Just Pretend by Tori Sharp
Product Details
Web ID: 12621191Rating: 3.5/5 Fairy Stories
Rating: 3.5/5 Fairy Stories Format: I'd like to thank Tori Sharp and TBR & Beyond Tours for sending me an e-copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review! Review: I really enjoyed this sweet and relatable graphic novel memoir! Tori is going through what many kids her age are, dealing with annoying siblings and separated parents. She spends more time in the car than she wants and her friends keep moving away or getting put in different classes. I loved how Tori continually tried to find ways to connect with her friends and worked through her issues with her friends and family members. I found her way of escaping into a fantasy world extremely relatable, as I'm sure many young readers would! Lastly, the art was super cute and colorful, it perfectly matches the youthful, fun, tone of the book. The plot/story-telling is sort of subtle in this story, it's more about placing the reader in a time of Tori's life than working through some large conflict that gets resolved. I wanted a little more plot but overall enjoyed this story. I would recommend this to young readers and to readers who also like to write and create their own worlds.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great for Middle Graders
When I pick up graphic novels I have realized that I tend to pick up middle grade ones as the art style is cute and colorful. This one is great for younger readers who are in grades 5-8, and I think its a good one for adults to read as well. My review for this one will look a bit different since it is a graphic novel so there is different things to talk about. There were so many things in the book that reminded me of being that age and just kind of dealing with the many adjustments that were happening. I like that the story wasn’t really linear and it was all over the place because it was very much like a 12 year old’s mind. I think that the characters were quite realistic, and the way the siblings acted with each other was fun to read. I liked how the siblings didn’t really get along but then there were also moments in which the sister was supporting Tori. Something else that I really enjoyed about this book was the ending when the author shared some pieces about herself with us. I liked that we got to learn about the process in writing this story and also how the book is a lot of the memories that she has. In this book there are several characters that are introduced to you as Tori interacts with them. You really get to know Tori’s family and her best friend through this book which was something that I enjoyed. I liked how real her parents were and how we got to see how their separation affected each of the children. I really liked the art style of this story and liked the drastic change in reading the book and then going to the story that Tori was writing through this time. I really liked how this book uses writing as an escape from reality. I thought that was very real for a lot of people but especially for that age range. It reminded me of how much I used to write in middle school and early high school just to escape what was currently happening.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
perfect for middle school
Graphic novels are very popular in my school library. This story shows a girl adapting over a year timeframe, to her parents divorce, and some of the anxiety and issues that challenge her. Tori is twelve, creative and in middle school. She is having to deal with many things including angry siblings, a new home, weekend visits to her dad's new apartment and his girlfriend. She is also navigating the school year where there are challenges with friends. I like her escape into her reading and writing to help her cope in her new reality. I also like the lessons of speaking up and being honest with feelings. This is a book that can help teens understand challenges of divorce in a family and the benefit of better communication. It may be more appealing to girls because the main character is a female but in my library boys will check these type of books out too. I'd recommend for 5th grade and up.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Middle School Graphic Novel
Just Pretend is the story of Tori and how she adjusts to life during middle school. Tori is navigating her parents' divorce, conflict with her older siblings, and changing friendships. During all of this, she is writing a book. Imagination is important to her, and I think it helps her cope with everything happening in her life. I did feel like there were times that it felt a bit young for the intended audience and was a bit disjointed when the story skips forward. Overall, graphic novel enthusiasts will enjoy this book. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Relatable Middle Grade Graphic Novel
This was a sweet, relatable middle grade graphic novel, perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Lucy Knisley, Svetlana Chmakova, and Shannon Hale’s Real Friends. This wasn’t my favorite middle grade graphic novel ever - I thought there were some continuity problems - but I think kids are going to love it anyway - recommended for 3rd grade and up!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com