Scan barcode
wolfiegrrrl's reviews
236 reviews
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This book makes a decent attempt to teach readers what the relationship between the colonists and natives was like in central Maine in the late 1700s. The writing does a decent job of portraying multiple perspectives despite being told through the lens of a white boy who (as the reader insert for most of it) poses moral questions about colonization and racism, and takes his time coming around to the fact that maybe there are some things that will never be mutually understood despite everyone's best effort... and maybe that's okay. There is a lot that different communities can learn from each other as long as there is mutual respect between them.
The most distracting part of the story is, perhaps most obviously, the way Attean and his family speak pidgin English. It's a stereotypical portrayal and does not improve despite Matt's claim to the contrary.
And on the subject of the portrayal of indigenous peoples in media, I really appreciated the acknowledgement of the inherent racism in a lot of "classic" literature such as Robinson Crusoe. It's there and white people like Matt never really questioned it because "it's just a story" and "it just makes sense for white people to be superior" in their minds. So, having Attean show his anger at the implication that an indigenous person should be a white man's slave by nature and forcing Matt to really consider why this scene in his favorite book isn't okay is a decent prod for readers to use critical thinking skills when it comes to race relations.
The most distracting part of the story is, perhaps most obviously, the way Attean and his family speak pidgin English. It's a stereotypical portrayal and does not improve despite Matt's claim to the contrary.
And on the subject of the portrayal of indigenous peoples in media, I really appreciated the acknowledgement of the inherent racism in a lot of "classic" literature such as Robinson Crusoe. It's there and white people like Matt never really questioned it because "it's just a story" and "it just makes sense for white people to be superior" in their minds. So, having Attean show his anger at the implication that an indigenous person should be a white man's slave by nature and forcing Matt to really consider why this scene in his favorite book isn't okay is a decent prod for readers to use critical thinking skills when it comes to race relations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Minor: Child death, Death, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Bridge to Terabithia is a story about two kids bullying everyone they don't like, choosing fat people as their prime target. For the majority of the book, I kept hoping that this was going to be part of their character development, but the resolution is weak. Instead of learning to actually care about other people's feelings, they only give characters who are suffering other hardships a pass while continuing to body shame the characters they haven't deemed worthy of their kindness. Sympathy for people suffering is of course a good message, but "fat people don't deserve sympathy unless they're suffering" is just not right.
The grandest statement the author makes is that boys can like drawing and girls can wear pants. That's weak feminism even for the time because she still actively cuts down fat women and girls at every opportunity. It's excessive and unnecessary. Furthermore, she sends a bad message to victims of child abuse. This book's advice to kids suffering from an abusive home life is to "not mix personal life with school life" because "everyone will laugh at you and think you betrayed your parents" and "if your parents beat you up, get over it! it's not a big deal! it happens to everyone!"
This book had promise to it. There's a story in there about Jess learning to be more confident and processing his fears, then losing his friend and having to process that grief. Maybe there's even a story in there about learning to understand other people as well as yourself, but it's so fumbled by the attitudes of the author and the time period it was written in. As it stands, the ending is the most well-written part of this book.
The grandest statement the author makes is that boys can like drawing and girls can wear pants. That's weak feminism even for the time because she still actively cuts down fat women and girls at every opportunity. It's excessive and unnecessary. Furthermore, she sends a bad message to victims of child abuse. This book's advice to kids suffering from an abusive home life is to "not mix personal life with school life" because "everyone will laugh at you and think you betrayed your parents" and "if your parents beat you up, get over it! it's not a big deal! it happens to everyone!"
This book had promise to it. There's a story in there about Jess learning to be more confident and processing his fears, then losing his friend and having to process that grief. Maybe there's even a story in there about learning to understand other people as well as yourself, but it's so fumbled by the attitudes of the author and the time period it was written in. As it stands, the ending is the most well-written part of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, and War
Small Steps by Louis Sachar
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.5
This book is a well-written discussion about the different ways racism and ableism can manifest, how difficult it is for ex-cons/delinquents to find work and be treated fairly after they get out of prison (especially for anyone who isn't white), and the commodification of children in the entertainment business. This should be a lot to tackle in one book, but Louis Sachar really pulls it off in his sequel to Holes.
Although I would recommend this book for teens (at the youngest) rather than the middle-grade demographic of its predecessor, it's a great entryway into the concept of taking baby steps one day at a time when trying to get to a good place in this chaotic, twisted up life.
Although I would recommend this book for teens (at the youngest) rather than the middle-grade demographic of its predecessor, it's a great entryway into the concept of taking baby steps one day at a time when trying to get to a good place in this chaotic, twisted up life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Cancer, Blood, Stalking, and Death of parent
Kamigami no Asobi #1 by Sumida Moto
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
What first drew me to the series was the concept of a dating sim style story where the love interests are gods of various pantheons that have to learn the power of love to save the world and unlock their gorgeous magical boy transformations. Each character "route" is so heartfelt and endearing, and it made me fall in love with the characters all over again. They really care about each other so deeply, so their found family dynamic never fails to put a smile on my face. Having watched the anime first, I remember being surprised to learn that Anubis was a student in the manga (and I think also in the otome game they're adapting), so I was very happy to get to see another side of him here.
Oh no, the ending has Yui giving up her memories of the lyceum, crying the moment she touches the sword, thinking she sees/hears the gods visiting her, and then turning around to see no one there.... "and that was the prank from the gods" ROLL CREDITS I AM NOT OKAY ;;A;;
Oh no, the ending has Yui giving up her memories of the lyceum, crying the moment she touches the sword, thinking she sees/hears the gods visiting her, and then turning around to see no one there.... "and that was the prank from the gods" ROLL CREDITS I AM NOT OKAY ;;A;;
Words of Devotion, Volume 02 by Keiko Konno
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
The first three chapters of origin story were pretty interesting. We finally get to see the "I like you" that Tachibana said he never heard from Ootani back in high school.
And then we seem to jump forward in time again to catch up with what Shou and Alfred are doing. This time, Alfred has planned a surprise trip to Japan to see Shou and it was a rollercoaster of bad decisions, one right after another. I feel so bad for Alfred who found himself in such a difficult situation out of desperation... and then, despite his clear trauma, gets chastised for it.
Of course, Tachibana and Ootani are there to help make the situation better in their own way, and it was nice getting to see them break in the New Year together at the end.
Overall, this was a much more enjoyable volume than the first one was.
And then we seem to jump forward in time again to catch up with what Shou and Alfred are doing. This time, Alfred has planned a surprise trip to Japan to see Shou and it was a rollercoaster of bad decisions, one right after another. I feel so bad for Alfred who found himself in such a difficult situation out of desperation... and then, despite his clear trauma, gets chastised for it.
Of course, Tachibana and Ootani are there to help make the situation better in their own way, and it was nice getting to see them break in the New Year together at the end.
Overall, this was a much more enjoyable volume than the first one was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Outing
Words of Devotion, Volume 01 by Keiko Konno
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first 4 chapters are about Tachibana and Ootani. They're very weirdly possessive of each other, don't seem to trust each other much, and have trouble communicating about their feelings. But then once their plot wraps up, they disappear from the story (until their cameo in chapter 7) and leave the next three chapters to be about three completely different couples.
Two of the three couples are highly unhealthy and concerning. Shinji 100% assaulted Hirofumi and I am concerned, and then Miyata abducted Kasahara because he didn't believe he could start a relationship with someone any other way??? There is so much wrong with these pictures.
Chapter 7 focuses on Alfred and Shou, who are such a wholesome breath of fresh air after all that. They're cute and supportive of each other. Very gentle. Very sweet.
Two of the three couples are highly unhealthy and concerning. Shinji 100% assaulted Hirofumi and I am concerned, and then Miyata abducted Kasahara because he didn't believe he could start a relationship with someone any other way??? There is so much wrong with these pictures.
Chapter 7 focuses on Alfred and Shou, who are such a wholesome breath of fresh air after all that. They're cute and supportive of each other. Very gentle. Very sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence
The Heart of Thomas by Moto Hagio
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story is like slice of school life, but the bandaids are being ripped off to expose everyone's traumas.
I didn't expect there to be so much religious discussion in this manga, but I guess I should have the moment it was established that they were at a Catholic school. All that talk about angels and traitors...
Naturally, the Big Bad was gonna be revealed as a Satan/Lucifer stand-in. I'm disappointed but not surprised that Satanism was brought up as a cult-like worship of evil... when that's not even close to what it is in practice.
I kind of want to know more about the creator of this manga so I can understand if these are their thoughts and opinions or if there was an entirely different reason for this story's development.
I didn't expect there to be so much religious discussion in this manga, but I guess I should have the moment it was established that they were at a Catholic school. All that talk about angels and traitors...
Naturally, the Big Bad was gonna be revealed as a Satan/Lucifer stand-in. I'm disappointed but not surprised that Satanism was brought up as a cult-like worship of evil... when that's not even close to what it is in practice.
I kind of want to know more about the creator of this manga so I can understand if these are their thoughts and opinions or if there was an entirely different reason for this story's development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Suicide
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Death, Rape, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, Kimberly Dean
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
A cute song book that teaches kids to recognize some colors while showing them how to handle their emotions when little inconveniences happen.
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
The preschooler I read this book to was thrilled about the interactive parts of the story. It's a cute way to engage kids with the changing of the seasons.
Skeletons! Skeletons!: All About Bones by Katy Hall
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
This book explains the different parts of the skeleton with a dash of humor and an easy to understand writing style. I particularly like the pages you hold up to the light to see how the skeletons match up with the animals they belong to. It's a very fun hands on experience!