What do you think?
Rate this book
The Other, Better Me
From the critically acclaimed author of Mascot comes this heartfelt novel, perfect for fans of John David Anderson and Cammie McGovern, about a girl searching for the meaning of family.
Lola and Momma have always been a team of two. It hasn’t always been easy for Lola, being one of the only kids she knows with just one parent around. And lately she’s been feeling incomplete, like there’s a part of herself that she can’t know until she knows her dad.
But what will happen—to Lola, to Momma, to their team of two—if she finds him?
Lola and Momma have always been a team of two. It hasn’t always been easy for Lola, being one of the only kids she knows with just one parent around. And lately she’s been feeling incomplete, like there’s a part of herself that she can’t know until she knows her dad.
But what will happen—to Lola, to Momma, to their team of two—if she finds him?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
5 people are currently reading
1793 people want to read
About the author
Antony John
17 books429 followersAntony John was born in England and raised on a balanced diet of fish and chips, obscure British comedies, and ABBA's Greatest Hits. In a fit of teenage rebellion, he decided to pursue a career in classical music, culminating in a BA from Oxford University and a PhD from Duke University. Along the way, he worked as an ice cream seller on a freezing English beach, a tour guide in the Netherlands, a chauffeur in Switzerland, a barista in Seattle, and a university professor. Writing by night, he spends his days as a stay-at-home dad—the only job that allows him to wear his favorite pair of sweatpants all the time. He lives in St. Louis with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 16, 2021
Twitter |
Goodreads |
Blog |
Instagram |
What an enjoyable well written and easy to follow book for a YA. And let me say, you don’t need to be young to read it!
This superbly writes about many hard hitting subjects.
Single parenting.
Whose my dad.
Standing out at school......among other topics.
I loved the beginning the middle and the end, but most of all, towards the last couple of chapters it was me, yes this older reader who learnt a lot and reminded of the priorities in life and what and who matters in your life.
I just adored it.
Read
November 25, 2019Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Eclectic
Drinking Buddy: Cool Kids' Table
MPAA Rating: PG: Some crude humor
Talky Talk: That One School Year
Bonus Factors: Romance Through the Ages, Mystery
Bromance Status: Until We Meet Again
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Eclectic
Drinking Buddy: Cool Kids' Table
MPAA Rating: PG: Some crude humor
Talky Talk: That One School Year
Bonus Factors: Romance Through the Ages, Mystery
Bromance Status: Until We Meet Again
Read the full book report here.
September 28, 2019
Thanks to a power outage, I was able to get to this book quicker than I thought I would. It's a short read at only 261 pages. I will say that reading by flashlight isn't fun at all.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but once I got a few chapters in, I knew I would like it. The book covers several important topics: single parent, not knowing a parent/parental abandonment, rich vs poor, illness, death, and bullying. That sounds like a lot for such a short book, but things were done well.
Lola is 10 years old and lives with her mom in a mobile home owned by the woman across the street. Lola's mom works at a restaurant and often times works long hours. She's been getting tired a lot easier now, so Lola is partially taking care of herself. She does go across the street after school so she's not alone. Lola is a sweet kid. She rides the bus to school with her two friends, Nick and Kiana. There is a bully, Mallory, on the bus who picks on everyone. While riding the bus, Lola reads to 5 year old Tiffany.
Lola's teacher has them writing papers often. For their next assignment, she has to write about "the other me". Things that you would want to be and things you would want to do. Lola sees others writing about their parents on one assignment and realizes that she doesn't know enough. Her dad was deported before she was born and he stopped calling when she was three. Lola knows what characteristics come from her mom, but she wonders about what she gets from the father she can't remember. With the help of Kiana, whose dad is a detective, Lola decides to try to find and contact her dad. What she doesn't know is that things don't always work out the way you want.
I truly enjoyed all the characters in this book. Even Mallory because we find out why she acts the way she does. I think this will be a great book for middle school readers (and readers of all ages). While there are heavy topics, it's also a sweet book about family and friendship. Those two things can often times cross over, and I love found family since I have one, too.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Wunderkind PR for sending me a finished copy for review. I gave this book 4 stars.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but once I got a few chapters in, I knew I would like it. The book covers several important topics: single parent, not knowing a parent/parental abandonment, rich vs poor, illness, death, and bullying. That sounds like a lot for such a short book, but things were done well.
Lola is 10 years old and lives with her mom in a mobile home owned by the woman across the street. Lola's mom works at a restaurant and often times works long hours. She's been getting tired a lot easier now, so Lola is partially taking care of herself. She does go across the street after school so she's not alone. Lola is a sweet kid. She rides the bus to school with her two friends, Nick and Kiana. There is a bully, Mallory, on the bus who picks on everyone. While riding the bus, Lola reads to 5 year old Tiffany.
Lola's teacher has them writing papers often. For their next assignment, she has to write about "the other me". Things that you would want to be and things you would want to do. Lola sees others writing about their parents on one assignment and realizes that she doesn't know enough. Her dad was deported before she was born and he stopped calling when she was three. Lola knows what characteristics come from her mom, but she wonders about what she gets from the father she can't remember. With the help of Kiana, whose dad is a detective, Lola decides to try to find and contact her dad. What she doesn't know is that things don't always work out the way you want.
I truly enjoyed all the characters in this book. Even Mallory because we find out why she acts the way she does. I think this will be a great book for middle school readers (and readers of all ages). While there are heavy topics, it's also a sweet book about family and friendship. Those two things can often times cross over, and I love found family since I have one, too.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Wunderkind PR for sending me a finished copy for review. I gave this book 4 stars.
October 11, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Other Better Me by Antony John tackles a lot of touching topics that not, in my experience, kids know about these days.
Is finding her dad a good thing for Lola and her mom?
Lola Harmon
Lola is a ten-year-old girl living in a single-parent home that is a mobile home. She has no clue who her dad is and wants to find out. Lola thinks this will make her feel complete, and maybe her mom will be happy again. The only problem is that momma and the other adult characters are trying to keep Lola from getting hurt. Her teacher gave the class an assignment for called The Other Me and is what starts it all. Now, Lola is finding herself, but instead of opening the letters right away, she has decided to take the mature route and wait.
The Community
The community of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a slew of characters including Lola's best friends Nick, Kiana, and their families have all these things that no one is aware of, like: Mallory, the bully who might have more going on than Lola or the others think. Then Momma being ill throughout most of the book, to the owner of their mobile home across the street that takes care of Lola after school. There are a lot of people in Lola's life who have helped shape her into the little ten-year-old girl that she is today. Lola has a lovely group of people that care for her and are there to help her figure things out.
Four Stars
The Other Better Me by Antony John is a great book to help kids understand what others are going through around them. Like, why is that quiet kid near the back always so calm and mean? Or is she doing that to mask her pain? Do you know what the one sitting behind the one hiding her pain's home life is? There is a lot to consider when trying to figure out who your classmates are as a little kid. This book is so worthwhile for middle school kids.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Other Better Me by Antony John.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Is finding her dad a good thing for Lola and her mom?
Lola Harmon
Lola is a ten-year-old girl living in a single-parent home that is a mobile home. She has no clue who her dad is and wants to find out. Lola thinks this will make her feel complete, and maybe her mom will be happy again. The only problem is that momma and the other adult characters are trying to keep Lola from getting hurt. Her teacher gave the class an assignment for called The Other Me and is what starts it all. Now, Lola is finding herself, but instead of opening the letters right away, she has decided to take the mature route and wait.
The Community
The community of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a slew of characters including Lola's best friends Nick, Kiana, and their families have all these things that no one is aware of, like: Mallory, the bully who might have more going on than Lola or the others think. Then Momma being ill throughout most of the book, to the owner of their mobile home across the street that takes care of Lola after school. There are a lot of people in Lola's life who have helped shape her into the little ten-year-old girl that she is today. Lola has a lovely group of people that care for her and are there to help her figure things out.
Four Stars
The Other Better Me by Antony John is a great book to help kids understand what others are going through around them. Like, why is that quiet kid near the back always so calm and mean? Or is she doing that to mask her pain? Do you know what the one sitting behind the one hiding her pain's home life is? There is a lot to consider when trying to figure out who your classmates are as a little kid. This book is so worthwhile for middle school kids.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Other Better Me by Antony John.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
January 11, 2023
This middle grade novel shows the power of family, of found family, of second chances and the power reading can have to bring us together. In it, we meet Lola, a fifth grader who lives with her mom, desperately wonders about her dad and struggles with a bully at school. But a school assignment, a team of faithful friends and a book that changed her whole perspective is just what she needs to find what matters most. This book will have readers thinking about the other, better version of ourselves and how we might get there. It’s a must read.
May 13, 2019
Cute enough. Not nearly as good as MASCOT but still a good story well told.
September 3, 2019
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
THE OTHER, BETTER ME is a contemporary middle grade novel that follows a ten-year-old, Lola, as she explores herself and her family. Lola lives with her mother in a trailer, where she has a pretty good life. She often spends her evening with the elderly woman across the street, Ms. A, who used to star in commercials.
She has never met her Australian father, who she knows overstayed his visa and was deported before she was born. She wonders what he is like. When her teacher gives her the writing assignment of coming up with an Other Me, someone who is you but somehow different (in a different era, with something about your life changed, etc.), Lola decides to try to find her father. However, there are some truths that she will unearth about not only what her mother knew but also the way of the world.
She is accompanied by her good friends, Nick and Kiara, who are each adorable and a trip and a half. At the same time as the project, Lola is also dealing with her mother's illness and treatment for hyperthyroid and a mean girl at school, Mallory.
What I loved: There are some really heartfelt moments in the book that make it all the more appealing. Add that to the lessons about family, appreciating what you have, and trying to understand bullies, and this is a great middle grade novel. The main characters were all really well-crafted, and they truly felt their age. I also really loved Lola's many insights about people in her life and their motivations.There's also quite a bit of humor infused in the book that was really enjoyable.
What left me wanting more: In the scope of a child's mind, there were many things glossed over and not explained in ways that would be helpful for young readers. For instance, one of which was a parolee which is mentioned but not really addressed and a rather scary scene (for younger readers) with an elderly woman who dies. These are potentially big issues/plots, but they were tertiary and may have been better not to include without addressing them. Along these lines, the beginning of the book felt a little scattered, and I would rather that it was shortened and focused, as the beginning was hard to get into (though the second half is really great).
Final verdict: Overall, this was an engaging middle grade with some interesting themes. Although the first half was a little meandering, it pulled together into a heartfelt and interesting book. With more explanations and focus, this would be a five-star read. Would recommend for fans of contemporary middle grade looking for a book with heart and some humor.
THE OTHER, BETTER ME is a contemporary middle grade novel that follows a ten-year-old, Lola, as she explores herself and her family. Lola lives with her mother in a trailer, where she has a pretty good life. She often spends her evening with the elderly woman across the street, Ms. A, who used to star in commercials.
She has never met her Australian father, who she knows overstayed his visa and was deported before she was born. She wonders what he is like. When her teacher gives her the writing assignment of coming up with an Other Me, someone who is you but somehow different (in a different era, with something about your life changed, etc.), Lola decides to try to find her father. However, there are some truths that she will unearth about not only what her mother knew but also the way of the world.
She is accompanied by her good friends, Nick and Kiara, who are each adorable and a trip and a half. At the same time as the project, Lola is also dealing with her mother's illness and treatment for hyperthyroid and a mean girl at school, Mallory.
What I loved: There are some really heartfelt moments in the book that make it all the more appealing. Add that to the lessons about family, appreciating what you have, and trying to understand bullies, and this is a great middle grade novel. The main characters were all really well-crafted, and they truly felt their age. I also really loved Lola's many insights about people in her life and their motivations.There's also quite a bit of humor infused in the book that was really enjoyable.
What left me wanting more: In the scope of a child's mind, there were many things glossed over and not explained in ways that would be helpful for young readers. For instance, one of which was a parolee which is mentioned but not really addressed and a rather scary scene (for younger readers) with an elderly woman who dies. These are potentially big issues/plots, but they were tertiary and may have been better not to include without addressing them. Along these lines, the beginning of the book felt a little scattered, and I would rather that it was shortened and focused, as the beginning was hard to get into (though the second half is really great).
Final verdict: Overall, this was an engaging middle grade with some interesting themes. Although the first half was a little meandering, it pulled together into a heartfelt and interesting book. With more explanations and focus, this would be a five-star read. Would recommend for fans of contemporary middle grade looking for a book with heart and some humor.
October 9, 2019
This was such an enjoyable book to read. I laughed and teared up and loved every minute of Lola’s story. The way she pieced together things happening around her, from things like brunch meaning a meal you make when you’re feeling lazy and planning to use a lot of dishes to her empathy and understanding toward a prickly classmate, made me fall totally in love with THE OTHER BETTER ME.
I love the community elements in the story. Lola feels like her family is just herself and her mom, but all the way through the book, she’s surrounded by friends and mentors. All have their own baggage or issues, but they all care for Lola and her mom, too. I love when a book creates a believable, tight-knit community like this.
Fans of WONDER by R. J. Palacio or JUST MY LUCK by Cammie McGovern will love the emphasis on kindness and community as well as the bold, upbeat writing and precocious narrator. This one is a must-read.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I love the community elements in the story. Lola feels like her family is just herself and her mom, but all the way through the book, she’s surrounded by friends and mentors. All have their own baggage or issues, but they all care for Lola and her mom, too. I love when a book creates a believable, tight-knit community like this.
Fans of WONDER by R. J. Palacio or JUST MY LUCK by Cammie McGovern will love the emphasis on kindness and community as well as the bold, upbeat writing and precocious narrator. This one is a must-read.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 18, 2020
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion forth with.
This is a middle grade novel about a girl who decides that for her school project she is going to get in contact with her estranged father. Eventually, she learns to really appreciate the people in her life who have actually chosen to know and care for her and become content with the family she does have.
I think that the target audience for this book will really like the characters. Many of the adults were very vibrant characters and each character regardless of age had a very distinct and well-defined personality.
While I appreciate the chance to read this book, I do have to admit I wasn’t really a fan. It was fine, but I just didn’t love the story. I just didn’t find the main character’s search for her father very compelling as a reader, but I can see where a different reader would feel the complete opposite. There’s nothing wrong with the delivery itself though, so if this sounds like something you or a young reader may appreciate I’d say give it a try!
This is a middle grade novel about a girl who decides that for her school project she is going to get in contact with her estranged father. Eventually, she learns to really appreciate the people in her life who have actually chosen to know and care for her and become content with the family she does have.
I think that the target audience for this book will really like the characters. Many of the adults were very vibrant characters and each character regardless of age had a very distinct and well-defined personality.
While I appreciate the chance to read this book, I do have to admit I wasn’t really a fan. It was fine, but I just didn’t love the story. I just didn’t find the main character’s search for her father very compelling as a reader, but I can see where a different reader would feel the complete opposite. There’s nothing wrong with the delivery itself though, so if this sounds like something you or a young reader may appreciate I’d say give it a try!
July 25, 2020
Lola has grown up with only her mom in her life, and that has always been enough for her. But lately she has been wondering more and more about her father. Especially when her mother starts having health problems, Lola begins to think about how helpful it would be to have another person to count on. A school project asking her to think of another version of herself with one significant change prompts her to start sending letters and asking questions to see if she can get in touch with the father she has never known. But what if the answers don’t actually give her what she’s looking for? What if what she really needs has been right in front of her all along?
This was another adorable middle-grade read from Antony John. It was a sweet story about friendship, identity, and what makes a family. Very, very cute.
This was another adorable middle-grade read from Antony John. It was a sweet story about friendship, identity, and what makes a family. Very, very cute.
September 21, 2020
This book is about 10-year-old Lola finding her true self as she learns from people around her. Lola had never met her father before, and because she knew that her mother didn't like to speak of him, Lola tries her best to avoid topics about her father around her mom. When Lola's class is assigned to write about what an alternate life for each of them would be like, Lola chooses to explore a life in which she knows her father.
This book is for anyone who reads about family stories and self-realization. The author made it easy to relate to the main character and inspire readers to learn more about who they are as a person and as a peer.
- Anonymous, Grade 7
This book is for anyone who reads about family stories and self-realization. The author made it easy to relate to the main character and inspire readers to learn more about who they are as a person and as a peer.
- Anonymous, Grade 7
February 3, 2023
4 stars 🌟
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, I thought it was a self discovery book (which is half true) But when I read the story it was short, simple and got to the point. Lola was given an assignment from school about exploring the other half of me, so Lola decided to track down her father and discovering why he wasn't around most of the time. There have been ups and downs and learning about the truth about Lola's father- thanks to her friends. It was quick, got straight to the point and it was interesting telling from a kid's point of view
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, I thought it was a self discovery book (which is half true) But when I read the story it was short, simple and got to the point. Lola was given an assignment from school about exploring the other half of me, so Lola decided to track down her father and discovering why he wasn't around most of the time. There have been ups and downs and learning about the truth about Lola's father- thanks to her friends. It was quick, got straight to the point and it was interesting telling from a kid's point of view
June 27, 2020
The “Other, Better Me” referenced in the title starts out as a school project that Lola uses as a springboard to find out about her dad, but by the end of the book, Lola realizes a different version of who she wants to be – a person who can stand up for herself and others when she feels strongly about something. The mystery of what happened with her dad weaves throughout novel as Lola and her friends uncover information that confuses and astounds Lola. As she considers advice from her friend Ms. Archambault about speaking up, Lola undergoes significant character growth as she starts conversations with her mom and sees her former enemy Mallory as a whole person. Author John employs authentic dialog while moving through a plot that, while multifaceted, doesn’t feel too crowded and ties together nicely at the end, with Lola surrounded by her family and friends. She makes the choice to focus on this group who already cares about and takes care of her, rather than choosing to hear from the dad who left her. Recommended for children in grades 4-6 who prefer realistic fiction about friendship and family relationships.
August 14, 2022
Pretty chill and short read. Felt like a comfort book and helped get out of a reading slump. Enjoyable. May read it again whenever i feel down. Just watching Lola trying to be her better self give me soo much motivation. Also, really liked the topics mentioned in the story. A good read for a chill fall day.
November 7, 2019
Was pleasantly surprised. Not something I would normally read but I won an ARC.
December 26, 2020
I win this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest.
I gifted the book to an avid reader friend during the holidays.
I gifted the book to an avid reader friend during the holidays.
June 8, 2021
3.5 stars
June 6, 2023
mid but the cover looks like a pinterest board
October 9, 2020
3.5 stars
December 10, 2019
Thank you so much to Wunderkind PR for providing me with a copy of The Other, Better Me, in exchange for an honest review.
Life isn't easy for Lola right now, with a class bully who won't leave her alone, her mum so tired all the time and her constant wondering about who her dad is - and why he hasn't contacted her since she was three years old, it's a lot for a ten year old to take in. When her teacher sets an assignment at school to write a paper on an alternate life path, an 'other you' story, Lola decides not only to write about a life where she found her dad, but to actually try and find him in real life. With a few trusty friends, she thinks she just might be able to do it, as long as she can keep it a secret from her mum.
The Other, Better Me was a sweet and heart wrenching story about the way we don't always have all the answers, and sometimes, as a child, adults aren't as forthcoming with information as you think they should be. With themes of friendship, financial struggles, dealing with illness and learning to understand people we may not particularly like, I think this is a fantastic book for middle grade and older readers. The story was engaging and fun, with enough emotion thrown in to really make me feel for Lola and her friends. An all round lovely book!
Life isn't easy for Lola right now, with a class bully who won't leave her alone, her mum so tired all the time and her constant wondering about who her dad is - and why he hasn't contacted her since she was three years old, it's a lot for a ten year old to take in. When her teacher sets an assignment at school to write a paper on an alternate life path, an 'other you' story, Lola decides not only to write about a life where she found her dad, but to actually try and find him in real life. With a few trusty friends, she thinks she just might be able to do it, as long as she can keep it a secret from her mum.
The Other, Better Me was a sweet and heart wrenching story about the way we don't always have all the answers, and sometimes, as a child, adults aren't as forthcoming with information as you think they should be. With themes of friendship, financial struggles, dealing with illness and learning to understand people we may not particularly like, I think this is a fantastic book for middle grade and older readers. The story was engaging and fun, with enough emotion thrown in to really make me feel for Lola and her friends. An all round lovely book!
April 29, 2020
This book was okay, but I got kind of bored of it at the end. It was also a little bit confusing, but it was okay. It would be good for people who liked Dear Sweet Pea. It would also be good if you liked any book where the character is searching for their long lost father. Overall, not a bad book but not particularly interesting.
Read
April 29, 2019This is a sweet middle reader about 10-year Lola and the community of people who surround her and, mostly, love her. Lola is a great 'tween' character - able to read with a kindergartner on the bus, able to be alone but not really, friendship with a boy getting a tiny bit awkward, walking the line between vulnerability and self-protectiveness and really, really wanting to know who her father is and why he never comes to visit.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews