Back
    Cover of Just Like That

    Just Like That

    by Gary D. Schmidt

    Read if you're interested in grief, social justice, or books for young adult.

    Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    8.5
    VerdictRecommended
    Loading your rating…
    Book Summary

    This poignant novel follows Meryl Lee Kowalski as she navigates loss and new beginnings in a seemingly perfect but troubled town. It explores themes of grief, social justice, and finding one's voice in a world grappling with difficult truths.

    What it does well
    • Explores profound themes of grief, loss, and the search for identity in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.
    • Highlights the importance of empathy and understanding towards those who are different or struggling.
    • Promotes social justice and standing up against prejudice and discrimination, aligning with Christian calls to love our neighbor.
    Watch for
    • While not explicitly anti-Christian, the book does not overtly present Christian themes or a direct reliance on faith for overcoming adversity, which some Christian readers might desire.
    • Depicting social injustice and the resulting pain can be heavy for younger readers, requiring discussion and processing.
    • The portrayal of societal flaws and human failings (e.g., prejudice, hypocrisy) is realistic but might be challenging without a strong spiritual grounding for interpretation.
    Verdict

    Recommended for Christian readers, especially young adults and parents to read with their children. It offers a powerful narrative for discussing difficult topics like grief, social injustice, and finding one's moral compass, which can be enriched by a Christian perspective.

    ALIGNMYREAD RECOMMENDATION
    Recommended for Christian readers, especially young adults and parents to read with their children. It offers a powerful narrative for discussing difficult topics like grief, social injustice, and finding one's moral compass, which can be enriched by a Christian perspective.
    Biblical alignment
    • Explores profound themes of grief, loss, and the search for identity in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.
    • Highlights the importance of empathy and understanding towards those who are different or struggling.
    • Promotes social justice and standing up against prejudice and discrimination, aligning with Christian calls to love our neighbor.
    • Features complex characters wrestling with moral dilemmas, providing opportunities for reflection on right and wrong.
    • The narrative subtly emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of healing after trauma.
    Areas of concern
    • While not explicitly anti-Christian, the book does not overtly present Christian themes or a direct reliance on faith for overcoming adversity, which some Christian readers might desire.
    • Depicting social injustice and the resulting pain can be heavy for younger readers, requiring discussion and processing.
    • The portrayal of societal flaws and human failings (e.g., prejudice, hypocrisy) is realistic but might be challenging without a strong spiritual grounding for interpretation.
    Written for
    Discussion

    Reader comments

    Sign in to leave a comment.

    Loading…