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Wing Jones
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Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It
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3.5 stars.
THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES’s diversity alone is worth praising. We do need more books with main characters who are mixed-race, like Wing Jones who is Afro-Asian. How cool is that?
Wing Jones lives in her brother’s shadow, but she doesn’t mind it. She knows Marcus is the star of the family and she’s fine with it. So when he kills two people in a car accident and ends up in a coma, she, her mother and two grandmothers are absolutely crushed.
To try to cope with the tragedy that is affec ...more
THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES’s diversity alone is worth praising. We do need more books with main characters who are mixed-race, like Wing Jones who is Afro-Asian. How cool is that?
Wing Jones lives in her brother’s shadow, but she doesn’t mind it. She knows Marcus is the star of the family and she’s fine with it. So when he kills two people in a car accident and ends up in a coma, she, her mother and two grandmothers are absolutely crushed.
To try to cope with the tragedy that is affec ...more
a very refreshing and important story about a fifteen year old girl whose older, perfect brother, Marcus, kills two people in a drunk driving accident. it's a story about a girl discovering her identity, building a reputation and image for herself while grieving and dealing with the mess and hardship her brother is putting his family through.
this is such an amazing book and the author doesn't shy away from tough topics. she talks about the dangers of drunk driving and how it can lead to dangero ...more
this is such an amazing book and the author doesn't shy away from tough topics. she talks about the dangers of drunk driving and how it can lead to dangero ...more
This book feels like one of those timeless books that can be read in any millennium and still be relevant. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
- Wing jones is a slow, building story of determination and sacrifice and learning from your mistakes and family and forgiveness and LOOK AT ME SAP
- Okay so let’s start with the fact that it’s taking place in like 1995 (I legit wouldn’t have known unless the book mentioned it) so it threw me off a bit bc there’s literally no telling signs as to //why// it needed to ta ...more
- Wing jones is a slow, building story of determination and sacrifice and learning from your mistakes and family and forgiveness and LOOK AT ME SAP
- Okay so let’s start with the fact that it’s taking place in like 1995 (I legit wouldn’t have known unless the book mentioned it) so it threw me off a bit bc there’s literally no telling signs as to //why// it needed to ta ...more
[4.5] // THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!! I had a million and one things I wanted to say about this book, but I can't remember one right now. MY FEELINGS! I loved it so much! Just the contemporary fix I needed.
Essentially it's a story about a 15 year old, biracial girl (kudos to the great diverse representation) who feels slightly overshadowed by her brother, by everyone, is a misfit, and is desperately trying to find herself and her place in the world.
I adored the main character, Wing. She's someone you a ...more
Essentially it's a story about a 15 year old, biracial girl (kudos to the great diverse representation) who feels slightly overshadowed by her brother, by everyone, is a misfit, and is desperately trying to find herself and her place in the world.
I adored the main character, Wing. She's someone you a ...more
5 Words: Family, friendship, running, love, consequences.
YA Shot Group Read January 2017
I saw the cover of this book revealed last year at YALC and I was like "oh, ok. It's about sport" and I didn't think much more about it. Because I am the least sporty person EVER. But then in release week it seemed like everyone I followed was reading it and loving it. And usually when there is a lot of hype around a book I'm a bit wary. But the SundayYA crowd are just the best people and I totally trust thei ...more
YA Shot Group Read January 2017
I saw the cover of this book revealed last year at YALC and I was like "oh, ok. It's about sport" and I didn't think much more about it. Because I am the least sporty person EVER. But then in release week it seemed like everyone I followed was reading it and loving it. And usually when there is a lot of hype around a book I'm a bit wary. But the SundayYA crowd are just the best people and I totally trust thei ...more
I honestly picked this book up expecting a light, funny read. It turns out Wing’s story started out very sad. She has been the victim of bullying since she was a little girl because she looked different. Her dark colored skin and small eyes make her stick out, unlike her “perfect” brother, Marcus, who always stands out. She grew up without a dad but was okay with it because she always had her reliable brother, her hero until the accident happens and sighs, her life gets even sadder.
But it still ...more
But it still ...more
Random thoughts...
Refreshing for a ya contemporary to focus on familial consequences of reckless and/or entitled teen behaviour so kudos for discussing emotional struggles, monetary issues, health insurance etc etc
Likeable female lead in Wing. Internal monologue made her feel more vital and true than many other ya leads. Her spirit animals (dragon and lioness) were hella confusing though and really jarred with the whole reading experience resulting in an entire star deduction.
Slow burn romance ...more
Refreshing for a ya contemporary to focus on familial consequences of reckless and/or entitled teen behaviour so kudos for discussing emotional struggles, monetary issues, health insurance etc etc
Likeable female lead in Wing. Internal monologue made her feel more vital and true than many other ya leads. Her spirit animals (dragon and lioness) were hella confusing though and really jarred with the whole reading experience resulting in an entire star deduction.
Slow burn romance ...more
5 stars
Full review: https://bookevin.wordpress.com/2017/0...
Initial thoughts:
Where do I begin? Oh, this book is a gem that needs to be treasured. I loved it so much.
Aside from the fact that Wing is Afro-Asian, she has a Chinese grandmother and an African grandmother. Like, dude. You should read this book JUST for the bickering between these loveable old ladies.
Wing Jones has so much heart - loved it.
Full review to come. ...more
Full review: https://bookevin.wordpress.com/2017/0...
Initial thoughts:
Where do I begin? Oh, this book is a gem that needs to be treasured. I loved it so much.
Aside from the fact that Wing is Afro-Asian, she has a Chinese grandmother and an African grandmother. Like, dude. You should read this book JUST for the bickering between these loveable old ladies.
Wing Jones has so much heart - loved it.
Full review to come. ...more
I ABSOLUTELY loved reading this book because it felt like I was being let into someone's life, rather than just following a plot. There are the main events of the blurb that occur in the story, but a bunch of other little things that I didn't expect and really enjoyed!
Wing was such a refreshing character to read about. The number of really cool similes in this book was astounding. Normally, I don't comment on writing style, but this stood out to me as so full of voice, which I've been missing i ...more
Wing was such a refreshing character to read about. The number of really cool similes in this book was astounding. Normally, I don't comment on writing style, but this stood out to me as so full of voice, which I've been missing i ...more
Jan 03, 2017
Lucy Powrie
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
all-time-favourites,
arcs,
debut,
physical-review-copies,
contemporary,
favourites,
own-books,
review-books,
to-review,
ukya
Wing Jones is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a long time and I’d love everyone – absolutely everyone – to read it.
Set in Atlanta in the 90’s, it tells the story of fifteen year old Wing who has a grandmother from Ghana and a grandmother from China; she’s caught between two worlds, not quite fitting in like her older brother Marcus seems to do. When tragedy strikes, though, Wing takes up running and she’s not just good at it, she’s amazing. Running is a way for Wing to escape, but i ...more
Set in Atlanta in the 90’s, it tells the story of fifteen year old Wing who has a grandmother from Ghana and a grandmother from China; she’s caught between two worlds, not quite fitting in like her older brother Marcus seems to do. When tragedy strikes, though, Wing takes up running and she’s not just good at it, she’s amazing. Running is a way for Wing to escape, but i ...more
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
This was one of the 2017 debuts that I'd been interested in for ages, and when I was able to review a copy, I jumped at the chance. Wing Jones is about the main character, Wing, who has to deal with her brother being in a coma, and she does so by running. For years, she has struggled to find her identity, as her grandparents are from China and Ghana, and she's never really fit, within school. When she discov ...more
This was one of the 2017 debuts that I'd been interested in for ages, and when I was able to review a copy, I jumped at the chance. Wing Jones is about the main character, Wing, who has to deal with her brother being in a coma, and she does so by running. For years, she has struggled to find her identity, as her grandparents are from China and Ghana, and she's never really fit, within school. When she discov ...more
This isn't out for so long that I'm not going to do a proper review yet, but I will say that this book is perfect and lovely and satisfying and beautiful. It also contains the most slow burning endless agony of waiting for a first kiss I've EVER READ and it was PERFECTION.
Really beautiful story! I was surprised how long it sustained itself in the middle since it seemed to lack tension, but I really loved the beginning. So emotional, and the writing was gorgeous and easily readable. My only critique was that the ending came about very quickly, which I wasn't prepared for and things seemed to wrap up a bit too neatly (apart from the old man at the hospital that ball was dropped!)
DNF
Mini review:
This book was recommended to my by my dear GR friend Lola ! Click on her name to read her review.
The sole reason I decided to read this is because of Lola's review and the diversity. The diversity was very well done. But the rest of the book did not work for me. I found this book to portray the negative aspects of high school which never works for me. Considering the topic I understand why it was done.
But there were times when I felt that it was over done. It felt that in every ...more
Mini review:
This book was recommended to my by my dear GR friend Lola ! Click on her name to read her review.
The sole reason I decided to read this is because of Lola's review and the diversity. The diversity was very well done. But the rest of the book did not work for me. I found this book to portray the negative aspects of high school which never works for me. Considering the topic I understand why it was done.
But there were times when I felt that it was over done. It felt that in every ...more
I completely devoured this. It's the perfect blend of humour and heart, love and family, with amazing characters (Granny Dee and LaoLao have my everlasting admiration). Put this one top of your TBR pile. It is incredible.
Sixteen years old, Wing Jones has never really felt comfortable in herself. Half-Chinese, half-Ghanaian, and living in Atlanta, USA has it’s challenges. Never more so than at school and having to deal with the school bully, Heather, who finds Wing an easy target.
Wing is very family-orientated, especially after the death of her father. Since that day, her brother Marcus has been there for her, and keeps her under his protective wing.
Her life suddenly gets turned upside down when her brother is in ...more
Wing is very family-orientated, especially after the death of her father. Since that day, her brother Marcus has been there for her, and keeps her under his protective wing.
Her life suddenly gets turned upside down when her brother is in ...more
Feb 12, 2017
Joséphine (Word Revel)
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
read-2017,
culture,
text-fiction,
target-young-adult,
family,
ethnicity,
friendship,
single-parenthood,
poverty,
romance
March 1, 2017
Full book review is up on Word Revel.
____________
February 12, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Initial thoughts: As a biracial person myself, I think Katherine Webber aptly captured what it means to live with multiple racial identies on a day-to-day basis. I loved how she noted the little things like double-takes from strangers when it dawns on them who the grand- and/or parent(s) are and that they're related to children who might not even look like them. Then there's the fusion of food ...more
Full book review is up on Word Revel.
____________
February 12, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Initial thoughts: As a biracial person myself, I think Katherine Webber aptly captured what it means to live with multiple racial identies on a day-to-day basis. I loved how she noted the little things like double-takes from strangers when it dawns on them who the grand- and/or parent(s) are and that they're related to children who might not even look like them. Then there's the fusion of food ...more
Wherein the stupid, reckless decision of an older brother allows a half-black, half-Chinese girl in Atlanta in 1995 to come into her own. This is a wonderfully written story about running, about finding a way to work through grief, and about owning yourself as you are, no matter how other people look at you (deserved or not). The 1995 setting is usually something that bothers me, but it makes sense here, given that the story's setting is in the city where the Olympics would be in the following y
...more
*3.5/5 stars*
“My steps are in time with Marcus's heartbeat, and even though I can't stand to be close to him at the hospital, what I'm doing is helping him.”
Wing Jones has one of the most amazing, realistic and heartfelt family dynamics I've ever read about. It has a little bit of romance here and there, and some growing friendships, but the family plays the most important role in this book, and I loved that!
“I run down the hall and out of the building and I keep going until I’m at my fr ...more
“My steps are in time with Marcus's heartbeat, and even though I can't stand to be close to him at the hospital, what I'm doing is helping him.”
Wing Jones has one of the most amazing, realistic and heartfelt family dynamics I've ever read about. It has a little bit of romance here and there, and some growing friendships, but the family plays the most important role in this book, and I loved that!
“I run down the hall and out of the building and I keep going until I’m at my fr ...more
Trigger warnings: racism, family member in a car accident, family member in a coma, graphic discussion of an accidental knife injury.
I bought this book moooooooooonths ago and for some reason, I've only just gotten around to reading it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a compelling story about a teenage girl dealing with the aftermath of her brother's car accident. It's a coming of age novel in which she discovers her talent for running and starts to make friends.
I must admit, I'm a little iff ...more
I bought this book moooooooooonths ago and for some reason, I've only just gotten around to reading it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a compelling story about a teenage girl dealing with the aftermath of her brother's car accident. It's a coming of age novel in which she discovers her talent for running and starts to make friends.
I must admit, I'm a little iff ...more
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES.
Oh, wow. This book is so beautifully written - I mean, GORGEOUS writing. Wing's story, her family, her love for them, her love for Aaron, Wing herself... when I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. I'm so impressed with how Katherine Webber was able to convey such depth of emotion, the sense of loss Wing feels, the sadness, the anger, the grief- and the pure joy she finds when she finds her wings.
Oh, wow. This book is so beautifully written - I mean, GORGEOUS writing. Wing's story, her family, her love for them, her love for Aaron, Wing herself... when I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. I'm so impressed with how Katherine Webber was able to convey such depth of emotion, the sense of loss Wing feels, the sadness, the anger, the grief- and the pure joy she finds when she finds her wings.
Wing Jones was easily my most anticipated YA debut of 2017 so my expectations for this book were already sky high to begin with and yet I was still taken aback by how much I loved this book – it’s seriously that good.
The story follows Wing Jones, a biracial teenage girl with a huge heart and a loveable family. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, Wing doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere and is content to stand in her big brother Marcus’s shadow cheering him on from the sideli ...more
The story follows Wing Jones, a biracial teenage girl with a huge heart and a loveable family. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, Wing doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere and is content to stand in her big brother Marcus’s shadow cheering him on from the sideli ...more
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. I was completely entranced by this book. The characters, the plot, the romance, and the writing kept me glued to the pages. There were times where I was on the verge of sobbing, and then there were parts where I was laughing out loud. This book had the perfect amount of heartbreak, humor, family bonds, real-life battles, triumph, and romance. I loved everything about this book!
The main character, Wing, felt so realistic. I really connected ...more
The main character, Wing, felt so realistic. I really connected ...more
2.5 stars?
I will admit to requesting this strictly off of the comparison to Jandy Nelson. I've never seen FNL, but I'm all for sports and football and Jandy Nelson is an auto-buy. Needless to say, my expectations were quite high...and I think that was my downfall.
I liked Wing well enough. Her voice starts out really young and I did struggle with her inner monologue. However, as the book progresses, she grows and learns more about herself and the tone changed. I loved her grandmothers the most. ...more
I will admit to requesting this strictly off of the comparison to Jandy Nelson. I've never seen FNL, but I'm all for sports and football and Jandy Nelson is an auto-buy. Needless to say, my expectations were quite high...and I think that was my downfall.
I liked Wing well enough. Her voice starts out really young and I did struggle with her inner monologue. However, as the book progresses, she grows and learns more about herself and the tone changed. I loved her grandmothers the most. ...more
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones values so many different aspects it's hard to keep track of them all. Grief, anger, passion, happiness, love, strength, determination, motivation, and more. We have our main character Wing Jones who always hides in the shadows of her all star brother, Marcus, but when tragedy strikes her family it's up to Wing to step up and shine. It was a truly beautiful story that kept me glued to the pages. My only issue is the ending felt rushed. We have great character and stor
...more
"Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights" my ass. If this book was FNL, it would be JD McCoy's dad.
I have been in a terrible reading slump for about 4 months now, where even books I have been dying to read, and am thoroughly enjoying, take me about 2-4 weeks to finish. This is from someone who usually reads a book in 2-3 days. I devoured Wing Jones in 2 days. It grabbed a hold of me and dragged me from my reading slump. I couldn't put it down. It is a beautiful and emotional contemporary, set in the South during the 1990's.
There is DIVERSITY to the fullest in this book! I loved the book and I ...more
There is DIVERSITY to the fullest in this book! I loved the book and I ...more
5 star perfection. WING JONES is one of those rare books that you want to rush through but savour all at once.
Not only is this the most beautiful book I’ve ever held in my hands (those sprayed edges are GLORIOUS) but this is probably the most I have ever willed and cheered on a fictional character. I absolutely fell in love with Wing Jones.
Wing Jones is a half Ghanaian and half Chinese fifteen year old girl who lives in the shadow of her older brother Marcus. Wing finds herself at the receiving end of spiteful comments in school due to her appearance but finds comfort in the happy times she shares with ...more
Wing Jones is a half Ghanaian and half Chinese fifteen year old girl who lives in the shadow of her older brother Marcus. Wing finds herself at the receiving end of spiteful comments in school due to her appearance but finds comfort in the happy times she shares with ...more
This book was chosen for #OwBookClub's february theme "badass female".
Rating : 3.5 stars
Wing's big brother was the golden boy of the Jones' family. Rising star of the football team, stunning looks, popular, with a perfect girlfriend and an even more perfect best friend. She has watched her brother, loved him, supported him but never stepped of the shadows. It didn't matter, her life was nice the way it was.
But everything changed one night, when Marcus took the wheel drunk and had an accident. Tw ...more
Rating : 3.5 stars
Wing's big brother was the golden boy of the Jones' family. Rising star of the football team, stunning looks, popular, with a perfect girlfriend and an even more perfect best friend. She has watched her brother, loved him, supported him but never stepped of the shadows. It didn't matter, her life was nice the way it was.
But everything changed one night, when Marcus took the wheel drunk and had an accident. Tw ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA Fiction Romance. Girl runs at night on a track everyday because she's mad. Spoilers ahead. [s] | 5 | 26 | May 18, 2020 01:07AM | |
| YA Shot 2016: "Wing Jones" by Katherine Webber JANUARY | 2 | 11 | Jan 11, 2017 04:51AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Katherine Webber was born in Southern California in 1987. She has lived in Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Atlanta. She currently lives in London with her husband, Kevin, and their young daughter. In addition to her YA, Katherine also co-writes young fiction, as Katie Tsang, with Kevin.
Katherine studied Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis and Chinese literature and language at t ...more
Katherine studied Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis and Chinese literature and language at t ...more
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“She’s got a laugh you wish you could bottle up and wear like perfume whenever you’re feeling sad because it would always cheer you up.”
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8 likes
“But my happiness is a squishy kind of happiness, squeezing itself in where it can fit, pushing around all the sadness and the stress and the pressure, finding any empty spot, any crevice, and filling it. Don’t mind me, it says. I won’t bother anyone. I know this is a room for sadness, but I just need a little corner. I try to kick it out, because it isn’t welcome here, it didn’t even come wearing black, but it won’t go. It’s a stubborn guest. One that I secretly want to stay.”
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5 likes
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