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Promise Me Something
As if starting high school weren't bad enough, Reyna Fey has to do so at a new school without her best friends. Reyna's plan is to keep her head down, help her father recover from the car accident that almost took his life, and maybe even make some friends. And then Olive Barton notices her. Olive is not exactly the kind of new friend Reyna has in mind. The boys make fun of her, the girls want to fight her, and Olive seems to welcome the challenge. There's something about Olive that Reyna can't help but like. But when Reyna learns Olive's secret, she must decide whether it's better to be good friends with an outcast or fake friends with the popular kids . . . before she loses Olive forever.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Sara Kocek
4 books19 followersSara Kocek knew she was destined to write fiction when she unearthed her childhood diary and discovered it was full of details that never happened. A graduate of Yale University, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University and lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and daughter. PROMISE ME SOMETHING (Albert Whitman & Co., 2013) is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 6, 2013
i got this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review...
WOW! i can't believe i have read another heart drenching book.
this book could totally change a person. what would you do if your friend is a little different. then you turn your back on them, and find out they killed themselves? well, that is this book.
Reyna had to go to a new school this year. out of all years she is going to be a freshman. That was the most hurtful news she could take. leaving all of her friends to start new. On top of the stress of starting a new school, Reyna has to take care of her father. Her father was in a horrible car accident, and barley survived. The person in charge of this accident is her father's girlfriend. Reyna cannot stand her.
Reyna starts school, and no one talks to her. She is like an outcast. Until one day a shy, weird looking girl befriends her. Her name is Olive.
she asked a million questions, and just says what is on her mind. Reyna doesn't know what to think of olive, but takes the friendship. they start working on tons of school projects together, and even sit together at lunch. Reyna quickly finds out that Olive is troubled. she constantly says she hates her mother. Reyna finds that offensive because her mother died at 7 from a drunk driver. Reyna is all about the church because that is what keeps her mom's memory clear to her. Olive gets mad fun of at school. She is the main target to everyone at school. She gets bullied hard. The only of who doesn't is Reyna, and the gay boy Timmy. There is a history teacher that hates gay kids. He made one kid go the crazy house. He will make fun of each kid every chance he gets. no one ever says anything about it.
Reyna is fighting her own daemons. Reyna's old friends have stopped talking to her. The conversations are to a bare minimum. She finally gets to sleep over with her friends so she invites Olive. Not one of her friends like her. They make fun of her because she is prude. Reyna stands up for Olive, and now is outcast by her own friends.
Olive finally invites Reyna over to their house. Olive's mom is an alcoholic. Olive is embarrassed by it, and now Reyna understands. Reyna starts to sleep over. Olive showed Reyna a stash of booze in her drawers. She said she took them from her mom so she couldn't drink anymore. Reyna try some with Olive and she starts to spill all of her old friend's secrets. while all she is going on, Olive tells Reyna that she is gay. Reyna doesn't know what to think. So she bolts out of Olive's room and out of the sleepover.
Reyna then stops hanging out with olive all together. She finds herself in the in crowd and forced to make a major decision. She starts to bully olive. She thinks she is doing the right thing. She has tons of friends, and even a boyfriend. Till she finds out the worst
little does everyone know that olive is suicidal. She goes to chat rooms and talks about it all the time. She invites a friend from the chat room to live in her shed. They like to lay on the train tracks and read poetry.
that is until one day Reyna sees on the news about a horrible event. She runs over or Olive's house to find a stack of notes. This was Olive's last note. it blamed her. IT said she warned Rayna of her troubles from the beginning. Says that Reyna is a coward. Never stands up for her own thoughts. now it is time for Reyna to make a tough decision, and stand up to the teacher who picks on the gay kids. that is until a shocking discovery will change everybody.
WOW! i can't believe i have read another heart drenching book.
this book could totally change a person. what would you do if your friend is a little different. then you turn your back on them, and find out they killed themselves? well, that is this book.
Reyna had to go to a new school this year. out of all years she is going to be a freshman. That was the most hurtful news she could take. leaving all of her friends to start new. On top of the stress of starting a new school, Reyna has to take care of her father. Her father was in a horrible car accident, and barley survived. The person in charge of this accident is her father's girlfriend. Reyna cannot stand her.
Reyna starts school, and no one talks to her. She is like an outcast. Until one day a shy, weird looking girl befriends her. Her name is Olive.
she asked a million questions, and just says what is on her mind. Reyna doesn't know what to think of olive, but takes the friendship. they start working on tons of school projects together, and even sit together at lunch. Reyna quickly finds out that Olive is troubled. she constantly says she hates her mother. Reyna finds that offensive because her mother died at 7 from a drunk driver. Reyna is all about the church because that is what keeps her mom's memory clear to her. Olive gets mad fun of at school. She is the main target to everyone at school. She gets bullied hard. The only of who doesn't is Reyna, and the gay boy Timmy. There is a history teacher that hates gay kids. He made one kid go the crazy house. He will make fun of each kid every chance he gets. no one ever says anything about it.
Reyna is fighting her own daemons. Reyna's old friends have stopped talking to her. The conversations are to a bare minimum. She finally gets to sleep over with her friends so she invites Olive. Not one of her friends like her. They make fun of her because she is prude. Reyna stands up for Olive, and now is outcast by her own friends.
Olive finally invites Reyna over to their house. Olive's mom is an alcoholic. Olive is embarrassed by it, and now Reyna understands. Reyna starts to sleep over. Olive showed Reyna a stash of booze in her drawers. She said she took them from her mom so she couldn't drink anymore. Reyna try some with Olive and she starts to spill all of her old friend's secrets. while all she is going on, Olive tells Reyna that she is gay. Reyna doesn't know what to think. So she bolts out of Olive's room and out of the sleepover.
Reyna then stops hanging out with olive all together. She finds herself in the in crowd and forced to make a major decision. She starts to bully olive. She thinks she is doing the right thing. She has tons of friends, and even a boyfriend. Till she finds out the worst
little does everyone know that olive is suicidal. She goes to chat rooms and talks about it all the time. She invites a friend from the chat room to live in her shed. They like to lay on the train tracks and read poetry.
that is until one day Reyna sees on the news about a horrible event. She runs over or Olive's house to find a stack of notes. This was Olive's last note. it blamed her. IT said she warned Rayna of her troubles from the beginning. Says that Reyna is a coward. Never stands up for her own thoughts. now it is time for Reyna to make a tough decision, and stand up to the teacher who picks on the gay kids. that is until a shocking discovery will change everybody.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2013
3.5/5 stars
Promise Me Something is an inspiring contemporary, which touches on sensitive subjects with true-to-life occurrences. I read it all in one setting, and in that moment, I laughed, cried, got angry – any emotion that is possible for a human being to feel! Rather than subjecting to romance, Sara Kocek revolved her novel on the importance of friendship, with a little romance, social acceptance, black humor, family issues, and much more; I found this a strong point of the book; it has been a while since I have read one centering on such.
Usually I would introduce to readers the protagonist right about now, which in this case, and to most people would most likely be Reyna Fey, because it is told in her POV, however Olive stole the show. In the introduction of the book, as Reyna settles in her freshman year of high school, the two characters are immediately introduced to one another — Olive as the rude-says-what’s-on-her-mind type of girl, and Reyna as the goodie-shy-invincible-girl. Yet they have something in common, a lone wolf. I found it rather funny – but also annoying — that throughout this book, Reyna kept characterizing Olive as being judgmental, and yet she sits there and complain to her friends since middle grade, about how weird she is. In the very beginning I thought Olive was going to be annoying (where there you go Cee whose being judgmental now :p), but Reyna definitely took that role on. The thing is, both girls went and is going through tough times; with Reyna losing her mother and Olive dealings with her drunkard mother, it’s hard; and readers will learn how such sentiments’ can bring two opposites in personality together.
Did I mention there is a love line? For readers who are more interested in the romance element of a book, you won’t be disappointed; however let me warn you that it is not the main subject; scenes involving our two lovebirds are more than a few, though less than the typical romance-based novels; very adorable, nonetheless. Since we are talking love in the air, it’s only right I tell you about Levi – smart, genuinely caring, nice, and fits in with any crowd, Levi Siegel. He adds the squealing, fuzzy, feeling moments to this dramatic read. What’s wonderful about Levi is his compassion, and open mind. He is not afraid to stick up for others and speak his mind; he doesn’t care how others view him, and I envy that. Simply, he alone can be the main reason to read this book.
There is a purpose to this Promise Me Something, and it is to enlighten others to be more open-mined and see, really see, how little words can affect a person deeply. Homosexuality is addressed here, and it is a major ingredient of the story. Readers will get a vision of the darkest realities: misunderstandings; mistreats; bullying; which eventually leads to suicidal thoughts.
An enjoyable well-round read, recommend.
“Guess what happened?” It’s an interesting way to end the book. That question alone has many interpretations. My opinion is that it represents Reyna’s acceptance of how her life has taken a turn since her mother’s death; in relation with her father’s new relationship; her views on homosexuality, and moving forward. (it’s impossible to understand what I am talking about if you do not find out for yourself!)
There is a long time before its release, but make sure to add it to your “to-read” list!
Promise Me Something is an inspiring contemporary, which touches on sensitive subjects with true-to-life occurrences. I read it all in one setting, and in that moment, I laughed, cried, got angry – any emotion that is possible for a human being to feel! Rather than subjecting to romance, Sara Kocek revolved her novel on the importance of friendship, with a little romance, social acceptance, black humor, family issues, and much more; I found this a strong point of the book; it has been a while since I have read one centering on such.
Usually I would introduce to readers the protagonist right about now, which in this case, and to most people would most likely be Reyna Fey, because it is told in her POV, however Olive stole the show. In the introduction of the book, as Reyna settles in her freshman year of high school, the two characters are immediately introduced to one another — Olive as the rude-says-what’s-on-her-mind type of girl, and Reyna as the goodie-shy-invincible-girl. Yet they have something in common, a lone wolf. I found it rather funny – but also annoying — that throughout this book, Reyna kept characterizing Olive as being judgmental, and yet she sits there and complain to her friends since middle grade, about how weird she is. In the very beginning I thought Olive was going to be annoying (where there you go Cee whose being judgmental now :p), but Reyna definitely took that role on. The thing is, both girls went and is going through tough times; with Reyna losing her mother and Olive dealings with her drunkard mother, it’s hard; and readers will learn how such sentiments’ can bring two opposites in personality together.
Did I mention there is a love line? For readers who are more interested in the romance element of a book, you won’t be disappointed; however let me warn you that it is not the main subject; scenes involving our two lovebirds are more than a few, though less than the typical romance-based novels; very adorable, nonetheless. Since we are talking love in the air, it’s only right I tell you about Levi – smart, genuinely caring, nice, and fits in with any crowd, Levi Siegel. He adds the squealing, fuzzy, feeling moments to this dramatic read. What’s wonderful about Levi is his compassion, and open mind. He is not afraid to stick up for others and speak his mind; he doesn’t care how others view him, and I envy that. Simply, he alone can be the main reason to read this book.
There is a purpose to this Promise Me Something, and it is to enlighten others to be more open-mined and see, really see, how little words can affect a person deeply. Homosexuality is addressed here, and it is a major ingredient of the story. Readers will get a vision of the darkest realities: misunderstandings; mistreats; bullying; which eventually leads to suicidal thoughts.
An enjoyable well-round read, recommend.
“Guess what happened?” It’s an interesting way to end the book. That question alone has many interpretations. My opinion is that it represents Reyna’s acceptance of how her life has taken a turn since her mother’s death; in relation with her father’s new relationship; her views on homosexuality, and moving forward. (it’s impossible to understand what I am talking about if you do not find out for yourself!)
There is a long time before its release, but make sure to add it to your “to-read” list!
September 1, 2013
Just for starters let me say that despite having to be up at 7AM with the one-year-old, once I started reading this around midnight, I didn't put it down until I finished. The next morning hurt.
Worth it.
What I liked:
Tim, for starters. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. I would have loved to see Reyna become friends with him earlier in the book. As is, it felt like she was using him to a certain extent, and I would have liked to see their relationship grow more gradually.
I liked and wanted more denouement where Reyna's feelings of guilt were concerned. I think survivor's guilt and self-blame is a huge factor when teens' friends attempt or commit suicide. And I would have liked more "on-screen" resolution as far as that went. But that's the therapist in me more than the reader.
I also dug the way the subject matter was handled. I felt that Reyna's reactions to the sexual identity issues that came into play were very authentic and courageous on the author's part, though I did not always follow her thought process.
What I loved:
First and foremost, the characters. I loved Reyna's journey as far as identifying the values and characteristics she wanted in people she called friends. I liked that none of the characters were cookie-cutter-cliches. Even the minor players were multi-faceted. I especially felt that Reyna was a very tangible and sympathetic MC, and I enjoyed reading her story.
As a mom and a therapist, I felt that Kocek did a great job of confronting the realities of suicidal ideation in one's friends without crossing the line into preaching. And I think it's super important that the book addressed the legal consequences of some of Olive's choices. That's not something I've seen done much in YA and I was glad to see it here. And while I wasn't surprised at the plot twists, I think that's writer and adult bias that won't apply to much of Kocek's target audience.
Finally, I loved that Reyna's values were portrayed in a way that was fair and allowed her to be a character either side of the aisle could rally behind. I think when we see conservative/moderate teens in YA, they tend to be portrayed in an extremist way that isn't an accurate reflection of these youth. And I loved that part of Reyna's journey included a though exploration of her own belief system.
What I wanted more of: WARNING SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS
I felt like it was too convenient for Levi's parents to be gay. I also think his perspective would have made more impact were that not the case. Instead, it almost seems like the only people who empathize with gay kids in this read are other gay teens and teens with gay parents. That probably was true about five to ten years ago, but that's not my experience with the teens I see at work.
I wasn't crazy about the way things were resolved between Reyna and her parents. My reading left the impression that Reyna's dad and would-be-stepmom were right about everything and Reyna's feelings were invalid, which I found to be both unrealistic and inaccurate. For me, the better ending would have been one without resolution. Sometimes our parents do things we don't understand, things that feel really unfair, and we don't have to agree with them or apologize for our feelings. We just have to learn how to deal.
I wanted more resolution where the besties were concerned. Not externally with the girls themselves so much as within Reyna. It felt, for me, like a loose end.
I wanted to be in Reyna's head a little more where the sexual identity issues were concerned. Like I said before, I loved that we saw a character arc that included her questioning and identifying her own moral code. But I feel like, particularly in a late Middle Grade or young YA book, that sexual identity is a major developmental issue, and I would have liked to see Reyna's cognitive dissonance regarding the conflict between her faith and her friends' sexual identity. Despite Olive confronting her on the matter, I didn't feel like we experienced Reyna's thought process enough there.
Short story long:
I really loved this book. I think the perspective is original, the characters are complex and engaging, and the plot has some great twists and turns. The pace is just right, and the social concerns are handled in a way that is both age-appropriate and pertinent to today's young readers. Good stuff, people!
Worth it.
What I liked:
Tim, for starters. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. I would have loved to see Reyna become friends with him earlier in the book. As is, it felt like she was using him to a certain extent, and I would have liked to see their relationship grow more gradually.
I liked and wanted more denouement where Reyna's feelings of guilt were concerned. I think survivor's guilt and self-blame is a huge factor when teens' friends attempt or commit suicide. And I would have liked more "on-screen" resolution as far as that went. But that's the therapist in me more than the reader.
I also dug the way the subject matter was handled. I felt that Reyna's reactions to the sexual identity issues that came into play were very authentic and courageous on the author's part, though I did not always follow her thought process.
What I loved:
First and foremost, the characters. I loved Reyna's journey as far as identifying the values and characteristics she wanted in people she called friends. I liked that none of the characters were cookie-cutter-cliches. Even the minor players were multi-faceted. I especially felt that Reyna was a very tangible and sympathetic MC, and I enjoyed reading her story.
As a mom and a therapist, I felt that Kocek did a great job of confronting the realities of suicidal ideation in one's friends without crossing the line into preaching. And I think it's super important that the book addressed the legal consequences of some of Olive's choices. That's not something I've seen done much in YA and I was glad to see it here. And while I wasn't surprised at the plot twists, I think that's writer and adult bias that won't apply to much of Kocek's target audience.
Finally, I loved that Reyna's values were portrayed in a way that was fair and allowed her to be a character either side of the aisle could rally behind. I think when we see conservative/moderate teens in YA, they tend to be portrayed in an extremist way that isn't an accurate reflection of these youth. And I loved that part of Reyna's journey included a though exploration of her own belief system.
What I wanted more of: WARNING SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS
I felt like it was too convenient for Levi's parents to be gay. I also think his perspective would have made more impact were that not the case. Instead, it almost seems like the only people who empathize with gay kids in this read are other gay teens and teens with gay parents. That probably was true about five to ten years ago, but that's not my experience with the teens I see at work.
I wasn't crazy about the way things were resolved between Reyna and her parents. My reading left the impression that Reyna's dad and would-be-stepmom were right about everything and Reyna's feelings were invalid, which I found to be both unrealistic and inaccurate. For me, the better ending would have been one without resolution. Sometimes our parents do things we don't understand, things that feel really unfair, and we don't have to agree with them or apologize for our feelings. We just have to learn how to deal.
I wanted more resolution where the besties were concerned. Not externally with the girls themselves so much as within Reyna. It felt, for me, like a loose end.
I wanted to be in Reyna's head a little more where the sexual identity issues were concerned. Like I said before, I loved that we saw a character arc that included her questioning and identifying her own moral code. But I feel like, particularly in a late Middle Grade or young YA book, that sexual identity is a major developmental issue, and I would have liked to see Reyna's cognitive dissonance regarding the conflict between her faith and her friends' sexual identity. Despite Olive confronting her on the matter, I didn't feel like we experienced Reyna's thought process enough there.
Short story long:
I really loved this book. I think the perspective is original, the characters are complex and engaging, and the plot has some great twists and turns. The pace is just right, and the social concerns are handled in a way that is both age-appropriate and pertinent to today's young readers. Good stuff, people!
August 20, 2013
3.5 Stars
In the beginning this book had a very The Perk of Being a Wallflower feel to me. Then it quickly turned into a combination of Mean Girls and Thirteen Things all the while maintaining originality. Is that even possible?
I felt bad for Reyna as she tried to navigate her way through a new school and trying to make new friends. While she angered me at times with how naive she was I also sympathized with her. I know I was supposed to feel bad for Olive and the thing she had to deal with she made me angry a lot. I know she just wanted a friend and some support but she was pretty pushy and aggressive and when Reyna didn't react the way she wanted she was actually pretty bitchy towards her.
Levi was the saving grace of the group. He was empathetic but didn't take crap at the same time. I like that the romance with him and Reyna only played a small part in the story.
Toward the end when the story really picked up I found myself cheering for Reyna and Olive and pounding my fist in the air for justice to be done on Mr. Murphy.
I'll would definitely recommend this book to my teen daughter and her friends and to those adults who like a YA book once in a while.
**I received and ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.**
In the beginning this book had a very The Perk of Being a Wallflower feel to me. Then it quickly turned into a combination of Mean Girls and Thirteen Things all the while maintaining originality. Is that even possible?
I felt bad for Reyna as she tried to navigate her way through a new school and trying to make new friends. While she angered me at times with how naive she was I also sympathized with her. I know I was supposed to feel bad for Olive and the thing she had to deal with she made me angry a lot. I know she just wanted a friend and some support but she was pretty pushy and aggressive and when Reyna didn't react the way she wanted she was actually pretty bitchy towards her.
Levi was the saving grace of the group. He was empathetic but didn't take crap at the same time. I like that the romance with him and Reyna only played a small part in the story.
Toward the end when the story really picked up I found myself cheering for Reyna and Olive and pounding my fist in the air for justice to be done on Mr. Murphy.
I'll would definitely recommend this book to my teen daughter and her friends and to those adults who like a YA book once in a while.
**I received and ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.**
August 16, 2013
This book was a disappointment.
The character of Reyna never clicked for me. I didn't care about her. I have known many shy, unassuming people who get swept up by whoever they are around, but Reyna didn't have the spark to make me care and root for her to come out of her shell.
I was intrigued by Olive and kept hoping to learn more about her. I kept getting teased by the author dangling an interesting tidbit and then just letting it drop.
And then the story didn't go anywhere. Just surprise-oh, twist-oh, the end.
This story had potential but it never really lived up to it.
ARC from NetGalley
The character of Reyna never clicked for me. I didn't care about her. I have known many shy, unassuming people who get swept up by whoever they are around, but Reyna didn't have the spark to make me care and root for her to come out of her shell.
I was intrigued by Olive and kept hoping to learn more about her. I kept getting teased by the author dangling an interesting tidbit and then just letting it drop.
And then the story didn't go anywhere. Just surprise-oh, twist-oh, the end.
This story had potential but it never really lived up to it.
ARC from NetGalley
August 10, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Albert Whitman & Company and Netgalley.)
14-year-old Reyna lives with her dad. Her mother died 7 years ago, and she nearly lost her father recently when his girlfriend Lucy crashed the car they were in, leaving him in a coma with a fractured skull.
Reyna is now starting at a new school, leaving her other friends behind. The first friend she makes is a girl called Olive, a girl that Reyna isn’t really sure she even wants to be friends with.
Olive is hiding a secret though, a secret that’s really tough for her to not talk about, and Reyna’s reaction to this secret ruins everything between them.
Can Olive and Reyna be friends again? Why is Olive so sensitive to the homophobic remarks that her teacher comes out with? And who is the girl who lives in Olives shed?
This was an okay story, but some of the content was pretty shocking to me, and I personally don’t think that this book is appropriate for some teens.
I found Reyna a little irritating and almost lifeless. She seemed to just go along with what everyone else was doing, and was overly concerned by what people thought of her.
Olive was also slightly annoying, and again, overly concerned with what people thought of her. I know high school is bad, but I really wanted her to just stick up for herself a little more, and stop being quite so downtrodden.
The storyline in this book was not very good. We had Reyna who was still missing her mother, and very against her father’s girlfriend Lucy, and then we had Olive, her friend who lived in the shed, and Olive’s alcoholic mother.
As if the storyline wasn’t bad enough, there were also other parts of this story that I didn’t like. First there was Olive talking about how she wished her mom was dead so that people would feel sorry for her!! Then we had Reyna talking about how her friend Abby touched her dogs naughty bits to find out what they felt like. Just yuck! That must be sexual abuse of a dog or something. Then there was the teacher who was horribly homophobic, and graphic descriptions of what the dead girl looked like after the train had hit her. Generally not very nice to be honest.
Then after all these revelations, the book just sort of ended, I can’t really say that this bothered me too much, because I wanted it to be over, but it was pretty poor really.
Overall; difficult subjects, not handled well, and inappropriate for some teens.
4 out of 10.
14-year-old Reyna lives with her dad. Her mother died 7 years ago, and she nearly lost her father recently when his girlfriend Lucy crashed the car they were in, leaving him in a coma with a fractured skull.
Reyna is now starting at a new school, leaving her other friends behind. The first friend she makes is a girl called Olive, a girl that Reyna isn’t really sure she even wants to be friends with.
Olive is hiding a secret though, a secret that’s really tough for her to not talk about, and Reyna’s reaction to this secret ruins everything between them.
Can Olive and Reyna be friends again? Why is Olive so sensitive to the homophobic remarks that her teacher comes out with? And who is the girl who lives in Olives shed?
This was an okay story, but some of the content was pretty shocking to me, and I personally don’t think that this book is appropriate for some teens.
I found Reyna a little irritating and almost lifeless. She seemed to just go along with what everyone else was doing, and was overly concerned by what people thought of her.
Olive was also slightly annoying, and again, overly concerned with what people thought of her. I know high school is bad, but I really wanted her to just stick up for herself a little more, and stop being quite so downtrodden.
The storyline in this book was not very good. We had Reyna who was still missing her mother, and very against her father’s girlfriend Lucy, and then we had Olive, her friend who lived in the shed, and Olive’s alcoholic mother.
As if the storyline wasn’t bad enough, there were also other parts of this story that I didn’t like. First there was Olive talking about how she wished her mom was dead so that people would feel sorry for her!! Then we had Reyna talking about how her friend Abby touched her dogs naughty bits to find out what they felt like. Just yuck! That must be sexual abuse of a dog or something. Then there was the teacher who was horribly homophobic, and graphic descriptions of what the dead girl looked like after the train had hit her. Generally not very nice to be honest.
Then after all these revelations, the book just sort of ended, I can’t really say that this bothered me too much, because I wanted it to be over, but it was pretty poor really.
Overall; difficult subjects, not handled well, and inappropriate for some teens.
4 out of 10.
October 22, 2013
Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog
On one hand, I really related to Reyna’s uneasiness when starting her new school without her best friends. I felt so similarly in middle school when I was separated from my elementary school best friends for the first time. Will your friendship survive not seeing each other every day all day? Will they like their new friends better? And would eventually mixing new friends and old friends lead to disaster?
Kocek explores the plights of the 14-year-old so well, she could have taken pages out of my journal: the up and down moods, wanting to stay below the radar at school but not be totally invisible, and the excitement that comes along with a first romance. But it’s Reyna’s time with Olive, a girl that practically forces their friendship, that really makes her first year in high school one to remember.
In good ways and in bad.
Olive is totally outspoken, not afraid to say how she feels no matter how any else feels. She’s not exactly the person Reyna would pick to be friends with, but soon they are working on school projects together and having sleepovers. I was never totally sold on Olive. Maybe because I was never be able to predict what she was going to say or do? My inclinations weren’t too far off. She continued to shock me throughout the whole book.
There is SO much I want to say to you, because Promise Me Something really turns the tables on bullying and the non-acceptance of people’s sexuality. It’s also about being scared of the unknown and not always knowing what to do when faced with those situations. I was disappointed when Reyna allowed herself to be poisoned by the popular crowd, and even more so, that Olive couldn’t seem to get over herself and things got worse and worse when the two hit an impasse.
Kocek has a lot of lessons for her readers in the pages of this book, and while I appreciated them, I felt like I was swimming in uncharted territory for the last half. (And just how believable was all of it? That was a big question for me.) Tons of surprises and a lot of character growth for Reyna all brought to a halt with an abrupt ending. After all that occurred and all the attention to detail, there needed to be more of a wrap up and maybe some anger?
So some elements resonated, and some just didn’t. Still Promise Me Something was fast-paced, featured a lot of relatable experiences (remarriage and religion), and also presented an entirely unique way of dissecting unfortunate issues that plague us too often and need to take a hike. For good.
On one hand, I really related to Reyna’s uneasiness when starting her new school without her best friends. I felt so similarly in middle school when I was separated from my elementary school best friends for the first time. Will your friendship survive not seeing each other every day all day? Will they like their new friends better? And would eventually mixing new friends and old friends lead to disaster?
Kocek explores the plights of the 14-year-old so well, she could have taken pages out of my journal: the up and down moods, wanting to stay below the radar at school but not be totally invisible, and the excitement that comes along with a first romance. But it’s Reyna’s time with Olive, a girl that practically forces their friendship, that really makes her first year in high school one to remember.
In good ways and in bad.
Olive is totally outspoken, not afraid to say how she feels no matter how any else feels. She’s not exactly the person Reyna would pick to be friends with, but soon they are working on school projects together and having sleepovers. I was never totally sold on Olive. Maybe because I was never be able to predict what she was going to say or do? My inclinations weren’t too far off. She continued to shock me throughout the whole book.
There is SO much I want to say to you, because Promise Me Something really turns the tables on bullying and the non-acceptance of people’s sexuality. It’s also about being scared of the unknown and not always knowing what to do when faced with those situations. I was disappointed when Reyna allowed herself to be poisoned by the popular crowd, and even more so, that Olive couldn’t seem to get over herself and things got worse and worse when the two hit an impasse.
Kocek has a lot of lessons for her readers in the pages of this book, and while I appreciated them, I felt like I was swimming in uncharted territory for the last half. (And just how believable was all of it? That was a big question for me.) Tons of surprises and a lot of character growth for Reyna all brought to a halt with an abrupt ending. After all that occurred and all the attention to detail, there needed to be more of a wrap up and maybe some anger?
So some elements resonated, and some just didn’t. Still Promise Me Something was fast-paced, featured a lot of relatable experiences (remarriage and religion), and also presented an entirely unique way of dissecting unfortunate issues that plague us too often and need to take a hike. For good.
July 26, 2019
The book "Promise Me Something" by Sara Kocek, had a few main characters including; Reyna Fey and Olive Barton. Olive Barton is a lesbian girl who is full of defiance and flare, but who is secretly depressed and suicidal. Olive is mocked by the other kids at school and gets into fights with all the girls at school. Reyna is a mother-less girl who blames her soon-to-be-step-mother for getting into a car accident and nearly killing her father, too. When Reyna moves to a different part of town that changes her to a different school in the district she is furious, but also starts to feel lonely when she accidentally overreacts to her friend, Olive, being Lesbian, which blows up in her face when Olive spills that Reyna told Olive a bit too much when they were drunk. In 'Promise Me Something' it's Reyna vs Reyna, (an internal conflict) because she can't decide; ignore Olive, and stay with her Ridgeway friends, Trust and befriend the outcast, Olive, or, fake being friends with the popular kids to raise her status on the totem pole? And should she forgive her soon-to-be-step-mother, Lucy, and tell her family her true feelings? Should she make her father unhappy by only expressing her true feelings? Or should she keep blaming it all on Lucy, and make her father unhappy STILL? Reyna cant decide as the moral of the story unfolds; hiding the truth hurts people, and can get a situation tangled up and messy. What drew me in the most in Promise Me Something, was... Olive, Olive was so annoying to Reyna to begin but... Olive found a way into her heart, but she didn't realize it soon enough, I was so frustrated with Reyna, but at the same time I was pleading the whole time for them to patch up, make up, or whatever. I could not put this book down until I found out what happened between them. >U<
Overall, I loved this book, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars, it just made me feel so involved! I would recommend this book for anyone who loves mild mystery and who wants to feel connected to the story(someone who wants to feel WITH the character).
Overall, I loved this book, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars, it just made me feel so involved! I would recommend this book for anyone who loves mild mystery and who wants to feel connected to the story(someone who wants to feel WITH the character).
July 6, 2013
To be honest, I was pretty sure I was going to end up disliking this book. I'm happy to say that that isn't the case at all!
At first, I absolutely could not stand most of the characters. Take Reyna, for example. She is stuck in the past, for lack of a better way to put it. Her mother passed away when she was a kid and now her father was almost killed. By a car accident that his girlfriend, Lucy, caused by going past a stop sign. Needless to say, Reyna isn't a very big fan of her. Reyna's trying to make friends, but Olive isn't exactly what she's looking for... Sadly for Reyna, she'll just have to take what she can get.
Olive is the outcast of the school. She's a very big complainer and she's very bitter about everything. Even with Reyna's reluctance to be her friend, Olive is determined to stay.
Throughout the whole book, Reyna is wishing that she was with her best friends, at the high school that she was originally supposed to go to. What happens when Olive isn't as bad as she thought she was? And then there's that secret Olive's been keeping...
Reyna isn't really used to not having any friends. She has a group of best friends she's known since she was a kid. They've been together through good times and bad. What happens when Reyna's feeling left out, not a part of the group anymore?
The plot is probably my most favorite part of the whole book. I mean, some things were a bit obvious, but the main thing totally blew me away. Sara Kocek has written a very truthful and realistic story that you can't stop reading. The humor will have you grinning, you'll be feeling for the characters, and you'll read about something that's happening out in the real world. I love the topics discussed in this book and although I wanted more from the ending, I can't help but to give this 5/5 stars!
At first, I absolutely could not stand most of the characters. Take Reyna, for example. She is stuck in the past, for lack of a better way to put it. Her mother passed away when she was a kid and now her father was almost killed. By a car accident that his girlfriend, Lucy, caused by going past a stop sign. Needless to say, Reyna isn't a very big fan of her. Reyna's trying to make friends, but Olive isn't exactly what she's looking for... Sadly for Reyna, she'll just have to take what she can get.
Olive is the outcast of the school. She's a very big complainer and she's very bitter about everything. Even with Reyna's reluctance to be her friend, Olive is determined to stay.
Throughout the whole book, Reyna is wishing that she was with her best friends, at the high school that she was originally supposed to go to. What happens when Olive isn't as bad as she thought she was? And then there's that secret Olive's been keeping...
Reyna isn't really used to not having any friends. She has a group of best friends she's known since she was a kid. They've been together through good times and bad. What happens when Reyna's feeling left out, not a part of the group anymore?
The plot is probably my most favorite part of the whole book. I mean, some things were a bit obvious, but the main thing totally blew me away. Sara Kocek has written a very truthful and realistic story that you can't stop reading. The humor will have you grinning, you'll be feeling for the characters, and you'll read about something that's happening out in the real world. I love the topics discussed in this book and although I wanted more from the ending, I can't help but to give this 5/5 stars!
October 24, 2013
This review and more on So Bookalicious
Growing up is hard, certainly when everything seems to change without you wanting it. Reyna knows it all. Starting high school is bad, but starting high-school without your best friends is worse. To top it off she lost her mom to a drunk driver and her dad found himself a new love. Loyalty and friendship are tested in Promise Me Something. Will Reyna’s friendship with her best friends stand or fall? Will she make peace with her dad’s new relationship? But especially will Reyna be able to fight off her own demons and will she finally herself again to be happy again?
This book deals with a lot of hard topics: loss, friendship, homosexuality, suicide… But it happens in a way that doesn’t make the book over dramatic. I enjoyed reading this book, I even laughed a couple of times. The characters were also very realistic, none of them were perfect. Except maybe Levi but he was just good, not perfect. Reyna is passive and doesn’t want to let the past go. Olive is honest, most of the time to hones to the point that she hurts people. Mr. Murphy is homophobic. Reyna’s old friends forget that she too is their friend. But I loved that we could see Reyna grow during this book. She accepted her father’s choice and she learned who her real friends are. Most importantly she decided who she wanted to be and how she was going to do it.
I really liked this book, it discusses a lot of topics. Topics a lot of teenagers are struggling with themselves. A very realistic read that I truly enjoyed reading.
Growing up is hard, certainly when everything seems to change without you wanting it. Reyna knows it all. Starting high school is bad, but starting high-school without your best friends is worse. To top it off she lost her mom to a drunk driver and her dad found himself a new love. Loyalty and friendship are tested in Promise Me Something. Will Reyna’s friendship with her best friends stand or fall? Will she make peace with her dad’s new relationship? But especially will Reyna be able to fight off her own demons and will she finally herself again to be happy again?
This book deals with a lot of hard topics: loss, friendship, homosexuality, suicide… But it happens in a way that doesn’t make the book over dramatic. I enjoyed reading this book, I even laughed a couple of times. The characters were also very realistic, none of them were perfect. Except maybe Levi but he was just good, not perfect. Reyna is passive and doesn’t want to let the past go. Olive is honest, most of the time to hones to the point that she hurts people. Mr. Murphy is homophobic. Reyna’s old friends forget that she too is their friend. But I loved that we could see Reyna grow during this book. She accepted her father’s choice and she learned who her real friends are. Most importantly she decided who she wanted to be and how she was going to do it.
I really liked this book, it discusses a lot of topics. Topics a lot of teenagers are struggling with themselves. A very realistic read that I truly enjoyed reading.
July 7, 2013
One of the most real stories, I've read in a long time. Kocek really brings to life the struggles both Reyna and Olive face as they navigate their new friendship and the harsh realities of high school and life in general. Olive honest to a fault and headstrong. Reyna who's lost and searching to be the person everyone thinks she is. The portrayal of friendship and betrayal is gripping with candor and authenticity. Kocek masterfully crafts characters we come to love, admire and fear. A teen on the brink of suicide and a friend that leaves her out on that edge to ponder life's existence. It's a mystery with page-thrilling suspense right to the end. Who wins? Who loses? Is anything ever fair when a life hangs in the balance? A story you'll be sorry that you didn't read. Strong themes of human rights, equality, friendship, bullying and suicide that leave a lasting impression long after the last page has been read.
August 15, 2013
Friendship and loyalty are tested in Kocek's Promise me Something and the results will surprise you. Reyna knows everything about loss. She lost her mom to a drunk driver and her father to a lover a few months later. The high school she is assigned to isn't the same as her best friends, causing shy Reyna more alienation from the ones she loves. Meeting Olive is the only thing going on for her. The problem is Olive is direct, rejected by others, and often selfish. The problem is Olive is secretly gay.
Kocek touches several LGBT topics, and sadly how being judged by others can lead to suicide. The loss of a parent holds the book together, providing the reader with several teary-eyed moments. Sex is the one thing that isn't discussed in this book. Instead, Kocek introduces Levi, a sweet puppy love interest for Reyna, making sure the harsher and more important topics get the main attention.
A debut worth noticing. Promise Me Something comes out September 1st 2013.
Kocek touches several LGBT topics, and sadly how being judged by others can lead to suicide. The loss of a parent holds the book together, providing the reader with several teary-eyed moments. Sex is the one thing that isn't discussed in this book. Instead, Kocek introduces Levi, a sweet puppy love interest for Reyna, making sure the harsher and more important topics get the main attention.
A debut worth noticing. Promise Me Something comes out September 1st 2013.
June 18, 2013
I read this book as an ARC.
I like stories with high school as setting but that's probably because I'm a teenager with a lot of time on my hands and a big curiosity about what "high school" is like for others. While I enjoyed the book, I was definitely taken aback by some of the issues the author wanted to touch upon. Politics, religions, social circles, ect. The author mentioned it all. However, what I like the most was the author's focal point on the development of friendship between two girls who are completely opposite of each other, with only loneliness as their common point. While it's hard for me to say that I can relate to either two of these girls, I like the message that the author wanted to get across.
I would recommend this book to people who want to be a little bit open-minded about the world.
I like stories with high school as setting but that's probably because I'm a teenager with a lot of time on my hands and a big curiosity about what "high school" is like for others. While I enjoyed the book, I was definitely taken aback by some of the issues the author wanted to touch upon. Politics, religions, social circles, ect. The author mentioned it all. However, what I like the most was the author's focal point on the development of friendship between two girls who are completely opposite of each other, with only loneliness as their common point. While it's hard for me to say that I can relate to either two of these girls, I like the message that the author wanted to get across.
I would recommend this book to people who want to be a little bit open-minded about the world.
October 3, 2013
Reyna is a freshman at a new school without her longtime friends, and life sucks. Her mom died years ago, she still misses her, and her dad's girlfriend wrecked his car and he got all the broken bones.
Then she meets Olive, a very direct girl about whom Reyna can't find much to like. But, Reyna isn't a very likeable person herself; she reminds me of my own worst qualities, cowardice being top among them. She can't be honest about what she doesn't like, she can't stand up to those who bully or tease others. And she can't stop being kind of petty.
But things get really interesting when someone goes missing...or dead.
And Reyna finds a new strength inside her that she didn't know existed.
With this story, the author briefly addresses gay-bashing, bullying, mean girls, and a young woman learning how to handle life.
Then she meets Olive, a very direct girl about whom Reyna can't find much to like. But, Reyna isn't a very likeable person herself; she reminds me of my own worst qualities, cowardice being top among them. She can't be honest about what she doesn't like, she can't stand up to those who bully or tease others. And she can't stop being kind of petty.
But things get really interesting when someone goes missing...or dead.
And Reyna finds a new strength inside her that she didn't know existed.
With this story, the author briefly addresses gay-bashing, bullying, mean girls, and a young woman learning how to handle life.
February 5, 2014
Okay, I picked this book up off the library shelf expecting another girly high school teen drama. What can I say? I really needed something to read. However this was exactly the oppisite of what I had in mind. This book speaks wonders for trust, stereotypes, and just the types of people you encounter in general. It takes you through the up and downs of these characters lives and honestly there were a couple of moments where I almost cried. And I have only once in my life cried because of a book. This book was absolutely amazing. The inside cover does not do justice or prepare you for the story to come.
November 30, 2013
OK, I read this book in 24 hours, and it kept me going the whole time. I do not want to give away the rather spectacular plot twist, but suffice it to say, I think this book should be read. It's certainly our era in a nutshell regarding social issues surrounding teenagers, but it's not written as one of those "wisdom is being imparted on you, oh naive teenagers" books; it's real--the kids are the wise ones and they teach each other the truths that need to be lived.
I don't know how others will respond to this one, but I really had a wonderful experience in this book.
I don't know how others will respond to this one, but I really had a wonderful experience in this book.
August 12, 2013
Promise Me Something is an uncomfortable book to read. There were parts where I had to put my book down and take a couple deep breaths because it was so hard, times when I was almost crying. And that is why this book is so important.
(Read more.)
(Read more.)
May 28, 2014
Although this book is aimed for much younger than me I did enjoy it. This book brought up subjects that should be read about & talked about at upper school. Ideally this book should be available in school libraries !
Received a copy of this from net galley.
Received a copy of this from net galley.
September 24, 2014
I loved this book, and read it with my daughter, as it's YA. A fearless writer, Sara Kocek addresses the painful years of figuring out identity and how to fit in (or not) during high school years. I highly recommend this book.
July 17, 2021
This YA novel has a valuable message at its heart. I think it did a good job of presenting a fallible narrator. Too often, YA novels present a well-manicured narrator without any "true" flaws. It's just a matter of circumstance. But teens, being the emotion-fueled beings they are, say, think, and feel brutal things that they then regret afterward or don't truly believe in the first place. Then they shut themselves off to recalibrate or take it out on people they don't mean to. I think this book does an excellent job of presenting this emotional cycle in a real and meaningful way.
My two complaints are the villain and the callousness of the narrator at times. First, your hero is only as good as your villain. I'll try not to spoil anything, but the villain too easily falls into the hero's plan. I know there are teachers who are homophobic (check out the heartbreaking documentary "Bully" for Kelby's experience of being singled out in the classroom). But if a teacher is blatantly homophobic, that would likely be a result of existing in a system that condones it, rather than being a singular individual who knows he'd be punished for displaying his intolerance. If this book wanted to make a stronger stand, it could've explored the institutional status quo that protects and enables the homophobia of someone like Mr. Murphy, not making him the singular problem that can be eradicated.
Also, while I applaud the realism of Reyna's narration, at times she crossed a line into callousness that felt beyond artfully capturing the teen mind. At one point, upon learning that her "frenemy" may be dead, she says she needs the distraction of studying for a test. Understandable. But then she goes one step further to say, "the test will be there, whether Olive is or not." Moments like this felt like the character needlessly being callous. Reyna being bitchy to her stepmother figure felt real and understandable. But she also had some moments that were eyebrow-raising.
Overall, a solid YA novel against homophobia and encouraging taking a moral stand for acceptance rather than staying silent.
My two complaints are the villain and the callousness of the narrator at times. First, your hero is only as good as your villain. I'll try not to spoil anything, but the villain too easily falls into the hero's plan. I know there are teachers who are homophobic (check out the heartbreaking documentary "Bully" for Kelby's experience of being singled out in the classroom). But if a teacher is blatantly homophobic, that would likely be a result of existing in a system that condones it, rather than being a singular individual who knows he'd be punished for displaying his intolerance. If this book wanted to make a stronger stand, it could've explored the institutional status quo that protects and enables the homophobia of someone like Mr. Murphy, not making him the singular problem that can be eradicated.
Also, while I applaud the realism of Reyna's narration, at times she crossed a line into callousness that felt beyond artfully capturing the teen mind. At one point, upon learning that her "frenemy" may be dead, she says she needs the distraction of studying for a test. Understandable. But then she goes one step further to say, "the test will be there, whether Olive is or not." Moments like this felt like the character needlessly being callous. Reyna being bitchy to her stepmother figure felt real and understandable. But she also had some moments that were eyebrow-raising.
Overall, a solid YA novel against homophobia and encouraging taking a moral stand for acceptance rather than staying silent.
September 10, 2018
The protagonist of this book is Reyna, a ninth grade student who is starting the year at a high school where she doesn't know anyone. She makes friends with Olive, an outcast, who is gay. When Olive comes out to Reyna, Reyna freaks out, shuns Olive, and joins a crowd who bullies Olive (and others). Even though Reyna has suffered from the loss of her mother years before, it is difficult to sympathize with her as she is such a jerk for most of the book, not just to Olive but to her father's girlfriend Lucy. Something happens with Olive (avoiding spoilers here) which is a major wake up call for Reyna. She must evaluate her attitude toward LGBT people, and her treatment of others in general. Reyna learns a lot and redeems herself in the end. There is a romance but it is not the main point of the book. The most important message is how serious the consequences of prejudice against, and bullying of LGBT people, can be. Not speaking up against bigotry just aids and abets the haters.
March 6, 2021
i think this is an amazing book i have read it before and it was really good... the beginning was kinda boring but then i got into the middle and it got really good and i enjoyed the mystery in it and then when she has to make a choice on what olive told her was AMAZING!! this is a book i definitely recommend to people!!
October 10, 2017
Well written, relatable characters, real life. Sometimes we don't know what we don't know & what the "right thing to do" really is.
February 12, 2018
Interesting concept, but the plot was kind of lacking. I ended up skimming the last bit because it didn't make much sense to me.
May 19, 2021
Mean Girls but with the kill the gays™ trope employed
July 14, 2022
3.5/5….
It was a good book, but pretty mediocre to me 🤷🏼♀️ I still liked it though!!
It was a good book, but pretty mediocre to me 🤷🏼♀️ I still liked it though!!
March 20, 2017
3.5
messy friendships, got me quite frustrated.
twist: Grace was the one who died at the train tracks, not Olive.
messy friendships, got me quite frustrated.
twist: Grace was the one who died at the train tracks, not Olive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2023
A deep book with a lot of meaning and a very real and raw display of the reality of our world. It makes you think the thoughts and feel the feels and realize reality. Some quotes just hit so hard that you have to let them sink in- promise me something is no exception. A rather horrific, raw, heartfelt realistic fiction.
August 28, 2016
3.25 Stars
Thanks to a zoning change in her town, Reyna Fey is forced to transfer from her beloved Ridgeway High where all her friends are, to the town's other, less popular high school, Belltown High. While her old buds only increase in popularity at Ridgeway, Reyna is now odd new girl at Belltown... at least until Olive Barton forcefully introduces herself. Olive is pretty low on the social totem pole, thanks to her somewhat abrasive way with people. After that first introduction, Reyna describes Olive as "blunt, headstrong, and unapologetically honest". Yet no matter how annoying Reyna might find Olive on a surface level, there's something deeper there to the odd girl that peaks Reyna's curiosity, so a tenuous friendship develops.
Over the course of some months, Olive shares more and more secrets with Reyna. That sense of trust between them slowly starts to teach Reyna what true friendship is meant to be like, something she realizes she doesn't quite have with her old acquaintances back at Ridgeway. Reyna starts to see that while Belltown might not be the "cool" school to be in, the students there develop a level of strength not seen at Ridgeway because of what they are put through. For some, the biggest challenge is surviving a homophobic teacher who unabashedly gay-bashes any student he chooses, with seemingly no fear of job dismissal!
Reyna sees another instance of administration gone wrong during a Halloween parade at school where Olive is called out & disciplined for dressing as the man from the "American Gothic" painting. She's wielding a fake pitchfork so she's considered "armed" at school, yet nothing is done about the popular girl who decides to do "sexy cheerleader" with all her teen bits half hanging out. With the unpopular kids feeling like they're fighting a losing battle, there's a good deal of teen depression woven into the plot. It's not heavy-handed though, just enough to have plenty of readers out there nodding in relatable remembrances of their own experiences.
Just when Reyna feels like she might be getting her footing in these new surroundings, Olive chooses the night of Reyna's first date / kiss to disappear, later leading everyone to suspect she had the intention of ending her life. The few clues the reader gets to Olive's inner thoughts are from short IM (instant messaging) conversations she has with a mystery person on the other end (the other person's identity is revealed a few IM's in, I just don't want to throw in unnecessary spoilers here). These IM's appear just before the start of each chapter.
The other major lesson Reyna learns from her time at Belltown is that EVERYONE, down to the most popular kid you know, has their own secrets they're trying to keep from surfacing. Working from that idea, Kocek does a nice job of illustrating a realistic high school experience, full of messy emotions that give the characters a sense of "humanness" about them.
I liked the themes this novel addressed and the honesty of the characters. There were moments where I honestly felt a little pity for Reyna but there was also something to her overall personality that I found slightly off-putting... though I couldn't quite place my finger on what it was exactly. I was also surprised at how long it seemed to take me to work through this short book. Not sure if that was because of the subject matter, the emotional ride around the themes, or due to the slower points in the plot, but yeah, just in general I didn't find myself flying through this one. But I did enjoy the ride.
Taking all that into consideration, I struggled with what kind of rating I would personally give this book. I normally keep it simple, either full stars or half stars. This is the first time I honestly felt like this was right around a 3.25... little bit better than a 3, not quite a 3.5 for me. I know the rating system is completely arbitrary and based on the personal emotional experience of each reader, but there you have it. That's what I have to leave this one with ... a 3.25.
Thanks to a zoning change in her town, Reyna Fey is forced to transfer from her beloved Ridgeway High where all her friends are, to the town's other, less popular high school, Belltown High. While her old buds only increase in popularity at Ridgeway, Reyna is now odd new girl at Belltown... at least until Olive Barton forcefully introduces herself. Olive is pretty low on the social totem pole, thanks to her somewhat abrasive way with people. After that first introduction, Reyna describes Olive as "blunt, headstrong, and unapologetically honest". Yet no matter how annoying Reyna might find Olive on a surface level, there's something deeper there to the odd girl that peaks Reyna's curiosity, so a tenuous friendship develops.
Over the course of some months, Olive shares more and more secrets with Reyna. That sense of trust between them slowly starts to teach Reyna what true friendship is meant to be like, something she realizes she doesn't quite have with her old acquaintances back at Ridgeway. Reyna starts to see that while Belltown might not be the "cool" school to be in, the students there develop a level of strength not seen at Ridgeway because of what they are put through. For some, the biggest challenge is surviving a homophobic teacher who unabashedly gay-bashes any student he chooses, with seemingly no fear of job dismissal!
Reyna sees another instance of administration gone wrong during a Halloween parade at school where Olive is called out & disciplined for dressing as the man from the "American Gothic" painting. She's wielding a fake pitchfork so she's considered "armed" at school, yet nothing is done about the popular girl who decides to do "sexy cheerleader" with all her teen bits half hanging out. With the unpopular kids feeling like they're fighting a losing battle, there's a good deal of teen depression woven into the plot. It's not heavy-handed though, just enough to have plenty of readers out there nodding in relatable remembrances of their own experiences.
Just when Reyna feels like she might be getting her footing in these new surroundings, Olive chooses the night of Reyna's first date / kiss to disappear, later leading everyone to suspect she had the intention of ending her life. The few clues the reader gets to Olive's inner thoughts are from short IM (instant messaging) conversations she has with a mystery person on the other end (the other person's identity is revealed a few IM's in, I just don't want to throw in unnecessary spoilers here). These IM's appear just before the start of each chapter.
The other major lesson Reyna learns from her time at Belltown is that EVERYONE, down to the most popular kid you know, has their own secrets they're trying to keep from surfacing. Working from that idea, Kocek does a nice job of illustrating a realistic high school experience, full of messy emotions that give the characters a sense of "humanness" about them.
I liked the themes this novel addressed and the honesty of the characters. There were moments where I honestly felt a little pity for Reyna but there was also something to her overall personality that I found slightly off-putting... though I couldn't quite place my finger on what it was exactly. I was also surprised at how long it seemed to take me to work through this short book. Not sure if that was because of the subject matter, the emotional ride around the themes, or due to the slower points in the plot, but yeah, just in general I didn't find myself flying through this one. But I did enjoy the ride.
Taking all that into consideration, I struggled with what kind of rating I would personally give this book. I normally keep it simple, either full stars or half stars. This is the first time I honestly felt like this was right around a 3.25... little bit better than a 3, not quite a 3.5 for me. I know the rating system is completely arbitrary and based on the personal emotional experience of each reader, but there you have it. That's what I have to leave this one with ... a 3.25.
June 6, 2014
This book is definitely a "goodread." I liked the multiple aspects addressed in this book. The basic plot and unfulfilling character development is covered in a lot of reviews, so I won't repeat all that. Warning: Contains spoilers.
I found this an interesting read (all in one night) about the growing self-realizations of a freshman in high school who is timid and wanting to be liked, but also wanting to be brave enough to be her "better self." Having lost her mother at a young age, she is not ready for her father to remarry. Reyna is befriended by Olive, an outspoken girl with an alcoholic mother and dysfunctional family, who recognizes another person filled with sadness. Reyna initially resists because she worries about being friend with a social "loser," but comes to share fun and secrets with Olive. However, when she finds out Olive is a closet lesbian, she panics, afraid of being labeled by association, and uncertain about what that means and decides to try to fit in with a clique of shallow girls who had previously acted meanly to her and to Olive. She tries to put Olive out of her mind while developing her growing friendship and first dating relationship with Levi. When she finds out Levi has two moms and he challenges Reyna's fears, she is filled with shame and confusion.
The ongoing online chat throughout the book was appropriately progressively woven into the story to provide a window into Olive's online friendship with Grace, a runaway girl she has been sheltering secretly near her home. I am speculating that Grace's character may have been deliberately underdeveloped because that "being unknown" is the case with so many people who have been living in feelings of shame, either bullied or unnoticed because of trying to "not stand out" or be noticed for whatever reason.
When Reyna receives a suicide note from Olive and learns that Grace has bought a ticket to run away to New York City, Reyna comes to some life-changing decisions as she works through her reactions with two friends. They decide to challenge and expose their homophobic and openly bigoted history teacher in memory of (or revenge for) Olive. The ending had enough foreshadowing to not be as much of a surprise as was intended, but seemed a bit forced as the novel wrapped up.
Misc. comments: maybe I missed something, but ... If I were to ask the author to rewrite or to expand on this book, I would ask her to work in some grappling of Reyna's and Levi's with religion (an early theme seemingly abandoned in the later part of the story) and Reyna's contradictory behavior in openly objecting to swearing early in the book and engaging in underage drinking with friends in both a private and more public setting later in the book.
Closing comments: the the suicide theme is presented almost tangentially though also central to the story. This is something I think might have been expanded on, but a Olive wrote shared a revealing insight that may be grist for much further discussion in her typed suicide note "To Those who care," to Mr. Murphy, and to Reyna, "Do you know that some high school newspapers aren't even allowed to mention suicide, just in case it would give students ideas?" -- that could become a poster child for "Banned Books Week" or "Freedom to Read" focus sessions.
Overall, I would recommend this book as definitely worth reading.
I found this an interesting read (all in one night) about the growing self-realizations of a freshman in high school who is timid and wanting to be liked, but also wanting to be brave enough to be her "better self." Having lost her mother at a young age, she is not ready for her father to remarry. Reyna is befriended by Olive, an outspoken girl with an alcoholic mother and dysfunctional family, who recognizes another person filled with sadness. Reyna initially resists because she worries about being friend with a social "loser," but comes to share fun and secrets with Olive. However, when she finds out Olive is a closet lesbian, she panics, afraid of being labeled by association, and uncertain about what that means and decides to try to fit in with a clique of shallow girls who had previously acted meanly to her and to Olive. She tries to put Olive out of her mind while developing her growing friendship and first dating relationship with Levi. When she finds out Levi has two moms and he challenges Reyna's fears, she is filled with shame and confusion.
The ongoing online chat throughout the book was appropriately progressively woven into the story to provide a window into Olive's online friendship with Grace, a runaway girl she has been sheltering secretly near her home. I am speculating that Grace's character may have been deliberately underdeveloped because that "being unknown" is the case with so many people who have been living in feelings of shame, either bullied or unnoticed because of trying to "not stand out" or be noticed for whatever reason.
When Reyna receives a suicide note from Olive and learns that Grace has bought a ticket to run away to New York City, Reyna comes to some life-changing decisions as she works through her reactions with two friends. They decide to challenge and expose their homophobic and openly bigoted history teacher in memory of (or revenge for) Olive. The ending had enough foreshadowing to not be as much of a surprise as was intended, but seemed a bit forced as the novel wrapped up.
Misc. comments: maybe I missed something, but ... If I were to ask the author to rewrite or to expand on this book, I would ask her to work in some grappling of Reyna's and Levi's with religion (an early theme seemingly abandoned in the later part of the story) and Reyna's contradictory behavior in openly objecting to swearing early in the book and engaging in underage drinking with friends in both a private and more public setting later in the book.
Closing comments: the the suicide theme is presented almost tangentially though also central to the story. This is something I think might have been expanded on, but a Olive wrote shared a revealing insight that may be grist for much further discussion in her typed suicide note "To Those who care," to Mr. Murphy, and to Reyna, "Do you know that some high school newspapers aren't even allowed to mention suicide, just in case it would give students ideas?" -- that could become a poster child for "Banned Books Week" or "Freedom to Read" focus sessions.
Overall, I would recommend this book as definitely worth reading.
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