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mjenae's reviews
246 reviews
Holes by Louis Sachar
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wasn't going to rate this one 5 stars. I promise I wasn't.
But then that ending. The author who can tie so many strings together so neatly and intricately is purely genius.
I think I loved it so much for the experience it gave me. I read it to my 11-year-old brother, and he was even more invested than I was, if possible. One night, he even took a turn reading a chapter because I was getting tired and he didn't want to quit. Tonight, we stayed up til midnight—an hour after the rest of the house went to bed—sitting beside each other in rocking chairs, on the edge of our seats as we gobbled up the climax. There were so many times we stopped and looked at each and one of us would say "oh!" And then we'd go over how this piece tied in with the beginning of the story, and how the plot was falling into place, and how everything was coming full circle. It was wonderful fun.
So, if this book can give someone else the same connection it gave me, it totally deserves the 5 stars.
But then that ending. The author who can tie so many strings together so neatly and intricately is purely genius.
I think I loved it so much for the experience it gave me. I read it to my 11-year-old brother, and he was even more invested than I was, if possible. One night, he even took a turn reading a chapter because I was getting tired and he didn't want to quit. Tonight, we stayed up til midnight—an hour after the rest of the house went to bed—sitting beside each other in rocking chairs, on the edge of our seats as we gobbled up the climax. There were so many times we stopped and looked at each and one of us would say "oh!" And then we'd go over how this piece tied in with the beginning of the story, and how the plot was falling into place, and how everything was coming full circle. It was wonderful fun.
So, if this book can give someone else the same connection it gave me, it totally deserves the 5 stars.
A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle
5.0
I related to this in a strange way. I didn't support all of Vicky's choices, but I couldn't argue because I understood her. I was afraid for Zachary and desperately afraid of him, and I hated him for it. (I'm almost 100% sure he was bipolar.) I loved Leo but I didn't want him to be anything more than friends. I was very curious about Adam. I was as affected by Grandfather's degeneration as Vic was; nobody warned me there would be in-home hospice for someone dying of cancer, with the family staying over the summer to take care of him—it was terribly close to home, and it shook me. And I felt the utter hopelessness Vic felt when Binnie took her last breath.
But most of all—"You will bear the light."
I cannot help but think Grandfather was speaking to me, too.
But most of all—"You will bear the light."
I cannot help but think Grandfather was speaking to me, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Things That Surprise You by Jennifer Maschari
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Halfway through, I couldn't see this book ending in a satisfying conclusion. Most of the characters were unlikable, and I definitely hadn't formed any attachments yet. I did like the unique settings, and the way the author painted pictures in my mind with tiny slips of obscure description. But I was only reading to see if it got better.
And the short answer is yes. The long answer is OHMYGOODNESS I love these characters so much. Especially Mina—she made me wish I had an older sister, which is something I've never necessarily wanted. And Hector—his fun-loving, funny, cheerful, always-accepting-and-forgiving personality was perfect best friend material. I even like his smile, and how does that happen through the pages of a book?
Another thing—this book has the best representation of anorexia I've ever read, middle grade or otherwise. Mina was a side character, but I could viscerally feel her anguish. I now have a much better picture of how hard a battle an eating disorder can be. I rate that part of the book 5 stars.
There are two things I still don't like: the divorce, and the evolution aspect. The latter because of obvious reasons, the former because I just don't think it was completely necessary. It was alright, though, as a subplot. I'm just still a little upset at Emily's dad.
All in all, though, I love the way this book made me feel (mostly), and how it explores the idea of deciding who you really want to be. In the end, Emily did a great job of it. I hope this book inspires others her age to follow in her footsteps.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ally: 10/10
Albert: 10/10
Keisha: 10/10
Mr. Daniels: 11/10
So, obviously, all the main characters were amazing. (I would've liked to see a redemption arch for the antagonist, but I can't expect it from an MG book.) I don't know that I've ever read a book so specifically centered on dyslexia, and now I have a much better idea of how all-encompassing the struggle is. Great story, great morals, great execution, I want a sequel right now.
Albert: 10/10
Keisha: 10/10
Mr. Daniels: 11/10
So, obviously, all the main characters were amazing. (I would've liked to see a redemption arch for the antagonist, but I can't expect it from an MG book.) I don't know that I've ever read a book so specifically centered on dyslexia, and now I have a much better idea of how all-encompassing the struggle is. Great story, great morals, great execution, I want a sequel right now.
Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina by Rodman Philbrick
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
5.0
I am so dreadfully unobservant! I thought all the way up to the last page that this book was a work of fiction. This isn't even the first time it's happened.
Anyway, I was absolutely delighted to find that it is in fact TRUE, and that Helene really lived and really wrote memoirs that I can own and read. It feels as if a favorite fictional character has come alive. She's so witty and charming; I love her writing style. I want to dive into her other works immediately.
Anyway, I was absolutely delighted to find that it is in fact TRUE, and that Helene really lived and really wrote memoirs that I can own and read. It feels as if a favorite fictional character has come alive. She's so witty and charming; I love her writing style. I want to dive into her other works immediately.
Level 13 by Gordon Korman
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Better than Slacker, from what I remember. Funny, charming, with cringe-worthy and praiseworthy moments. Great character development, and I really love the ending.
I can't say much more, because the copy I read was an uncorrected proof. It even said, under Acknowledgements at the end, "2 pages TK." I kept finding little punctuation and spelling slip-ups. To be honest, it kind of made me feel like a privileged editor, so I'm not mad.
But I still want to read the final edition sometime. Who knows, maybe there's a whole extra scene or two. And I definitely wouldn't mind re-reading it.
I can't say much more, because the copy I read was an uncorrected proof. It even said, under Acknowledgements at the end, "2 pages TK." I kept finding little punctuation and spelling slip-ups. To be honest, it kind of made me feel like a privileged editor, so I'm not mad.
But I still want to read the final edition sometime. Who knows, maybe there's a whole extra scene or two. And I definitely wouldn't mind re-reading it.
This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I don't know what to say. It's a captivating story; the plot is realistic enough to keep the readers bound up in the twists and turns. There isn't much of a trail to follow when it comes to evidence—the whole book kind of feels like a guessing game. It kept me on my toes... aaand a tiny bit obsessed with pinning down the culprit.
The moral area is grey. Instead of coming away feeling bad for the victim, I feel genuinely bad for the killer. I don't know—it's confusing. Everything was a mess.
Makes a great story. Sure glad it's fiction.
The moral area is grey. Instead of coming away feeling bad for the victim, I feel genuinely bad for the killer. I don't know—it's confusing. Everything was a mess.
Makes a great story. Sure glad it's fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Grief, and Alcohol