with her sometimes-friend Macey and learns that there is more to people than meets the eye. Golden boy Nate also breaks through her frosty exterior and shows her that it's okay to step outside her comfort zone. I liked Macey and her pie therapy but Nate fell flat for me. I thought it was great to see a Hispanic romantic lead in mainstream YA fiction, but his characterization wasn't great. He was too good at everything to be believable and the only times I really liked him were when he was interacting with his large nuclear family.
Rebel lost her mom at a very young age and never knew her dad. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle, but never felt like she fit in. Her cousin Pen was a perfect child and Rebel never felt like she could measure up. On one hand, I sympathized for her because of the loss of her parents, but Rebel was kind of a brat to her family. They weren't always happiness and sunshine, but they weren't terrible. They didn't have unnecessary or very strict rules and there seemed to be just a few things that bothered her aunt in particularly. Rebel seemed determined to violate all of the rules just to annoy her aunt. It made me not like her as much and made her seem ungrateful. Pen was a snobby character and I didn't really like her at all, but the drama between her and Rebel felt manufactured at the best of times. They both resent each other for being in their lives, even though it's been like ten years. It just seems that some time in that period they would have talked at least a little, especially since they share a room.
The bucket list device was a little far-fetched as well. Rebel tries to do all the things on Kennedy's list within a few months when the list itself is designed to be done over a lifetime. It was an interesting way to have Rebel come out of her shell more, but it was pretty unbelievable overall.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue wasn't very deep at all, certainly not comparable to Thirteen Reasons Why, but it was a fun way to pass a couple of hours. Rebel and her tame "rebellion" issues should appeal to younger YA readers, but will probably have older readers rolling their eyes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harry N. Abrams for providing an ARC copy of this book!
Goodbye, Rebel Blue was a cute read but there wasn't anything particularly unique in this book. It is the tried-and-true story of the "rebel" girl figuring out that maybe she really does want more mainstream things in her life. The premise for getting Rebel started on the bucket list was pretty flimsy and she could be a frustrating character at times, but the story was an easy read and I think younger YA readers will find a lot to like here.
Rebel Blue (yes, that's really her name) meets Kennedy Green in detention one day and they are told to spend the time writing bucket lists. Rebel and Kennedy end up throwing their lists away at the end of the period and then go off in separate ways. The next day, Rebel learns that Kennedy died the night before and she decides to complete Kennedy's bucket list in her memory. Doing the "goodie goodie" items on Kennedy's list starts to change Rebel and she begins to realize that she wants more out of life than just standing out.
Rebel was an okay character, but she did frustrate me greatly at times. She was mainly a loner, but it was really her own fault and I barely bought it. She might not have been a popular, preppy kid, but Rebel never seemed that different from any other emo teenager around. Supposedly she scared people off because she had a blue streak in her hair and her bag had shark teeth on it, but c'mon. The real situation is the Rebel never made an effort to spend time with anyone and used her snark and sarcasm to keep them at a distance. She does eventually start to make an active effort with her sometimes-friend Macey and learns that there is more to people than meets the eye. Golden boy Nate also breaks through her frosty exterior and shows her that it's okay to step outside her comfort zone. I liked Macey and her pie therapy but Nate fell flat for me. I thought it was great to see a Hispanic romantic lead in mainstream YA fiction, but his characterization wasn't great. He was too good at everything to be believable and the only times I really liked him were when he was interacting with his large nuclear family.
Rebel lost her mom at a very young age and never knew her dad. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle, but never felt like she fit in. Her cousin Pen was a perfect child and Rebel never felt like she could measure up. On one hand, I sympathized for her because of the loss of her parents, but Rebel was kind of a brat to her family. They weren't always happiness and sunshine, but they weren't terrible. They didn't have unnecessary or very strict rules and there seemed to be just a few things that bothered her aunt in particularly. Rebel seemed determined to violate all of the rules just to annoy her aunt. It made me not like her as much and made her seem ungrateful. Pen was a snobby character and I didn't really like her at all, but the drama between her and Rebel felt manufactured at the best of times. They both resent each other for being in their lives, even though it's been like ten years. It just seems that some time in that period they would have talked at least a little, especially since they share a room.
The bucket list device was a little far-fetched as well. Rebel tries to do all the things on Kennedy's list within a few months when the list itself is designed to be done over a lifetime. It was an interesting way to have Rebel come out of her shell more, but it was pretty unbelievable overall.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue wasn't very deep at all, certainly not comparable to Thirteen Reasons Why, but it was a fun way to pass a couple of hours. Rebel and her tame "rebellion" issues should appeal to younger YA readers, but will probably have older readers rolling their eyes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harry N. Abrams for providing an ARC copy of this book!
September 13, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to ABRAMS and Netgalley.)
Sixteen-year-old Rebecca (Rebel) Blue hardly knows Kennedy green, but a chance meeting in detention suddenly seems to have meaning when the next day Kennedy crashes her car and dies.
The police have no idea if it was a suicide or an accident, but Rebel sees it as a sign, and immediately goes to the detention room to get something that Kennedy threw in the trash when they were together – her bucket list.
As much as Rebel tries to get rid of the list though, it seems to not want to leave her, and she realises that she needs to complete Kennedy’s bucket list for her.
Can Rebel complete good-girl-Kennedy’s bucket list? What will she learn about herself as she does it? And is she really that much of a Rebel?
This was an okay story, but I found myself losing interest.
Rebel was an okay character, but for someone who liked breaking rules and making statements, I didn’t quite get why she felt the need to complete Kennedy’s bucket list – I mean they weren’t even friends really, and the point of a bucket list is that YOU do it, BEFORE you die. Somebody else completing your bucket list after you’re dead doesn’t seem to really accomplish the goal to me.
The storyline in this was okay, but it sounded better in the blurb than it really was. The whole point of the story seemed to be about Rebel becoming a better person through doing good little Kennedy’s bucket list, but I actually thought that Rebel was perfectly okay as she was to start with, and I didn’t really see why she needed to improve herself. Kennedy seem fairly happy with who Rebel was when she actually spoke to her, so why did she need to change?
Annoyingly enough, Rebel’s bucket list was actually a lot funnier than Kennedy’s as well. Jumping in a taxi and shouting ‘follow that car!’ sounds much more fun that adopting a turtle.
There was a touch of romance in this, but nothing special unfortunately. The ending was also okay, but again, nothing special, and I had problems staying focused on this book as it just seemed a little dull to me.
Overall; an okay story about a girl, and a dead girls bucket list.
6.5 out of 10.
Sixteen-year-old Rebecca (Rebel) Blue hardly knows Kennedy green, but a chance meeting in detention suddenly seems to have meaning when the next day Kennedy crashes her car and dies.
The police have no idea if it was a suicide or an accident, but Rebel sees it as a sign, and immediately goes to the detention room to get something that Kennedy threw in the trash when they were together – her bucket list.
As much as Rebel tries to get rid of the list though, it seems to not want to leave her, and she realises that she needs to complete Kennedy’s bucket list for her.
Can Rebel complete good-girl-Kennedy’s bucket list? What will she learn about herself as she does it? And is she really that much of a Rebel?
This was an okay story, but I found myself losing interest.
Rebel was an okay character, but for someone who liked breaking rules and making statements, I didn’t quite get why she felt the need to complete Kennedy’s bucket list – I mean they weren’t even friends really, and the point of a bucket list is that YOU do it, BEFORE you die. Somebody else completing your bucket list after you’re dead doesn’t seem to really accomplish the goal to me.
The storyline in this was okay, but it sounded better in the blurb than it really was. The whole point of the story seemed to be about Rebel becoming a better person through doing good little Kennedy’s bucket list, but I actually thought that Rebel was perfectly okay as she was to start with, and I didn’t really see why she needed to improve herself. Kennedy seem fairly happy with who Rebel was when she actually spoke to her, so why did she need to change?
Annoyingly enough, Rebel’s bucket list was actually a lot funnier than Kennedy’s as well. Jumping in a taxi and shouting ‘follow that car!’ sounds much more fun that adopting a turtle.
There was a touch of romance in this, but nothing special unfortunately. The ending was also okay, but again, nothing special, and I had problems staying focused on this book as it just seemed a little dull to me.
Overall; an okay story about a girl, and a dead girls bucket list.
6.5 out of 10.
May 28, 2020
Re-reading this felt so good ^_^
Goodbye, Rebel Blue is a fun and heart-touching read combined with Rebecca's sarcasm and humor.
Rebecca Blue also known as a rebel and true to her sobriquet she is a rebel with an attitude. She believes herself to be perfectly happy with being herself and keeping or pushing people away from her. I say believes and not is happy because it is what she has made herself believe. But all that changes when she is stuck with a dead girl's bucket list which has only do-good items on the list and nothing that screams rebel. In order to prove her cousin Pen that she can do good she promises to complete every single task on the list. But a thing that starts out as simply completing a list becomes much more personal and important to Rebel and she opens herself to the world.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue has some frayed edges but overall it is a good book containing some really good quotes. It is inspirit and fun.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue is a fun and heart-touching read combined with Rebecca's sarcasm and humor.
Rebecca Blue also known as a rebel and true to her sobriquet she is a rebel with an attitude. She believes herself to be perfectly happy with being herself and keeping or pushing people away from her. I say believes and not is happy because it is what she has made herself believe. But all that changes when she is stuck with a dead girl's bucket list which has only do-good items on the list and nothing that screams rebel. In order to prove her cousin Pen that she can do good she promises to complete every single task on the list. But a thing that starts out as simply completing a list becomes much more personal and important to Rebel and she opens herself to the world.
Goodbye, Rebel Blue has some frayed edges but overall it is a good book containing some really good quotes. It is inspirit and fun.
July 5, 2015
Loved this book. I would have liked a little more closure to her bucket list. Her strength and individuality is a great quality to be admired by young readers; however at times it seemed too focused on the underlying message of fate and faith. I think the reader would have gotten the same message without it being so spelled out. I did really enjoy the book though and will recommend it to others. Great read!
May 12, 2015
I really enjoyed the book, but I feel that it ends suddenly. Rebel is starting to figure things out and begins on a new path, then last page... I would love for there to be a sequel to answer some questions.
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October 21, 2015Good book
July 11, 2017
4.5 stars I've been reading this book for 2 days max and my internet didn't work so here i am doing a late review...
This had all the feels that I loved and it escalated real fast that I love too. But, it had a strange twist that SHOOK ME! The starting was going really fast, when I was done this book I learned a whole bunch of things that will help me through my life. There's lessons here that everyone should know. Personally, I'm freaked out what would happen if I die and this touched base on that subject in a story-way.
'A girl dies, but her bucket list lives on..." SO TRUE!!! This was a creepy story but warm in the stomach that I loved. But the other .5 star is that I didn't understand Rebecca's feelings at first the author didn't touch base on it and the reader had to go with it and read on. So, overall, 4.5 stars!!! :)
This had all the feels that I loved and it escalated real fast that I love too. But, it had a strange twist that SHOOK ME! The starting was going really fast, when I was done this book I learned a whole bunch of things that will help me through my life. There's lessons here that everyone should know. Personally, I'm freaked out what would happen if I die and this touched base on that subject in a story-way.
'A girl dies, but her bucket list lives on..." SO TRUE!!! This was a creepy story but warm in the stomach that I loved. But the other .5 star is that I didn't understand Rebecca's feelings at first the author didn't touch base on it and the reader had to go with it and read on. So, overall, 4.5 stars!!! :)
February 7, 2026
This book was actually so good but the only thing I didn’t get was like the part where she said she was gonna try to finish her own bucket list but like she never did and she just talked about it in like one chapter and then she didn’t talk about it and then we have others but everything else was so good
August 5, 2014
Goodbye Rebel Blue,
“You, Rebel Blue, are anything but ordinary.”
Rebecca Blue is the girl whose main fear is to be ordinary, so she works extra hard at NOT being ordinary. She is displeased with school, is artsy, and lived with her mother on the back of a vehicle going from town to town chasing lighting (for photographs). You can say she had a less than normal upbringing which is why she is having such a difficult time adjusting to her new life with her new family. Her mom is gone, so she is to live with her new aunt who is a bit more worried about Blue’s educational lapse (ergo, her future) than anything else. Once afternoon Rebel gets detention, as usual, and she has to spend it writing out a bucket list. She spends detention with a must unusual suspect, Kennedy Green, a very selfless person. Kennedy believed in higher beings and destiny, and so she tells Blue they were destined to be there in that room at that time. Pretty soon Rebel tells the girl to piss off. Only problem is the next day Kennedy Green dies, and Rebel gets stuck with the dead girl's bucket list. Everybody has low expectations when it comes to Rebel, and so Rebel decides to take this high and mighty bucket list filled with selfless acts and complete it all.
Rebel can come off as a real brat sometimes. Sure, the way your aunt lives may not be how you were brought up but she is clearly trying to make things better for you and instead she just disregards anything the aunt says and throws it back in her face. This is how she starts out, but soon enough she starts start thinking less about herself and more about others, and how her actions affect those around her. She only annoyed me at the beginning, though her off putting attitude can be quite hilarious as well.
“Until I moved In with Uncle Bob’s family, I’d never heard of the food pyramid and didn’t know about breakfast rules. Breakfast with Mom could be white rice and black beans in Costa Rica or juicy plums plucked from a tree growing in the wilds of Chile.”
It is positively horrible that your aunt wants you to have good grades and eat a healthy breakfast… for shame. While Blue’s attitude may be a bit off putting when it is not deserved it is hilarious when she is just being a smart ass. Seeing her struggle with “being good” I think is that makes the whole book worth it. She tries so hard, but it is very difficult to change the perception people have of you once it is established. Everybody around her pretty much thinks she is up to no good while all she is trying to do IS to be good. And the funnies ensues.
“You don’t care what others think. You don’t compromise.” Nate shifts one tennis shoe and then the other. “You’re true to yourself and true to your word.”
At first I wanted to read Goodbye, Rebel Blue because of it's cover (which is gorgeous, love the blue) but soon enough the characters had me sticking it out. While me and Rebel had a rocky start soon enough I started to laugh out loud along with Rebel and understand that her spirit is just very different from mine. She wants a life of freedom, like her mother lived before her. The side characters were very memorable. Nate is the perfect guy who is unraveling, Rebel brings out the truth in him. Their relationship is a bit weird, Nate seems to push Rebel away as much as Rebel pushes him away. They don't quite get each other and yet they really try. I give them points for that.
Other characters worth mentioning are Nate's family. They are a crazy bunch, he has a little sister who is crazy about fashion and a very little brother who seems to want to be a monk. Nate is the big brother, and he plans to be the first in his family to attend college. Or so I think so, by the end it isn't really clear what Nate wants to do with his life, only that he wants to stay true to himself. Penelope, Blue's cousin, is the only character that I didn't like through and through. She is a brat, unlikable, and very unkind to Rebel, even by the end. She never makes amends, never says sorry for all her hurtful words. I dislike her. Rebel's best friend Macey is very complicated and likable character. She is dark and withdrawn, but she and Rebel manage to create a strong friendship by helping each other out through thick and thin.
Overall Goodbye Rebel Blue was a really good contemporary title. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It made me think about my own life and choices, and about the things I would add to my own bucket list. When Blue started making choices is when she started to really live her life to the fullest; makes me want to make a bucket list of my own and brave the outside world.
“You, Rebel Blue, are anything but ordinary.”
Rebecca Blue is the girl whose main fear is to be ordinary, so she works extra hard at NOT being ordinary. She is displeased with school, is artsy, and lived with her mother on the back of a vehicle going from town to town chasing lighting (for photographs). You can say she had a less than normal upbringing which is why she is having such a difficult time adjusting to her new life with her new family. Her mom is gone, so she is to live with her new aunt who is a bit more worried about Blue’s educational lapse (ergo, her future) than anything else. Once afternoon Rebel gets detention, as usual, and she has to spend it writing out a bucket list. She spends detention with a must unusual suspect, Kennedy Green, a very selfless person. Kennedy believed in higher beings and destiny, and so she tells Blue they were destined to be there in that room at that time. Pretty soon Rebel tells the girl to piss off. Only problem is the next day Kennedy Green dies, and Rebel gets stuck with the dead girl's bucket list. Everybody has low expectations when it comes to Rebel, and so Rebel decides to take this high and mighty bucket list filled with selfless acts and complete it all.
Rebel can come off as a real brat sometimes. Sure, the way your aunt lives may not be how you were brought up but she is clearly trying to make things better for you and instead she just disregards anything the aunt says and throws it back in her face. This is how she starts out, but soon enough she starts start thinking less about herself and more about others, and how her actions affect those around her. She only annoyed me at the beginning, though her off putting attitude can be quite hilarious as well.
“Until I moved In with Uncle Bob’s family, I’d never heard of the food pyramid and didn’t know about breakfast rules. Breakfast with Mom could be white rice and black beans in Costa Rica or juicy plums plucked from a tree growing in the wilds of Chile.”
It is positively horrible that your aunt wants you to have good grades and eat a healthy breakfast… for shame. While Blue’s attitude may be a bit off putting when it is not deserved it is hilarious when she is just being a smart ass. Seeing her struggle with “being good” I think is that makes the whole book worth it. She tries so hard, but it is very difficult to change the perception people have of you once it is established. Everybody around her pretty much thinks she is up to no good while all she is trying to do IS to be good. And the funnies ensues.
“You don’t care what others think. You don’t compromise.” Nate shifts one tennis shoe and then the other. “You’re true to yourself and true to your word.”
At first I wanted to read Goodbye, Rebel Blue because of it's cover (which is gorgeous, love the blue) but soon enough the characters had me sticking it out. While me and Rebel had a rocky start soon enough I started to laugh out loud along with Rebel and understand that her spirit is just very different from mine. She wants a life of freedom, like her mother lived before her. The side characters were very memorable. Nate is the perfect guy who is unraveling, Rebel brings out the truth in him. Their relationship is a bit weird, Nate seems to push Rebel away as much as Rebel pushes him away. They don't quite get each other and yet they really try. I give them points for that.
Other characters worth mentioning are Nate's family. They are a crazy bunch, he has a little sister who is crazy about fashion and a very little brother who seems to want to be a monk. Nate is the big brother, and he plans to be the first in his family to attend college. Or so I think so, by the end it isn't really clear what Nate wants to do with his life, only that he wants to stay true to himself. Penelope, Blue's cousin, is the only character that I didn't like through and through. She is a brat, unlikable, and very unkind to Rebel, even by the end. She never makes amends, never says sorry for all her hurtful words. I dislike her. Rebel's best friend Macey is very complicated and likable character. She is dark and withdrawn, but she and Rebel manage to create a strong friendship by helping each other out through thick and thin.
Overall Goodbye Rebel Blue was a really good contemporary title. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It made me think about my own life and choices, and about the things I would add to my own bucket list. When Blue started making choices is when she started to really live her life to the fullest; makes me want to make a bucket list of my own and brave the outside world.
September 18, 2013
Other reviews at The Book Babe's Reads.
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
ACTUALLY 3.5 STARS
Honestly, I've been looking forward to thins one for a while. So, when I opened a random package and found this, my face immediately went like this: O.O I started it as soon as I could, and in the long run, I really wasn't all that disappointed with it. Yeah, it could have been better, but it also could have been worse; and as a whole I enjoyed it.
I found Rebel to be an interesting, unique type character. She had several quirks that I have too (constant lack of shoes being the #1) and I just connected with her. She was constantly herself, and she was really comfortable that way, which made her rock so hard. She may not have been perfect, but I liked her and that's all that really matters. Also, I love her name-- it fits her personality well. My favorite thing about her-- my absolute favorite-- was her growth. I really feel like she grew throughout the book into a better person.
But for every awesome-I-can't-get-enough-of-you character, there's always one who falls a bit flat. I say this because I know that it is true, and in this case it was Nate, the love interest. I didn't find him to be anymore than subpar, and it surprised me at first that someone as awesome as Rebel would want to be with him. He was such a blank canvas-- typical golden boy. I'm a huge advocate against stereotypes, but in this case he just was one. I didn't particularly care for him, but I loved his colorful family! What kind of a sick joke is that, I ask you?
But let's get to the real heart of the story-- bucket lists. I have always been fascinated by bucket list. The idea that someone somewhere might be completing something on their bucket list at any given time is like the coolest feeling. Kind of makes me wanna do some of the stuff on my...never mind. Anyway, the bucket list-- first of all, I feel like Kennedy's death and the subject of fate were kind of underplayed. Don't shoot me or anything, but that's just me.
I keep getting off subject, but...bucket lists. I liked the idea of completing someone's bucket list after their death, and how it would change someone-- but when I think of bucket lists I think of crazy crazy things, and Kennedy's bucket list was really lacking in that department. She was really white bread, but it was nice to see how doing some of those tasks changed Rebel.
All in all, Goodbye, Rebel Blue really was a good book, and I recommend it if you like bucket lists. Or blue. ;)
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
ACTUALLY 3.5 STARS
Honestly, I've been looking forward to thins one for a while. So, when I opened a random package and found this, my face immediately went like this: O.O I started it as soon as I could, and in the long run, I really wasn't all that disappointed with it. Yeah, it could have been better, but it also could have been worse; and as a whole I enjoyed it.
I found Rebel to be an interesting, unique type character. She had several quirks that I have too (constant lack of shoes being the #1) and I just connected with her. She was constantly herself, and she was really comfortable that way, which made her rock so hard. She may not have been perfect, but I liked her and that's all that really matters. Also, I love her name-- it fits her personality well. My favorite thing about her-- my absolute favorite-- was her growth. I really feel like she grew throughout the book into a better person.
But for every awesome-I-can't-get-enough-of-you character, there's always one who falls a bit flat. I say this because I know that it is true, and in this case it was Nate, the love interest. I didn't find him to be anymore than subpar, and it surprised me at first that someone as awesome as Rebel would want to be with him. He was such a blank canvas-- typical golden boy. I'm a huge advocate against stereotypes, but in this case he just was one. I didn't particularly care for him, but I loved his colorful family! What kind of a sick joke is that, I ask you?
But let's get to the real heart of the story-- bucket lists. I have always been fascinated by bucket list. The idea that someone somewhere might be completing something on their bucket list at any given time is like the coolest feeling. Kind of makes me wanna do some of the stuff on my...never mind. Anyway, the bucket list-- first of all, I feel like Kennedy's death and the subject of fate were kind of underplayed. Don't shoot me or anything, but that's just me.
I keep getting off subject, but...bucket lists. I liked the idea of completing someone's bucket list after their death, and how it would change someone-- but when I think of bucket lists I think of crazy crazy things, and Kennedy's bucket list was really lacking in that department. She was really white bread, but it was nice to see how doing some of those tasks changed Rebel.
All in all, Goodbye, Rebel Blue really was a good book, and I recommend it if you like bucket lists. Or blue. ;)
April 26, 2015
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More reviews at Readers in Wonderland
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GOODBYE, REBEL BLUE is not only an entertaining read, it is book that also makes you think. There are some gorgeous quotes in this book and the overall message sticks with you. Even if you do not believe in fate or destiny like Rebel, at the end of the book you might just be rethinking that.
Rebecca, Rebel, Blue had no idea that her regular trip to detention was going to result in such a life-changing moment. After being assigned a bucket list, a girl named Kennedy tries to strike up a conversation about life and death but Rebel isn’t having any of it. She pushes the girl away, ignores her, and declines her offers at friendship. The next day Rebel finds out that Kennedy drove over the bridge and fell into the water below.
Feeling just a bit guilty, and trying to convince her cousin that she is capable of doing good, she begins to complete the dead girl’s bucket list.
smilingRebel is the most relatable young adult protagonist I have read about in a very long time. At the very heart of her problems is loneliness, something we all have felt, and she hides it with sarcastic comments and a snarky attitude.
The character development for Rebel was written beautifully, you could really see how much she changed as a person and grew stronger. She became an overall better, happier person once she realized there were so many good things in her life, all because of Kennedy’s bucket list.
Every character in this book played an important role in the story and Rebel’s life, even a janitor and a woman she happened to meet in a flash mob, they all affected her in some way.
The actual completion of the items on the bucket list was my favorite part, I loved the way Rebel interpreted some of them and how seriously she began to take it, even when it was just a nuisance to her in the beginning.
GOODBYE, REBEL BLUE makes you feel all the emotions, whether it’s laughing out loud at Rebel’s jokes or having tears in your eyes at the meaning of this book. It is a truly great contemporary.
More reviews at Readers in Wonderland
_________________________________
GOODBYE, REBEL BLUE is not only an entertaining read, it is book that also makes you think. There are some gorgeous quotes in this book and the overall message sticks with you. Even if you do not believe in fate or destiny like Rebel, at the end of the book you might just be rethinking that.
Rebecca, Rebel, Blue had no idea that her regular trip to detention was going to result in such a life-changing moment. After being assigned a bucket list, a girl named Kennedy tries to strike up a conversation about life and death but Rebel isn’t having any of it. She pushes the girl away, ignores her, and declines her offers at friendship. The next day Rebel finds out that Kennedy drove over the bridge and fell into the water below.
Feeling just a bit guilty, and trying to convince her cousin that she is capable of doing good, she begins to complete the dead girl’s bucket list.
smilingRebel is the most relatable young adult protagonist I have read about in a very long time. At the very heart of her problems is loneliness, something we all have felt, and she hides it with sarcastic comments and a snarky attitude.
The character development for Rebel was written beautifully, you could really see how much she changed as a person and grew stronger. She became an overall better, happier person once she realized there were so many good things in her life, all because of Kennedy’s bucket list.
Every character in this book played an important role in the story and Rebel’s life, even a janitor and a woman she happened to meet in a flash mob, they all affected her in some way.
The actual completion of the items on the bucket list was my favorite part, I loved the way Rebel interpreted some of them and how seriously she began to take it, even when it was just a nuisance to her in the beginning.
GOODBYE, REBEL BLUE makes you feel all the emotions, whether it’s laughing out loud at Rebel’s jokes or having tears in your eyes at the meaning of this book. It is a truly great contemporary.
March 23, 2014
The cover of Goodbye, Rebel Blue is what enticed me to read it, and I wasn't disappointed. This novel was quirky and unique, but also had average teenage problems twisted into the plot. The main character, Rebecca "Rebel" Blue, is a wild, carefree girl who refuses to be normal. Rebel adored her mother, and traveled with her across the Americas because her mother was a photographer, so she would randomly stop somewhere and shoot a photo. However, when her mother dies in an accident, Rebel is forced to live with her uncle and his family in a beach town in California. Her aunt and cousin constantly are nagging her and criticizing Rebel's every move. Her aunt even rags on Rebel's mother right in front of her. Rebel doesn't fit in at school either; her only friends are a girl who she hangs out in detention with and one of the janitors and her school. She is constantly in detention due to her reckless and disruptive behavior at school. One day in detention, Rebel sits behind Kennedy Green, who is the quintessential good girl. Her and Rebel are complete opposites, but they start to connect when they are told to create bucket lists. Kennedy believes in destiny and a higher force, and when she dies in a car accident, Rebel feels compelled to complete everything on Kennedy's bucket list. Every item on the list defies who Rebel is... or who she thinks she is. Through completing the list, Rebel meets new people and even starts to make friends of her own. She learns to deal with the death of her mother, and figure out who she really is. This novel is a bit of a coming of age story with a little romance and humor mixed in. Kennedy's and Rebel's bucket lists are compared throughout the whole story. As the storyline goes on, each of the characters change in their own way. Rebel's mixed feelings and personality causes ups and downs in the story, keeping it interesting. All in all, this book is a great read, and I would strongly recommend it!
September 30, 2013
Rebecca--Rebel--Blue is just settling into yet another detention and its inane assignment (write your bucket list) when a perky blonde ponytail starts peppering her with questions. Kennedy Green recognizes Rebel from a freshman year art class, and strikes up a conversation about fears, beliefs, a possible afterlife. The conversation is still in Rebel's head the next day when she hears that Kennedy was killed in a car accident the night before. Searching for a clue, Rebel digs Kennedy's bucket list from the detention-room trash can--and, unable to get rid of it again, sets about completing it on the dead girl's behalf. Rebel isn't half the do-gooder Kennedy was, but with twenty items to complete, it's time for her to try.
Rebel tries to hold the world at arm's length, but finds herself needing people and drawn to them more than she'd ever expected. In letting down her guard, she has a chance to explore friendships and family relationships, and finally come to terms with her own traumas and heartbreaks. Teens will root for Rebel as she makes a sincere effort to befriend a detention acquaintance, and as she falls for golden-boy Nate. The romance is chaste and the lack of strong language make this appropriate for 8th grade and up, depending how they feel about untimely deaths and metaphysical concerns about the afterlife.
Rebel tries to hold the world at arm's length, but finds herself needing people and drawn to them more than she'd ever expected. In letting down her guard, she has a chance to explore friendships and family relationships, and finally come to terms with her own traumas and heartbreaks. Teens will root for Rebel as she makes a sincere effort to befriend a detention acquaintance, and as she falls for golden-boy Nate. The romance is chaste and the lack of strong language make this appropriate for 8th grade and up, depending how they feel about untimely deaths and metaphysical concerns about the afterlife.
May 9, 2014
“Good Bye Rebel Blue” is an interesting book about two girls, Rebecca Blue and Kennedy Green. Rebecca and Kennedy are from different social circles and pretty much different worlds, but their worlds meet when both of them end up in detention one day after school and are asked to complete a bucket list.
I would recommend this book for ages 12 - 18 because in between those years is typically when people struggle to find out their own identity and where they belong, which relates to exactly what Rebecca Blue is going through. Rebecca thought she knew who she was, an invisible outcast in the shadows where she was comfortable, until she met Kennedy Green. Kennedy knew was certain about who she was meant to be, an intelligent, involved, do gooder, that would do anything just to make others around her happy.
I gave this book five stars because I loved the content and the storyline “A girl dies but her bucket list lives on” and along the way another girl finds her true self, the Rebel Blue she was meant to be. This book was full of different emotions, especially during the process of Rebecca finding her new and improved self, also it was very easy to follow, which is always a good quality in a book. This book might be a good read for any fans of the book “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher due to the semi similar story line.
I would recommend this book for ages 12 - 18 because in between those years is typically when people struggle to find out their own identity and where they belong, which relates to exactly what Rebecca Blue is going through. Rebecca thought she knew who she was, an invisible outcast in the shadows where she was comfortable, until she met Kennedy Green. Kennedy knew was certain about who she was meant to be, an intelligent, involved, do gooder, that would do anything just to make others around her happy.
I gave this book five stars because I loved the content and the storyline “A girl dies but her bucket list lives on” and along the way another girl finds her true self, the Rebel Blue she was meant to be. This book was full of different emotions, especially during the process of Rebecca finding her new and improved self, also it was very easy to follow, which is always a good quality in a book. This book might be a good read for any fans of the book “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher due to the semi similar story line.
August 11, 2014
Originally posted at Worlds Abound
Good Bye, Rebel Blue was more enjoyable and less sad than I assumed it would be. The main premise of the story is that Rebecca “Rebel” Blue spends a detention with Kennedy Green where they are assigned the task of creating their own personal bucket list. After having a surprisingly deep conversation, they part ways and on the way home Kennedy crashes into the ocean and dies. That part is sad, but we only experienced her for a few pages and Rebel wasn’t her close friend, only ever having that one conversation with her so we weren’t very invested in the character.
From there, Rebel takes on Kennedy’s bucket list full of doing good things for other people; something Rebel is not very good at. She does try though, and in the process meets a popular jock named Nate with who she feels a strange connection.
It was a cute story! Rebel was likable and had her own style, not really trying to fit into the status quo. The story was extremely predictable, but it was still a pretty decent light summer read! I didn’t cry, nothing really drove me to feel any great emotion, but it was pretty entertaining and Rebel’s sarcasm was pretty funny!
I’d recommend this to anyone that enjoys a bit of light contemporary YA romance.
Good Bye, Rebel Blue was more enjoyable and less sad than I assumed it would be. The main premise of the story is that Rebecca “Rebel” Blue spends a detention with Kennedy Green where they are assigned the task of creating their own personal bucket list. After having a surprisingly deep conversation, they part ways and on the way home Kennedy crashes into the ocean and dies. That part is sad, but we only experienced her for a few pages and Rebel wasn’t her close friend, only ever having that one conversation with her so we weren’t very invested in the character.
From there, Rebel takes on Kennedy’s bucket list full of doing good things for other people; something Rebel is not very good at. She does try though, and in the process meets a popular jock named Nate with who she feels a strange connection.
It was a cute story! Rebel was likable and had her own style, not really trying to fit into the status quo. The story was extremely predictable, but it was still a pretty decent light summer read! I didn’t cry, nothing really drove me to feel any great emotion, but it was pretty entertaining and Rebel’s sarcasm was pretty funny!
I’d recommend this to anyone that enjoys a bit of light contemporary YA romance.
September 5, 2013
I got this book out of the blue (haha, I'm punny). My husband brought the mail from the P.O. Box home with him today and within it was a package I wasn't expecting. Random mail has a way of being very odd or very good, so I'm usually wary with books I'm not expecting. This was one of those very good times.
AJ, my husband, sat down to do computer work with baseball in the background, left to my own devices I started thumbing through Goodbye, Rebel Blue and was getting those "Are you demented?" looks within a couple of seconds. Rebel is hilarious and witty with tons of snark keeping people away from her. She is incredibly relatable of a character for me. She feels like she doesn't fit anywhere and that she is a massive screw up.
Rebel broke my heart many times throughout this book, but in the end I loved her and this book. My only issue was at times this book was slow, but I finished the book within a couple hours. So even with it's slow parts it was a pretty quick read. The slowness of this book may be attributed to the fact that most of the book takes place within Rebel's head as she comes to grip with her past and finding a place she belongs in the present.
AJ, my husband, sat down to do computer work with baseball in the background, left to my own devices I started thumbing through Goodbye, Rebel Blue and was getting those "Are you demented?" looks within a couple of seconds. Rebel is hilarious and witty with tons of snark keeping people away from her. She is incredibly relatable of a character for me. She feels like she doesn't fit anywhere and that she is a massive screw up.
Rebel broke my heart many times throughout this book, but in the end I loved her and this book. My only issue was at times this book was slow, but I finished the book within a couple hours. So even with it's slow parts it was a pretty quick read. The slowness of this book may be attributed to the fact that most of the book takes place within Rebel's head as she comes to grip with her past and finding a place she belongs in the present.
July 10, 2015
It can't be over. I love it too much. It was cheesy and sweet and run-of-the-mill in all the right ways. But it also was completely original. I have been reading for almost 8 hours straight. Finished at 12:43 A.M., finally finished after being stuck on page 52, with no motivation to continue. Today, I picked up, read for 8 hours, and finished. I loved it. I loved Rebel's blue hair and Gabby's obsession with it, I loved how much depth this book had, I loved Percy's penny, I loved the Hawaii stain, I loved the sea glass, I loved the shark teeth, I loved the snarky remarks, I loved the tango, I loved the "gondola" ride, I loved Nate, I loved Macey, I loved Nate's gigantic family, I loved it all. There are still questions left unanswered, and parts I am still confused with, but I don't care. I. Loved. It.
August 28, 2014
This was recommended to me by an incredibly well-read student. I trust her recommendations and this book certainly didn't disappoint.
Shelley Coriell's style is much different than anything else I've read in the past and it took me a minute to get used to, but ultimately it ended up being my favorite thing about the book.
I didn't like Rebel Blue AT ALL for the first 50% of the book. I thought she was the cliché angsty-teen and rolled my eyes at her a lot. However, in the 2nd half of the book she really grew on me and I was able to empathize with her.
While this book isn't one of my favorites, I can think of many students who'll love it.
Shelley Coriell's style is much different than anything else I've read in the past and it took me a minute to get used to, but ultimately it ended up being my favorite thing about the book.
I didn't like Rebel Blue AT ALL for the first 50% of the book. I thought she was the cliché angsty-teen and rolled my eyes at her a lot. However, in the 2nd half of the book she really grew on me and I was able to empathize with her.
While this book isn't one of my favorites, I can think of many students who'll love it.
March 10, 2015
You can find this review on The Opinions Of A Bookaholic
I really, really liked the fact that the inherent message of the book was to do good and be yourself, and positive things like that, as opposed to the usual life sucks that most books seem to have these days. But it remained cynical, realistic, and just amazing in general. Everyone was screwed up, which was awesome, but if there had to be a fault in this book, I would say that Kennedy was a bit too perfect, and was kind of put on a very high pedestal. But all in all, this book was brilliant.
I really, really liked the fact that the inherent message of the book was to do good and be yourself, and positive things like that, as opposed to the usual life sucks that most books seem to have these days. But it remained cynical, realistic, and just amazing in general. Everyone was screwed up, which was awesome, but if there had to be a fault in this book, I would say that Kennedy was a bit too perfect, and was kind of put on a very high pedestal. But all in all, this book was brilliant.
July 6, 2016
When I first saw the cover for Goodbye, Rebel Blue I immediately wanted to read it for two reasons, 1. the cover is so beautiful. 2. The title is so mysterious as if it is begging for you know what is actually in it.
"People like me don't work towards perfection in an imperfect world. We celebrate imperfection."
After spending an another night sleepless and I can say it was worth it. Shelley Coriell has this wonderful way of balancing seriousness with humour. I loved the variety of characters in this story, as well as how so many of them grow as they book progressed. Rebel’s friendship with Macey was one of my favorite story lines overall. And also Gabby is so adorable. <3
"People like me don't work towards perfection in an imperfect world. We celebrate imperfection."
After spending an another night sleepless and I can say it was worth it. Shelley Coriell has this wonderful way of balancing seriousness with humour. I loved the variety of characters in this story, as well as how so many of them grow as they book progressed. Rebel’s friendship with Macey was one of my favorite story lines overall. And also Gabby is so adorable. <3
June 17, 2015
I liked this book a lot. It has a lot of life lessons in it that made me think of my own life and how I can change how I look at the world. It reminded me that sometimes we'll meet someone once and that one person can make us feel so much better, and then we might be sad because we realize that we might never see that person again. It reminded me that life is precious; one moment in time, we're alive, and the next moment, we're dead. If you want to follow a fictitious girl's life as she changes herself for the better and in the process gain a new perspective on life, then read this book!
April 1, 2021
Reading this book seven years later and it is still one of my absolute favourite books. Not because it is the best book ever but rather because of the message, how the story came to be, the growth demonstrated by each and every character and the feelings it gives off. I will forever think of this as my birthday book, one that added so much to my day and one that I will no doubt read again seven years from now!
November 23, 2014
I loved this book! The characters were very real and the writing was beautiful! I didn't want it to end! (Did you hear that author? Sequel please...) I have to admit that my favorite character was Gabby...she's just so fun!
Have fun reading!!! :)
Have fun reading!!! :)
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