Jennifer Yu

YES YES YES YES YES. YES. YES.

Oh I wish this book had existed when I was writing my paper on the portrayal of depression in YAL...

This is a GOOD one! This portrays depression in a realistic fashion, looks at really important issues in relationships, and shows that YOU DON'T NEED A "HAPPY ENDING" TO BE HAPPY!!! I love it all. (No spoiler alert because she tells us from the first chapter, too.)

In a way this is like the books that I hate but read because they deal with such sad topics but it's better done in that this has the right amount of hope and cheerfulness. I loved the organization.… (mehr)

Writing a book that weaves together five distinct points of view is an incredibly difficult thing to do successfully, and I feel like the author really bit off more than she could chew. The book starts promisingly enough but quickly becomes confused; none of the narrators have a distinct enough voice to make following the plot easy. And it's difficult to sustain an interest in a story when you don't know what's going on. The fact that the characters all feel like stock compilations of mental patients really doesn't help.

I recieved this book free through Goodreads from the publisher in exchange for a review.… (mehr)

I think it is so important for books to explore mental health, especially in young adult novels. This is a heavy book dealing with heavy subjects, but Yu handles it well. I found Stella to be relatable and real, experiencing something that so many have or may eventually. These are the type of YA books that I look for- something that can appeal to all age levels and hits at a deep level. I highly recommend to everyone, although I caution there may be some triggers for anyone who's dealt with depression or abuse.… (mehr)