BOTM for FEBRUARY is YOU GO FIRST

[Jemima]

So, the poll winner was Erin Entrada Kelly's You Go First.

I hope you find it easily enough - it was an ebook in my library. Downloading for the first time from a new system was 'fun' but I got it open eventually.

Pop your comments and mini-reviews in here when you're ready, but remember not to add any spoilers, unless right at the end of the month!

Enjoy!

[Patricia]

I also have a copy of this book too:D

Enjoy:)

[Maranda]

Reserved it at the library and it's been ready to be picked up two days already, but we are snowed in! lol

[Becky]

She is one of my favorite authors- this is a good one!

[J.S.]

Yea! I started early on the list of recommended books and have already made it through this.

I loved the different perspective this book offered. I'm grateful that more books are being written that allow us to see life through the eyes of others. In saying that, it did take me a little bit to get into it since the narrator did such a great job portraying the different personalities of the characters, which shows me that I need to continue looking for stories that don't just present the "norm."

I appreciated that the trials the characters faced were relatable but not so over the top that I rolled my eyes about them trying solve them themselves like I have in other books.

[Janice]

I am looking forward to reading this book. :) I hope the inter-library loan won't take too long.

[SaraKat]

I thought this was a lovely story. Online scrabble brings together two kids from across the country. Both of them are going through social upheaval in middle school. Both have family issues happening. Little things bring them together that they don't even know about (like a saying written on a wall for one is said by the other's father.) Poor Ben is so socially inept that I cringed basically any time he spoke to a peer. Charlotte is a little less awkward, but in a bad social situation. They actually lie to each other quite a bit and don't end up confiding in each other as much as I thought they would. They affect each other by being there, but not like close friends. It was terrible listening to each one of them lie when they both were facing the same problem! Each one ended up in a better spot friendship-wise, though I don't really envy Ben the rest of his middle school career. Eeesh.

[Elaine]

I listened to a sample of the audible and I am hoping to get it from the library shortly. I am looking forward to reading it.

[Maranda]

Finished today. Related a lot as I was a gifted kid too, who also faced quite a bit of bullying in middle school.

[Rebecca]

I thought this was pretty good. It didn't make me want to jump up and down, but maybe that's just me right now. Or maybe it cut a little too close to my reality :)

I particularly liked the ways both kids kind of tried to reinvent themselves for middle school, but the reader can see pretty clearly, I think, that they are better off being themselves.

[Jemima]

I have mixed feelings about You Go First. In fact, I had very mixed-up feelings throughout this book and was very grateful for a positive outcome for all.

It definitely cut too close to reality for me, so I'm very glad I'm old enough to have gone to school at a time when behaving like these kids was considered normal.

[Justine]

I’ve finally got the book. I’m only at the start of it, enjoying it, and I find myself rooting for both characters. However something bothers me: They are effectively playing online scrabble with strangers yet have access to each other’s phone numbers? This rings the safe-guarding alarm bells for me. What if the person on the other end is not a child of similar age?

[Jemima]

Justine wrote: "I’ve finally got the book. … However something bothers me: What if the person on the other end is not a child of similar age..."
Hmm… sounds like a book one of us ought to write…

[Patricia]

This book is great! I think this book is about is an exploration of family, bullying, word games, art, and the ever-complicated world of middle school friendships. It's about courage, kindness, perseverance is important themes. Find beauty in everyday situations. Spend as much time with your parents as you can and appreciate your family traditions. You Go First is a parallel story that features the friendship of twelve-year-old Charlotte Lockard, and eleven-year-old Ben Boxer. Ben and Charlotte live thousands of miles apart, and they have never met in person. But their friendship is one that is true.
So, I think this book is about friendship:D

[Janice]

I am hoping to start reading this book next week. :)

[Patricia]

Annie wrote: "yep thats right Patricia!"

Thanks Annie:D

[Justine]

I agree with a lot of what SaraKat and Annie said, so I won't repeat it. There is another point I'd like to add.

When I started the book, I had made a comment earlier about safe-guarding alarm bells, and this, in a way, came to pass at the end of the story. Of course here it all ends well and it was fortuitous that she had made a friend her age, who helped her mother track her down. I could imagine how her mother must have truly felt when she realised Charlotte had been communicating with this 'unknown' person out of state, and she'd uncharacteristically skipped school. If this book was highlighted in class eg for class reading, book review etc, this would be a good topic for discussion.

[J.S.]

Justine wrote: "I agree with a lot of what SaraKat and Annie said, so I won't repeat it. There is another point I'd like to add.

When I started the book, I had made a comment earlier about safe-guarding alarm bel..."

This is a great point. I was surprised that I hadn't picked up on that when you first mentioned it because I am one of those "very aware" parents. It would definitely need to be discussed with younger readers.