Arc provided via Netgalley

Needs a sensitivity reader, enough said. I can't really even get into how cliche this story was. It's every teen book already written - Me, Earl and the Dying Girl, The Fault in Our Stars, Five Feet Apart, Everything, Everything...I could go on, but really just...ugh. I'm sick of these kinds of overly social packed stories that deals with every type of high school issue imaginable. It really should be just one or two, I get the complexity, but that should also be the reason for care in which subjects and "how".

Lots of discussion topics and connections with all types of students in these pages. I really appreciated the differences in the characters and showcasing how little things we do (even smiles) can have a big impact for others – both positive and negative.

Big fan of climbing so I was excited to read this book! Really good coming of age story that would be suitable for teens. W

Thank you to the publisher and the author for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely coming of age story.

Paul is a bit on the short side; he doesn't seem to have many friends, and finds that his passion is hanging out at the local rock climbing facility.

Big, is just that...big. He's a big teenager, with a big heart. He takes Paul under his wing and Paul starts to find the good in people.

Lily Small, is anything but. She's a tall girl and black...in a white family (she was adopted).

A trio of characters who endure heartache and friendship - this book will stay with you long after you read the last page. Highly recommend!

This book is about an unlikely trio of friends who face down bullies and their own fears. It’s told from the perspective of Paul, a freshman in high school who’s so short he’s often mistaken for a 10-year-old. When he’s put in a group project with Lily Small (the tallest girl in his class) and Big (a kid who’s as cheerful as he is large), Paul just knows it’s going to be a social disaster. He doesn’t want to do anything that’s going to draw attention. Paul isn’t always the most likable character, to be honest (though that’s juxtaposed with Big, who is just about the nicest guy in the entire universe!). Paul’s used to getting pushed around, so he tends to hide at the least chance of trouble. Of course, you can sort of understand his knee-jerk reaction—staying under the radar has saved him on many occasions. He also makes a lot of snap judgments and assumptions about other people (especially Lily). It was encouraging to see Paul grow in this throughout the book and finally start to make some changes in his thinking (and his actions). Since Paul is a rock climber, climbing is a big focus of the plot and it acts as a metaphor for his growth as well. It’s obvious that the author is a climber himself since there are lots of details about climbing included. This book tackles some difficult topics like bullying, and mental health, but it doesn’t feel like a book that’s overwhelmed by its issues. In the end, it puts the spotlight on kindness and taking the time to see the world from someone else’s perspective—both worthy themes.

***Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

Paul is small and Small is tall and big is ... well ... Big.
The most important thing to know about this story is that it is a Beautiful thing and not in a dainty way, but in a big powerful and unexpectedly hopeful way. Characters face being alone, bullying and despair at their new situations, but friendship love is kindled amongst the teens who choose to battle against life circumstances together and I admire their bravery.
Thanks to netgalley for an ebook copy of Paul, Big and Small before publication date.
Rating- 4 stars.

#PaulBigAndSmall #NetGalley

This book talks about some hard subjects. Its not just a book about friendship, its about bullying and sticking up for yourself. My favorite character was Big, I loved how positive he is, his ready smile and including everyone. This book is also aboit rock climbing and competition.

This novel depicts strong friendships, and presents many of its characters as three-dimensional. Readers will immediately fall in love with Big, and will root for Paul as he develops into the person we hoped he would. I feel the climbing gym is a novel setting, and that the physical and mental challenges inherent in the sport serve as a nice comparison (and contrast, depending on the circumstance) to the other hurdles the characters face.

** spoiler alert **

This book read like a book for middle school readers, although the characters are in high school. The only thing that makes it young adult is some of the topics that it covers - and this book covers a lot.

For starters, it covers rock climbing as a sport. It is very detailed into the world of rock climbing. It also covers (physical and cultural) differences, bullying, mental illness, cancer, suicide and first (maybe) love.

The characters in the book are diverse, which is a plus. Big is a big happy guy from Kauai. And as pleased as I was to see a character from Hawaii, I thought they made him say 'yeah' a bit too much yeah.

And it includes a climbing course called bildungsroman and the book itself is a bildungsroman. Isn't it ironic? Don't you think?

The book was an easy read even if a bit verbose at times. Overall a good story - would be really good book for someone interested in rock climbing. I also really like this book cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book.

I fell in love with the characters in this book, especially Big. The story is wonderful and is written in a detailed, realistic and expressive way. This book is perfect for teens to read in this day and age.. I highly recommend it.