See You At Harry's
Author: Jo Knowles
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Page Number: 310
Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Starting middle school brings all the usual challenges — until the unthinkable happens, and Fern and her family must find a way to heal.
Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible. It seems as though everyone in her family has better things to do than pay attention to her: Mom (when she’s not meditating) helps Dad run the family restaurant; Sarah is taking a gap year after high school; and Holden pretends that Mom and Dad and everyone else doesn’t know he’s gay, even as he fends off bullies at school. Then there’s Charlie: three years old, a "surprise" baby, the center of everyone’s world. He’s devoted to Fern, but he’s annoying, too, always getting his way, always dirty, always commanding attention. If it wasn’t for Ran, Fern’s calm and positive best friend, there’d be nowhere to turn. Ran’s mantra, "All will be well," is soothing in a way that nothing else seems to be. And when Ran says it, Fern can almost believe it’s true. But then tragedy strikes- and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the accident that has wrenched her family apart. All will not be well. Or at least all will never be the same.
My Review:
Characters:
The characters were certainly a main part of this story; since this is a contemporary about hope and families and friends. The main character, Fern, wasn't one of my favorite characters, but I still liked her personality and her relationship with her younger brother, Charlie. She had a shy but strong personality, and she still loves her family, even though they half ignore her. Holden was also an interesting add to the story. This story is LGBTQ+, and I love these types of books because you can see the struggles that these kids/people face, and try to sympathize with them. So yeah, it was interesting to see that.
RAN. OMG, Ran. Ran is so sweet and lovely and askdjfla;sdkjf;a I LOVE HIM. Fern mentions that he used to be that dirty and poor kid, but now he's just this lovely sweet kid with such inspirational quotes and he just loves and cares for both Fern and Cassie (mostly Fern ;)) so much, and he's just so kind and helpful and sweet when Fern needs it the most.
Finally, her family's so sweet and loving, even though they sometimes ignore Fern. Sara really is a big sister, even though she can be careless. She takes them to places when they are in trouble, and is just awesome. Charlie is adorable and sweet and so innocent, and you can't help but love him. Finally, the parents. Fern's father is sort of naive, and he cares about his ice cream business a bit too much, but he still loves them. Fern's mother loves her children. *chokes*
10 Snowflakes
Plot:
The plot was heart wrenching. Such an emotional read...I can't go further. Or spoilers will occur. I do feel like there was some parts that unnecessarily, but it was pretty emotional. *sob*
8 Snowflakes
Writing:
Jo Knowles writes in this way that is so emotional. Her writing really choked me up, and I could feel like I was there, living the story with Ran and Fern and Holden and Charlie. It wasn't very fast-paced, but it was so, so heart wrenching.
9 Snowflakes
Cover:
To be honest, I didn't like this cover much. I mean, what is that brown blob? Is that ice cream? It looks like chocolate and peanut butter that's been out too long for me. *shudders* The blue checkered pattern, however, do add a brightness and cute tone to the cover. The typography and title fonts were okay, they weren't that eye-catching.
7 Snowflakes
Starting middle school brings all the usual challenges — until the unthinkable happens, and Fern and her family must find a way to heal.
Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible. It seems as though everyone in her family has better things to do than pay attention to her: Mom (when she’s not meditating) helps Dad run the family restaurant; Sarah is taking a gap year after high school; and Holden pretends that Mom and Dad and everyone else doesn’t know he’s gay, even as he fends off bullies at school. Then there’s Charlie: three years old, a "surprise" baby, the center of everyone’s world. He’s devoted to Fern, but he’s annoying, too, always getting his way, always dirty, always commanding attention. If it wasn’t for Ran, Fern’s calm and positive best friend, there’d be nowhere to turn. Ran’s mantra, "All will be well," is soothing in a way that nothing else seems to be. And when Ran says it, Fern can almost believe it’s true. But then tragedy strikes- and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the accident that has wrenched her family apart. All will not be well. Or at least all will never be the same.
My Review:
Characters:
The characters were certainly a main part of this story; since this is a contemporary about hope and families and friends. The main character, Fern, wasn't one of my favorite characters, but I still liked her personality and her relationship with her younger brother, Charlie. She had a shy but strong personality, and she still loves her family, even though they half ignore her. Holden was also an interesting add to the story. This story is LGBTQ+, and I love these types of books because you can see the struggles that these kids/people face, and try to sympathize with them. So yeah, it was interesting to see that.
RAN. OMG, Ran. Ran is so sweet and lovely and askdjfla;sdkjf;a I LOVE HIM. Fern mentions that he used to be that dirty and poor kid, but now he's just this lovely sweet kid with such inspirational quotes and he just loves and cares for both Fern and Cassie (mostly Fern ;)) so much, and he's just so kind and helpful and sweet when Fern needs it the most.
Finally, her family's so sweet and loving, even though they sometimes ignore Fern. Sara really is a big sister, even though she can be careless. She takes them to places when they are in trouble, and is just awesome. Charlie is adorable and sweet and so innocent, and you can't help but love him. Finally, the parents. Fern's father is sort of naive, and he cares about his ice cream business a bit too much, but he still loves them. Fern's mother loves her children. *chokes*
10 Snowflakes
Plot:
The plot was heart wrenching. Such an emotional read...I can't go further. Or spoilers will occur. I do feel like there was some parts that unnecessarily, but it was pretty emotional. *sob*
8 Snowflakes
Writing:
Jo Knowles writes in this way that is so emotional. Her writing really choked me up, and I could feel like I was there, living the story with Ran and Fern and Holden and Charlie. It wasn't very fast-paced, but it was so, so heart wrenching.
9 Snowflakes
Cover:
To be honest, I didn't like this cover much. I mean, what is that brown blob? Is that ice cream? It looks like chocolate and peanut butter that's been out too long for me. *shudders* The blue checkered pattern, however, do add a brightness and cute tone to the cover. The typography and title fonts were okay, they weren't that eye-catching.
7 Snowflakes
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