An easy-to-read and inspirational story for struggling readers.
A teacher helps a 10th grader with his reading difficulties in Thompson’s YA novella.
Owen Daniels has a secret: He can’t read very well. Thus far he’s been able to hide this fact, but now that he’s a high school sophomore, it’s becoming increasingly difficult, especially when his new English teacher, Ms. Gulliver, starts calling on students to read aloud in class. He realizes that he’s bound to fail in his classes eventually and that he may be mocked by his fellow students. But Ms. Gulliver proves to be an ally when she gives him an easy-to-read book as part of a long-term plan to help his reading skills. With support from his mom and older sister, Owen starts to dedicate himself to that task, and that dedication spreads to other areas of his life and schoolwork, especially in science class. Slowly but surely, Owen starts to feel better about himself, and his fear of failure transforms into a dream of success. Thompson’s book has a clear-cut mission to encourage teens to read by working hard and applying themselves. It does so through simple, uncomplicated language that will appeal to struggling readers: “I remember when the school year started. My grades were terrible. I never thought I could get better. It’s been a lot of hard work. And I’ve read a lot of books.” It’s also a book about challenging expectations and the importance of support for those who are less privileged; Owen’s father is in prison, and his mother struggles to support their family. The protagonist’s reading challenges color much of his life, making the story limited to its very specific purpose, but it’s likely to be helpful to youngsters in similar situations.
An easy-to-read and inspirational story for struggling readers.Pub Date: May 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-578-92372-7
Page Count: 120
Publisher: Bookstock Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 26, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
This grittily provocative debut explores the horrors of self-harm and the healing power of artistic expression.
After surviving a suicide attempt, a fragile teen isn't sure she can endure without cutting herself.
Seventeen-year-old Charlie Davis, a white girl living on the margins, thinks she has little reason to live: her father drowned himself; her bereft and abusive mother kicked her out; her best friend, Ellis, is nearly brain dead after cutting too deeply; and she's gone through unspeakable experiences living on the street. After spending time in treatment with other young women like her—who cut, burn, poke, and otherwise hurt themselves—Charlie is released and takes a bus from the Twin Cities to Tucson to be closer to Mikey, a boy she "like-likes" but who had pined for Ellis instead. But things don't go as planned in the Arizona desert, because sweet Mikey just wants to be friends. Feeling rejected, Charlie, an artist, is drawn into a destructive new relationship with her sexy older co-worker, a "semifamous" local musician who's obviously a junkie alcoholic. Through intense, diarylike chapters chronicling Charlie's journey, the author captures the brutal and heartbreaking way "girls who write their pain on their bodies" scar and mar themselves, either succumbing or surviving. Like most issue books, this is not an easy read, but it's poignant and transcendent as Charlie breaks more and more before piecing herself back together.
This grittily provocative debut explores the horrors of self-harm and the healing power of artistic expression. (author’s note) (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-101-93471-5
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
