Jesse’s Reviews > Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone > Status Update

Guys… I’m really struggling with this one. How do you describe a book that aims for a lot of heart but ultimately has zero substance or depth.

The author has annoyingly used the same two words over and over again to try to drum up intrigue and suspense: “the Incident”. The repetitive nature is tapping into the exhausting, dull side of middle school life: an obsession over useless, trite school drama.

I am disappointed by how boring this book is so far; the plot plods away because of poorly paced jumping between the present and past, the characters are paper thin and built off middle school cliches, and the intrigue of the story is so on the nose, it’s lose its power of me as a reader. I do not have high hopes to finish the book and enjoy it.

Compared to other middle grade books that have similar subject matter, this isn't the strongest or the most exciting writing.