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2.59k reviews by:
librarybonanza
Age: Sophomore HS+
Style: Two separate first-person POVs
Award: Stonewall Honor 2011
Double the authors. Double the Will Graysons. Double the sarcasm. Double the teen boy identity crises.
When two suburban Will Graysons meet up in a Chicago porn shop, their lives twist together yet begin to fall apart. One Will Grayson has a delightful, begrudging sense of humor who only wishes to remain a faceless body in the crowd. Life's easier that way, so he thinks. Yet his nearest and dearest friend Tiny Cooper thinks that life is better spent flitting from boyfriend to boyfriend while remaining a positively driven force of gloriousness.
Many reviews express difficulty reading the other Will Grayson. This is not because he's poorly written but because he's the harsh reality of a malcontent teenage boy that some reader's relate with a little too strongly.
There are a few reasons why I gave this novel five stars:
-The humor is fresh and thoughtful.
-It is a complex novel. There are layers of meaning that need to be thought about and discussed, complex characters that a reader may reject at first. This novel doesn't underestimate the ability of young adults to decipher literature and critically think about characterization, transformation, gray situations (vs. black and white).
-Relevant and realistic. There are a spectrum of characters with complex and individual identities. There is a grouchy, straight boy who begins to challenge his alienation techniques, a flamboyant, overweight boy whose main mission is to produce his life musical at school, a depressed, disjointed gay boy who finally begins to accept his identity and begins to strive towards what he wants in life, and an indie music fiend that seeks the attention of one Will Grayson.
Style: Two separate first-person POVs
Award: Stonewall Honor 2011
Double the authors. Double the Will Graysons. Double the sarcasm. Double the teen boy identity crises.
When two suburban Will Graysons meet up in a Chicago porn shop, their lives twist together yet begin to fall apart. One Will Grayson has a delightful, begrudging sense of humor who only wishes to remain a faceless body in the crowd. Life's easier that way, so he thinks. Yet his nearest and dearest friend Tiny Cooper thinks that life is better spent flitting from boyfriend to boyfriend while remaining a positively driven force of gloriousness.
Many reviews express difficulty reading the other Will Grayson. This is not because he's poorly written but because he's the harsh reality of a malcontent teenage boy that some reader's relate with a little too strongly.
There are a few reasons why I gave this novel five stars:
-The humor is fresh and thoughtful.
-It is a complex novel. There are layers of meaning that need to be thought about and discussed, complex characters that a reader may reject at first. This novel doesn't underestimate the ability of young adults to decipher literature and critically think about characterization, transformation, gray situations (vs. black and white).
-Relevant and realistic. There are a spectrum of characters with complex and individual identities. There is a grouchy, straight boy who begins to challenge his alienation techniques, a flamboyant, overweight boy whose main mission is to produce his life musical at school, a depressed, disjointed gay boy who finally begins to accept his identity and begins to strive towards what he wants in life, and an indie music fiend that seeks the attention of one Will Grayson.
Age: 2nd-4th grade
The imagination of children, in a worldess picture book. Insights creativity, encourages imagination (child show know that imagination is not reality), encounter scary situation but children are safe in the end.
Great for storytime that involves children telling the story.
The imagination of children, in a worldess picture book. Insights creativity, encourages imagination (child show know that imagination is not reality), encounter scary situation but children are safe in the end.
Great for storytime that involves children telling the story.
Ages: 5th-8th grade
Not at the top of every middle schooler's fun-to-read list, The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 is typically seen as another boring event in a time long ago. However, Wiles and media designer Phil Falco present a paranoid world waiting for nuclear armageddon.
Franny lives with her family in Maryland near Washington D.C., a likely target. On top of the air raid drills, a once-composed mother now frazzled, a drill sergeant for an uncle, and a missing sister, Franny's best friend turns into her worst enemy without explanation. Heavens to Murgatroyd! An excellent composite between an 11-year-old girl and the potentially disastrous events in October of 1962. The media additions may not have direct correlation with Franny's life (or they may not seem that way at first) but the social and political context give added oomph to a rapidly changing world.
Not at the top of every middle schooler's fun-to-read list, The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 is typically seen as another boring event in a time long ago. However, Wiles and media designer Phil Falco present a paranoid world waiting for nuclear armageddon.
Franny lives with her family in Maryland near Washington D.C., a likely target. On top of the air raid drills, a once-composed mother now frazzled, a drill sergeant for an uncle, and a missing sister, Franny's best friend turns into her worst enemy without explanation. Heavens to Murgatroyd! An excellent composite between an 11-year-old girl and the potentially disastrous events in October of 1962. The media additions may not have direct correlation with Franny's life (or they may not seem that way at first) but the social and political context give added oomph to a rapidly changing world.
Age: Sophomore-Senior
Personally, I felt dragged along by one plot line that didn't even have a satisfying ending. However, this would be a good book for a teenager that was previously traumatized by the death of a friend.
Personally, I felt dragged along by one plot line that didn't even have a satisfying ending. However, this would be a good book for a teenager that was previously traumatized by the death of a friend.
Age: 3rd grade (advanced reader) - 8th grade
-Religion: While Christianity and morality have a strong presence in this novel, it is not at a sacrifice of the plot or storyline(s) but "lessons learned" develop the characters in a believable capacity.
-Family: Because the strong family relationship amongst the sisters and their parents is somewhat unbelievable at times, this story is a little iffy for ages above 12. For younger children, this is a reassuring, happy existence that appeals to their good/hopeful nature
-Historical: Appeals to girls that have a fascination with "older" societies
-Challenging themes: The father almost dies while at war, coping with a poor life,
-Relatable characters: The characters have particularly distinct characteristics, where they all have faults and desirable qualities; I obviously felt a keen attraction to Jo with her independent spirit, desire to be outside, and love of writing (I'm sure researchers have aligned Alcott with this character the most).
-Religion: While Christianity and morality have a strong presence in this novel, it is not at a sacrifice of the plot or storyline(s) but "lessons learned" develop the characters in a believable capacity.
-Family: Because the strong family relationship amongst the sisters and their parents is somewhat unbelievable at times, this story is a little iffy for ages above 12. For younger children, this is a reassuring, happy existence that appeals to their good/hopeful nature
-Historical: Appeals to girls that have a fascination with "older" societies
-Challenging themes: The father almost dies while at war, coping with a poor life,
-Relatable characters: The characters have particularly distinct characteristics, where they all have faults and desirable qualities; I obviously felt a keen attraction to Jo with her independent spirit, desire to be outside, and love of writing (I'm sure researchers have aligned Alcott with this character the most).
Age: 2nd-5th grade
Exciting, gripping plot full of action and plenty of battle. Perfect for boys that are beginning to feel like books are for girls. Some words and phrases can be a little hard to decipher, but the fast-moving plot allows you to guess the meaning behind the words.
Exciting, gripping plot full of action and plenty of battle. Perfect for boys that are beginning to feel like books are for girls. Some words and phrases can be a little hard to decipher, but the fast-moving plot allows you to guess the meaning behind the words.
Age: 7th grade to 12th grade
Popular manga made into a television show. The exaggerated emotions can be hard to tolerate (common feature of manga) but the storyline has complexity and intrigue. Probably won't need to suggest this to any patrons because they may already be familiar with it.
Popular manga made into a television show. The exaggerated emotions can be hard to tolerate (common feature of manga) but the storyline has complexity and intrigue. Probably won't need to suggest this to any patrons because they may already be familiar with it.
Age: 3rd-6th grade
While this has similarities to a comic book (slap stick humor, some silly events), it has a more serious and mysterious plot underneath the silly antics of the Bone cousins.
While this has similarities to a comic book (slap stick humor, some silly events), it has a more serious and mysterious plot underneath the silly antics of the Bone cousins.