Title: Summer on the Short Bus
Author: Bethany Crandell
Pub Date: April 1st, 2014
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Page Count: 272
This book and I have been through a lot. I don't think I've ever felt this way with this book than I have with any other. I apologize if this book isn't as critical as my other ones. This book made me feel a great bunch and I have to talk on that.
I started reading this without knowing the concept. And because I made that mistake, it's only fair I warn you, dear reader. This book is an example of a book that is not "Politically Correct". It's meant to be "real" thoughts of people who don't understand. And real it was indeed. So be warned, things aren't sugar-coated and if you're like me, will make you rage a great deal and then again, if you're like me, will mellow out and think.
The storyline is how CLASS A (insert bad word here), Cricket is sent to be a counselor at a Handicapped Summer Camp because of her bratty ways. And because this girl is what she is, we get inside her head and here her slamming all the people. Calling them retarded, horse-faced, fat. All these things.
I was ready to give up two thirds of the way. I wrote a RANT in my review book and in the book itself. I was angry at the rudeness, Cricket, everyone's ignorance and most importantly, Cricket's lack of understanding. But I kept telling myself it would get better and that there must be a purpose for all this.
So Cricket meets a hot guy that's also a camp counselor. She acts all nicey-nice and then blows it for slamming the handicapped kids with him listening in on her. Ouch. To get him back, she becomes Glinda the Good Witch and everyone loves her.
Happy. Ever. After.
It isn't that her transition from mean girl to nicer is what makes me not hate this book. In fact, I actually wasn't impressed with the way that transition was done. It was rushed, unbelievable and contradicted the book's meaning of "real". Plus, there was really no motivation for her weird, rushed change.
What brings this rating up a lot is that after reading, I understand the concept. I don't think it was done all that well, but it is a smart concept nonetheless. Using me as an example, I would be blinded by "this girl is mean" without realizing that a lot of people are like that. And it was more Cricket's thoughts that were nasty. Everyone invents characters that are perfect in thoughts and morals.
So I reflected on how I've probably thought something as awful and stopped pointing fingers. So yeah, I get the concept now.
What I didn't like about this book is the logic. Firstly, Cute-Camp-Counselor likes Cricket instantly, even though she's a major brat. Secondly, they have the "I love you" thing at the end. This book is over the duration of two weeks. Just no. And my last thing is even that Cricket had such a bad attitude for so long and she changed, everyone seems to think "she's so nice" in two seconds flat.
The only thing I liked about this book was the writing. I liked Bethany's writing and on the moments that she was funny without insulting someone, I enjoyed it very much. Although I can say I didn't love this book, I will definitely read whatever she writes next.
I can't say this book didn't make me feel uncomfortable in certain parts, because it did. But if you're up for something that's a real eye-opener in the end, I would recommend this. For me, I didn't love it. It was okay for me because I was iffy on the storyline (nothing to do with the concept.) It was rushed in the wrong spots, didn't make sense in some spots and too cliche for me. It did teach me things I'll never forget, so that has to be credited. And even though I didn't like it, it's a book that is definitely memorable for teaching me how to see through someone with ignorance and kill my own.
Author: Bethany Crandell
Pub Date: April 1st, 2014
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Page Count: 272
Spoiled, Versace-clad Cricket Montgomery has seventeen years of pampering under her belt. So when her father decides to ship her off to a summer camp for disabled teens to help her learn some accountability, Cricket resigns herself to three weeks of handicapped hell.
Her sentence takes a bearable turn as she discovers the humor and likeability of the campers and grows close to fellow counselors. Now, if she can just convince a certain Zac Efron look-alike with amazing blue eyes that she finally realizes there's life after Gucci, this summer could turn out to be the best she's ever had.
Summer on the Short Bus is a very non-P.C., contemporary YA with a lot of attitude, tons of laughs, and a little life lesson along the way.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Chapters Indigo
This book and I have been through a lot. I don't think I've ever felt this way with this book than I have with any other. I apologize if this book isn't as critical as my other ones. This book made me feel a great bunch and I have to talk on that.
I started reading this without knowing the concept. And because I made that mistake, it's only fair I warn you, dear reader. This book is an example of a book that is not "Politically Correct". It's meant to be "real" thoughts of people who don't understand. And real it was indeed. So be warned, things aren't sugar-coated and if you're like me, will make you rage a great deal and then again, if you're like me, will mellow out and think.
The storyline is how CLASS A (insert bad word here), Cricket is sent to be a counselor at a Handicapped Summer Camp because of her bratty ways. And because this girl is what she is, we get inside her head and here her slamming all the people. Calling them retarded, horse-faced, fat. All these things.
I was ready to give up two thirds of the way. I wrote a RANT in my review book and in the book itself. I was angry at the rudeness, Cricket, everyone's ignorance and most importantly, Cricket's lack of understanding. But I kept telling myself it would get better and that there must be a purpose for all this.
So Cricket meets a hot guy that's also a camp counselor. She acts all nicey-nice and then blows it for slamming the handicapped kids with him listening in on her. Ouch. To get him back, she becomes Glinda the Good Witch and everyone loves her.
Happy. Ever. After.
It isn't that her transition from mean girl to nicer is what makes me not hate this book. In fact, I actually wasn't impressed with the way that transition was done. It was rushed, unbelievable and contradicted the book's meaning of "real". Plus, there was really no motivation for her weird, rushed change.
What brings this rating up a lot is that after reading, I understand the concept. I don't think it was done all that well, but it is a smart concept nonetheless. Using me as an example, I would be blinded by "this girl is mean" without realizing that a lot of people are like that. And it was more Cricket's thoughts that were nasty. Everyone invents characters that are perfect in thoughts and morals.
So I reflected on how I've probably thought something as awful and stopped pointing fingers. So yeah, I get the concept now.
What I didn't like about this book is the logic. Firstly, Cute-Camp-Counselor likes Cricket instantly, even though she's a major brat. Secondly, they have the "I love you" thing at the end. This book is over the duration of two weeks. Just no. And my last thing is even that Cricket had such a bad attitude for so long and she changed, everyone seems to think "she's so nice" in two seconds flat.
The only thing I liked about this book was the writing. I liked Bethany's writing and on the moments that she was funny without insulting someone, I enjoyed it very much. Although I can say I didn't love this book, I will definitely read whatever she writes next.
I can't say this book didn't make me feel uncomfortable in certain parts, because it did. But if you're up for something that's a real eye-opener in the end, I would recommend this. For me, I didn't love it. It was okay for me because I was iffy on the storyline (nothing to do with the concept.) It was rushed in the wrong spots, didn't make sense in some spots and too cliche for me. It did teach me things I'll never forget, so that has to be credited. And even though I didn't like it, it's a book that is definitely memorable for teaching me how to see through someone with ignorance and kill my own.
Bethany and her husband Terry live in San Diego with their two daughters and a chocolate Labrador who has no consideration for personal space. She writes Young Adult novels because the feelings that come with life’s ‘first’ times are too good not to relive again and again. Bethany eats too much guacamole, thrives on tear-inducing laughter, and is still waiting for Jake Ryan to show up at her door.
I got this book because I heard it was "not politically correct" but I still haven't got around to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your very honest review!
Since I first read Bethany Crandell's post, I knew there was something to be noticed. Not only that, but making an effort to message her and try to get to know her better showed me she's pretty awesome! I think that awesomeness deserves to have her book read and I look forward to doing that hopefully soon :)
ReplyDelete