pickLoved this story of two sisters, the daughters of addict parents. Gem is barely holding it together as the responsible one and Dixie is desperate to believe their parents can be better. When their father unexpectedly returns, they have an opportunity to change things, but at what cost? This is a heartbreakingly realistic portrayal of neglect/abuse. The storytelling is so genuine and both girls so sympathetic, it had me in tears by the end.
Gem has always felt intensely protective of her younger sister, Dixie, but now that the girls are in high school, things are different...two sisters with unreliable parents
#sisters
#soulseptember
pickThis was an incredibly powerful book that really takes a look at relationships and the damage that can be done that is not actually abuse. The theme that struck me the most in this book was the idea of running away because no matter who you are, it‘s possible that you have dreamed of running away at least once.
pickWow. Unlike most YA novels I‘ve read. This story is powerful and honest.....and so realistic to many kids in today‘s world. Working with students who come from low-income families, I could relate to Gem and Dixie as a trusted adult. So, so bittersweet and real. Definitely a must-read!!
I feel like most YA books are centered around privileged white kids. The main character in this book is faced with poverty, crappy parents, and self-confidence issues. I love it already because (unfortunately) it just seems more real...
I‘m a #LitTeacher at a high school and my school library has this fun display this month. Based on the one-liner “There‘s more in Seattle than Starbucks” I chose Gem & Dixie. Can‘t wait to read this!!
pickJust finished this and it broke my heart. The dysfunctional family dynamic is awful. I had a ache in my chest the whole time. It‘s very realistic and it might bring things up for some people.
pickAn interesting look at a hard family life. The characters were human and real.
pickHeartbreaking but beautiful. I've never been disappointed by a Sara Zarr book...maybe it's time to read her entire backlist?
I've been sick for the past 5 days and hardly read at all. But I'm finally back to feeling like myself and I've been reading my first Sara Zarr book. I'm hooked on Gem & Dixie!
Gem has never known an adult she can truly rely on. But the one constant in her life has been Dixie. Gem grew up taking care of her sister when no one else could: not their mother, whose issues make it hard for her to keep food on the table; and definitely not their father, whose intermittent presence is the only thing worse than his frequent absence. Even as Gem and Dixie have grown apart, they‘ve always had each other.
"And then I did see, in that moment. In the light, in the air, in the order and the disorder and Kip's noisy car and the woman on the bicycle. I don't know how or why right then, but I saw. I could belong in the world. There was space for me." -Gem
Heart wrenching; so gooood
pickI read this one slowly as I knew it would bring up some issues. The book is about two sisters who live in a difficult family. Dad left. Mom is there, but not really. It's abuse but not the kind that is easy to describe or point out.
Gem is older than Dixie, and each has their own feelings about their home life. But when they spend a few days together, they open up to each other. It's complicated. But an important read.
Moving on to this one. I'm going to see the author this week (along with Becky Albertali and Katie Cotugno and would to have at least one of their new books finished (as I doubt I'll get the other two read as they don't come out til Tuesday).
This is Oliver. He likes to smell and nibble on books.
I'm about five chapters in and I feel my dread multiplying with every chapter. My emotional experience of this book so far is not dissimilar to reading horror?!
Blew through 1/3 of this this afternoon.
Gem & Dixie | 
