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Josie's Reviews > This Side of Home
This Side of Home
by
by
This is one of the best teen/young adult novels I’ve read in a long, long, time.
From the beginning of the story, I was drawn to the author's lyrical prose and Maya’s powerful voice as an intelligent, insightful, and vulnerable character. She felt real and was likable.
I also grew up in Portland, Oregon and could identify with the complex issues surrounding the gentrification of the city, especially on the North and Northeast sides. Like Maya, I understand that there is some good in the changes, but they still sadden me a litte.
Lastly, the romance between Maya and Tony was sweet, honest, and touching. I like that despite their common interests and common values, race remained an issue between them--which is very realistic. Not stereotypical. Tony wasn't a boy who “doesn’t see color” or who wants to be the next Eminem. And for Maya, talking about racial issues was important to her, and she struggled to understand whether it was okay for her to date Tony. Very realistic and moving portrayals.
From the beginning of the story, I was drawn to the author's lyrical prose and Maya’s powerful voice as an intelligent, insightful, and vulnerable character. She felt real and was likable.
I also grew up in Portland, Oregon and could identify with the complex issues surrounding the gentrification of the city, especially on the North and Northeast sides. Like Maya, I understand that there is some good in the changes, but they still sadden me a litte.
Lastly, the romance between Maya and Tony was sweet, honest, and touching. I like that despite their common interests and common values, race remained an issue between them--which is very realistic. Not stereotypical. Tony wasn't a boy who “doesn’t see color” or who wants to be the next Eminem. And for Maya, talking about racial issues was important to her, and she struggled to understand whether it was okay for her to date Tony. Very realistic and moving portrayals.
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Reading Progress
May 25, 2015
–
Started Reading
May 25, 2015
– Shelved
May 25, 2015
– Shelved as:
young-adult
May 25, 2015
–
Finished Reading
January 3, 2016
–
0.0%
"This is one of the best young adult novels I’ve read in a long time and certainly the best I read in 2015.
From the beginning, I was drawn to the author's lyrical prose and Maya’s powerful voice as an intelligent, insightful, and vulnerable character. She felt real and was likable.
I also grew up in Portland, Oregon and could identify with the complex issues surrounding the gentrification of the city."
From the beginning, I was drawn to the author's lyrical prose and Maya’s powerful voice as an intelligent, insightful, and vulnerable character. She felt real and was likable.
I also grew up in Portland, Oregon and could identify with the complex issues surrounding the gentrification of the city."
