Heather’s Comments (group member since Jan 14, 2021)

Heather’s comments from the ARTBA 2021 group.

Eh. I don't think this is a topic that our 7-9 crowd will embrace. I think it was definitely misplaced on the Level 1 list. Even so, I thought the main character was grating and he got on my nerves. Not a super sympathetic character. 2.5/5

Love love love love love love. 5/5

I'm surprised that many feel so negatively toward this book. I liked it. I thought it was different and not as cookie-cutter as so many fantasies tend to skew. I thought it was fun but Fable was a little too "good at everything" for my liking. Otherwise, it was great! 3.5/5

As always, I LOVE Elizabeth Acevedo. Interestingly, I have heard a lot of real-life stories of this type of split family just recently and made me realize just how important it is to represent this lifestyle for our students.

4.5 out of 5.

Slightly slow start but I loved this one! I loved the parallels between other iconic stories and the idea of Shanghai in the 1920's. This would make a GREAT movie!

4/5

I loved the characters and the character development. I loved the presentation of these deeply Latinx myths/legends and their incorporation into modern day. I did not like how transparent the "mystery" was. It was obvious from early on and I kept hoping the story would take an unexpected nose dive. So,
5/5 for character/content
2/5 for being a good mystery.

Overall, 3.5/5

This was a well-constructed world that pulls from lots of mythology and local lore and I LOVED it. What a great balance of witch/demon and good/evil! Not something that all my teens would love but those that are into the Supernatural/Fantasy stuff will definitely vibe with this book!
4/5

I think if more people read books like this in which they see the reaction to their racist (intended or not) actions/thoughts, it might help them to understand the perspective of POC a little better.

Gonna step off that soap box real quick....

This was fantastic. Literally wanted to pump my fist in the air as the story started concluding. This will definitely engage our students.

5/5

Well told tale and I FELT for this family. There is a lot to unpack. I do feel like the authors wanted to make sure everything got represented in the unfolding of the drama and it seemed like there was almost TOO much, but it drives home a great point. 4/5

I enjoyed this book but I also listened to it. From things I have read, reading it can get tedious with some of the world creation which might lose some readers. 3/5

I really got attached to our main character in this story and got somewhat emotional thinking that this book could end with her self-sabotaging her happiness in the name of "keeping herself safe". It also illuminated aspects of fostering and the trauma those that grow up in foster homes endure. They are an underserved group despite the fact that there are SO many of them in the US. I think this book would be great for our teens to read so that they might gain perspective and, for those that identify with the situation, find solidarity in the plight.
4/5 (only because I can't say they are all 5/5)

This was hard to process. Such a great book - the gaslighting, the victim-blaming, the idolatry of famous people. It was captivating and I think the tale can reel in a lot of students from a lot of backgrounds. I think the narrative is important and should be something examined more often and Tiffany Jackson does an amazing job of delivering the blows.
5/5

Yaaaass queen!

Loved this! Awkward teens finding awkward love and the kinda nerdy/shy LGBT/POC girl takes on the establishment in running for Homecoming Queen (because it comes with a prize package that will let her get into the music school she is pining for). Liz is an authentic character that teens will identify with and will make connections to her because she is a multi-dimensional character that has many sides. There is nothing cookie-cutter about Liz!

5/5

I wanted to really like this book. Our main character is a strong, smart, and capable female who is set on stealing the crown through devious acts. The King starts out looking very domineering and incapable of love. But quickly everything starts getting all mushy with feelings and the edge of the story is blunted and just begins battering details over your head. I rolled my eyes a lot throughout the story but I'm not sure it is because I recognized the cliches or if it was really so transparent. I am not sure if students would relish this tale or laugh at it.

2.5/5

This is a book that our students will love. They will enjoy the twists and turns and the slightly awkward love interest between two of the main characters. It isn't groundbreaking and doesn't get political. It's a COMFORTABLE read. I think I would compare this book to a cozy pair of pajamas on a rainy day - perfectly snug. It is enjoyable and keeps most readers on edge as new information is revealed.
4/5

GORGEOUS! A beautiful rendering of this verse novel. The art is absolutely stunning and elevates the selections of the verse that accompany it to a more impactful level. Everyone who picks up this book will love it.

5/5

It was a good read. I liked reading this from the perspective of Maverick as a young man becoming a teen father and sticking around to raise his son. And then making tough choices to provide for his family. How easy it could be to slip into the roles his friends are taking and the quick money he could make but having a strong male role model in his life who forced him to make the hard choices.

Overall, this book wasn't as strong or as compelling to me as Angie Thomas' other novels, but it was still a great book. Would appeal to all readers.
3.5/5

I am really torn on this book. The story itself was fantastic. Very strong. Great imagery. Strong female characters throughout and is one of the few YAs that breaks the narrative of "I have to keep the secret to protect my loved ones" trope. I appreciate that. It is very heavy handed with the anti-"boys will be boys" which is great to see! My naive teen self wouldn't have understood the depth of the challenge this book is putting up.

But...

It is in 2nd person. I found it awkward to read and think that it could isolate male readers from being able to embrace the story. It is one thing to read about a female protagonist and an entirely different thing to BE the female protagonist.

I am not a squeamish sort - I don't mind graphic details - but man, that whole first period/inserting of a tampon scene was uncomfortable.

So 5/5 on story
and 3/5 on making me uncomfortable in not a good way.