Reviews by purplepenning | The StoryGraph

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purplepenning

Chester Keene Cracks the Code

3.75

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

A little bit of a slow started, but good structure for upper elementary and reluctant middle grade readers — the cover and the writing style (especially for the first half) are simplistic and accessible but interesting. The story opens up into more complex territory midway through, dealing with themes like bullying, friendship, forgiveness, relationship repair, blended families. Oh, and stopping a bank heist! It's fun, sweet, and surprising layered.

Content Warnings

The Road Trip

Beth O'Leary

3.0

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Content Warnings

Heat Wave

TJ Klune

4.0

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

A funny, messy, action-packed, satisfying conclusion to the Extraordinaries trilogy! Compared to the first two, this one is a slow starter but it blossoms into even more action. And it retains the aspects we've come to love: Nick's hilarious, chaotic energy; his ride-or-die Scooby gang; exquisitely painful secondhand embarrassment (plus the eyerolling shenanigans of the Dad Squad); the verbal bravado and fumbling exploration of coming-of-age sexuality; timely social commentary; and at least one surprisingly great new character (Burrito Jerry FTW!). Fans of the series are going to be happy! And fans of chaotic, neurodiverse, LGBTQ, teen superhero fanfic should definitely check out book one, The Exraordinaries.

Content Warnings

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin

4.5

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Full review to come. Probably. A compelling story of friendship and love and survival and pain, about knowing and being known, about story and play and vulnerability and trauma and context — all unfolding in the Shakespearean world of game development.

Content Warnings

Primer

Thomas Krajewski, Jennifer Muro

4.0

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This was a cute, creative, touching origin story! The action moves right along but leaves enough time for the emotional beats of the foster parents, the art studio, the new friendship, etc. The art is warm and vibrant and lively with the perfect touch of cuteness and attitude. I didn't love the ending, just because I didn't want that to be the last word.

Content Warnings

Gender Queer: A Memoir

Maia Kobabe

4.75

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

This was exceptional — exceptionally personal and kind and gently paced and honest. A great example of how a graphic memoir can tell a complex story (and aren't all of our truest stories complex) in a beautifully accessible way.

Content Warnings

Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions: A Novel in Interlocking Stories

Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi

4.75

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

An outstanding collection of interlocking stories that work together to create an epic tale — reflecting, revealing, and projecting the experiences of a few generations of Nigerian women, with a core group of friends at the heart. I had no idea where each story was going, no idea where the whole would end up, and was completely fascinated by the entire journey. Definitely pick this up if you're a fan of connected short stories, family epics, world lit, diverse voices, literary fiction, vibrant women's fiction, or evocative writing with a strong sense of place. The audiobook is also excellent, bringing the characters to life and establishing an even stronger sense of continuity and connection to the whole experience.

Content Warnings