Member Reviews
Better in concept than in execution. The messaging is too heavy handed though there are some elements, like how self esteem issues are portrayed across ages, that are worth noting.
I received an advanced copy of this book as part of an ARC-sharing group.
This title speaks of middle school insecurity so clearly! The fictional disorder that the main character has is so creative, yet it is an excellent metaphor for our own self-talk. My middle school self needed this book, and I want to share it with so many other students who suffer from low self-esteem. It would make a great read aloud for the classroom, and my hope is that a conversation would ensue about how we speak about others and ourselves. This book is frequently at the top of my recommendation list!
I can'r imagine what it would be like to have every word every spoken to describe you appear on your skin like a tattoo, but that;s what's it's like for Elyse. Middle school will not make things any easier as her former loyal friends drift away...an excellent tale.
Elyse suffers from a strange medical condition; any time someone calls her a name, it appears on her skin. This was fine and dandy when she was a baby, and the words “cute” and “beautiful” were being thrown around. But now, in middle school, the words have become cruel, “loser”, “freak”, etc. The worst part is those mean words hurt and burn Elyse’s skin.
Elyse will soon have to learn to deal with the change in her peers and friends, and learn to use kindness to herself as well.
Cute concept for an intriguing middle grade read.