What do you think?
Rate this book
Girl on the Ferris Wheel
In Girl on the Ferris Wheel, Julie Halpern and Len Vlahos expertly tackle this quirky and poignant romance that explores what first love really means—and how it sometimes hurts like hell.
Tenth graders Eliana and Dmitri could not be more different. He's an outgoing, self-confident drummer in a punk band called Unexpected Turbulence. Eliana is introspective and thoughtful, and a movie buff who is living with depression.
Dmitri quite literally falls for Eliana when he sees her in gym class and slams into a classmate. The pair then navigate the ins and outs of first love. Exciting, scary, unexpected, and so much more difficult than they ever imagined. They say opposites attract, but they soon realize that there is so much they just don’t understand about each other. It begs the question: How long can first love possibly last when you’re so different?
Tenth graders Eliana and Dmitri could not be more different. He's an outgoing, self-confident drummer in a punk band called Unexpected Turbulence. Eliana is introspective and thoughtful, and a movie buff who is living with depression.
Dmitri quite literally falls for Eliana when he sees her in gym class and slams into a classmate. The pair then navigate the ins and outs of first love. Exciting, scary, unexpected, and so much more difficult than they ever imagined. They say opposites attract, but they soon realize that there is so much they just don’t understand about each other. It begs the question: How long can first love possibly last when you’re so different?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2021
6 people are currently reading
1843 people want to read
About the author
Julie Halpern
17 books427 followersJULIE HALPERN is the author of five young adult novels and one picture book for young readers. Maternity Leave is her first novel for adults. Prior to her life as full-time mom and author, Julie was a school librarian. In her imaginary spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching television for grown-ups, and eating baked goods. Julie lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, author and illustrator Matthew Cordell, and their two children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 14, 2021
I really enjoyed reading Len's previous book Hard-Wired, so when I saw that he co-wrote another YA novel, I was very excited about this touching, realistic, and sweet story.
Girl on the Ferris Wheel gives us two alternating POVs. Dmitri and Eliana come from very different backgounds and have very different personalities. Quiet, insecure Eliana has four other siblings and a stay-at-home dad, whose DVD rental store went out of business, while Dmitri is a second generation American Greek with a close-knit family, trying to integrate into American life and at the same time keep their distinct culture. Dmitri is a drummer in a band and a movie buff. He is also friendly and outgoing, which helps him to navigate high school social life with a lot of confidence and ease.
One of the best things about this book is that it provides a realistic representation of what it's like to live with clinical depression and what it's like to love and support a person with it. Eliana was briefly hospitalised and when she came back to school she found hersef almost isolated as a lot of her friends decided it was too complicated and awkward to be around her. Eliana's struggle with her depression is written in a heart-breakingly honest way. Her inner dialogue is fascinating, with some hilarious runaway comments on what is happening at the moment and some dark moments with repetitive self-depreciating thought patterns.
It was interesting to see both perspectives on Eliana and Dmitri's relationship with all the excitement and ups and lows of figuring out the other side's feelings and opinions. Depending on your own experience, you might find one of the characters more or less relatable, but they are definitely realistic and memorable, and both of them go through a lot of growth and development. There is a wonderful cast of secondary characters, including Eliana's best friend Janina, Dmitri's surprisingly perceptive younger brother Niki, and adorable grandmother Yia Yia.
The only thing that didn't work for me was the abundance of Happy Potter references, although I appreciate that being able to get and relate to well-known references (or the opposite, some obscure movie quotes) is a way of establishing a connection, finding your own tribe, which is a part of teen life.
I would definitely recommend this book. First romantic relationships aren't easy because we still need to learn the importance of communication, but they are also exciting and genuine- like this book.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours, NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.
Girl on the Ferris Wheel gives us two alternating POVs. Dmitri and Eliana come from very different backgounds and have very different personalities. Quiet, insecure Eliana has four other siblings and a stay-at-home dad, whose DVD rental store went out of business, while Dmitri is a second generation American Greek with a close-knit family, trying to integrate into American life and at the same time keep their distinct culture. Dmitri is a drummer in a band and a movie buff. He is also friendly and outgoing, which helps him to navigate high school social life with a lot of confidence and ease.
One of the best things about this book is that it provides a realistic representation of what it's like to live with clinical depression and what it's like to love and support a person with it. Eliana was briefly hospitalised and when she came back to school she found hersef almost isolated as a lot of her friends decided it was too complicated and awkward to be around her. Eliana's struggle with her depression is written in a heart-breakingly honest way. Her inner dialogue is fascinating, with some hilarious runaway comments on what is happening at the moment and some dark moments with repetitive self-depreciating thought patterns.
It was interesting to see both perspectives on Eliana and Dmitri's relationship with all the excitement and ups and lows of figuring out the other side's feelings and opinions. Depending on your own experience, you might find one of the characters more or less relatable, but they are definitely realistic and memorable, and both of them go through a lot of growth and development. There is a wonderful cast of secondary characters, including Eliana's best friend Janina, Dmitri's surprisingly perceptive younger brother Niki, and adorable grandmother Yia Yia.
The only thing that didn't work for me was the abundance of Happy Potter references, although I appreciate that being able to get and relate to well-known references (or the opposite, some obscure movie quotes) is a way of establishing a connection, finding your own tribe, which is a part of teen life.
I would definitely recommend this book. First romantic relationships aren't easy because we still need to learn the importance of communication, but they are also exciting and genuine- like this book.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours, NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.
January 8, 2021
This book was simply not good.
I will say some of the redeeming parts of the book were getting to read how depression manifests in some young people and how it affects them. Also Yia Yia's character was a big highlight. She reminded me of my elementary school friend's Yia Yia who was just as loving and funny. There was a lot of push and pull in Eliana and Dmitri's relationship and it was interesting to see how miscommunication really affected their relationship. I also appreciated the ending of the book, and think it did the characters and their experiences justice.
Now on to everything I disliked. The amount of Harry Potter references in this was actually absurd. Even if JK Rowling wasn't transphobic, I did not need multiple references in all of Eliana's chapter. I know it's a cultural phenomenon and is important to Eliana, but as someone who hasn't read or seen them, it was just way too much and completely took away from this book by constantly bringing the series up. This book also read younger than the 10th grade. The characters almost seemed a little too naive at times to be fifteen.
Also, I don't know why so many books need the reader to know that the protagonist's family is anti-Black and racist, but I promise it was not necessary at all in this story. The authors could have mentioned that Dmitri's family would have preferred him to date within his own culture, but instead we had to be subject to reading about his dad called a Black waitress a racial slur in Greek and his family being relieved his new girlfriend wasn't Black. I promise Black people understand how much we're disliked and hated. We don't need to be reminded in a YA romance.
Overall, this book didn't do much for me. I would hope they made some changes for the finished book, as I read an advanced copy. If you want to read something that talks about young people with depression and has an added cultural element like this book, I would just read Darius the Great is Not Okay.
*Thanks to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own*
I will say some of the redeeming parts of the book were getting to read how depression manifests in some young people and how it affects them. Also Yia Yia's character was a big highlight. She reminded me of my elementary school friend's Yia Yia who was just as loving and funny. There was a lot of push and pull in Eliana and Dmitri's relationship and it was interesting to see how miscommunication really affected their relationship. I also appreciated the ending of the book, and think it did the characters and their experiences justice.
Now on to everything I disliked. The amount of Harry Potter references in this was actually absurd. Even if JK Rowling wasn't transphobic, I did not need multiple references in all of Eliana's chapter. I know it's a cultural phenomenon and is important to Eliana, but as someone who hasn't read or seen them, it was just way too much and completely took away from this book by constantly bringing the series up. This book also read younger than the 10th grade. The characters almost seemed a little too naive at times to be fifteen.
Also, I don't know why so many books need the reader to know that the protagonist's family is anti-Black and racist, but I promise it was not necessary at all in this story. The authors could have mentioned that Dmitri's family would have preferred him to date within his own culture, but instead we had to be subject to reading about his dad called a Black waitress a racial slur in Greek and his family being relieved his new girlfriend wasn't Black. I promise Black people understand how much we're disliked and hated. We don't need to be reminded in a YA romance.
Overall, this book didn't do much for me. I would hope they made some changes for the finished book, as I read an advanced copy. If you want to read something that talks about young people with depression and has an added cultural element like this book, I would just read Darius the Great is Not Okay.
*Thanks to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own*
January 14, 2021
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
3.5*
This is a really sweet and really genuine book. Eliana and Dmitri are trying to navigate their first serious romantic relationship while also dealing with all the life stuff that comes along. It's worth noting that this book skews to the younger end of the spectrum. This is certainly not a bad thing, it's just a thing that I felt I should mention since people have different preferences.
Eliana reminded me quite a bit of myself at that age. She cannot even fathom that Dmitri might actually have feelings for her, mostly because she's got some pretty low self esteem happening. She has also been going through some very serious mental health struggles, which obviously contribute heavily to her view of herself. Most of her friends ditched her when she had an inpatient hospitalization a year prior, which is both infuriating and sadly realistic. Her family life is also a bit messy, as she has had to take on a bit of a surrogate parenting role for her younger siblings. Her mother works constantly to make up for the fact that her father... well, he does nothing. It's clear to me that he is suffering from some kind of mental illness as well, but it infuriated me that it became Eliana's problem. She does at least have one incredible ride-or-die friend, Janina. And thank goodness for her, she is the support that Eliana needs, and I am so glad that she exists in this book.
Dmitri is... look, things are a little easier for Dmitri. He's got a really solid family (including his grandmother, Yia Yia, who I adored with my entire being), even though they can be a little out of touch and judgmental. Dmitri, basically, has a lot of growing up to do, which I think can be said for plenty of young people. He is a good guy though, with good intentions. And he is genuinely open to learning and growing, which is most important.
And that is truly the crux of this story: Growing, learning, and challenging yourself to do better. Eliana must come to terms with her own mental health, and her own needs and wants independently and in terms of relationships. There is, thankfully, appropriate discussion on why it's so important to understand that no one can fix you but you, so I applaud the authors for that.
Bottom Line: Ultimately, I found the book to be a very realistic take on first loves, family relationships, friendships, and growing up.
3.5*
This is a really sweet and really genuine book. Eliana and Dmitri are trying to navigate their first serious romantic relationship while also dealing with all the life stuff that comes along. It's worth noting that this book skews to the younger end of the spectrum. This is certainly not a bad thing, it's just a thing that I felt I should mention since people have different preferences.
Eliana reminded me quite a bit of myself at that age. She cannot even fathom that Dmitri might actually have feelings for her, mostly because she's got some pretty low self esteem happening. She has also been going through some very serious mental health struggles, which obviously contribute heavily to her view of herself. Most of her friends ditched her when she had an inpatient hospitalization a year prior, which is both infuriating and sadly realistic. Her family life is also a bit messy, as she has had to take on a bit of a surrogate parenting role for her younger siblings. Her mother works constantly to make up for the fact that her father... well, he does nothing. It's clear to me that he is suffering from some kind of mental illness as well, but it infuriated me that it became Eliana's problem. She does at least have one incredible ride-or-die friend, Janina. And thank goodness for her, she is the support that Eliana needs, and I am so glad that she exists in this book.
Dmitri is... look, things are a little easier for Dmitri. He's got a really solid family (including his grandmother, Yia Yia, who I adored with my entire being), even though they can be a little out of touch and judgmental. Dmitri, basically, has a lot of growing up to do, which I think can be said for plenty of young people. He is a good guy though, with good intentions. And he is genuinely open to learning and growing, which is most important.
And that is truly the crux of this story: Growing, learning, and challenging yourself to do better. Eliana must come to terms with her own mental health, and her own needs and wants independently and in terms of relationships. There is, thankfully, appropriate discussion on why it's so important to understand that no one can fix you but you, so I applaud the authors for that.
Bottom Line: Ultimately, I found the book to be a very realistic take on first loves, family relationships, friendships, and growing up.
December 25, 2020
2.5 Stars
Note: I was provided with a free ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This book is cute. It is the story of a first love, complete with ups-and-downs and clever metaphors. This book includes a male narrator, which is refreshing in YA in general and especially in a romance/love-story like this one. It also includes positive depression representation, which is more than needed. I did find it a little juvenile overall, like it was perhaps better suited to a Middle Grade audience, but that doesn't take away from the good bones and solid storytelling.
Details about the pure wholesomeness this book will be published on my blog in January.
LINK: https://gatewaybookreviews.blogspot.c...
Note: I was provided with a free ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This book is cute. It is the story of a first love, complete with ups-and-downs and clever metaphors. This book includes a male narrator, which is refreshing in YA in general and especially in a romance/love-story like this one. It also includes positive depression representation, which is more than needed. I did find it a little juvenile overall, like it was perhaps better suited to a Middle Grade audience, but that doesn't take away from the good bones and solid storytelling.
Details about the pure wholesomeness this book will be published on my blog in January.
LINK: https://gatewaybookreviews.blogspot.c...
January 13, 2021
*Thank you to MacMillan and Netgalley for the E-Arc!
TW: misogyny, depression, anxiety, sexism, racism, anti-semitism
Spoilery-content below.
Listen, y'all. I feel conflicted.
It's the morning after I've finished this book and I'm still trying to gather my thoughts. While this book had its cute moments, it had a lot of bittersweet and unexplained moments. I felt like there were a lot of "telling" not "showing" moments, and I really feel like Dmitri was done dirty.
While this book also has some accurate depression representation, the way its handled feel unfulfilled. In the beginning she doesn't take advantage of the therapy she's being offered, she clearly doesn't want to do the mental leg work, and at times, yes I understand. However, when I was that age, if I was able to talk to someone about it, I would. Even now. In terms of how it's handled via parentage, not well. Her father is adrift with his own issues, her mother is the 'tough love' type which often causes more damage than aid. She's treated like a second parent to her siblings, and even that story arc isn't resolved in any way.
Even with her ex-friends, it's not resolved. It's just 'daisy's a b*tch' which YES she is, but...I feel like it would've been satisfying to have some kind of moment there.
When it came to Dmitri, his parents are clearly racist. YiaYia is THE BEST character in this book. It made me super uncomfortable every time his parents spoke, because of the very blatant anti-semitism and anti-blackness.
Also wtf with all of the Harry Potter references! We don't need those references in 2021!!
How about Dmitri being totally left in the dark and by that he's doing ALL the unhelpful things. I also feel like he didn't get any help from his parents regarding dating, how to act around females, but he was SO DAMN SWEET. He was a literal marshmallow that went from soft and squishy to burnt and crusty.
I mean all in all, the relationship itself was not meant to last because of their constant miscommunication and the fact that they didn't talk about anything serious. When, when I was 15 I was having very serious conversations about everything with my friends. Dmitri really did love her, although his love was misconstrued and caused him to do foolish things in the name of love.
All in all, I really feel unfulfilled. This book wasn't BAD, but it didn't leave me with resolve. I feel like something went wrong in this book somewhere during the writing process, and it didn't get fixed.
I laughed, I cried, I related SO HARD, but...that's it.
TW: misogyny, depression, anxiety, sexism, racism, anti-semitism
Spoilery-content below.
Listen, y'all. I feel conflicted.
It's the morning after I've finished this book and I'm still trying to gather my thoughts. While this book had its cute moments, it had a lot of bittersweet and unexplained moments. I felt like there were a lot of "telling" not "showing" moments, and I really feel like Dmitri was done dirty.
While this book also has some accurate depression representation, the way its handled feel unfulfilled. In the beginning she doesn't take advantage of the therapy she's being offered, she clearly doesn't want to do the mental leg work, and at times, yes I understand. However, when I was that age, if I was able to talk to someone about it, I would. Even now. In terms of how it's handled via parentage, not well. Her father is adrift with his own issues, her mother is the 'tough love' type which often causes more damage than aid. She's treated like a second parent to her siblings, and even that story arc isn't resolved in any way.
Even with her ex-friends, it's not resolved. It's just 'daisy's a b*tch' which YES she is, but...I feel like it would've been satisfying to have some kind of moment there.
When it came to Dmitri, his parents are clearly racist. YiaYia is THE BEST character in this book. It made me super uncomfortable every time his parents spoke, because of the very blatant anti-semitism and anti-blackness.
Also wtf with all of the Harry Potter references! We don't need those references in 2021!!
How about Dmitri being totally left in the dark and by that he's doing ALL the unhelpful things. I also feel like he didn't get any help from his parents regarding dating, how to act around females, but he was SO DAMN SWEET. He was a literal marshmallow that went from soft and squishy to burnt and crusty.
I mean all in all, the relationship itself was not meant to last because of their constant miscommunication and the fact that they didn't talk about anything serious. When, when I was 15 I was having very serious conversations about everything with my friends. Dmitri really did love her, although his love was misconstrued and caused him to do foolish things in the name of love.
All in all, I really feel unfulfilled. This book wasn't BAD, but it didn't leave me with resolve. I feel like something went wrong in this book somewhere during the writing process, and it didn't get fixed.
I laughed, I cried, I related SO HARD, but...that's it.
January 21, 2021
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by Xpresso Tours. Thanks to Feiwel & Friends for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars
The Girl on the Ferris Wheel was a realistic YA contemporary about high school life, first love, culture and family. It also has good representation for anxiety and depression especially through the lens of a young adult. There were some pretty sombre and raw moments with Eliana's depression that were heartbreaking and hard-hitting but I thought it accurately represented what it's like living with mental illness, at the same time without being overwhelming particularly for the younger audience this book is targeted to. Through Dimitri and Eliana's story, the authors perfectly highlight the highs and lows that come as part of the teenage package. They capture that blend of cynicism and hope, and a sometimes endearing and sometimes irritating brashness of character, but also the sweet and funnily awkward moments between friends, first loves, and family.
As I'm not the target audience for this book, I personally had a difficult time also fully connecting with Dimitri and Eliana--there were certainly relatable moments but I swung between liking them and finding them frustrating throughout the read. Eliana, in particular, was a character I'd hoped to connect with more especially as someone who has experienced the same mental health issues from that age, but frankly, she was mean and I found her bitterness (mainly towards her dad) quite scathing. I really enjoyed reading about Dimitri's big Greek family. Does it feed into the stereotype of conservative, loud and rambunctious Greek families portrayed in the media? A little bit, yeah, but in contrast to Eliana's toned-down family interactions, Dimitri's family brought such life to the page and it was so refreshing. I especially loved his Yia Yia and his younger brother, Nicky, and I wished we got much more time with those two because they were so loveable!
Eliana and Dimitri's relationship, a first for both of them, played a central role in the story and it really threw me back to the awkward firsts of my own high school relationships--the first date, first kiss, first time holding hands, first butterflies and heart swoops full of nervous excitement. It was quite nice and also funny! They definitely had their sweet moments that had me going 'aw' but at the same time, most of my frustration was a result of their relationship due to a lack of communication, as well as how these two (re)act. I won't go into details because that leads to spoiler territory, but I'll say that while I did become irritated with these two, I knew I was observing them through my current (older) lense, and the more I thought about it, I realised that I probably would've reacted similarly in certain instances when I was a teenager. Ultimately, despite a lot of teenage drama, angst and heartbreak, I was quite happy with how the story ended for both our characters. It brought a happy sense of peace and contentment and I thought it was the perfect way to end the story.
The Girl on the Ferris Wheel was a realistic YA contemporary about high school life, first love, culture and family. It also has good representation for anxiety and depression especially through the lens of a young adult. There were some pretty sombre and raw moments with Eliana's depression that were heartbreaking and hard-hitting but I thought it accurately represented what it's like living with mental illness, at the same time without being overwhelming particularly for the younger audience this book is targeted to. Through Dimitri and Eliana's story, the authors perfectly highlight the highs and lows that come as part of the teenage package. They capture that blend of cynicism and hope, and a sometimes endearing and sometimes irritating brashness of character, but also the sweet and funnily awkward moments between friends, first loves, and family.
As I'm not the target audience for this book, I personally had a difficult time also fully connecting with Dimitri and Eliana--there were certainly relatable moments but I swung between liking them and finding them frustrating throughout the read. Eliana, in particular, was a character I'd hoped to connect with more especially as someone who has experienced the same mental health issues from that age, but frankly, she was mean and I found her bitterness (mainly towards her dad) quite scathing. I really enjoyed reading about Dimitri's big Greek family. Does it feed into the stereotype of conservative, loud and rambunctious Greek families portrayed in the media? A little bit, yeah, but in contrast to Eliana's toned-down family interactions, Dimitri's family brought such life to the page and it was so refreshing. I especially loved his Yia Yia and his younger brother, Nicky, and I wished we got much more time with those two because they were so loveable!
Eliana and Dimitri's relationship, a first for both of them, played a central role in the story and it really threw me back to the awkward firsts of my own high school relationships--the first date, first kiss, first time holding hands, first butterflies and heart swoops full of nervous excitement. It was quite nice and also funny! They definitely had their sweet moments that had me going 'aw' but at the same time, most of my frustration was a result of their relationship due to a lack of communication, as well as how these two (re)act. I won't go into details because that leads to spoiler territory, but I'll say that while I did become irritated with these two, I knew I was observing them through my current (older) lense, and the more I thought about it, I realised that I probably would've reacted similarly in certain instances when I was a teenager. Ultimately, despite a lot of teenage drama, angst and heartbreak, I was quite happy with how the story ended for both our characters. It brought a happy sense of peace and contentment and I thought it was the perfect way to end the story.
December 4, 2020
TW: depression; anxiety; mention of suicide; death of a loved one
This book may have been something I possibly could have liked in middle school or early high school, but for me now, it seems a bit juvenile. I don’t think the plot or things that the characters did were very exaggerated because I remember high school, people did some wild things in my high school, so I understood where the authors were coming from, I just don’t think I was the intended audience for the book and it just didn’t mesh with me. The characters were mediocre, I didn’t feel strongly towards any of them positively or negatively (except Yia Yia, loved that woman). I did find that one of the similarities between Eliana and me was that she hated being smothered or constantly being checked up on. At least for me, I like nice gestures and being checked on from time to time, but when it’s every single moment of every single day, it can be extremely suffocating, so I totally get where she was coming from in that aspect. The writing style was solid, I had no complaints about that either. I went into this book thinking it would just be a really sweet and simple high school love story, but it was far from simply being that. There’s a lot of talk about Greek and Jewish traditions since the main characters are from these backgrounds, I really liked that aspect of it. There’s also I think a decently realistic representation of depression? I feel like that’s a bit hard to comment on though because every person who has or has had depression deals with it differently, and when I used to have depression, I didn’t act in a similar fashion to the MC, but depression is subjective per person, so I feel like the authors did paint a realistic picture of what mental illness can be like. Overall, I genuinely think this book is a solid read, maybe for a younger audience in high school, or late middle school. There were some really cut moments that made me smile, so even though it wasn’t entirely for me, I would still recommend it to others to try!
Characters: 5/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Plot: 5/10
Intrigue: 5/10
Logic: 5/10
Enjoyment: 5/10
Rating: 5.3 or 3 stars
This book may have been something I possibly could have liked in middle school or early high school, but for me now, it seems a bit juvenile. I don’t think the plot or things that the characters did were very exaggerated because I remember high school, people did some wild things in my high school, so I understood where the authors were coming from, I just don’t think I was the intended audience for the book and it just didn’t mesh with me. The characters were mediocre, I didn’t feel strongly towards any of them positively or negatively (except Yia Yia, loved that woman). I did find that one of the similarities between Eliana and me was that she hated being smothered or constantly being checked up on. At least for me, I like nice gestures and being checked on from time to time, but when it’s every single moment of every single day, it can be extremely suffocating, so I totally get where she was coming from in that aspect. The writing style was solid, I had no complaints about that either. I went into this book thinking it would just be a really sweet and simple high school love story, but it was far from simply being that. There’s a lot of talk about Greek and Jewish traditions since the main characters are from these backgrounds, I really liked that aspect of it. There’s also I think a decently realistic representation of depression? I feel like that’s a bit hard to comment on though because every person who has or has had depression deals with it differently, and when I used to have depression, I didn’t act in a similar fashion to the MC, but depression is subjective per person, so I feel like the authors did paint a realistic picture of what mental illness can be like. Overall, I genuinely think this book is a solid read, maybe for a younger audience in high school, or late middle school. There were some really cut moments that made me smile, so even though it wasn’t entirely for me, I would still recommend it to others to try!
Characters: 5/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Plot: 5/10
Intrigue: 5/10
Logic: 5/10
Enjoyment: 5/10
Rating: 5.3 or 3 stars
January 11, 2021
Girl on the Ferris Wheel is a contemporary novel about Eliana and Dmitri, who are total opposites navigating first love. Eliana is an introvert living with depression, and Dmitri is very outgoing and confident. It was very interesting to see their relationship develop since they were so different.
I didn’t connect with this story that well, but that isn’t because it wasn’t a good book. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more at a younger age, but it’s still a really sweet story. There were a lot of times throughout the book that I found myself frustrated with Eliana or Dmitri for things that could have been fixed through communication. Having said that, it was very realistic, especially for a first love story.
Overall, I think this would have been a book I really enjoyed when I was just getting into YA toward the end of middle school and the beginning of high school. It’s a very realistic book about first love, and I actually really appreciated the ending. I think it’s important for young adults to see that sometimes the most important part of a relationship is how it helped you grow as an individual.
I didn’t connect with this story that well, but that isn’t because it wasn’t a good book. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more at a younger age, but it’s still a really sweet story. There were a lot of times throughout the book that I found myself frustrated with Eliana or Dmitri for things that could have been fixed through communication. Having said that, it was very realistic, especially for a first love story.
Overall, I think this would have been a book I really enjoyed when I was just getting into YA toward the end of middle school and the beginning of high school. It’s a very realistic book about first love, and I actually really appreciated the ending. I think it’s important for young adults to see that sometimes the most important part of a relationship is how it helped you grow as an individual.
January 8, 2021
This wasn't what I was expecting. It was pretty cute, but it lacked originality. RTC
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
February 2, 2021
Initial Thoughts: I finished this book so fast but also I wanted to slap everyone
I received this for the publisher in exchange for a review. This does not affect my review which is unbiased and honest.
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book. I thought it might just be a cute fun cliche romance but what I got was a rollercoaster of emotions and a really insightful narrative about love, heartbreak, mistakes and how anxiety and depression can impact it all.
This book follows two characters in a dual POV. Eliana is a Jewish girl that battles with depression. She loves movies and has a sarcastic and dry witty sense of humor that I really connected to. Dmitri is a easy-going friendly Greek boy in a punk rock band.
Obviously, the story follows the both of them as they navigate their relationship and struggle with their own problems. It was so easy to read and honestly really fast paced. I related to both the characters in certain ways whether it be their inner turmoil or their family relationships or being a little hard-headed.
I definitely wanted to punch the characters in the face a lot because–since they’re teenagers– they have the fault of assuming that everyone can read their minds and as a result they tended to do things that DIDN’T HELP. Usually I’m not a fan of the whole ‘miscommunication’ kind of trope but this book was addicting and I really couldn’t put it down even when I felt like it was going to be trainwreck (of emotions).
I think that this book being told in dual POV was so perfectly done because we got to see what each character was really thinking about the relationship. While one was thinking it was totally perfect, the other felt trapped and bored and like they weren’t being understood. It was just a really emotional rollercoaster getting to know both these characters, flaws and all.
I’m not an ownvoices reader at all so I can’t really comment on the representation, but I really related to the family aspects and the inner workings of their minds. Their thought process was just so engaging and even when I was angry at the characters, I still felt like I really understood why they would do whatever they did.
If you enjoy movie commentary, writing songs to impress the love interest, dropping out of classes because why not, walking like…everywhere, the magic of first dates, and interesting family relationships I would definitely recommend this book. I think you’d enjoy this book if you’re looking for a really interesting discussion about depression. Pick this book up if you’re ready for a few laughs, probably some angry and irritated screaming, punk rock bands, sarcasm, best friends, and the best grandma ever.
I received this for the publisher in exchange for a review. This does not affect my review which is unbiased and honest.
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book. I thought it might just be a cute fun cliche romance but what I got was a rollercoaster of emotions and a really insightful narrative about love, heartbreak, mistakes and how anxiety and depression can impact it all.
This book follows two characters in a dual POV. Eliana is a Jewish girl that battles with depression. She loves movies and has a sarcastic and dry witty sense of humor that I really connected to. Dmitri is a easy-going friendly Greek boy in a punk rock band.
Obviously, the story follows the both of them as they navigate their relationship and struggle with their own problems. It was so easy to read and honestly really fast paced. I related to both the characters in certain ways whether it be their inner turmoil or their family relationships or being a little hard-headed.
I definitely wanted to punch the characters in the face a lot because–since they’re teenagers– they have the fault of assuming that everyone can read their minds and as a result they tended to do things that DIDN’T HELP. Usually I’m not a fan of the whole ‘miscommunication’ kind of trope but this book was addicting and I really couldn’t put it down even when I felt like it was going to be trainwreck (of emotions).
I think that this book being told in dual POV was so perfectly done because we got to see what each character was really thinking about the relationship. While one was thinking it was totally perfect, the other felt trapped and bored and like they weren’t being understood. It was just a really emotional rollercoaster getting to know both these characters, flaws and all.
I’m not an ownvoices reader at all so I can’t really comment on the representation, but I really related to the family aspects and the inner workings of their minds. Their thought process was just so engaging and even when I was angry at the characters, I still felt like I really understood why they would do whatever they did.
If you enjoy movie commentary, writing songs to impress the love interest, dropping out of classes because why not, walking like…everywhere, the magic of first dates, and interesting family relationships I would definitely recommend this book. I think you’d enjoy this book if you’re looking for a really interesting discussion about depression. Pick this book up if you’re ready for a few laughs, probably some angry and irritated screaming, punk rock bands, sarcasm, best friends, and the best grandma ever.
April 28, 2024
ok, so this is not the book for me.
to begin with, this book has a typical YA writing style that is reminiscent of a generic sassy teenager that's supposed to resonate with you, which to me feels kind of lacking because i've read this type of writing before. it's not special. if you've read enough YA novels, i think you'd understand what kind of writing style i'm talking about. to be honest, if i was a young adult, i might feel different, but i've read many young adult novels at my tender age of 29 that i've enjoyed so... i don't think that what i've said is completely unfounded. i think that a good YA can be enjoyed by all ages.
i've mostly picked up this read because of Vlahos' book, "Life in a Fishbowl" which i rated 4 stars. it was a well-written piece of fiction that transcended all my expectations. hence, why i had higher expectations of this book than usual as he is mentioned a co-author in this book. i thought it would be something more than it seemed on the surface, which is a generic plotline of two teenagers falling in love with the template of mental health illness as an adversary. and it was just that, with a few caveats that i'll highlight down below.
the story i read wasn't particularly special to me. i did like the way that Eliana's depression was represented in the book at some points, but it wasn't anything special. it wasn't offensive, and i liked the fact that the Vlahos and Halpern mentioned details like her not showering and being in the room for ages.
i've always said it in other reviews of teens dealing with mental health - being depressed, or having a mental health illness does not excuse someone from being an arsehole. and Eliana was completely that in the middle of the story. there was a communication breakdown that i totally understood, but i still think that Eliana needed to understand that there are consequences for her actions. sure, she's depressed, but that doesn't mean that she gets to do and act the way that she wants??
her constantly changing classes? her not going to school? not talking to anyone? she said that Daisy never seemed to show that she cared. well, Eliana didn't show that she cared either when she completely ignored Dimitri for like months and then showed up in his life after she 'got better' and never really did anything to apologise for him. the whole thing between Dimitri and Meg was so stupid as well, it really frustrated me because it's not a big deal?? it just made me dislike Eliana for not communicating with him properly about it? and refusing to answer his texts and CHANGING HER NUMBER? because that doesn't sound like a relationship to vouch for...
there are multiple tropes i didn't like either. the trope of the best friend that would do anything for you is also overdone. i'm sick of seeing it in literature because it offers nothing to me and it makes me feel like it's been written by an inexperienced author since i see that kind of defensive loyal best friend a lot in fanfiction or other media that is typically written by non-published authors in literature. it makes the character super one-dimensional, even if they do have other interests and other tidbits about them. i also dislike the trope of a mentally unwell character going to therapy and not talking to their therapist. i read this all the time and it's so annoying to see it time and time again. it's not special and after all the novels i've read, it's just plain irritating. the other characters around the two main love interests seemed cookie-cutter. the band that's formed at the end of the book seemed convenient. there's no stakes in this story at all.
there was also no real closure at the end of the story. i didn't mean that they had to end up together and fall in love or flash into the future with them having children, but i didn't really feel like the book ended when it organically did. it felt like it was still missing a few chapters, and the end didn't feel final to me.
as well as that, i just wanted to comment on the fact that the songs that were written were kind of cringy. and that the Ferris Wheel imagery didn't really hit hard for me in the story the way that it's supposed to as it's in the title of the book. the only Ferris Wheel imagery i can remember really well is from Love, Simon (the film as i've not read the book and now i can't read the book because i've watched the film). and that... does not equate to that scene so... yeah.
it's just a disappointment for me because i know Vlahos can do better and has done so much better than this. his writing is far more exciting and quirkier than this. this had no emotional depth or substance for me. this wasn't the dark witty Vlahos i loved in "Life in a Fishbowl." i'm not sure about Harpen as this is my first read, but it does not inspire a second one.
i can't see me really recommending this to anyone, as such.
to begin with, this book has a typical YA writing style that is reminiscent of a generic sassy teenager that's supposed to resonate with you, which to me feels kind of lacking because i've read this type of writing before. it's not special. if you've read enough YA novels, i think you'd understand what kind of writing style i'm talking about. to be honest, if i was a young adult, i might feel different, but i've read many young adult novels at my tender age of 29 that i've enjoyed so... i don't think that what i've said is completely unfounded. i think that a good YA can be enjoyed by all ages.
i've mostly picked up this read because of Vlahos' book, "Life in a Fishbowl" which i rated 4 stars. it was a well-written piece of fiction that transcended all my expectations. hence, why i had higher expectations of this book than usual as he is mentioned a co-author in this book. i thought it would be something more than it seemed on the surface, which is a generic plotline of two teenagers falling in love with the template of mental health illness as an adversary. and it was just that, with a few caveats that i'll highlight down below.
the story i read wasn't particularly special to me. i did like the way that Eliana's depression was represented in the book at some points, but it wasn't anything special. it wasn't offensive, and i liked the fact that the Vlahos and Halpern mentioned details like her not showering and being in the room for ages.
i've always said it in other reviews of teens dealing with mental health - being depressed, or having a mental health illness does not excuse someone from being an arsehole. and Eliana was completely that in the middle of the story. there was a communication breakdown that i totally understood, but i still think that Eliana needed to understand that there are consequences for her actions. sure, she's depressed, but that doesn't mean that she gets to do and act the way that she wants??
her constantly changing classes? her not going to school? not talking to anyone? she said that Daisy never seemed to show that she cared. well, Eliana didn't show that she cared either when she completely ignored Dimitri for like months and then showed up in his life after she 'got better' and never really did anything to apologise for him. the whole thing between Dimitri and Meg was so stupid as well, it really frustrated me because it's not a big deal?? it just made me dislike Eliana for not communicating with him properly about it? and refusing to answer his texts and CHANGING HER NUMBER? because that doesn't sound like a relationship to vouch for...
there are multiple tropes i didn't like either. the trope of the best friend that would do anything for you is also overdone. i'm sick of seeing it in literature because it offers nothing to me and it makes me feel like it's been written by an inexperienced author since i see that kind of defensive loyal best friend a lot in fanfiction or other media that is typically written by non-published authors in literature. it makes the character super one-dimensional, even if they do have other interests and other tidbits about them. i also dislike the trope of a mentally unwell character going to therapy and not talking to their therapist. i read this all the time and it's so annoying to see it time and time again. it's not special and after all the novels i've read, it's just plain irritating. the other characters around the two main love interests seemed cookie-cutter. the band that's formed at the end of the book seemed convenient. there's no stakes in this story at all.
there was also no real closure at the end of the story. i didn't mean that they had to end up together and fall in love or flash into the future with them having children, but i didn't really feel like the book ended when it organically did. it felt like it was still missing a few chapters, and the end didn't feel final to me.
as well as that, i just wanted to comment on the fact that the songs that were written were kind of cringy. and that the Ferris Wheel imagery didn't really hit hard for me in the story the way that it's supposed to as it's in the title of the book. the only Ferris Wheel imagery i can remember really well is from Love, Simon (the film as i've not read the book and now i can't read the book because i've watched the film). and that... does not equate to that scene so... yeah.
it's just a disappointment for me because i know Vlahos can do better and has done so much better than this. his writing is far more exciting and quirkier than this. this had no emotional depth or substance for me. this wasn't the dark witty Vlahos i loved in "Life in a Fishbowl." i'm not sure about Harpen as this is my first read, but it does not inspire a second one.
i can't see me really recommending this to anyone, as such.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2021
[Blog]::[Youtube]::[Twitter]::[Instagram]::[Pinterest]::[Bloglovin]
The “Girl on the Ferris Wheel” was a fun YA contemporary romance that accurately speaks about depression.
There are many moments that I enjoyed in the story. The first thing which stood out for me was how realistic and relatable the author made the storyline. The plot, along with the characters, feel like reading a book of your next-door neighbors. You can easily connect with the characters and empathize with them. Then there is the sweet romance between Dimitri and Eliana. The two of them don’t have the perfect relationship. Besides, their friendship starts on a humorous, awkward note in a washroom setting. But they have charming chemistry.
Eliana is a complex character and pretty much drives the storyline. I loved how well and accurately the author portrayed the character’s depression. On the other hand, Dimitri is the guy you immediately love because of his charm and eagerness. I loved the lengths he went through to prove his love for Eliana. I also loved Yia Yia’s character and the Greek terms that Dimitri’s family used in their dialogues.
Also, many moments in the story stood out for me. I love their movie date night where they watch “Psycho” or where he tries to serenade her. The song Dimitri writes for her is also sweet. On a side note, the author makes numerous pop-culture references that are very entertaining!
However, I felt the book ended abruptly. There were quite a few things that I felt did not get resolved. For instance, Dimitri’s parents are racist, and Daisy is a nasty character, but there is no closure to their plotlines.
Apart from that, this was a cute story that I recommend if you are in the mood for a lovely contemporary Young Adult novel.
February 26, 2021
As a parent of a teenager, I felt that this book does a pretty good job at portraying today's teens. As a person who suffers from depression, and has done so since a very young age, I thought that the subject was handled well in the book.
There were moments that I utterly loved the book. I had some laugh out loud moments that I shared with my family, who don't always want to hear me read to them but they tolerate it. Having been a substitute teacher, the moment he wonders if he has applied enough Axe body spray had me reliving moments in the classroom when I thought I would suffocate from all the Axe body spray being used to cover up sweaty boy body odor after gym class. To some, it might not be the funniest line in the book, but it had me absolutely rolling.
The characters are interesting. I enjoyed reading both of their POVs, though occasionally she got on my nerves a bit with her self-doubt. I can relate to her pretty well though, as she reminds me a bit of myself at that age. I found Dmitri to be a sweet boy that really tries in the relationship. I was rooting for them and their young love.
I enjoyed the writing and the story. I am giving it three stars because, while I finished the book and liked the characters, I wasn't totally engrossed in the story. I easily lay it down to do other things. I felt that the story sometimes felt suitable for YA readers, but more often felt like it was written for younger readers, though with some topics that might not be for the young ones. I was hoping for something more. I am not sure what exactly, but it just didn't exactly deliver. I would definitely recommend this book to people if they asked for a decent young adult story, but I wouldn't call up all my friends and gush about it if that makes sense.
There were moments that I utterly loved the book. I had some laugh out loud moments that I shared with my family, who don't always want to hear me read to them but they tolerate it. Having been a substitute teacher, the moment he wonders if he has applied enough Axe body spray had me reliving moments in the classroom when I thought I would suffocate from all the Axe body spray being used to cover up sweaty boy body odor after gym class. To some, it might not be the funniest line in the book, but it had me absolutely rolling.
The characters are interesting. I enjoyed reading both of their POVs, though occasionally she got on my nerves a bit with her self-doubt. I can relate to her pretty well though, as she reminds me a bit of myself at that age. I found Dmitri to be a sweet boy that really tries in the relationship. I was rooting for them and their young love.
I enjoyed the writing and the story. I am giving it three stars because, while I finished the book and liked the characters, I wasn't totally engrossed in the story. I easily lay it down to do other things. I felt that the story sometimes felt suitable for YA readers, but more often felt like it was written for younger readers, though with some topics that might not be for the young ones. I was hoping for something more. I am not sure what exactly, but it just didn't exactly deliver. I would definitely recommend this book to people if they asked for a decent young adult story, but I wouldn't call up all my friends and gush about it if that makes sense.
April 4, 2021
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley
GIRL ON THE FERRIS WHEEL was a great representation of the ups and downs in a modern high school relationship following Eliana and Dmitri. Eliana deals with depression and anxiety while Dmitri is overall very confident and secure. While I enjoyed this book for the most part, there were a few issues I had. For one, we had very little time following their actual relationship. For most of the book, they weren't really together. I want to avoid spoilers so I won't get into details about why or when in the story, but I was just very disappointed with the amount of time they actually spent together. To me, their relationship seemed very rushed (despite this) and insta-lovey, which always throws me out of the book and makes it seem not realistic. The characters also seemed very young to be sophomores in high school; their dialogue and behavior was very immature for the age they were supposed to be, which also made the story seem unrealistic. Dmitri in particular really got on my nerves. Finally, there were so many Harry Potter references. I get that it's a huge part in many people's lives, mine included, but even if you bar all that has been said by the author, it is just still too many references. Like, we get you watch the movies over and over, now talk about something else, ya know? I did really appreciate the depression and anxiety rep. I can't speak first-hand on the accuracy of depression, but I did think it was handled and discussed well. I also liked that Dmitri's family was Greek and the culture that was discussed about their family. This was overall a good read, it just had a few things that didn't sit well with me.
GIRL ON THE FERRIS WHEEL was a great representation of the ups and downs in a modern high school relationship following Eliana and Dmitri. Eliana deals with depression and anxiety while Dmitri is overall very confident and secure. While I enjoyed this book for the most part, there were a few issues I had. For one, we had very little time following their actual relationship. For most of the book, they weren't really together. I want to avoid spoilers so I won't get into details about why or when in the story, but I was just very disappointed with the amount of time they actually spent together. To me, their relationship seemed very rushed (despite this) and insta-lovey, which always throws me out of the book and makes it seem not realistic. The characters also seemed very young to be sophomores in high school; their dialogue and behavior was very immature for the age they were supposed to be, which also made the story seem unrealistic. Dmitri in particular really got on my nerves. Finally, there were so many Harry Potter references. I get that it's a huge part in many people's lives, mine included, but even if you bar all that has been said by the author, it is just still too many references. Like, we get you watch the movies over and over, now talk about something else, ya know? I did really appreciate the depression and anxiety rep. I can't speak first-hand on the accuracy of depression, but I did think it was handled and discussed well. I also liked that Dmitri's family was Greek and the culture that was discussed about their family. This was overall a good read, it just had a few things that didn't sit well with me.
January 2, 2021
Girl On The Farris Wheel tackles depression, anxiety, and first love all within the span of Eliana and Dmitri’s sophomore year of high school. The inner thoughts of Eliana are exactly what go through my own depressed and anxious mind. It made me really feel connected to her. Seeing it from Dmitri’s POV though had me in tears in one particular part because it made me feel awful about how those around me must feel when I’m having those periods of ‘I hate life’. It was tough to hear the struggle.
Also, Dmitri is truly the oblivious teenaged boy (sorry for the stereotyping). He misses so many relationship bumps and the mood turn, which makes complete sense and also makes me want to smack him. I know mental illness is an internal sensation that is often masked by the person suffering so others are not ‘burdened’. But when you have your younger brother (Nicky who I adore) saying ‘hey, something’s up’ and you can’t see it, this some disconnect happening. And that happens ALL THE TIME in relationships. While beyond frustrating, it makes sense and the side characters are there to smack some sense into him.
Eliana’s character development was powerful but Dmitri’s was non-existent. This review is kind of sounding like a Dmitri hate party so I want to clarify that Dmitri is a wonderful character. He is perfect for the role he has in the story and I wouldn’t want him to be changed at all.
Overall, this was a great tug on the heartstrings book that reminds me of All The Bright Places. I do recommend this for anyone looking for a bumpy young love story filled with movie and Harry Potter references!
Also, Dmitri is truly the oblivious teenaged boy (sorry for the stereotyping). He misses so many relationship bumps and the mood turn, which makes complete sense and also makes me want to smack him. I know mental illness is an internal sensation that is often masked by the person suffering so others are not ‘burdened’. But when you have your younger brother (Nicky who I adore) saying ‘hey, something’s up’ and you can’t see it, this some disconnect happening. And that happens ALL THE TIME in relationships. While beyond frustrating, it makes sense and the side characters are there to smack some sense into him.
Eliana’s character development was powerful but Dmitri’s was non-existent. This review is kind of sounding like a Dmitri hate party so I want to clarify that Dmitri is a wonderful character. He is perfect for the role he has in the story and I wouldn’t want him to be changed at all.
Overall, this was a great tug on the heartstrings book that reminds me of All The Bright Places. I do recommend this for anyone looking for a bumpy young love story filled with movie and Harry Potter references!
December 13, 2020
I have to say this book did grab my attention at first as I thought the plot sounded like a good YA novel and I do love carnivals. Inside the pages were a different story as we meet two characters who are complete opposites except for the fact that they both love film. We have Dmitri who is a drummer in a band and is outgoing and then when have Eliana who is quiet and studious and only has one friend Janine whom we learn is like an Amazonian Goddess. Dmitri's family is Greek which I loved as Greek families always present a closeness in books and Eliana's dad is a stay-at-home dad after his video/DVD shop went out of business and now he spends most of his time down in the basement watching movies. I did struggle a bit with this book as I hated the character of Eliana as she had so much self-doubt in herself and it got to a point where it became too much as she couldn't imagine someone like Dmitri liking her and it got to the point where I was like "freaking hell, wake up Eliana - can't you see he is trying". Girl on the Ferris Wheel is a coming-of-age story between two high school students who are trying to navigate family, life, high school, and hormones. This book also focuses on the fact that we don't normally see as in lots that we read are opposites attracting and they live HEA but Girl on the Ferris Wheel shows the dark side of what happens when your opposites only get you so far in the relationship? What happens when you run out of things that both of you might enjoy or talk about? Can opposites live a HEA or are they just kidding themselves?
May 28, 2022
This was like a 3.5/4 stars for me. It wasn't truly memorable, but I did enjoy it. I liked how it was a calm and interesting read. Ellie's character shows us the ins and out of depression, or rather the ups and downs, and Dmitri's character shows us a solid example of how others can be affected when a person they love is depressed. Dmitri's character is somewhat fickle at times, especially when Meg is around, and I think it is an honest depiction of a high school growing kid. Both main characters have a lot of heart and consideration for those around them. Nicky was an awesome character, too, as was Yia Yia. I was surprised to find a Greek cultural element in this book and it added nicely to the overall plot and Ellie trying to get used to things out of her comfort zone. I liked the school parts as well and Janina, Ellie's best friend, was another great character. One major thing that I liked is that Ellie, having her own issues to deal with, was not all ga-ga over the boy. Most YA novels depict the girl trying to get the guy and the guy not really invested all that much in the relationship. But this book was different. Ellie was okay being on her own and probably preferred it for her mental health. I would recommend as a quiet, calm, interesting read that deals with heavy and common issues like depression. Truly enjoyed the changing perspectives and short chapters -- written in Ellie's and Dmitri's voices. I may read again at some point.
January 10, 2021
**I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher through NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.**
Halper and Vlaho took me on an emotional ride while navigating first love with Dmitri and Emilia. It reverted me to high school when insecurities were often at their pinnacle and love was thought to conquer everything. They successfully captured the ins and outs of a relationship, from the butterflies and sparks to the tears that often accompany the pain and confusion. While the book focuses on first love and a first relationship, many of the messages that can be taken away from Dmitri and Emilia’s relationship is universal to all relationships: relationships are hard and communication is key. And, oftentimes, to put our best foot forward in a relationship, we have to learn to love ourselves first.
Emilia’s battle with depression was an added layer to her character and the relationship. I thought it was depicted fairly well, providing both the perspective of the person suffering from depression as well as someone who loves the person suffering from depression.
Overall, I think Halper and Vlaho pretty much nailed it. It’s written well and I greatly enjoyed it. In terms of age level, it might fall at the lower end of YA fiction but that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be enjoyed by those older—again, I enjoyed it a lot.
Halper and Vlaho took me on an emotional ride while navigating first love with Dmitri and Emilia. It reverted me to high school when insecurities were often at their pinnacle and love was thought to conquer everything. They successfully captured the ins and outs of a relationship, from the butterflies and sparks to the tears that often accompany the pain and confusion. While the book focuses on first love and a first relationship, many of the messages that can be taken away from Dmitri and Emilia’s relationship is universal to all relationships: relationships are hard and communication is key. And, oftentimes, to put our best foot forward in a relationship, we have to learn to love ourselves first.
Emilia’s battle with depression was an added layer to her character and the relationship. I thought it was depicted fairly well, providing both the perspective of the person suffering from depression as well as someone who loves the person suffering from depression.
Overall, I think Halper and Vlaho pretty much nailed it. It’s written well and I greatly enjoyed it. In terms of age level, it might fall at the lower end of YA fiction but that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be enjoyed by those older—again, I enjoyed it a lot.
March 6, 2023
*This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from its author.*
It's been a while since I've read such an engaging YA novel! "Girl on the Ferris Wheel" braves topics that don't often take the front row in romance books, and it does so with insight and empathy. After a quirky meet-cute (or two!), Eliana and Dmitri embark on their first ever romantic relationship. They share a passion for movies, Harry Potter, and unconventional humour that had me chuckling to myself.
As much as they vibe though, Eliana and Dmitri need to navigate this relationship while also facing their own (and each other's) demons. Eliana struggles with bouts of crippling anxiety and depression, Dmitri with his Greek heritage and various insecurities.
By alternating between the MCs' 1st person POVs, the authors create a pretty immersive reading experience. Talk about spot-on collaborative writing!
Last but not least, I'm rather fond of Yia-Yia, Dmitri's badass grandmother. Such a perceptive and open-minded character, with her own brand of humour! Another character I enjoyed reading about was Mr. Person. Yes, you read that right: Mr. Person! He's the school's guidance couselor, whose banter with Eliana proves both hillarious and deeply moving.
So if you're looking for a YA that's both cute and deep AF, go for the "Girl on the Ferris Wheel!"
It's been a while since I've read such an engaging YA novel! "Girl on the Ferris Wheel" braves topics that don't often take the front row in romance books, and it does so with insight and empathy. After a quirky meet-cute (or two!), Eliana and Dmitri embark on their first ever romantic relationship. They share a passion for movies, Harry Potter, and unconventional humour that had me chuckling to myself.
As much as they vibe though, Eliana and Dmitri need to navigate this relationship while also facing their own (and each other's) demons. Eliana struggles with bouts of crippling anxiety and depression, Dmitri with his Greek heritage and various insecurities.
By alternating between the MCs' 1st person POVs, the authors create a pretty immersive reading experience. Talk about spot-on collaborative writing!
Last but not least, I'm rather fond of Yia-Yia, Dmitri's badass grandmother. Such a perceptive and open-minded character, with her own brand of humour! Another character I enjoyed reading about was Mr. Person. Yes, you read that right: Mr. Person! He's the school's guidance couselor, whose banter with Eliana proves both hillarious and deeply moving.
So if you're looking for a YA that's both cute and deep AF, go for the "Girl on the Ferris Wheel!"
January 7, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Xpressotours for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When it comes to this particular book, there are a lot of trigger warnings for depression, verbal abuse, and for an empath, this is a book that you will have issues with. For me personally, this book was something that I was intrigued by throughout the story, however at the end of it, it took a turn for the worse emotionally. But thankfully the lesson presented itself in the sense of romance cannot save you from yourself, you save yourself. There's Greek and Jewish representation, there's concerts, there's a ton of movie and Harry Potter references, and first love. The main issue I had or at least one I haven't commented on was that the boy was a bit too abrasive. Too rough on the girl in my personal opinion. I know he is a high school boy who was in puppy love, but not taking no for an answer was too much. There was also a ton of miscommunication involved but again high school contemporary. Overall though, it was a book that kept me on my toes, I would recommend it for someone who could relate to either leading character, but to keep in mind that it can be a rough road. Because of these points, I have to give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars
When it comes to this particular book, there are a lot of trigger warnings for depression, verbal abuse, and for an empath, this is a book that you will have issues with. For me personally, this book was something that I was intrigued by throughout the story, however at the end of it, it took a turn for the worse emotionally. But thankfully the lesson presented itself in the sense of romance cannot save you from yourself, you save yourself. There's Greek and Jewish representation, there's concerts, there's a ton of movie and Harry Potter references, and first love. The main issue I had or at least one I haven't commented on was that the boy was a bit too abrasive. Too rough on the girl in my personal opinion. I know he is a high school boy who was in puppy love, but not taking no for an answer was too much. There was also a ton of miscommunication involved but again high school contemporary. Overall though, it was a book that kept me on my toes, I would recommend it for someone who could relate to either leading character, but to keep in mind that it can be a rough road. Because of these points, I have to give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars
April 4, 2021
This book was exceptional. I loved that Halpern understood and portrayed teens in a way that is accurate and not based on assumptions or judgement. I felt understood because I could relate with Eliana in so many ways. Dmitri and Eliana had a good relationship but it was realistic, because as teens things are going to be awkward and bumpy, as this is a first-time experience for many. The main problem I think was that they rushed into a relationship and did not really understand one another. Their relationship did not have friendship as a foundation which is a key ingredient to a healthy one. YiaYia was a sweetheart and I was so sad to find she had passed. Janina was also a wonderful friend because of how supportive she was and fierce. Dmitri made me laugh so many times because of how clueless he was and I wanted to strangle him when it took so long for him to realize what he had done wrong with Meg. Don't even get me started on how I feel about him texting Meg as soon as they broke up..
Anyways, I liked how this book ended also in a realistic way where D&E did not immediately get back together but instead spent time, learned about each other, and started again as friends.
Really good book and I highly reccomend~
Anyways, I liked how this book ended also in a realistic way where D&E did not immediately get back together but instead spent time, learned about each other, and started again as friends.
Really good book and I highly reccomend~
July 23, 2023
This book was rough getting into because the writing style was as if one of my 7th grade students was giving me their long daily monologue on their dating drama. At parts, it was exhausting to read because of this… *cue Ben Affleck smoking meme*
However, giving this book 3 stars instead of 1 because I did really appreciate Eliana’s realistic experience struggling with depression and anxiety as a high school student. It was nice to see her having supportive yet tough-loving parents. A lot of students don’t get that from their parents and seem to get free reign to miss a bunch of school and never have to try getting better. Also surprisingly appreciated the realistic clingy-ness depicted in Dmitri’s character. Just like in the book, a lot of young people in their first relationship don’t take the advice well of giving someone their space, and they have to learn the hard way. It was so cringe to see him overtexting her and not getting the hint to leave her alone. Very annoying, but very real habit in teens.
However, giving this book 3 stars instead of 1 because I did really appreciate Eliana’s realistic experience struggling with depression and anxiety as a high school student. It was nice to see her having supportive yet tough-loving parents. A lot of students don’t get that from their parents and seem to get free reign to miss a bunch of school and never have to try getting better. Also surprisingly appreciated the realistic clingy-ness depicted in Dmitri’s character. Just like in the book, a lot of young people in their first relationship don’t take the advice well of giving someone their space, and they have to learn the hard way. It was so cringe to see him overtexting her and not getting the hint to leave her alone. Very annoying, but very real habit in teens.
February 19, 2021
I have been contemplating what to say about this book. It wasn't horrible. There were just several things I didn't like about it. For one, I am just not a fan of open endings. This may work for some, but not for me. I felt like there was also a lot of forced focus on the characters religions and way too many references to movies as well as multiple trigger warnings which other reviewers have covered.
What I did like was the topic of depression. The characters were 10th graders and it is important to talk about depression. Eliana struggled to get out of bed some mornings even when as an outsider looking in-- her world seemed to be going great. Clearly, this was not the case. We got to see her struggle and the struggle her boyfriend, Demmi faced when trying to help her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the #gifted copy of the book.
What I did like was the topic of depression. The characters were 10th graders and it is important to talk about depression. Eliana struggled to get out of bed some mornings even when as an outsider looking in-- her world seemed to be going great. Clearly, this was not the case. We got to see her struggle and the struggle her boyfriend, Demmi faced when trying to help her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the #gifted copy of the book.
March 11, 2021
I really appreciated the insightful writing about depression manifesting in young teens. It’s something I don’t think finds its way into literature often. And it’s important to show depression and anxiety as normalized issues rather than stigmatized ones. Going on this journey with Eliana and seeing the many struggles she faced during her down periods was very realistic from what I’ve seen in my own experiences.
I also felt the voice was very accurate for how teenagers think and talk with one another. The ups and downs of first love, first heartbreak, and first relationships was really well written. Things can get out of hand pretty quickly when you’re first dabbling in your very first relationship, and everything tends to feel more dramatic than it is.
I also felt the voice was very accurate for how teenagers think and talk with one another. The ups and downs of first love, first heartbreak, and first relationships was really well written. Things can get out of hand pretty quickly when you’re first dabbling in your very first relationship, and everything tends to feel more dramatic than it is.
February 15, 2021
Really enjoyed the flow between the two characters.
March 29, 2021
Well written, especially the parts pertaining to mental health. Very realistic.
July 2, 2021
This book was amazing. From start to finish it was captivating. I loved how Eliana and Dimmitri were so different. It was an amazing well written novel. Great for kids 13-16.
Read
August 6, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Sexism
Antisemitism
Depression
Anxiety
Racism
Sexism
Antisemitism
Depression
Anxiety
December 9, 2023
Really really sweet, good portrayal of mental illness in romance, some inconsistency in names and nicknames in narration. Also, Yia Yia is the best punk rock grandmother of all time
July 22, 2025
It was slow starting but I got into it. I disliked the ending, boring and didnt answer any questions I had.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews