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annathechaoticreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was browsing my local library and picked up with book without ever hearing about it and I'm so glad I did! I wish the book had way more hype! Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada is a charming, heartfelt, grounded and complicated Y/A gay romance and I loved every second of it! I've been consistently disappointed by young adult books and Nerada reminded me of why I fell in love with the genre in the first place. It is easy to read without losing any of the emotional impact and complexity! As a formerly closeted small-town emo kid who struggled in grade school I felt so seen by this book! I am so happy young emo/punk kids have a complex but cute romance that unapologetically features them! This is definitely a book that I wish I had when I was a scared closeted high school kid listening to Fall Out Boy and hating life.
setsailforthestars's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cried my whole way through this book. As a former angry teen with nowhere to put all my emotions, I resonated so strongly with Wes. I loved that the characters all loved each other so deeply, even when things got bad between them, and the happier endings that they all found themselves with. This was a beautiful story about friendship and love and coming out. A rare 5 stars from me <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
bethany6788's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Did not expect to devour this audiobook in one day, but here we are 🥹🩵.
This is my second time reading Skater Boy and I loved it even more this time around. A few things: 1) Wes is still the best little sh*t and I love him. 2) Michael Crouch continues to crush audio narration for some of my favorite YA books and authors. 3) I still love the photoshoot scene so much, it is my absolute favorite. 4) the epilogue still makes me cheesy grin.
One of the things I love most about this book is it lets Wes be angry, but holds him accountable as he grows through the book. He makes mistakes but learns to be vulnerable and let people in. He’s such a great character. I also really love the family dynamic and how Wes learns to let Tad and Hannah really be a part of the family with him and Ma. I still teared up when Wes and Tad had the conversation in the kitchen while doing dishes. And the epic grand gesture at the end! Swoon!!
In conclusion, ily @anthonynerada and @michael.l.crouch - thank you for this gift. 🥰🛹🩰🩵.
This is my second time reading Skater Boy and I loved it even more this time around. A few things: 1) Wes is still the best little sh*t and I love him. 2) Michael Crouch continues to crush audio narration for some of my favorite YA books and authors. 3) I still love the photoshoot scene so much, it is my absolute favorite. 4) the epilogue still makes me cheesy grin.
One of the things I love most about this book is it lets Wes be angry, but holds him accountable as he grows through the book. He makes mistakes but learns to be vulnerable and let people in. He’s such a great character. I also really love the family dynamic and how Wes learns to let Tad and Hannah really be a part of the family with him and Ma. I still teared up when Wes and Tad had the conversation in the kitchen while doing dishes. And the epic grand gesture at the end! Swoon!!
In conclusion, ily @anthonynerada and @michael.l.crouch - thank you for this gift. 🥰🛹🩰🩵.
booknerd998's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
paracosm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wouldn't say this book is inspired by the song Skater Boy, but more by the general idea of what if a "punk" and a ballet dancer dated.
List of missed opportunities:
1; Why is this book not set during the early 2000s? Skater Boy is the most 2000s song ever.
2; The book is supposed to be inspired by a song, but music has barely any relevance. The skater boy isn't even a punk, as in the subculture. He's a teen that's called a punk for being rebellious. The only band that's consistently mentioned is Metallica, but that's not even a punk band.
3; Wes (skater boy) isn't even a musician. He's a photographer, which doesn't feel the same.
4; No Avril Lavigne reference?!???
5; The fact that Brad wasn't even in love with Wes and just kissed him because he was drunk?? It feels like a cop out.
Most side characters felt bland, specially the photography club. When Wes got into a fight with his friends and got expelled I was surprised that there were actual consequences. I thought this book might be a 4 stars, but no. All the damage was reversed and nothing truly lasted. It's like the author got scared that things were getting too bad.
List of missed opportunities:
1; Why is this book not set during the early 2000s? Skater Boy is the most 2000s song ever.
2; The book is supposed to be inspired by a song, but music has barely any relevance. The skater boy isn't even a punk, as in the subculture. He's a teen that's called a punk for being rebellious. The only band that's consistently mentioned is Metallica, but that's not even a punk band.
3; Wes (skater boy) isn't even a musician. He's a photographer, which doesn't feel the same.
4; No Avril Lavigne reference?!???
5; The fact that Brad wasn't even in love with Wes and just kissed him because he was drunk?? It feels like a cop out.
Most side characters felt bland, specially the photography club. When Wes got into a fight with his friends and got expelled I was surprised that there were actual consequences. I thought this book might be a 4 stars, but no. All the damage was reversed and nothing truly lasted. It's like the author got scared that things were getting too bad.
spacecase21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
teereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the story my closeted 2000s emo teen heart didn't know it needed. This felt very nostalgic for me. And the play on punk song names as the chapter titles was super fun. Also, the basis of this story is Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi (which I listened to on repeat as a 9 year old,) but queer, which I absolutely love. I will say, the story slowed down a bit for me around the halfway point, and I found myself struggling at times to keep focus with the pacing. Overall, this is a great debut novel for Anthony Nerada. It's a story I didn't know needed to be told, but I'm so glad it was. The main character, Wes, is so great and layered. He has a lot of struggles and emotions, and it's great to see his journey through his own POV. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
varasa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jerrysaywhaaa's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
“We checked off every stereotype” (Chapter 11) is a quote that pretty much summarizes almost every character in this book.
This book felt like it was written by one of the following people (or a combination of all of them):
1. Someone who either wanted to be or wanted to be with a punk bad boy in high school, but in a very “I can fix him” way.
2. A school counselor (think Mr. Frond from Bob’s Burgers) who really wanted to connect with the youths and show the importance of therapy.
3. A writer on Glee who was mad this script was rejected for an episode.
Although I think a lot of topics covered in this book are important to discuss, I don’t think it was done well and the bad parts of the book heavily outweigh the good parts. The author added a lot of weird and extra details to the story; had a pretty shaky and at times inconsistent timeline for the story; and sometimes felt like they had no sense of reality and actual consequences for character’s actions.
The story has too perfect an ending to wrap everything up too quickly (which is surprising with how slow and boring the first half of the book is).
And one *minor* spoiler that I need to rant about:
Wes definitely started the fight, despite what he kept saying.
This book felt like it was written by one of the following people (or a combination of all of them):
1. Someone who either wanted to be or wanted to be with a punk bad boy in high school, but in a very “I can fix him” way.
2. A school counselor (think Mr. Frond from Bob’s Burgers) who really wanted to connect with the youths and show the importance of therapy.
3. A writer on Glee who was mad this script was rejected for an episode.
Although I think a lot of topics covered in this book are important to discuss, I don’t think it was done well and the bad parts of the book heavily outweigh the good parts. The author added a lot of weird and extra details to the story; had a pretty shaky and at times inconsistent timeline for the story; and sometimes felt like they had no sense of reality and actual consequences for character’s actions.
The story has too perfect an ending to wrap everything up too quickly (which is surprising with how slow and boring the first half of the book is).
And one *minor* spoiler that I need to rant about:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Car accident
Minor: Transphobia