Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave

by Jen White

Survival Strategy #50: If You Can, Be Brave

It's easy to be brave when your eight-year-old sister, Billie, looks up to you as her protector. Twelve-year-old Liberty feels it's her job to look after Billie once they are sent to live with their father, whom they haven't seen since they were very young. Dad is unpredictable on his best days, but when he abandons the girls at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, Liberty's courage is truly put to the test.

As she and Billie struggle to make it home on their own, they encounter a cast of both helpful and not-so-helpful characters, including a man with caterpillar eyebrows, a lady dressed entirely in lavender, a tattooed trucker with a soft spot for cats, a kid who is a little too obsessed with Star Wars, and a woman who lives with a houseful of nontraditional pets. Along the way, they learn that sometimes you have to get a little bit lost to be found.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Young Adult, Adventure, Childrens

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2015

About the author

Jen White writes middle grade fiction. Her second book, A THOUSAND MINUTES TO SUNLIGHT, is out 4.20.21. Her debut, SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF THE ALMOST BRAVE, has been translated into several languages. She grew up in Southern California and currently resides there with her family. Jen received her bachelor of art's degree in English and her master's degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. You can find out more at www.jenwhitebooks.com.

Reviews

[Ann Jacobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost brave? Sisters Liberty and Billie have more courage than you can shake a stick at! This is a heart-wrenching, nail-biting perfect middle-grade adventure, where the girls must survive after suffering the unthinkable. But with heart, guts, determination, and lists, they triumph. As do we, the readers!

[Ilima · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her notebook of animal facts in tow, Liberty proves she's much more than almost brave in this middle grade adventure that is equal parts heart-breaking and heart-warming.

[Sheryl Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

When first we meet twelve year-old Liberty and her eight year-old sister, Billie, they have been abandoned (on purpose) at a sketchy, highway gas station, in the middle of nowhere, on the way to The Four Corners.

The meager options available to these girls are quite bleak, especially since their mother passed away and the person who abandoned them was the dad they had always wanted to know.

Fortunately the incredibly strong, resourceful and almost brave Liberty has a survival strategy firmly in hand. She’ll not only keep her sister safe, but she’ll see that she’s well fed, happy and unafraid until she can figure things out.

The girls face plenty of obstacles, challenges and adventures – including bathing in a hotel swimming pool and stowing away in the sleeper cab of a big rig truck. To keep terror at bay, Liberty, who comes off as realistically wise beyond her years, relies on her survival notebook which is chock full of interesting animal facts. Liberty doles out these facts at the appropriate times to distract and entertain Billie or even to bolster her own courage for something she knows she has to do.

Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave is a heartwarming and ultimately uplifting tale of family, sisters, love and the importance of sticking together. These unforgettable characters come to life thorough this author’s tender prose, while their panic-inducing predicament creates a fervent page-turner. If you loved The Higher Power of Lucky, or Because of Winn Dixie you won’t want to miss this book.

[Jen • Just One More Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is also posted on my blog.

Well, that was actually kind of an accident that I managed to finish this.

I don’t know, I just spent most of the book feeling really *annoyed* at the two main characters. I didn’t even like their names. I’d spent the last three years around 12-year-olds and 8-year-olds, and none of them ever felt as stubbornly incompetent as these two did. It seriously feels like the whole book could have been avoided if Liberty and Billie went straight to an adult and told someone what happened - truthfully - right from the get go, as soon as they started to suspect their dad left them at the gas station. The rest of the book felt completely unnecessary, and, really, as lack of communication is the whole base for the plot, it really was completely unnecessary. Conflict caused by miscommunication is one of the weakest plot points you can give a book.

This book is lucky for two reasons - three, actually - first being I had plenty of time to read while it was slow at work, so I managed to finish it in two days. Secondly, while reading it the first day, I was so annoyed, I wanted to abandon it within the first 50 pages. But I had nothing else with me to read, so I kept at it, and the first hint that child abuse happened (like direct physical abuse) showed up right before I got home, which intrigued me to keep going and find out what happened, and kept me from moving on to another book while I was home and had the opportunity. Then I didn’t read much at home and decided to stick with it for the next day at work, where things very quickly turned annoying again. I felt exactly the same about abandoning it as I did the day before, but again, I had nothing else to read and nobody but myself to blame, so I sighed and kept with it, and ended up finishing the book before I got home. The details and resolution of the child abuse didn’t make an appearance until the last 20 pages or so of the entire book, and really, it wasn’t until Liberty and Billie came under the care of an adult and they weren’t bumbling around by themselves acting half their age that I actually started enjoying reading.

So. Really. It was pure happenstance that I didn’t just up and abandon the whole thing, and I’m not sure I feel relieved that I ‘gave it a chance’ and finished it instead. It did get better by the end, once adults stepped in to help and once their father was made to answer for what he did, but, not better enough to redeem the rest of the book.

I don’t even know why I felt so annoyed, honestly. Not much about it felt unrealistic or unbelievable, and I could actually relate to Liberty’s need to have her notebook at all times in order to feel like she knew what she was doing. I was just like that as a kid. Maybe there was just too much I never went through and just couldn’t relate to, like being conditioned to always be the 'responsible one’ from a very young age and never ever show my true feelings (do you know how afraid that makes a kid of ever admitting they need help or can’t do something?), or having any kind of younger sibling (I AM the younger sibling). And several of their situations did feel truly shitty, like running away from the man who actually grabbed Liberty claiming to wait for their parents in the hotel, and Star Wars kid’s older brother, and how their dad was treating them. Like - you can feel annoyed, like I was, but you can’t actually ACT on it, especially not like that, with blatant abuse and neglect. There was a lot I understood, a lot that made sense why I didn’t understand, and a lot that was severely downplayed in severity. I normally am quite good at seeing things from a child’s perspective and understanding that they’re a CHILD to keep my temper from rising. This time though it just didn’t work, I guess.

My feelings at this exact moment concerning this book are relief that it’s over, shock that I actually stuck with it and finished it so fast, and annoyance that their father’s abusive tendencies were blamed entirely on an undiagnosed personality or mental disorder. Way to vilify mental health; there’s not enough of THAT poison floating around.

I don’t know. I can’t knock the book for me being unable to shake my feelings of frustration, since I feel like that’s more my fault than the book’s (there’s a good reason I don’t have any kids of my own yet, and might not ever). But at the same time, I felt annoyed for a good two-thirds of the story, and there WAS a noted point where it stopped, so I do hold it partially responsible for just not getting into it and not really enjoying the story, the growth, or the character development until the last third. Most of it went totally over my head, which I will say is my fault, but I won’t say in no way is it on me 100%.

I can’t really say I’d recommend this to a general audience, either. To someone in the middle grade age range, the intended audience? Sure; probably, even. But to anyone else? Nah. I feel it’s too hard to get into and truly understand if you can’t directly relate or if you’re not a kid yourself.

[Shimmering.blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein schönes Buch, was mich Große-Schwester-Gefühle hat erleben lassen. Ich konnte mich sehr gut in Liberty hereinversetzen, weil ich eben auch eine große Schwester bin, deren kleine Schwester auch vier Jahre jünger ist.
Es war ganz schön aufregend zu lesen, was Liberty und Billie erleben, als sie versuchen, alleine zurecht zu kommen und welche Menschen sie treffen. Lesen!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it took way too long to explain some of the things

[Jacqueline Oestringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zitate:

"Ich versuchte meine Angst zu verbergen und uns beide davon zu überzeugen, dass er wirklich wiederkommen würde." Seite 8

"Ich wusste nicht, dass Mom schon immer ihre ewige Ruhe im Ozean finden wollte. Ich dachte, sie wollte immer bei uns bleiben." Seite 19

"Dornen stachen in meine Beine und Steinchen steckten in meinen Handflächen, aber ich achtete nicht darauf. Wenn man überleben will, muss man Schmerzen aushalten." Seite 48


Meinung:

Ein unfassbares Szenario, und dennoch bestimmt schon einmal so geschehen…
Die 12- und 8-jährigen Schwestern Liberty und Billie werden von ihrem Vater mitten im Nichts an einer Tankstelle ausgesetzt. Ohne Nahrung, Kleidung oder Wasser, sind sie nun auf ihrem langen Weg nach Hause, auf sich allein gestellt, …

Normalerweise achte ich da ja nicht so sehr darauf, aber findet ihr nicht auch, dass das Cover des Buchs einfach nur toll ist? Ich kann nichts dafür, aber meine Neugierde war beim ersten Blick sofort geweckt.
Und ehrlich gesagt, steht der Inhalt dem ersten äußeren Anschein in Nichts nach!

Der Schreibstil ist passend zu Libertys Alter gewählt. Wir begleiten sie auf ihrer Reise mit ihrer Schwester, ihren Ängsten und Überlegungen. Sie ist ein wirklich ein toller Charakter, ihr Mut und ihre Entschlossenheit sind einfach schön zu lesen.
Sie lebt in dem Moment, um ihren Heimweg zu finden und ihre Schwester zu retten und sie ÜBERlebt, indem sie immer wieder ihr Wissen über Tiere abruft und für sie wichtige Listen erstellt. Ihre Geschichte zu lesen, lässt einem einfach nur das Herz aufgehen. Denn mit ihren 12 Jahren ist sie schon so einiges gewohnt. Zum Beispiel die Verantwortung für Billie zu tragen. Ihre Mutter zog sie alleine auf, musste dadurch viel arbeiten und die Mädchen waren auf sich allein gestellt. Nun ist ihre Mutter tot und der Vater, den sie eigentlich beide nicht kennen, hätte sich um sie kümmern sollen. Tja, was daraus geworden ist, sieht man ja.

Auch macht Liberty während ihrer Reise einen schönen Wandel durch, der dem Leser viel Freude bereitet. Denn aus Angst, von ihrer Schwester getrennt zu werden, vertraut sie niemandem, und versucht stark genug für sie beide zu sein. Aber irgendwann muss sie einsehen, dass es manchmal auch einfach heißt: „Sei mutig, wenn du kannst“. Aber Vertrauen zu haben und Hilfe anzunehmen ist manchmal gar nicht so einfach, wenn man Angst hat, alles zu verlieren.
Sie muss erkennen, dass es die passenden Zeiten für alles im Leben gibt. Ob Mut, Angst, Trauer oder Hoffnung, jedes einzelne davon gehört zum Erwachsen werden dazu. Die Kunst ist nur zu erkennen, wann was seine Zeit hat ;)

Ich hatte sehr viel Spaß mit Libertys und Billies bewegender Reise voller Hochs, Tiefs und Abenteuer! Eine Geschichte voller Emotionen, die mich sowohl traurig gemacht, als auch zum Schmunzeln gebracht haben. Manchmal ist Libertys kindliche Direktheit einfach nur zu süß!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White, Liberty is trying desperately to care for her eight-year-old sister, Billie. Liberty herself is only twelve and it has been a very difficult few months. When Billie and Liberty's mom dies suddenly, they don't know what they will do. When the father they haven't seen or heard from for years shows up with his camper and the promise of adventure, they hope that everything will work out as they had always dreamed. Unfortunately, their need for bravery is not done yet. When the two girls are left alone at a dilapidated old gas station in the middle of nowhere, Liberty is determined to get them safely back home. Her avid interest in animal behavior inspires her to adopt the survival strategies of all the different species she has studied.

Survival, and avoiding anyone she thinks might try to hurt or separate the two girls, becomes more adventure than they had planned. Secretly stowing away in two different vehicles, sleeping in lounge chairs at a hotel pool, running from the bullying older brother of a boy who tries to help them, rats... these things all keep the girls on their toes. Along the way, they cross paths with so many different characters, most of whom are assigned interesting descriptive names by Liberty: Star Wars Kid, Tattoo Guy, Pirate Doctor, Lavender Lady, Caterpillare Eyebrows, Apron Lady, Gray Guy. These are the things that help the reader remember that Liberty is only twelve-years-old and doing her best in an impossible situation.

This book stressed me out. I was so worried about what would happen to these poor little girls. The anxiety and pressure that Liberty felt was well translated to the reader. Even before her mother dies, Liberty is too aware of their family situation and their financial struggles. The sense of responsibility she feels toward her sister is really too much for a child, but perhaps the value of this is in relating that not all children live idyllic lives. On television and in movies, everything may appear to work out easily for the characters and maybe a book like this is necessary for children to understand that everyone doesn't have it better than they do. In that respect, it was successful.

[Sarah Tomp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this book! Liberty and Billie are the best kind of heroes in the worst kind of situation. So much heart - with a big dose of adventure. A perfect middle grade novel.

[Emilie Burack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky to read an advanced copy of this debut novel! Jen White captures the horror of abandonment and gripping power of childhood resilience and courage on every page. A beautiful story that keeps you on the edge of your seat 'til the very end. Brava!

[Tena Edlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5 if I could be specific. This is a good story about finding “our own pod” and that sometimes family can mean different things in different situations. Liberty is s great character. I loved her spunk and her resourcefulness and her protectiveness for her sister. I loved the idea of Liberty’s journal and how her survival strategies made up the different chapters of the book. There were a couple of over-the-top outlandish events, but they didn’t take away from the story for me. It kept my interest, and I was very invested in the fates of the main characters.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so good i couldn't put it down the main character was so brave and responsible it was one of the best books iv'e read this year

[Manreet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave is about two sisters named Liberty and Billie, Liberty and Billie’s mom had died recently, and Julie has contacted their father. They both lived with their mother’s friend, Julie, up until their father came back. Since he is a photographer, he lives in a camper. The two sisters join their dad for an adventure from San Diego to Four Corners, which is where Utah, Colardo, New Mexico, and Arizona meet. Liberty and Billie are in for a real surprise when they find out their dad leaves them at the Jiffy Company gas station in Arizona. Liberty and Billie must find their way home...



I gave Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave three stars because although it is an enjoyable book, I would not read it again because it is not the type of book I prefer to read. I would recommend this book to teachers who want to read it to their class, I think grade 6’s and older might enjoy this book.

[Ishret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave is about 2 sisters Liberty (12)and Billie (8). Billie and Liberty live with their dad in a camper since their mom has passed away. One sort of ordinary day Liberty's dad, Liberty, and Billie go to the gas station to "fill up gas" but instead of just filling up gas Liberty and Billie are left at the gas station in horror, when their dad abandons them. Now Liberty must take care of her and billie while obstacles come their way. To come back to San Diego.


I give this book a 5/5 because the book gives tiny tiny hints of things that are going to happen to hook you on to it, and I like it because the book can be surprising at times and I would recommend this book to grades 6,7, and 8 because you wouldn't a book about death, mental health, and theft to a 5th grader

[Diptvir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave is a book about two sisters, Liberty and Billie. Liberty is 12 and her younger sister Billie is 8. Liberty and Billie had lost their mother because of her being in a car accident. They have no one to take care of because their dad left them when they were little with there mom to face challenges alone. Their mom's best friend, Julie took care of them after their mother passed out for a while. The girls had stayed in San Diego with Julie but then Julie had contacted Liberty's and Billie's dad. They were going to stay with their dad that summer. He was a photographer and he lived in a camper because he was always traveling. Their da was very cruel to them, even though they had not seen each other all these. After a little accident, their dad could no longer handle his daughters and abandoned them, at a gas station. Liberty had trouble trusting people. It was a challenge for Liberty to keep Billie and herself safe and motivated. She had to try her best to stay calm and away from trouble but Although the girls were young, they managed to take care of themselves. Liberty needs to find a way to to get back to Julie while being safe.

This book was very interesting and also different then I thought. The story line was good but a bit strange and confusing. Their were many more ways things could have been done then to abandoned them at a gas station like call Julie for help. Liberty also could have asked for help at the gas station and not just be in charge and trying to solve problems on her own. I would suggest this book to grade 5 and up. I would give this book 4 stars because it was fun reading it and the plot twists made it fun and more interesting though things could have been better if were different but Overall I think this book was good, strange but interesting.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billie and Liberty are likeable girls caught in an impossible situation. Mom has died; hit by a Ford Explorer crossing the road, her neighbor Julie who clearly has issues of her own steps in and looks after the girls. When she finds Liberty and Billie's dad's contact info she lets him know the girls need him and he shows up in his RV to collect them. Dad is an accomplished nature photographer who Mom refused to talk about. The small family embarks on a summer road trip to photograph the desert near Four Corners.

The book opens when Dad abandons the girls at an isolated gas station in the desert when he has had enough and just cannot cope with the girls, the responsibility, and the pressure of having people (even family) around. We come to understand why Mom does not speak of him. Liberty has to summon every survival strategy she knows to head back to LA and Julie who for some reason is ignoring all their phone calls.

Certainly a story of resilience and love- but also harrowing as two young girls make their way across the desert finding unlikely help and ultimately finding a place to land.

Kids will read along and perhaps find a model for courage and character as they read Liberty's words. I feel like the grinch when I say the improbability and peril of the girls' situation troubled me.

[Jeff Raymond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I understand why authors want to tackle difficult ideas and concepts for a middle grade audience. I don't get some of the choices that are being made, though. Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave is closer along the lines of Sara Pennypacker's Summer of the Gypsy Moths, complete with a questionable narrative and truly unfortunate plot to go with it. The story is about a pair of siblings trying to survive in what is effectively the middle of nowhere because their father abandons them at a gas station.

Yup.

I don't even know what to say about this in any real detail. Does this happen? Sure, I'm positive it's not just concocted out of nowhere. Does that mean this book really meets the needs of the intended audience? Do the complexities of the decision being made (complete, by the way, with an utter lack of understanding of those complexities, creating a black and white situation out of emotional necessity as opposed to something more nuanced) offer anything? I don't know.

Skip this one. It's too juvenile for those looking for sophistication or even YA-level narratives, and it's too complicated for most middle grade readers anyway.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Twelve-year-old Liberty has always had to look out for her sister Billie. She is put to the biggest test of her life when their mother dies and they find themselves abandoned by their estranged father at a gas station. An avid watcher of animal television shows, Liberty takes careful notes. She uses those animal survival strategies to help keep her sister and herself safe.

This book is one of the best middle grade books I have read recently. Liberty is a character that readers can look up to. She cares so deeply for her sister and will do anything to keep her safe. She is also very smart and resourceful. Billie is the typical little sister and readers with siblings will easily relate to the relationship that Liberty and Billie have. The adventure the girls set upon in an effort to return home will keep readers turning the pages. I highly recommend this book!

[Newport Librarians · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm stuck between a 3 and a 4 ... this is really well done for middle schoolers. There is a lot of dark and twisty stuff in here that appears almost lightly touched upon in a gentle manner so as not to completely terrify middle readers.

Liberty is twelve, and finds herself stranded at a gas station with her eight year old sister, Billie. Their good-for-nothing dad left them there (he appears to have some sort of anxiety or Asperger's but it isn't directly addressed). From hiding in the back of cars to the outdoor pools of hotels; getting help from a few strangers and finally working their way back, this story could be harrowing if written for older teens or adults.

Even the cover is lighthearted - it looks like a road map and adventure. The writing is good, but I haven't decided if the light tone takes away from the seriousness of what could be some dangerous settings to put yourself in as a young teen.

[collection.of.words · Rating 3 out of 5]

Das Buch konnte mich leider nicht komplett von sich überzeugen. Die Geschichte ist süß und bewegend aber ich hatte mehr erwartet. Liberty ist erst 12 und damit eine sehr junge Protagonistin. Das ist es was mich wahrscheinlich am meisten gestört hat, denn dadurch ist es eben wirklich eher für jüngere Leser. Andererseits ist es auch wieder nicht für zu junge Leser, da es sich eben doch mit ernsten Themen befasst. Deshalb widerspricht sich die Erzählart und die Geschichte etwas und ich weiß nicht wirklich wer die Zielgruppe sein soll. Das Buch ist schön geschrieben und lässt sich schnell lesen. Man will die ganze Zeit wissen was passiert ist und wie es weiter geht, aber es ist nie wirklich spannend. Mir hat etwas der Höhepunkt der Geschichte gefehlt aber alles in allem ein gutes Jugendbuch, das ich vielleicht 14-15 Jährigen Empfehlen würde.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read. So much so, I couldn't put it down. A few days later my wife picked it up, and she also stayed up into the early morning to finish it. Really engaging story, which I think is very valuable for the target audience, but also for adults. One theme I loved from this story, was a message of resilience.

I think our life of constant interruption and fast paced movement, doesn't allow us to recognize resilience as a virtue. I like how this book doesn't hide the fact that most people in life have problems they must get through, and that getting through on the other side, allows us to be, ultimately, happy.

[Heather Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liberty and Billie have to be brave. Their mother died and their long-missing father has taken them far from their old home in San Diego in his rattley old RV. He is taking photos of the desert for nature magazines, but he doesn't really know how to care for two little girls. When things go wrong, Liberty takes things into her own hands to save herself and Billie, and find their way home to California. Along the way the girls discover friends and allies they would never have expected - Star Wars boy, Tattoo Guy, and Pirate Doctor - all helping them to be brave.
Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave is a great read; showing the search for a functioning family by two young sisters.

[Lisa Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and engaging story of the strength of a young girl and the bonds of family. I loved the voice of Liberty and her bravery that is barely keeping things together. When her unpredictable dad leaves her and her sister out in the middle of the desert, Liberty is left to figure things out and keep her sister safe. There is a great cast of quirky characters that Liberty describes with her unique voice. I was rooting for Liberty from the beginning. I also liked the format of each chapter heading being a survival strategy. Wonderful debut novel. Will be watching for other titles by Jen White.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the most perfect middle grade book I've read in a long while.
It has
1. an endearing 12-year-old protagonist who takes her job as protector of her little sister very seriously.
2. a heart-pounding plot, where the palpitations begin on page one.
3. achingly beautiful prose in which every word seems to be exactly the right one.
and
4. enough fun and interesting animals facts woven throughout to delight boys and girls alike.
I thought about this book long after I finished it. I'm pretty sure you will, too.

[Dominik Von · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Liberty and Billie are left at a gas station by their dad, they will need to get out and find somewhere to stay. They go from a hotel to a boy with a mean brother’s house to a rat keeper’s home. They call a family friend, who doesn’t answer the phone. The question is, if their father comes back, can they ever forgive him?
This is a story about how two people, even after they’re abandoned, can forgive. The sisters were lost, but when they were found, they felt better than ever. Anybody will love this book.

[Yamile Méndez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen White, my heart is torn to pieces! I loved this book. The characters are darling, the pace is incredible (I couldn't put it down), and the end is beautiful. So, so well written! Way to go! Except for those "babies." Still shuddering.
Only one thing: I would have liked to know Tattoo Guy's name, and maybe see him one more time. But other than that, no complaints. This book is beautiful!

[Susan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel by a first time Author. The story of two girls whose Mother dies and are given to their father who has not seen them for years. He ends up leaving them at a gas station. The story of who the oldest, eleven, copes and watches out for her sister is heart warming and heart breaking.

[Devin Redmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two girls, their mom dies unexpectedly, they go live with their dad whom they don't know, and it doesn't go well. I really didn't like the younger sister, but I didn't like any of the characters and didn't feel like I knew them at all. Maybe kids would like it better than I did. 4th-6th grade. Survival, sisters, death, perseverance, family.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016...

[ems · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 von 5 Sternen

Mir hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen!

Den Schreibstil fand ich super - es ist einfach gehalten & gut zu verstehen, was aus der Perspektive eines 12 jährigen Mädchens total gut passt. Wie Liberty, unsere Protagonistin, Situationen & Dinge beschreibt war fast magisch, ich hatte oft das Gefühl mit Vorort zu sein. Ich bin durch die Seiten geflogen!

Die Geschichte fand ich gut aufgebaut. Es wird immer wieder zwischen Vergangenheit & Gegenwart gewechselt, was uns ein besseres Verständnis dafür gibt, wieso Liberty so denkt & handelt wie sie es eben tut. Zum Schluss wird auch ein etwas ernsteres Thema aufgedeckt (obwohl eigentlich das ganze Buch ein ernstes Thema darstellt).

Vom Aufbau & Plot hat mir das Buch auf jeden Fall sehr gefallen, nur war ich vom Ende leider nicht ganz so überzeugt. Woran genau es liegt kann ich gar nicht genau sagen, es waren einfach mehrere Kleinigkeiten die mich gestört haben - zum Beispiel das Gespräch mit ihrem Vater oder das Julie so schnell damit einverstanden war die beiden wieder aufzunehmen, obwohl sie am Anfang mehr als erleichtert rüberkam die beiden aus dem Weg zu haben.

Die Charaktere waren genauso wie ich es eigentlich am liebsten mag - realistisch. Während der Geschichte begegnen Liberty & Billie viele neue und vor allem unterschiedliche Menschen & ich finde das wurde total gut umgesetzt. Man wusste nie gegenüber wem die beiden jetzt standen - jemand der nett und verständnisvoll war oder nur ärger machen würde. Alle waren sehr individuell gestaltet & hatten ihre Fehler, aber ich mag die Menschlichkeit, die solche Charaktergestaltungen zum Ausdruck bringen.

Unsere beiden Protagonistinnen wurden meiner Meinung nach auch super gestaltet. Man merkt die beiden haben schon viel gemeinsam durchstehen müssen, das merkt man daran wie die beiden mit bestimmten Situationen umgehen, aber nicht zu übersehen, ist, dass Liberty die Rolle der Mutter übernimmt. Für sie hat Billies Sicherheit oberste Priorität, jedoch definiert sie das als Charakter nicht allein aus. Sie ist auch total begeistert von der Tierwelt & der Natur & das wird auch total gut in die Geschichte integriert. Ich glaube das war auch eines meiner Lieblingspunkte am Buch - wie gut diese Perspektive von Liberty, einem 12 jährigen Mädchen, umgesetzt wurde. Auch Billie fand ich toll! Im Gegensatz zu Liberty war sie sehr viel neugieriger, vielleicht auch ein wenig naiver & lebensfroh, sie wollte einfach nur Spaß haben, wie es sich für ihr Alter gehört :) Zusammen haben sie auf jeden Fall ein super Duo abgegeben!

Die Charakterentwicklung von Liberty mochte ich eigentlich auch ganz gerne, obwohl ich definitiv einige Sachen geändert hätte (wie gesagt, das Ende zählt nicht zu meinen Favoriten).

Ich würde das Buch definitiv weiterempfehlen, es hat mir sehr gut gefallen :)