Jan 19, 2017chelseasc rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A quick read that is deceptively simple. Grimes's poetry is immediately accessible to even struggling readers, and appears so straightforward that they may not realize just how carefully each word is chosen. Garvey is an immediately relatable character, a boy with plenty of interests, but not the one (sports) that his father wants for him. Because of the poetry, it's a fast read, and may feel to some readers that it moves a bit quickly through Garvey's development as he takes a chance on chorus and discovers his voice. The poetic form also doesn't allow for a lot of character development outside of Garvey himself - his family comes across as a bit one-note. Still, Garvey is an immensely likable and sympathetic character, and while the happy ending may feel a bit easy, it's impossible not to root for Garvey and feel a sense of satisfaction as he tackles his weight issues and starts down a path of more understanding from his father.
Comment
Garvey's Choice