tobier's Profile
Reviews
September 26, 2018
An exploration into a world I didn't know about
As someone who grew up in a safe, suburban, and wealthy town, this book let me glimpse into the lives that many people have to live through. An important book if you want your kids to have a look into cultures different then theirs. I made my rating 13+ despite the moderate use of profanity - your kids have heard all these words by middle school, and this book is not glorifying the way they are used. Censoring this book from their reading collection because of language would be censoring them from learning about the very real world presented in the story. Also, not to call out anyone in particular, but I do find it funny how a parent would find the swearing problematic, but not the violence.
1 person found this helpful.
January 16, 2017
Broke my heart
In a hundred different ways.
February 9, 2017
October 27, 2016
Graphic...
...but realistic. Shady actions (violence, gangs, etc.) are shown but not in a positive light. Most characters are good people at heart and care about each other. Positive portrayals of friendship.
July 21, 2016
Thought-provoking
This is a very gritty and real sort of book. If you're looking for good role models, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a happy read, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a book with complex characters and complex situations, this is the book for you.
Side note, the main character is kind of bratty and annoying. I saw that as a realistic portrayal of a 15 year old, but be warned if that sort of thing gets on your nerves.
January 16, 2017
The humor isn't for everyone
But if you like crass, crude, and uncomfortable humor, this is the book for you. Like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, there's not one you'd label as a particularly good role model, but I was happy to see positive relationships between certain friends and family.
August 20, 2016
I've never seen the original
But I like this one. Nothing particularly inappropriate about it for younger kids.
March 3, 2016
Was surprised how much I liked it
I was also surprised at how non-harry-potter-like it was. It has it's own story.
I wondered whether I should check 'great role models' for this review. But they're not great. They're just real. This is a great book to show young readers how there are many sides to one story.
There was wuite a bit of swearing, but nothing a teenager hasn't heard of before (especially a British teenager- this book is set in the UK and cursing there starts young and is more 'normalized' than it is in America). The language doesn't effect the quality of the book.
April 1, 2016
It's so ironic...
...that other reviewers scold this movie for being inappropriate because it includes violence, swearing, and talk about sex (and full frontal nudity? If your child is a girl, I've got some news for you: she has definitely stood in front of a mirror before). They fact that you think this movie is so unrealistic shows how desperately it is needed. Poor kids, kids of color, minority kids, kids who are in trouble, we grow up believing there is no one like us and there is no hope for us and we have no place in the world because people think that our lives are 'inappropriate' and therefore shouldn't be seen on the big screen. Shame on anyone who thinks this way.
*Deep breath.* Anyway. Great movie. Solid acting. Funny at times (the hacker friend, oh my gosh :'D). Important message.
June 16, 2015
Yes, there is sex
That doesn't mean it's inappropriate. The violence can be a bit much at times though.