“Me Three” centers around Rodney, who moves with his mom and sister after his dad is accused of sexual harassment. I liked the idea of the story - how“Me Three” centers around Rodney, who moves with his mom and sister after his dad is accused of sexual harassment. I liked the idea of the story - how one person’s actions can affect more than just themselves - and I thought Rodney’s growth throughout the book was important. I didn’t love the style, Rodney is writing to his best friend, Larry but he’s not sending the letters to him (which he mentions often). I think Rodney could have been writing in a journal and that could have been tied into the story while revealing why Rodney hasn’t heard from Larry. I also rarely love when author’s attempt to talk AS a young person and I occasionally thought this one was a little clunky and awkward and not necessarily the way a young boy would talk. Overall, I think this is an interesting topic to address for a middle grade audience, so I would recommend it!...more
While this book is aimed at children, it's a must read for anyone! It perfectly defines and discusses the many ways we understand consent and bodily aWhile this book is aimed at children, it's a must read for anyone! It perfectly defines and discusses the many ways we understand consent and bodily autonomy. I think this would be so important for kids to read and help them understand how their body and their choices belong to them, but I urge anyone who knows a kid, works with kids, has kids, etc. to read this. Breaking the cycle and stigma behind boundaries and consent starts with adults letting kids know from an early age that they have the right to set their own boundaries....more
If you like Halsey's music, you should 100% read her book of poetry. Some of my favorites were Guts, Everything, Fun Girl, and A Story Like Mine. HighIf you like Halsey's music, you should 100% read her book of poetry. Some of my favorites were Guts, Everything, Fun Girl, and A Story Like Mine. Highly recommend....more
I can’t believe I read this book in one day and I almost regret it - purely because I want to bask in the girl power of this longer.
An absolutely incI can’t believe I read this book in one day and I almost regret it - purely because I want to bask in the girl power of this longer.
An absolutely incredible book about judgment, shame, and reclaiming your story. Friendships, relationships, betrayal. So much delivered in such a beautiful package. I couldn’t put it down and I see myself picking it up again. I couldn’t recommend this enough. ...more
An awesome introduction to consent for kids! Doug likes you but he’s not a fan of hugs. The book really drives home Doug’s firm but friendly no to hugAn awesome introduction to consent for kids! Doug likes you but he’s not a fan of hugs. The book really drives home Doug’s firm but friendly no to hugs and I think it’s important for every child to know they have bodily autonomy. I recommend this to everyone!...more
I loved this book and I will accept no criticism of it, thank you very much.
But seriously, Queenie is such a fantastic book about self-discovery & reI loved this book and I will accept no criticism of it, thank you very much.
But seriously, Queenie is such a fantastic book about self-discovery & recovery. Anyone who has ever experienced trauma or grief can recognize themselves in Queenie when she’s silent or self-sabotaging, but the book had added layers of Queenie being a curvy, Black woman in a space that didn’t treat that right - she’s sexualized, fetishized, and mistreated because of who she is and while that’s something not everyone can know firsthand, I felt so much anger and empathy for her when she’s being mistreated. She’s a character you root for and practically beg to seek help and feel better. I wish I could read this again for the first time. ...more
This book was so powerful that by the time my audiobook began playing the acknowledgements, I let them roll because I wasn’t ready for the book to endThis book was so powerful that by the time my audiobook began playing the acknowledgements, I let them roll because I wasn’t ready for the book to end (and then Echo Brown proceeded to make me sob as she choked up thanking loved ones, but most importantly herself).
Echo Brown’s magical realism laced autobiography is one that should not be missed and one I couldn’t put down. Her personal story is interwoven with the struggles of being a woman, but especially a black woman. The struggle to parent oneself when your parents aren’t up for the task. The systemic struggle put up in front of so many people because of race, class, socioeconomic status, addiction - and in the midst of all this, there’s a story about hope, light, and finding a way to overcome what you can. The magical realism element is so painful but so powerful. I rooted for Echo throughout the book and hoped for better for her, for her parents, and for her brothers. This is such an important story that packs a serious punch and forces you to face the difficult reality that dreams have roadblocks and setbacks, especially for those our society has left to fight harder than most, but that the fight is worthwhile and can be done. ...more
“Know My Name” is stunning, to say the very least. Chanel Miller so eloquently and gracefully details the horrors of the criminal justice system for s“Know My Name” is stunning, to say the very least. Chanel Miller so eloquently and gracefully details the horrors of the criminal justice system for survivors of sexual assault. Her story is heartbreaking and yet, inspiring. This quickly became the best book I’ve read this year and is up there as one of the best books I’ve ever read. ...more
This collection of poetry is beautiful and gripping and speaks volumes of truth that need to be told. I would recommend this for an older teen/young aThis collection of poetry is beautiful and gripping and speaks volumes of truth that need to be told. I would recommend this for an older teen/young adult audience as some of the imagery can be graphic but I highly recommend reading this....more
This is such an important book for starting the conversation of consent with children. It very clearly and in a kid friendly way explains to children This is such an important book for starting the conversation of consent with children. It very clearly and in a kid friendly way explains to children that some touch is good and some isn't, especially if you don't want it. This is definitely not right for a story time setting, as I think this is a very intimate and personal conversation to have with your child, but I will absolutely be recommending it!...more
This is an incredible, powerful read. A fascinating look at the tough legwork Kantor and Twohey put into journalism, but more importantly it's about bThis is an incredible, powerful read. A fascinating look at the tough legwork Kantor and Twohey put into journalism, but more importantly it's about believing survivors of sexual assault and uniting to make a powerful voice against sexual offenders like Harvey Weinstein. It's emotional but also journalistic in its approach. On top of drawing you in to the story of exposing Harvey Weinstein, it highlights how careful and informed and persistent journalists need to be in order to get a story right. ...more
This book is definitely a bit dated but it presents the issue of sexual abuse in a condensed, easy to read format for kids. I liked that it talked aboThis book is definitely a bit dated but it presents the issue of sexual abuse in a condensed, easy to read format for kids. I liked that it talked about getting hugs and kisses from people you love as I don't think we talk to kids enough about their right to reject those affections....more
This was a good resource for parents to talk to their children about tough topics, like sexual abuse. It used kid friendly language and on just about This was a good resource for parents to talk to their children about tough topics, like sexual abuse. It used kid friendly language and on just about every page there was a pausing point that encouraged children and their caregivers to stop and reflect. I only gave it four stars because I thought it was really lengthy. When explaining something to kids that's beyond what they can totally wrap their heads around, I feel that length is important and I worry kids would lose interest in a story this long....more
After dragging my feet for many years on reading the original "The Handmaid's Tale", a coworker encouraged me to pick up the graphic novel, as it carrAfter dragging my feet for many years on reading the original "The Handmaid's Tale", a coworker encouraged me to pick up the graphic novel, as it carries the message well of the original and doesn't leave out much. I really enjoyed the graphic novel and the story itself. It's an interesting, dystopian concept and it really strikes a cord. I think seeing pictures accompanying the text really brings home the gravity of this upside down United States.
Now I finally feel like I can watch the show!...more
While this book is “for teens”, it has a lot of really great, applicable tips to living with PTSD. I would highly recommend this to anyone struggling.While this book is “for teens”, it has a lot of really great, applicable tips to living with PTSD. I would highly recommend this to anyone struggling. It breaks down the many feelings and experiences of a trauma survivor and provides easy to do activities to help you cope with some of the difficulties of PTSD. There’s also a great resource guide in the back that is referenced throughout. ...more
It's so hard to rate this book because it was so powerful and important. I was really moved by it and the friendship formed between Rosina, Erin, and It's so hard to rate this book because it was so powerful and important. I was really moved by it and the friendship formed between Rosina, Erin, and Grace. There were some spots, however, that I thought could have been better, both in message and in writing style.
While I liked the three main characters, I thought that as we were getting to know them at the beginning of the book that the three perspectives didn't allow for a unique voice right off the bat. I think it's tough as a writer to develop three differing voices that are telling the same story and weave them all together and it was sometimes tough to distinguish between the three girls at the beginning. I also was confused toward the middle of the book because some characters are introduced and we never really get resolution for their stories - Amber and I think Adele being the two most upsetting that we don't get resolution for them. They're introduced and even get their own sections but I couldn't even tell you how Adele's side story evolved.
I also struggled with some of the messaging toward the end as a survivor of SA myself. (view spoiler)[When Rosina, Erin, and Grace help Cheyenne confront her encounter with the rapists from Prescott, Cheyenne says something about how she has to report her rape to the police or else she's letting the guys continue to get away with it/do it again, etc. While I don't necessarily disagree with the sentiment, throughout the book the characters are confronting sexual assault and talking about it in ways that support whatever choice people make about reporting and this sentiment from Cheyenne felt sort of shamey. Maybe it's because I take this topic so personally, but I just don't think there should ever be any hint of shame or resentment toward any way that people decide to report or not report a sexual assault. (hide spoiler)]
Overall, a really powerful read. A highly recommended read, especially if you're someone who wants to be brave enough to actively stand up against SA but you need a push to do it....more
So many of these stories were gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and anger inducing. Roxane Gay always does an incredible job of pulling together a cohesivSo many of these stories were gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and anger inducing. Roxane Gay always does an incredible job of pulling together a cohesive, well thought out anthology that needs to be read and digested. The only reason it lost a star for me was that a few of the stories left me feeling like there was a blurred sense of right and wrong. That's a personal feeling for me so it's hard to say that, but it did impact my reading. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, as it is read by each individual author and really gives a better sense of the feeling the author soaked their story in....more
What I'm about to say is not an exaggeration: this book was absolutely everything to me. Having the opportunity to meet Laurie Halse Anderson before rWhat I'm about to say is not an exaggeration: this book was absolutely everything to me. Having the opportunity to meet Laurie Halse Anderson before reading the book and hearing her read from it totally enriched my experience.
The poetry is beautifully written. Laden with pain and rage, but also a call to action. Listen to each other, believe each other, support each other, speak and shout for each other. I'm so glad I purchased my own copy of this because I'll be rereading it often....more
I absolutely loved this book and think it is important considering everything going on in the world and our country right now. However, I do feel thatI absolutely loved this book and think it is important considering everything going on in the world and our country right now. However, I do feel that it was almost too perfect. Hermione Winters is raped and everyone is so accepting of it, aside from a small handful of encounters she has with people who aren't even that upset or reacting inappropriately. I don't necessarily feel that the book depicts a realistic sexual assault survivor's situation. The book also deals with abortion, which also seems to go off without a hitch. The book lacked some of the deeper emotions I would expect from a young adult novel dealing with some incredibly tough topics....more
This book made me feel so many things. I've often wondered what it feels like to be the family member of someone who could do horrible things and I doThis book made me feel so many things. I've often wondered what it feels like to be the family member of someone who could do horrible things and I don't know if "Girl Made of Stars" is how everyone feels, but it certainly encompasses so many of the feelings I'm sure people have. Mara struggles to love and hate her twin brother at the same time and Blake paints a beautiful scene of how difficult that is. If you're looking for a different perspective on sexual assault, this is definitely one to pick up....more
Loading...
