My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

I‘d have liked to have read this through the lens of a 12YO. Reading it as an adult left me a little frustrated with the adults in the book, even though they were ‘80s adults.

14 likes1 stack add

Eggs

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

This cover draws me in!

#Sandwich #NovemberNarrative @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love it!! 💛 2y

Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤗 2y

60 likes2 comments

MsLeah8417

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

pick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

6 likes

Amie

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

pick

This has a lot of mixed/low ratings, but I really liked it. Ebony-Grace is very socially awkward and has trouble keeping her imagination in check. I could relate to her awkwardness and difficulties fitting in and I think there are many kids who might see themselves in her. I also enjoyed the 1984 setting and learning a little about the history of the first Black engineers to work for NASA in Alabama.

32 likes1 stack add

Lauredhel

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

On to this book - which will finish off the very last of my 2021 reading challenges!

On my hook : Over Brook Ponchette in Järbo Cookie, colourway Meadow. #litsycrafters

Catsandbooks Beautiful colors! 3y

69 likes1 comment

BarbaraJean

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

so-so

I‘m not sure what to make of this. I was super excited to read it: space-obsessed 12-year-old Ebony-Grace spends the summer visiting her father in Harlem. But the narrative, punctuated by EG‘s frequent forays into her “imagination location,” just felt disjointed. Other readers mentioned she might be on the spectrum, which makes SO much sense—but even with that context (which was unclear), there were still too many threads needing clarification.⤵️

megnews

BarbaraJean I‘m not sorry I read it for #MGbuddyread, just kind of wishing it was given one more rewrite to clarify several plot points and smooth out some of the disjointedness of the narrative. Even to add in another POV to give the reader some broader perspective on Ebony-Grace! 3y

LiteraryinPA I expected to love this: spunky female main character interested in a STEM field? What‘s not to like? But I just hated the way the story was told. It was disappointing. 3y

37 likes2 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

Any other observations? #MGBuddyRead

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, Butterfinger, Roary47

megnews The only plus I‘d say was reading a book set in the 80s when I was growing up. That wasn‘t enough to make this a pick for me though. 3y

Roary47 The uncle and the fight. Man, what a way to show kids it‘s not good to lie! With the uncles lady friends I‘m still wondering why we couldn‘t know about the granddaddy. 3y

JaclynW @Roary47 Exactly!! Did they use the word “pimp?“ I'm pretty sure I remember that. I also thought drugs were mentioned (am I remembering correctly?). The mom clearly didn't like the city and was hesitant to send her daughter and sent her with plenty of warnings. I didn't walk away with a pleasant view of the city exactly. The 80's were quite rough in NYC. So much crime and murder. Some of the 80's references were cool @megnews - but not enough... 3y

25 likes3 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

Did she know people would have these questions? Did she think she‘d told us enough to know? Or are we reading more into it than there is?

#MGBuddyRead

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, Butterfinger, Roary47

TheBookHippie 🤷🏻‍♀️ quite frankly I just don‘t care. I think if so she did a disservice to everyone. I read she wanted to write a quirky girl… not sure what that even means. 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie quirky = girl interested in STEM to some people?? This book was frustrating because you didn‘t know whether to take it for what it was or read more into it. I felt she especially made a huge deal about the grandpa only to never find out anything else. It was very frustrating. And it wasn‘t a fun enough read to forgive that. 3y

Butterfinger I don't know. I want to stay loyal. It was strange. It was unique. Just like people. Like me. 😊 3y

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Roary47 I think the biggest problem is we are reading this as adults. If there is a young girl out there that is not the stereotypical girl this might appeal to her. A kid that is having trouble fitting in. EG started to try to fit in as the book went on. So for a kid “there may be hope for me”. As an adult I would have wanted more of a lesson for kids, but then again everyone has to make their own way. 3y

BarbaraJean @megnews Exactly—I didn‘t know whether to take it at face value or not. I wanted to like it, but it was frustrating to feel like I kept getting thrown red herrings. If the author wanted to leave us wondering (I can be a big fan of that), she did too much of it. @Butterfinger I like strange, I like unique…some of the reasons I wanted to like this! 😏 The missed potential was so frustrating—I think it could use a rewrite. 3y

JaclynW Ditto to everything you said @megnews !!!!! I wanted to like this - especially after our last read from this author. This pales in comparison. 3y

JaclynW @BarbaraJean Yes!!! The missed potential!! That is exactly what this book was. I could have liked a story about a quirky girl but I think it missed that mark. And honestly, I walked away thinking that Ebony Grace still didn't have good friends because of her “weirdness“ that everyone kept telling her to chill out on. 3y

megnews @JaclynW agree. Definitely didn‘t tidily wrap up the friendship thing. However I don‘t really mind that part. There are kids like Ebony and if they read this book they may see it‘s ok to be authentic and not bend to peer pressure to make friends and not feel totally alone. I do think too much was going on that took away from the “quirky “ girl story. 3y

14 likes8 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

#MGBuddyRead

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, Butterfinger, Roary47

megnews The grandfather was an even bigger mystery to me than Ebony. First I thought he was dying so mom sent her away. The dad asked “did you see your granddad bring those ladies over?” Then I thought there was something about him being arrested. Right or no? Then he‘s not working anymore. Sick or fired for whatever he‘s done? At the end the press is at the house after he dies? Why?! Because he was a first Black person to work at NASA? Because he was ⬇️ 3y

megnews ⬆️ a serial killer? Because he has unprotected sex and gave a bunch of women AIDS? (It was the 80s.) I just could not put the clues together to find an answer. And I want one. What do you think? 3y

Butterfinger I agree about the grandfather. Especially when Ebony was asked about secrets. Again, I think the author did this to show that a child doesn't have all the answers and when they don't, they revert to what they know which is sci-fi in Ebony's case. I still wish that we were told something. Was he suicidal or had dementia? Very ambiguous. 3y

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BarbaraJean @megnews I had all the same questions!! @Butterfinger That‘s a great point that Ebony-Grace wouldn‘t have all the answers, and we were confined to her perspective. But it was still frustrating as a reader and added to my annoyance at the book overall. 3y

Roary47 I noticed the same thing @megnews and the only thing I can think of is he was to blame as an engineer for the Challenger since it was based in the 80s. I also thought about AIDS, but the stress of the lives lost maybe took a toll on his health. EG was watching the news and they talked about the teacher going into space which could have been a memorial news special for the crew that was lost. I wanted more of an answer here also. 3y

megnews @BarbaraJean I‘m so glad you were wondering the same. I felt I was crazy or had seriously missed something. @Butterfinger it makes total sense a kid wouldn‘t have all the answers and in the end would just accept grandpa died. But then it leaves me asking what the point of adding in all the mystery? If the audience is kids I think they‘d miss all of it so I don‘t understand. I think it‘s great you feel you could find a way to teach it and if ⬇️ 3y

megnews ⬆️ anyone can do it you can! 😊 3y

Roary47 @Butterfinger and @BarbaraJean I also agree we were stuck in EG‘s perspective so it suggests a very adult problem that she did not understand, but there was an opportunity to educate on the authors part to explain in a childlike way that did not happen either. You granddaddy did something and he now died. I‘m not sure any kid now would be okay with that being that. Maybe then it was okay. Not sure. It was definitely frustrating. 3y

megnews @Roary47 yes I hadn‘t factored in the Challenger factor. That‘s another possibility. Too many possibilities to not get an answer. But we‘re reading as adults. Maybe kids would be ok with this. Id love to ask a kid who‘s read this book what they think about Ebony and her grandfather. 3y

JaclynW So many confusing parts of this book that left more questions than answers given. I can't see any kid I know being able to finish the book. I don't think it would be interesting to them and I think they would pick up on the disjointedness (saying that it doesn't make sense). References even to music, break dancing, etc. were also parts that kids wouldn't necessarily know. Another reason to read with an adult. This book doesn't seem geared for 3y

JaclynW young readers to me. Maybe an older audience could pick up on some of it?? Like I said, I struggled as an adult!! @megnews @roary47 @butterfinger @barbarajean 3y

JaclynW I couldn't figure out what was going on with the grandpa. I thought he was in jail at first - something to do with all his ladies. Then I started thinking he was sick, possibly even in a mental institution. Her parents were never clear with her as to what was going on. I so disagree with this approach. I think there are always ways to explain to kids what is going on in terms/ways they would understand. This secretiveness doesn't serve anyone well 3y

megnews @JaclynW I agree and had to keep telling myself it wasn‘t today. Even in the 80s there was still a lot of that secretiveness surrounding death. 3y

11 likes13 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

#MGBuddyRead

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, Butterfinger, Roary47

TheBookHippie I imagine she‘s somewhere on the spectrum, Aspergers? I have to say I didn‘t like this book at all I can‘t see any middle grade reader reading it, it‘s too disjointed. I would have DNF if it wasn‘t for the BuddyRead. I don‘t think life ends up that tidy it sends a wrong message in this situation. Just my opinion. I‘m sure there are readers who love it. I am just not one. Nor can I recommend it to kids. 3y

megnews @TheBookHippie I agree. I would have DNF‘d if I wasn‘t hosting. I went back and forth between she had an extremely overactive imagination to Aspergers. I think kids who like space or Star Trek might like it but I agree it‘s not one I‘d recommend. 3y

Butterfinger @TheBookHippie I think it is a great book to show diversity. Even though a child may seem weird, people should still be kind and accepting. That is why I liked it. If I was to use it, I would ask how could 'the minions' show deliberate kindness. There are not that many books to show the perspective of neurodiverse children. I agree about it being disjointed, but I think it was purposeful. 3y

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TheBookHippie @Butterfinger I can‘t picture anyone I work with bring able to read it. I‘m sure the disjointed is probably purposeful but it‘s too much to overcome for middle grade. YA yes, maybe Teen. Adults 🤷🏻‍♀️. I just think it‘s a bad read. Maybe there isn‘t a lot in this category, but I‘d rather wait for a good one. Or use the books I do use. 3y

BarbaraJean I went back and forth between being frustrated at her complete inability or lack of desire to respond to social cues, and being kind of impressed at how determined she was to be her own person. When I saw a review suggesting she might be on the spectrum, all of a sudden the character was SO much easier to wrap my head around. But still, I didn‘t find her likable and reading the story from her perspective was off-putting. 3y

BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie @Butterfinger I like the idea that this book could highlight neurodiversity, but it needed to be clearer. That went over my head, and I‘d think it would for MG readers, too. I wonder if the story would have landed differently for me if it wasn‘t all inside Ebony-Grace‘s head. Alternating between her perspective and Bianca‘s could have smoothed out some of the disjointed-ness, and made both characters more sympathetic. 3y

Roary47 I agree with both of you @TheBookHippie and @megnews that I also would have DNF‘d if I wasn‘t invested for the buddy read. I also agree with her having Aspergers when there was mention of her not taking care of her hair. I recognized her to be on the spectrum because of her social interactions. Bianca was so nice to her at the beginning and she tried, but EG was determined to not make friends because she wanted to go back home. 3y

Butterfinger @BarbaraJean you are right. I could be way off. 3y

megnews @BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie I agree the diagnosis (if it is one) would be over a middle graders‘s head. Even an adult‘s. I wonder if the book just suffers from poor editing. I would have nicely told the author to go back to the drawing board. Maybe she was trying to do too much? 3y

BarbaraJean @Butterfinger I don‘t think you‘re way off…I think it had potential to be a great book highlighting neurodiversity and prompting conversations about how to treat kids who seem “weird.” But I also think it needs a lot of conversation and contextualizing to do that! 3y

TheBookHippie @megnews definitely needed a thorough edit, and a different way of telling the story. But someone may pick it up and really gain something from it. At least that‘s the hope. (edited) 3y

JaclynW @megnews @thebookhippie @barbarajean @butterfinger @roary47 I am identifying with what you have all said above. Things just weren't made clear for me. Too much guessing. Definitely disjointed. If I was confused/conflicted and kids would be even more so. I think a book like this would need to be read with an adult. I also think that if it was indeed a spectrum disorder (my guess as well) that it should have been clearly stated and even explained. 3y

JaclynW This was a bizarre read. One minute I felt guilty for not liking it. The next minute I was appreciating the author's intent (?) of showcasing children who aren't the norm. If that really was her intent, she needed more blatant direction and explanation. Editing would have been so helpful @megnews. 3y

10 likes13 comments

ravenlee

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

bailed

Well, I tried. I got about 40 pages in, tried skipping ahead some…and it‘s just not working for me at the moment. This seems to be a book that requires some focused attention and my mind is elsewhere. So I‘m out for this month‘s #MGBuddyRead discussion, @megnews

36 likes

Roary47

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

so-so

3✨ You have to learn to understand Ebony Grace. She is very interested in all things Sci-fi to an obsession. She has trouble communicating, relating to others, and making friends. This leads me to believe she is on the autistic spectrum. She had a big imagination. However, her imagination seemed to be limited as the book went on. There was mention of historical events that I would have expected to be seen more through her eyes. #MGBuddyRead

megnews

Butterfinger The more I think about this book, the more it bothers me. Especially, the deal with the grandfather. I can't wait for the discussion. 3y

Roary47 @Butterfinger Agreed. I had to slowly read this book and tried to understand with each installment. 3y

9 likes2 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

#MGBuddyRead discussion this Saturday.

Daisey, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, ravenlee, Butterfinger, Roary47

TheBookHippie 🤐 3y

Butterfinger @TheBookHippie I can't explain why, but that emoji makes me nervous. 3y

TheBookHippie @Butterfinger I don‘t know who is reading yet so I don‘t want to say anything . 3y

Lmstraubie Just realized the author is going to be one of the keynote speakers at my conference in December. I'm looking forward to hearing her speak. 3y

Deblovestoread I have liked the other books that I have read by this author but I could not get into this one. I will pop in to see what everyone has to say but won‘t participate this month. 3y

34 likes1 stack add5 comments

Butterfinger

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

pick

I liked it. I loved it. I think it was a very unique story shown through the eyes of a little girl who may be on the autistic spectrum. EG adapts to her surroundings the best way she can with her imagination. And, because it is set in 84, no one knows how to communicate with her either. I thought it was brilliant to show how early hip-hop affected her sensory processing disorder too. She wasn't mean or needed a whupping. #MGBuddyRead @megnews

Butterfinger I chose this for #crossworldsfantasy @LibrarianRyan #BBRC 3y

AkashaVampie How did u like it? My aunt and grandmother used to live in Huntsville. We used to visit the Nasa place never there. It was fun. 3y

Butterfinger @AkashaVampie I liked the book a lot. The little girl's grandfather is an engineer who works for NASA. He is the only person who gets on her communicative level. 3y

See All 9 Comments

AkashaVampie @Butterfinger oh so she's a smart cookie. 3y

Butterfinger @AkashaVampie she has trouble communicating (autistic spectrum - in my opinion) and people treat her like she's a pest. Or she is misbehaving. Because she truly lives in her own world. 3y

LibrarianRyan yeahh 3y

AkashaVampie @Butterfinger oh ok. Yeah I can see 3y

Roary47 I agree. I teach a lot of special needs kids and I‘m also thinking she is on the spectrum. I‘m not done with it yet, but glad it‘s not just me that was noticing that. (edited) 3y

megnews @Butterfinger @Roary47 not a teacher but was also thinking this. It‘s going to be a discussion question 3y

37 likes1 stack add9 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

so-so

What did I just read? I have a lot of questions and a lot of thoughts. I didn‘t give this a star rating on Goodreads yet. Just not sure what to think.

#MGBuddyRead

TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, ravenlee, Butterfinger, Roary47

Sharpeipup I felt the same way when I read it! 3y

TheBookHippie 🤐 3y

Lmstraubie Oh no!! I was really looking forward to this one. I'm still going to read it 3y

See All 9 Comments

Chrissyreadit I am on the fence about reading it, but now May skip. 3y

megnews @Lmstraubie @Chrissyreadit it‘s not that I didn‘t like it. It is strange. I have HUGE questions about characters! I need you to read it so I can ask them. 3y

Lmstraubie @megnews Lol you got it! 3y

Daisey Well, now I‘m thoroughly intrigued. I don‘t think I‘m going to have time to read, but I‘ll keep it on the list and look forward to hearing what others think. 3y

JaclynW Now I'm curious! 🤔 3y

BarbaraJean I'm about 3/4 through, and I agree... I'm not sure what to think of it! 3y

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megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

#MGBuddyRead discussion Saturday July 17.
All welcome!
If you aren‘t tagged below and plan to join us please let me know.

Peddler410, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, ravenlee, Butterfinger, Roary47

JenlovesJT47 Can you add me to the tags/discussion? Thanks! 🤗 3y

megnews @JenlovesJT47 will do! 3y

31 likes1 stack add2 comments

megnews

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

Reminder for July #MGBuddyRead and #YABuddyRead

Let me know below if you plan to join in for MG, YA, or both

All welcome!

rubyslippersreads, Daisey, Johanna414, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, amber_ldsmom, ravenlee, Butterfinger, sblbooks, AbigailJaneBlog, Tattooedteacher, Roary47, Tracyantoon

amber_ldsmom Joining in for MG! 3y

AbigailJaneBlog Will be joining YA 🎉 3y

TheBookHippie Both!!! Yay! 3y

See All 12 Comments

Butterfinger Both. 3y

Lmstraubie MG! 3y

erzascarletbookgasm YA 👍 3y

mrp27 Hoping to do both! 3y

BarbaraJean I'm hoping to join for both! 3y

Roary47 I‘m in for both 3y

ravenlee Planning to do both, unless life gets in the way. 3y

JaclynW Planning on both! 3y

Peddler410 Please count me in! For both... I need to get my reading game back on track. 3y

27 likes12 comments

LiteraryinPA

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

pan

I‘ve heard great things about this author and the premise seemed original, but this book just wasn‘t good. I typically love middle grade books with quirky protagonists, but I just hated reading this. Ebony got on my last nerve and just came across as spoiled and badly brought up. The story didn‘t really go anywhere. It‘s such a shame! At least it‘s finally off my TBR. And I did have great reading companions.

BookishMarginalia Kitties! #CatsofLitsy 4y

MandaMT I‘ve read some, but not a ton, of Zoboi‘s work. She does not shy away from flawed characters. When I read this book, I ping pong back-and-forth on liking and hating just about every character. 4y

Leftcoastzen 😻😻 4y

99 likes1 stack add3 comments

BookNightOwl

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

so-so

Ebony-Grace spends the summer with her father in Harlem. She has a wild imagination and she wants nothing more than to be with her grandfather who seems to be the other one to understand her.

68 likes

BennettBookworm

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

pan

Liking a book is hard if I truly don‘t like ANY of the characters 😬 This story had so much potential. Bummer!

Tamra Too bad because the cover art is fantastic! 5y

BennettBookworm @Tamra Agreed!! 5y

LiteraryinPA Oh no! That‘s such a shame. I‘ll read it soon so we can compare. 5y

See All 6 Comments

LiteraryinPA Im reading this now. I‘m 50 pages in and not really liking it so far. 4y

BennettBookworm @LiteraryinLititz yeah just missed the mark completely for me! 4y

LiteraryinPA Finished it. Hated it. 4y

32 likes6 comments

MandaMT

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

pick

Ebony Grace has been sent to stay with her father in Harlem, leaving her beloved Granddaddy/ partner in crime back in Alabama. Cadet E-Grace Starfleet, as she calls herself, is obsessed with space and sci-fi. She lives in her head, rigidly insisting she‘s on a mission to save her captain (grandpa). This gives her a reputation as an odd duck around the neighborhood. There are some wonderful reflections on the unique beauty on different places .

LiteraryinPA Glad you liked it! @BennettBookworm and I are both going to be reading this soon! 5y

MandaMT It‘s a little different than your typical MG novel. As with American Street, Zoboi‘s characters are imperfect people who are not always easy to like. Ebony Grace‘s district perspective takes a minute to decode sometimes. That‘s why I liked it though. 5y

16 likes2 comments

NovelNancyM

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

so-so

While this book was not for me, I can see some students connecting with it. Students who have vivid imaginations, who are neurodiverse, who love Star Trek or Star Wars, who are of color might all see a bit of themselves in Ebony Grace. Not everyone is going to love this book, but I definitely think some young adults will identify with the character and it may be an important book for them. I will be promoting it in my classes.

17 likes

LibrarianRyan

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

I am looking forward to this book. Not only does it have a great cover, and an amazing author, it has been racking up the professional star reviews.

Out August 27

#CoverLove #KidsEdition

kgriffith This looks amaaaaazing 5y

46 likes8 stack adds1 comment

tjwill

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

I shipped my last day‘s books home, and they arrived yesterday, so here is the last of them! #bookhaul I‘m especially excited about Lady in the Lake and My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich!

44 likes

pocketmermaid

My Life As an Ice Cream Sandwich | Ibi Zoboi

Today I went to the Penguin Young Readers Summer 2019 Librarian & Educator preview showcase to hear about some awesome upcoming titles. Authors Ibi Zoboi And Laura Tucker were there and so the top two books in this pile are signed! 😻 #pyrpreview

kspenmoll Sounds fantastic! 6y

LiteraryinPA A new Ibi Zoboi?! Exciting! 6y

32 likes1 stack add2 comments

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