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alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 3.75
Characters: 4.25
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3.5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.61
Characters: 4.25
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3.5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.61
womanon's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good! I really enjoyed how the main character dealt with all the problems in this one.
kattuna's review against another edition
4.0
I can easily imagine this as some eccentric kid's movie.
Clever and fun with a great message!!
Clever and fun with a great message!!
abanas's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
queen_james2009's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
brogan7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
I read this book as a readaloud with my 12-year-old son and it's a good one we both enjoyed.
The story is about a girl who moves to a rural school, has to try to fit in, has to come to terms with some unkind/bullying behaviour she engaged in while at her previous school, and all the while chasing the shadow of a kid who left the class the year she joined it. Who was Paulie Fink? And how does a group re-shape itself when it has lost one of its own?
Greek mythology, goats, sports games, interpersonal drama, this book has a little of everything.
What we liked less: behavioural inaccuracies about goats, a truly strange fancy about dribbling a soccer ball down a soccer field (that can't happen, and is so obvious it leads to lack of believability, and why?), and my son didn't like the ending.
The story is about a girl who moves to a rural school, has to try to fit in, has to come to terms with some unkind/bullying behaviour she engaged in while at her previous school, and all the while chasing the shadow of a kid who left the class the year she joined it. Who was Paulie Fink? And how does a group re-shape itself when it has lost one of its own?
Greek mythology, goats, sports games, interpersonal drama, this book has a little of everything.
What we liked less: behavioural inaccuracies about goats, a truly strange fancy about dribbling a soccer ball down a soccer field (that can't happen, and is so obvious it leads to lack of believability, and why?), and my son didn't like the ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
macfiar's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.5. This book was fun. New girl at school, missing classmate, goats, unconventional teaching. But the Main character is too narcissistic. After we find out that she was a bully at her last school, who relentlessly tormented another girl, it is difficult to divorce her from that. She never apologizes, just writes a letter that she won't send that is mostly about herself. The end was also too long and full of pithy sentiments about what she and the other kids learned from trying to find Paulie Fink. Although the main story was written as kids actually talk and think, the last 30 or so pages were pure adult wishful thinking.
palmkd's review against another edition
5.0
What a great read! Definitely one I can recommend to just about anyone.
This is a wonderful coming of age story about Caitlyn who has to figure out how to adjust to her first day of 7th grade at a new school along with her very small class who gets a bit of a surprise.
This is a wonderful coming of age story about Caitlyn who has to figure out how to adjust to her first day of 7th grade at a new school along with her very small class who gets a bit of a surprise.
evankiss's review against another edition
2.0
What even was this book? I don’t know what to say. The main plot line only starts around halfway into the book. A bunch of it is just about the goats, the quirky kids, and a bunch of just odd stuff.
It follows a girl named Caitlyn who moves to a new school and discovers all sorts of weird stuff there, but everything revolves around a mysterious boy named Paulie Fink. Caitlyn and her classmates start a reality show for no
particular reason about becoming the next Paulie Fink.
I thought there was some good stuff in there, mainly a subplot about being a bully and themes about legends, how it’s hard to fully know others, etc. But it feels unfinished.
The most interesting part of the book was Caitlyn’s backstory, the only relatable subplot. It never gets resolved.
The book was a light, breezy read, but after finishing I couldn’t even tell you what the author was trying to say. It feels like she clobbled 3 different book ideas into one, and it’s weird to read.
It follows a girl named Caitlyn who moves to a new school and discovers all sorts of weird stuff there, but everything revolves around a mysterious boy named Paulie Fink. Caitlyn and her classmates start a reality show for no
particular reason about becoming the next Paulie Fink.
I thought there was some good stuff in there, mainly a subplot about being a bully and themes about legends, how it’s hard to fully know others, etc. But it feels unfinished.
The most interesting part of the book was Caitlyn’s backstory, the only relatable subplot. It never gets resolved.
The book was a light, breezy read, but after finishing I couldn’t even tell you what the author was trying to say. It feels like she clobbled 3 different book ideas into one, and it’s weird to read.
upstatelibrarygal's review against another edition
5.0
Great family read-aloud for upper elementary and middle grade readers. Both 4th and 6th grade aged kids couldn't wait to hear more. Lots of interesting issues for discussion.