As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is qui...
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reviews
Feb 21, 2012
C.S.
rated it: 
What a breath of fresh air!
This is, quite simply, a great book. When Gabriella (Gabby)'s young life is cut short thanks to a combination of drunk driving and inopportune texting, death takes a turn for the better (or, more interesting, at least).
There are so many things I liked about this novel. The opening, with Gabby narrating her own funeral (in a flawless MG voice, no less), had me hooked, straight away. The writing is really solid. Johannes is clearly a natural f More...
This is, quite simply, a great book. When Gabriella (Gabby)'s young life is cut short thanks to a combination of drunk driving and inopportune texting, death takes a turn for the better (or, more interesting, at least).
There are so many things I liked about this novel. The opening, with Gabby narrating her own funeral (in a flawless MG voice, no less), had me hooked, straight away. The writing is really solid. Johannes is clearly a natural f More...
Feb 07, 2012
Sheila
rated it:
Fourteen-year-old Gabby tells her tale with a very convincing teen voice in S.R. Johannes’ novel On the Bright Side. The puns and humor are perfectly measured, the childish despair that she’s never been kissed is entirely believable, and Gabby’s foolish ventures, thoughtless vengeance and innocent regret are all beautifully portrayed. Oh, and did I mention, “Gabriella Williams, age fourteen. Died while texting.”
The author sets the scene in this afterlife with gentle touches from many r More...
The author sets the scene in this afterlife with gentle touches from many r More...
Jan 26, 2012
Amanda
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading On the Bright Side because it had a unique twist on the Angel features. Even after Gabrielle has died and went to heaven now its her duty to protect the Mortals from any harm. I loved the concept of the novel and how it developed at a great pace. As I was reading it was was starting to get into the characters personalities and what they really wanted.
I felt really bad for Gabrielle in the beginning due to the loss of never having her first kiss and not tellin More...
I felt really bad for Gabrielle in the beginning due to the loss of never having her first kiss and not tellin More...
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Feb 09, 2012
Katya
rated it:
TL;DR: A fun, fast-paced, funny tween book with an imaginative setting and world. Great mix of romance, adventure, and true-to-life tween experiences. I'm looking forward to the next book.
The longer review:
On the Bright Side is set half in this word and half in an imaginatively-constructed 'heaven' where newly dead serve as guardian angels for the living. Gabby, flustered by an almost-kiss with her crush (Michael) and a crushing text from her frenemy (Angela), gets hit by a ca More...
The longer review:
On the Bright Side is set half in this word and half in an imaginatively-constructed 'heaven' where newly dead serve as guardian angels for the living. Gabby, flustered by an almost-kiss with her crush (Michael) and a crushing text from her frenemy (Angela), gets hit by a ca More...
Feb 02, 2012
Heather
rated it: 
*I got a little long with this one*
What a great tween book! It's funny, refreshing and you will feel right there with Gabby!
I will be telling my kids school they HAVE to add this for the middle grades books. "tweens" will love it, it has everything I remember from being that age. Besties, jealousy, trying to do the right thing.
Gabby is a great girl. She is loyal, strong, and caring...and also I found her very funny. While she is in training well she gets e More...
What a great tween book! It's funny, refreshing and you will feel right there with Gabby!
I will be telling my kids school they HAVE to add this for the middle grades books. "tweens" will love it, it has everything I remember from being that age. Besties, jealousy, trying to do the right thing.
Gabby is a great girl. She is loyal, strong, and caring...and also I found her very funny. While she is in training well she gets e More...
Feb 12, 2012
Tracy
rated it:
First off, thank you to author S R Johannes for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. This was such a joy to read. What an outstanding addition to the world of middle grade reads.
Gabby is such a great character. She is strong, spunky, loving, funny and passionate about what she believes in. The great thing though is she is still very much flawed, like the majority of us. But, we get to see her grow and learn from her ever growing list of mistakes.
Not only did I ad More...
Gabby is such a great character. She is strong, spunky, loving, funny and passionate about what she believes in. The great thing though is she is still very much flawed, like the majority of us. But, we get to see her grow and learn from her ever growing list of mistakes.
Not only did I ad More...
Jan 24, 2012
Ashley
rated it:
First of all I would like to say Thank You very very much to the author of this book. For letting my be one of the lucky few to read this.
Ok so here goes:)
The story begins with 14 year old Gabriella aka Gabby, she is a Celestial Being meaning she is a spirit. But how does she get there u may ask?????? Death by text. The story begins with Gabby at her funeral, by being a witness and seeing how the one's that loved her felt about her. She can't believe who walks in her, More...
Ok so here goes:)
The story begins with 14 year old Gabriella aka Gabby, she is a Celestial Being meaning she is a spirit. But how does she get there u may ask?????? Death by text. The story begins with Gabby at her funeral, by being a witness and seeing how the one's that loved her felt about her. She can't believe who walks in her, More...
Feb 13, 2012
Alaiel
rated it:
After dying (a death by text, yeah, I'm being serious here) she finds out that heaven is, actually, very different of what we imagine here on Earth. In Cirrus (heaven) Gabrielle becomes a guardian-angel in training ad her first assignment is Angela.
And who is Angela? Well, somehow she is the reason Angela is dead, you see. Why? Because both girls were fighting over Michael (Gabrielle's secret crush and best friend) and while Gabby was out with him Angela texted her letting her know that she More...
And who is Angela? Well, somehow she is the reason Angela is dead, you see. Why? Because both girls were fighting over Michael (Gabrielle's secret crush and best friend) and while Gabby was out with him Angela texted her letting her know that she More...
Feb 11, 2012
Ashley&May (Firestarbooks)
rated it:
Ok first of all, the main character, Gabriella, seems to be in the stage where she is stuck between tween and teen. I really doesn't like that stage in real life, and I can tell that Shelli portray it perfectly. But that doesn't mean I didn't like the book. I found the plot SUPER unique! I don't think I had ever read something similar. At first, I wasn't really interested in Gabby at all. She was just I guess a little annoying with her crush, Michael. But when Gabby actually died, I got excited
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Jan 30, 2012
Jessirae
rated it:
Fourteen year old Gabby gets the shock of her life when she dies of a tragic car accident, leaving her beloved mother and her best friend Michael, the only boy she’s ever really liked. After dying, Gabby finds herself in Cirrus, a sort of Heaven, as a BIT (Bright in Training). Being a BIT, Gabby must protect her Assigned Mortal. This is no easy task when her AM becomes her frenemy: Angela Black. Not only is Angela Black Gabby’s rival in fencing but also for the heart of her best friend. Gabby ca
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Feb 09, 2012
Savannah (Books With Bite)
rated it:
This is a type of book that makes me laugh and cry. A teenage girl getting into all kinds of trouble but also learning things about life. What I loved most about this book is the plot and growth of the character. I love reading a book where the reader see the characters struggling with change but also learns something entirely new. Cause that is what life is about. Learning and growing.
The plot of the book is a typical plot though it fills the reader with great joy. I adored seeing G More...
The plot of the book is a typical plot though it fills the reader with great joy. I adored seeing G More...
Feb 06, 2012
Audrey
rated it: 
**Review copy received courtesy author**
On the Bright Side is a lighthearted romp through what the afterlife might be like if you were a teenage girl sent back as a guardian angel for your frenemy. It was a nice change of pace to read a book written for a younger teen audience. There's no real angst here, other than the lost opportunity to tell your crush how you feel about him, and the knowledge that your family is sad about your death. Death is treated like an opportunity in this b More...
On the Bright Side is a lighthearted romp through what the afterlife might be like if you were a teenage girl sent back as a guardian angel for your frenemy. It was a nice change of pace to read a book written for a younger teen audience. There's no real angst here, other than the lost opportunity to tell your crush how you feel about him, and the knowledge that your family is sad about your death. Death is treated like an opportunity in this b More...
Jan 26, 2012
Katie
rated it:
A hilarious new YA that explores the antics and trouble that come with a fourteen year-old ghost trying to be good. This story will have you both breaking out into hysterics and gripping the pages in anticipation.
Gabby is a typical fourteen year old, well except for the being dead part, and she does have a mischievous streak that gets her into a bit of trouble. I highly enjoyed reading this fun and thought provoking new story. Gabby is an endearing character that I’m sure many readers will More...
Gabby is a typical fourteen year old, well except for the being dead part, and she does have a mischievous streak that gets her into a bit of trouble. I highly enjoyed reading this fun and thought provoking new story. Gabby is an endearing character that I’m sure many readers will More...
Feb 18, 2012
Ana
rated it:
This is the first middle school book I have read as an adult and wow, what a cute and witty story. The story started a little slow but then if picked up and had my attention the whole time. I love reading stories with angels and S.R. Johannes created this whole new world of angels that I have never heard of before and fell over heals for. This was a funny, cute and well written story. The cover has Gabby on it and that is exactly the way I pictured her. I especially loved that she was even weari
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Jan 31, 2012
Kids Write Reviews
rated it:
This book is about a girl named Gabby who dies and is “transfered” to a place called Cirrus that is typically Heaven except ruled by the goddess Nephele, not God. She meets her SKYpal, Jessica, also her new best friend. She is assigned to an AM, or assigned mortal. So she’s kind of a guardian angel.
Gabby gets her worst enemy, know-it-all Angela, who is now Michael, THE MIchael, girlfriend. (Michael is Gabby’s best friend and formal crush since, like, kindergarden.) Gabby will not toler More...
Gabby gets her worst enemy, know-it-all Angela, who is now Michael, THE MIchael, girlfriend. (Michael is Gabby’s best friend and formal crush since, like, kindergarden.) Gabby will not toler More...
Feb 06, 2012
Shannon
rated it:
I was lucky enough to be a part of Shelli's first blog tour for the release of UNTRACEABLE, her YA novel, which I thought was great. So, of course I jumped at the chance to read and review her new MG release. I can't believe the difference in voice! Nailing voice is one of the things we authors often struggle to get right. Not Shelli. The middle grade voice and humor in ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is spot on.
Gabby is a truly lovable character. Shelli's portrayal of "heaven" is creativ More...
Gabby is a truly lovable character. Shelli's portrayal of "heaven" is creativ More...
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Feb 04, 2012
Laura
rated it:
Gabby dies and becomes an angel who must protect her frenemy! The girl moving in on the boy she likes. We watch Gabby struggle with mortality, dying, and leaving behind the ones she loves but it is done with a light touch and humorous voice. Gabby learns some hard lessons by making some big mistakes. We laugh with her, feel bad for her, cringe when she makes the wrong choices but love her as undergoes a character change.
Elementary girls and middle school girls will enjoy the fun writ More...
Elementary girls and middle school girls will enjoy the fun writ More...
Feb 22, 2012
Kathleen
rated it:
This has to be one of the cutest books I have read in awhile. Not taking anything away from the story by calling it cute at all. I found this story refreshing and written in such a way that I was able to read it through in a few sittings. Gabby is a little spitfire who dies way too early and is sent to Cirrus to become a guardian angle if you will to her nemesis Angela. Gabby feels that Angela is petty and shallow. I loved the humor that is Gabby. Trying so hard to be good but finding herself in
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Jan 24, 2012
Christina
rated it:
I love Shelli’s tween voice in ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. She captures the essence of 14-year old Gabby with fun, witty humor and tells a compelling story that you won’t want to put down.
Dec 20, 2011
I love ghost and angel stories! This one sounds great.
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Feb 16, 2012
Jemi
rated it:
Loved it!! Gabby (who is appropriately named :)) is a fabulous character! She's spunky, fun, strong and gets into all kinds of trouble - both in this life and the after one. One of my favourite aspects of the book is the humour - the puns and twists on words are terrific! Great story :)
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