Reviews by Tag: dysfunctional families

Teen Review
The Glass Castle book cover

The Glass Castle

By Jeannette Walls
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Bella P.
May 24, 2024

Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle is a memoir that recounts the life of the author in her dysfunctional family. Jeannette desires stability—something that was never provided in her childhood because of poverty, neglect, and constantly moving from place to place. Jeannette learns to depend on herself—the most reliable person in her life.

Teen Review
Saint Anything book cover

Saint Anything

By Sarah Dessen
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
k_the_great
Mar 22, 2024

Saint Anything is a fiction novel by Sarah Dessen. Sydney has always lived in the shadow of her brother Peyton. When Peyton is in trouble, Sydney can finally break out of his shadow. She finds people who truly see her and help her become her true self. Sydney breaks through the mold she has been in her whole life and figures out what she truly wants. 

Teen Review

Aftermath

By Clara Kensie

Rated by
Olivia from Leawood Pioneer Library YAAC
Jun 29, 2018

When Charlotte was eleven, she was kidnapped from a football game. For the past four years, she has been held in her kidnapper’s attic, and raped every night (just warning you, this book is hard core, don’t let that beautiful fantasy cover fool you), sustained only by dreams of her loving family. But now, she has finally escaped. But losing her has torn her family apart. Her parents are divorced, her dad is obsessed with fame, her mother drinks too much, and her sister is a druggie.

Staff Review

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

By Carolyn Mackler
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by Becky C.
Mar 9, 2016

Good, but not great. Published thirteen years ago, it doesn't quite hold up today. Ginny is unbelievably pathetic throughout most of the story, and only toward the Hollywood-like ending does she-surprise-develop some confidence. Normally I love pathetic people because I can relate to their insecurity, but Ginny's character is a tad too two-dimensional, not a fully fleshed out character worthy of my concern.

Staff Review

Eleanor & Park

By Rainbow Rowell
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Becky C.
Jun 19, 2013

I typically roll my eyes at romance novels--they are so fake! But Eleanor & Park is different. Perhaps because Eleanor and Park are different. Eleanor Douglas and Park Sheridan--the lead characters in this romance--are different from most romance novel characters, but also just different. Different from their boorish peers. Different from their lame teachers.

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