Rating: 5 stars!

I absolutely adored this read! The dual POV was fantastic in aiding the story along. The characters are each dealing with their own difficulities in tough environments that do NOT make me miss high school. I laughed with the characters, cried with the characters, and rooted for them the entire way!

Thank you NetGalley and APENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

On The Bright Side surprised me in a very good way. It shined a bright light on the accomodation of disabilities in a way that wasn't preachy or condescending. Hopefully it will make people who've never really thought about the subject aware of how little is being asked of them to accomodate someone with a disability, compared to the difficulties that person faces in everyday living. The other important message in the book is that no matter how healthy you are, medical issues don't discriminate and can hit anyone at any time.

Ellie is deaf and has been boarding at a school for the deaf since middle school. In her senior year of HS, she's suddenly faced with the closure of her school, having to mainstream in her hometown HS, and going back to living with a family that barely even acknowledges her deafness. In the past, they've refused to learn even the most basic ASL or even to make an effort to face her when they are talking so she can read their lips. Her mother won't even text her. Instead she calls her on the phone, which Ellie can barely use even with her hearing aids in. Although Ellie projects confidence and strength my heart broke for her, stuck with parents so lazy and uncaring of their child's needs.

Jackson is truly a nice guy - a teen who wants to get along with everyone without asking much for himself and volunteers for anything and everything around school. When he's asked to help Ellie get settled in at school he doesn't hesitate, little knowing that he will soon face his own medical crisis and that Ellie will turn out to be the one person in his life who can truly understand what he's going through as he faces a life changing diagnosis. His initial denial of a serious problem, then confusion, then slow acceptance of his new reality was wonderfully and sympathetically written.

Although it dealt with some heavy subjects, the book itself was a page-turner and had plenty of hope and joy. Ellie and Jackson are both 18 and on the cusp of adulthood. They both move forward in their lives, make changes, become more independent and start laying a solid foundation for the future both separately and together. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This was a perfect read for Disability Pride Month - but honestly, I'd recommend it year round! I recently read and loved Give me a Sign by this author, and this was even better! A Deaf student whose deaf school shuts down gets teamed up with the injured soccer player at her new high school. This YA romance manages to be cute while also exploring disability in a way I have never seen done successfully in a book!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for granting me access to an ARC!

ALL the feels while reading this book!!! I read and loved Anna's debut novel, so I had high expectations for this one, and they were met and exceeded. The characters, their struggles, and their joys all felt so authentic, and I loved their journey and self-discovery.

Anna Sortino’s "On the Bright Side is an enchanting and deeply moving novel that delves into themes of resilience, connection, and unexpected love. The story follows Ellie, a Deaf teenager whose world is turned upside down when her cherished boarding school shuts down, forcing her to adapt to a mainstream public school. Ellie's journey is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity, offering a genuine glimpse into the experiences of Deaf individuals navigating a hearing-centric world.

Ellie’s introduction to Jackson, a fellow student tasked with helping her transition, marks the beginning of a poignant and transformative relationship. Jackson, dealing with his own challenges after a sports injury leads to unexplained symptoms, initially sees his role as a way to distract himself. However, their growing friendship reveals the profound impact they have on each other's lives.

Anna skillfully explores the importance of community and support through Ellie and Jackson’s evolving bond. Ellie's struggle to find her place in a new environment and Jackson’s battle with his health issues are depicted with depth and realism, making their journeys relatable and compelling. The story highlights the significance of empathy and understanding, showcasing how meaningful connections can help individuals overcome their fears and uncertainties.

The budding romance between Ellie and Jackson is tender and beautifully developed, adding an extra layer of warmth to the narrative. Their relationship unfolds naturally, demonstrating how love can flourish in unexpected circumstances and provide strength during challenging times.

On the Bright Side is a beautifully crafted novel that leaves a lasting impression. Anna Sortino’s writing is both heartfelt and insightful, making this book a must-read. It’s a touching story that will break your heart and gently piece it back together, reminding readers of the beauty and strength found in unexpected places.

"On the Bright Side" is a heartfelt young adult novel that skillfully intertwines themes of deaf pride and living with multiple sclerosis (MS) within a touching contemporary romance. Written with empathy and insight, the story follows young adults navigating love and life's challenges, all while grappling with physical limitations.

I loved the portrayal of a strong independent, and deaf protagonist striving to find her place in a predominantly hearing world. This perspective offers readers a glimpse into the daily realities and triumphs of living with deafness.
The portrayal of MS adds another layer of complexity, highlighting the resilience required to navigate relationships and personal aspirations in the face of chronic illness.

I found "On the Bright Side" to be an engaging read that held my attention from start to finish. It not only entertains but also educates, making it a great addition to young adult literature. Representation matters, especially in literature aimed at young adults. Hats off to the author for achieving that goal so well. 4 stars!

Note: In terms of suitability for younger readers, "On the Bright Side" contains mild language and romantic scenes such as kissing, but overall maintains a clean plot focused narrative. Parents can feel comfortable recommending this book to teens, noting its positive messages and thoughtful handling of sensitive topics.

This book is such a delight! I read Anna Sortino’s debut in practically one sitting and wasn’t surprised when the same happened here—Ellie and Jackson are wonderful characters, and their story had me turning the page again and again.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Finished this book in a day! I could not put it down. I absolutely loved Ellie and Jackson so much! Their interactions and easy banter felt so organic, and I love how easily they slipped into each other’s orbits.

Ellie having to go to a completely different high school for her senior year is brutal, and the lack of support and understanding she not only got from the school but from her family made my heart so soft for her. Having so much constant conversation about blatant ableism or wanting her to wear her implants at all times and dismiss that she cannot hear what they are saying at some points and being dismissed was so frustrating. I loved that she was able to make such close friends with Shay and the other girls that welcomed her with open arms into their little found family. I love that Shay was such a great friend to help Ellie spread her wings and use her independence in such a healthy way, especially creating some distance and boundaries with her family.

Jackson’s process to finding out what has been happening to him and receiving his diagnosis had me so stressed. I have a few people in my life that struggle with chronic illness/pain and have still not received clear diagnoses. When Jackson finally gets a clear diagnosis, he explains that it’s a relief to finally know what’s been going on with his body and why so much has been out of his control. I also love how he took charge of his health and chose which treatments he would be doing, instead of allowing his parents to pick and choose for him when they would’ve gone against what Jackson originally wanted to do.

I think Sortino was able to be so vulnerable in her writing these two sweet characters, their struggles, and their love story. Watching them struggle both internally and externally with their issues and disabilities created such a safe and organic space to read and be a part of. This is my second book I’ve read by this author, and I cannot wait to read more!!!

CW: ableism, chronic illness, medical content, bullying, vomit, injury/injury detail

I really enjoyed reading this book,
& I felt it was very well written.

On the bright side is a YA contemporary novel about Elle who is deaf and has to go back to a normal school where she meets Jackson, who’s life changes when he finds out he has MS. It did a great job portraying the ups and downs of what it’s like when you have one of these disabilities and also being proud of who you are no matter what. 💕

Definitely a cute read with Y/A high school romance! I Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Teen for the ARC

ellie’s deaf boarding school just shut down, and now she’s forced to return to her hearing family and a mainstream school. she’s paired up with jackson, who’s meant to help her adjust to the school. jackson is going through changes of his own, though—his soccer team lost an important match after jackson tripped on air, and now he’s avoiding his teammates. he’s intrigued by the new girl, and she quickly becomes the person he wants by his side the most when his strange symptoms start to heighten.

i loved these characters so much. on one hand, we have ellie, whose confidence i deeply admired. unfortunately, her hearing family never wanted to learn ASL, so she feels isolated as soon as she gets home from boarding school. on the other hand, jackson’s parents are a bit too involved, and not in ways that are always helpful. in the story, he finds out he has MS. anna sortino mentioned in the author’s note that this is a diagnosis she’s also getting used to, and i think she showed throughout the book how personal jackson’s story is.

i loved give me a sign, so i was really excited when this book was announced! i’m not going to try to figure out which one i liked better, because they’re different books and i enjoyed them for different reasons. with that said, i would say that anyone who enjoyed give me a sign is likely to enjoy this one, and vice versa. i can’t wait for whatever’s next from anna sortino!

What a touching and wholesome book this was!

Two struggling souls finding each other in the middle of the choas... this was really beautiful. This book reminded me of "Fault in our Stars" & "Five Feet Apart."

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked Ellie and watching her grow and branch out on her own.
I liked her friendship with Jackson and how it grew and changed as they did.
A great look at what it's like to be deaf and making the life that you want.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the #gifted ARC and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of On The Bright Side! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #PenguinTeenPartner #OnTheBrightSide


𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

𝟓★

I was already a fan after reading Give Me a Sign last year, but I will tell you that I will be reading EVERYTHING Anna Sortino writes from now on. I can’t tell you how important it is to me to support authors who write books with such a wide range of disability representation in their books, and I applaud Sortino for once again hitting a home run with this one. I was drawn to this book because my nephew wears cochlear implants, and while he is probably not the intended audience for this book, I know he will think it is amazing that a character on the cover has a cochlear on, just like him. This book was nothing short of spectacular and is one I recommend for both teen and adult audiences.

I loved everything about Ellie and Jackson and their relationship and how they both lean on one another so much at such a pivotal time in their lives. Ellie, who has embraced her life with a disability, and Jackson, who finally gets a MS diagnosis after experiencing many symptoms, are able to support one another. There were so many great discussions that could be had as a result of this book, and I think this would make a great book club for young adults.

🎧I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, narrated by Jesse Inocalla and Elizabeth Robbins. I thought both Inocalla and Robbins were absolutely perfect and loved my time listening to them bring Ellie and Jackson to life. At the same time, it was nice at times to visually see some of the text conversations in the book. However, it was easy to follow along in the audio and would still highly recommend the audiobook if that option is available to you!

Posted on Goodreads on July 3, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around July 3, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on July 3, 2024
**-will post on designated date

First off, I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I saw this book on NetGalley and read the premise, I requested it. I’ve been wanting to read Anna Sortino’s work for a while, so I was very excited when I was approved for this arc! This story is about Ellie and Jackson, who fall in love while also navigating life as disabled teens and the challenges that pop up in their lives.

At first, I was not sure how to feel about the way the relationship was developing. Ellie and Jackson were cute, but it also felt fairly quick. It threw me off a bit. I wasn’t sure if I would eventually get more into the story. Then, their individual stories drew me in more at first than their relationship. But eventually, the romance started drawing me in more as well, and I was really rooting for them!

I sympathized with Ellie – she had to start going to a mainstream school after having attended a Deaf boarding school for five years and move back in with her family, none of whom are understanding or accommodating. Her sister was not too present since she was away at college, so we mainly saw how her parents interacted with her, especially her mother. Ellie’s relationship with her parents was very complicated, and there were many times where I wanted to just yell at her parents to try to understand Ellie. By the end of the book, I liked how it was all resolved. The situation was getting very out-of-hand and took a turn that I was not expecting, but everything worked out for the best. We also were able to see through her story how important community is. She has a lot of Deaf pride, which was really cool to see. I loved how her circle grew and she created her found family!

Jackson’s story is probably the story I have resonated the most with all year. He suddenly starts experiencing symptoms that he cannot explain, which eventually leads to several hospital visits and getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. While I do not have MS, I also have an autoimmune disease. I saw so much of my own journey reflected in his as someone who was also diagnosed at a relatively young age — putting on a brave face for your parents, feeling different from your peers, the casual ableism, the anxiety about flare-ups, etc. Reading about Jackson also going through all the complicated feelings that come with becoming disabled compared to how Ellie feels about being Deaf shows the difference between having been disabled your whole life and suddenly becoming disabled, which was interesting to read about. We got to see the importance of community through his journey as well. There were multiple times where I got emotional reading from his POV. There are moments in life where you realize how powerful representation can be, and this was one of them for me.

Something to take away from this book is to chase after your happiness. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “‘Don’t limit your happiness now because you’re afraid of what the future might be.’” There are so many things to worry about. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still try to be happy. This book had all of the challenges that Ellie and Jackson went through, but it also contained a lot of hope.

I think that this book will mean so much to so many people. I know it did for me. I’m looking forward to reading more of Anna Sortino’s work! 4 stars!

This was a solid 3.5 to 3.75 star read for me.

I enjoyed the story overall, and it was entertaining.

I wasn’t as invested in the MC’s relationship as I normally am, but I think that’s because I felt like we moved fast. I just wish we got to see more of their development and that we could have gotten a deeper understanding of both, especially since they each have a disability.

I’m sure there will be plenty of other readers who will absolutely love this story because it really is good. I wasn’t bored while reading it, and I also didn’t think it was dragging on. The plot overall was enjoyable as well. Some more development into the MC’s would bring this up to a 4 star for me. I do, however, still think others should read this story. The message of the book is a good one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC, I enjoyed the book.

When Ellie's Deaf boarding school shuts down, she dreads returning to her hometown - her family doesn't speak ASL and she has to have an interpreter following her around school all day. She's also leaving her boyfriend behind, and she tries to ignore that he's acting odd when they're saying goodbye. Jackson is ignoring the symptoms in his legs that caused him to lose feeling in legs and lose an important soccer game - he's also ignoring his friends. When Ellie's guidance councilor pairs her with Jackson to help her transition into her new school, Jackson and Ellie become friends.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish this book before release day, but I had a great time reading what I've finished so far. I am a huge fan of Anna Sortino's first novel "Give Me a Sign", so I added this one to my library to-buy cart immediately. I will definitely be recommending this book :)

What a great story that everyone needs to read, especially parents, teachers, or anyone who spend a lot of time around kids! As an able-bodied person myself, reading this story helped me to reconsider a lot of my everyday interactions, particularly how I set up my classroom and accommodate my lessons and teaching for my students. I absolutely LOVED Ellie's strong-willed personality as she bonded with Jackson and encouraged him to stand up for himself and live his best life.

Some parts of the story felt a bit rushed and some of the adult characters a little over the top, but overall this was a cute, eye-opening story that everyone needs to read for empathy and perspective!

This is not a followup to Give Me a Sign, although one character from that book is mentioned in passing. Ellie has to go from being immersed in Deaf culture to being the odd one out at her school, and the transition is not an easy one. Living with her parents and sister again is also difficult, as her parents are very reluctant to make any changes in their home to accommodate that their daughter can’t, you know, hear.

For Jackson, the problem is his super competitive, health-conscious family. He’s a leader on the soccer team, and one of those go-to kids every school seems to have that are always willing to help out.

When he’s assigned to help Ellie in her transition into the mainstream high school, he at least tries to learn some ASL and finger spelling, and even though he’s not that good at it, she appreciates the gesture. They make plans to hang out, but Jackson has a health emergency that results in his going incommunicado. Of course, Ellie is crushed and tries to shake it off.

As Jackson comes to terms with his diagnosis, Ellie is able to return some of the support that he gave to her. It brings them closer. She also finds the strength to deal with her less-than-optimal home situation, making a bold choice to do what is best for her.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Parent conflict. Serious and lasting illness. LGBT+ characters. Cursing. Kissing.

Who Might Like This Book:
Those who want to learn more about Deaf culture. And anyone who just likes a good high school coming of age romance.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/07/lets-start-july-with-bang.html

3.5 stars

A fine story. I appreciated the representation of deafness and multiple sclerosis. The author did a really great job at showcasing certain aspects of chronic illness and disability that I think often get overlooked or other authors are afraid to touch too heavily on. There is a ton of discussion about how much a diagnosis sucks and how people can struggle to live with that reality for the rest of their lives. Jackson felt like such a relatable character. Sure, there is often an appreciation for getting a diagnosis in regards to finally having a name to what you have been feeling and experiencing but it can also come with really dark feelings of anger, depression, and isolation from other people. I really appreciated the representation that you can, ultimately, have pride in being disabled and living your life but that you also don't have to *like* being disabled and/or chronically ill and all the shitty things that come with that. You don't have to like having to adapt to a completely unexpected way of living. That's okay.

I also thought that we got interesting conversations surrounding deafness and what it is like for those who are deaf and living with families that are all completely hearing. Ellie's parents were completely infuriating to me with their complete lack of interest or care in learning sign language so that they could communicate with their daughter. I also didn't buy their redemption arc when they agreed to do better because of the forced intervention situation with other parents. It felt a little off to me but I could see what the author was trying to accomplish.

The book really lost some steam with me towards the end, after Jackson's diagnosis, when the author did start to tread a little into inspiration porn territory. The commentary on disability and living life started to get pretty heavy handed, especially when spoken of in tandem with the character's romantic relationship. Speaking of which, I didn't ultimately love the romance in this book although it did feel incredibly real and relevant when she explored the way chronic illness impacted their relationship.

I think that this is an important book for people to read because representation is always a crucial thing to have. This might not have been a perfect story and I would have liked a bit deeper of an exploration of the ableism in the book and less inspirational platitudes but it will open up a lot of discussions for young adults and adults alike. Also a great read for July and disability pride month.

TWS: Difficult familial relationships, ableism, vomiting, hospital stays

ARC provided by Penguin Teen (thanks!) Ellie Egan is devastated when her boarding school, Brandview School For the Death, closes permanently. Ellie must now navigate a public high school, along with living at home full-time with her hearing family.

Jackson Messina immediately takes a liking to Ellie after the guidance counselor asks him to show her around. The two become even closer when Jackson begins to experience worrying and debilitating medical issues, but when he receives a life-changing diagnosis, his life becomes more complicated than he could’ve ever expected.

On the Bright Side is a YA contemporary novel that explores disability along with its social complications and implications within home and school. Sortino did a great job of acknowledging that while Ellie may experience difficulties in a world that was not built for her, she’s ultimately proud of her disability and fights to live authentically among able-bodied people.

Jackson’s story gives us an entirely new perspective. As opposed to Ellie, who has lived her whole life with a disability, Jackson must adjust to a whole new way of life and reshape his future around his disability.

The book also gives us a more authentic portrayal of disability. Both characters are angry in the face of mistreatment and refuse to be pitied. They’re just so tired of being talked down to, but they’re able to lead full lives nonetheless.