Welcome to Litsy!

Here‘s my June reading wrap-up from StoryGraph.

McBride weaves a beautiful story about perseverance. The fantastical elements were not my cup of tea; however, I could see many YA readers enjoying this book. My favorite part of McBride's novel is the final message that one is never alone. Mental illness is often a struggle behind closed doors, but there is always someone rooting for you. I would love to include this novel in my classroom library and recommend it to my whimsy-loving students.

June was an amazing reading month! Looking forward to more of the same in July. ☺️ #JuneMonthlyWrapup #Bookly
(June 30, 2025)

McBride's novel appeals to so many students with her characters. Mental health conditions and prejudice against black kids are at the forefront of the novel, but are not overwhelming for adolescent minds. These issues are not sugarcoated, yet they are not made too graphic for YA readers. McBride's novel encourages adolescents to learn about issues which, in turn, encourages them to use their voices for change.

I have been captivated by the structure. Much like my students, when I open a book, I expect lines upon lines of words thrown onto the page. However, McBride's structure provides an air of whimsy, making the book itself seem like a journey. I think it would be cool to take excerpts from this book and pair them with other texts to highlight different styles of writing while bringing awareness to mental health.

Recommended by my favorite librarian. Started off slow and I didn‘t think I would get through it. Then it suddenly picks up and I couldn‘t put it down. A weird, surrealist, fantasy book about choices and regret.

McBride did a good job at positioning mental health in a digestible way that is easily understandable for younger readers. Depression was not tip-toed around nor glorified. McBride also weaved in racial identity with mental health in a powerful way that deserves recognition. Combined with the fantastical setting, this book is a classic young adult literature novel that holds moral value and entertainment for younger audiences.

I'm going to be honest- I did not connect with this book. It was well-written but it is not a book I would particularly choose to read in my own time. It was interesting considering it was written in verse and a good example at that. I think that listening to the audiobook did shape my overall experience. At some points the audiobook worked well and others I was wishing I had a physical copy. Although the book was not my speed I see the appeal.