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Somewhere Different Now

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There's something different now is the story of two girls coming of age post-WWII and confronting racism. The description of this book intrigued me and I really wanted to like it. In general, I liked the main characters and was interested in what was going to happen to them. However, I found it a bit slow-moving.

As we learn about the troubles the girls face, we spend the majority of the book watching them decide what to do. Finally, the story ends abruptly and we don't know what happens to Annie and Clydeen in the future, or their friendship. While I liked the story and the characters, I wanted better pacing and a stronger resolution for the girls.

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I gave it 4.5 stars.

NetGalley and BooksGoSocial provide this digital review copy.

I love this book, that's the start. It's a historical fiction set post-WW2. But instead of talking about war, it tells you more about racism and friendships between Annie, a white girl, and Clydeen, a colored girl. Even though the pace was slow, I didn't feel bored. Both characters made me enjoy reading about them. Both have their own problems to solve and manage to handle in the end. Love how their behavior and point of view develop. And it's also quite magical too. But I feel like the part where Eva explained those spiritual bits of knowledge she had was kinda overwhelming for a middle grade.

Other than that, I would recommend this book!

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So many good things to say on a book but so poorly portraited.
This book confuse me a lot, there are a lot of pov's and it's confusing. Also, needs tw for sure.
The book deals with themes of racism and abuse, yet there always seems to be a bit of hope in there that keeps it from becoming too dark or depressing. The story was a bit too slow-moving for me. It seemed we learn about the troubles the girls face, then spend the majority of the book watching them go back and forth about what to do. Finally, the resolution comes suddenly and the story comes to an end without us really knowing what happens to Annie or Clydeen, or their friendship beyond the immediate present.

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Somewhere Different Now is a well-written coming-of-age story set in 1949 after WWII.

I think young teenagers will be able to identify with the two 14-year-old girls as they are both isolated outsiders not fitting into family or community. Neither feels accepted, wanted, or capable of dealing with the world.

Anne, has a difficult time at home with a brutish father and a distant mother. Clydeen, the African-American teen, is lost and alone escaping from a terrible past. Together they forge a deep friendship arising out of the need to find connection. The other characters are richly drawn, relatable, and sympathetic including the WWII veteran that wanders into their camp.

This is excellent book for young teenagers. Definitely recommended.

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Unfortunately my copy didn’t download correctly so unable to review, but I will be purchasing myself as looking forward to reading this

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I found this book very difficult to read due to the abuse. I'm not sure the abuse was a necessary part of the story. The writing is good and the story well developed. Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

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This book promptly shows how racism affects directly or indirectly the lives of people especially children. The story of two girls being affected by it as their whole world turns upside down. The book is thought provoking and full of emotions and hard talk one must require to feel what goes on with racism. Absolutely wonderful book.

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I really didn't know what to expect reading this book but i loved every bit it. From giving the key characters a voice, it added texture to the book which was amazing. I love when authors do that to exploring family dynamics and friendships with people different from you.

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Somewhere Different Now
by Donna Peizer
Pub Date 03 Dec 2021
BooksGoSocial
Historical Fiction | Teens & YA


I am reviewing a copy of Somewhere Different Now through BooksGoSocial and Netgalley:


In the 1950’s, the consequences of racism, threaten to destroy a hard-won inter-racial friendship between two energetic, quick-witted teens, who struggle to come to grips with their differences.



While Annie Cahill, a middle classed white girl, and Clydeen Hollifield, a Black girl recently arrived from the cotton fields of Texas, have taken refuge over the summer in a rocky hideout high on a mesa in rural Colorado. The two have grown to care deeply for one another, but as the summer comes to an end, their bond is tested to the max. Annie is terrified that her abusive, rabidly racist father will discover their relationship. She finds herself caught between the dictates of her upbringing and loyalty to her friend. Clydeen, on the other hand, is paralyzed by her distrust of white people, even Annie at times, but it appears that finding her missing mother will require her to reach out for their help.



when all seems lost and it looks like Annie and Clydeen's relationship may come to a disastrous and painful end, their secret hideout is invaded by a former World War II resistance fighter. Who is this stranger from out of nowhere, and what does he want? Is he simply the kind, brotherly figure he appears to be, or are there more mysterious dynamics at play?



I give Somewhere Different Now five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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Somewhere Different Now is a story of two very different girls coming together and coming of age post-WWII, confronting racist ideas. I was intrigued by the description of this book and I really wanted to love it. In general, I found the main characters easy to love and I was interested in what was going to happen to each of them. However, the story was a bit too slow-moving for me. It seemed we learn about the troubles the girls face, then spend the majority of the book watching them go back and forth about what to do. Finally, the resolution comes suddenly and the story comes to an end without us really knowing what happens to Annie or Clydeen, or their friendship beyond the immediate present. I liked the story and was invested in the characters, but I was left wanting better pacing and a stronger resolution for the girls.

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An emotive, heartbreaking and thought-provoking story of 2 young girls confused as to why there's prejudice in the world. I loved how the topic of racism is approached in this, and think it's done in a way where younger readers are able to understand, as well as educate themselves.

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Interesting historical fiction about America in the post-WW2 era. It was a time in which women were to remain at home instead of seeking employment as they had during the war. “White flight” ; the rush of Caucasian families to relocate to more rural areas from big cities. This is the case with the protagonist of this story, a pre-teen girl who is beginning to question to herself whether everything her parents believe is correct. When she meets a troubled young Black girl and they become friends, the racist attitudes of her father repulse her.
This book is appropriate for high school age and adult readers only. *Red Flags*- child abuse, derogatory statements and attitudes toward minorities, frequent use of the N-word

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I'm in love with this story. The setting is perfect to demonstrate how important it is to be colorblind when making friends. A story about found family and sticking out for the ones you care about. Two girls with nothing in common create a special space where they can be their best selves and learn from one another. I can honestly say that this book is nothing but magical.

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Loved loved this amazing book!
The friendship between these two girls I absolutely adored. I wish I had a close friend like that.
I had a little trouble with the language in how they talked but even then I still couldn't put it down. It's as if their story called out to me and I just had to finish it. I'm so glad I did because now I feel like they're my close friends.
This new to me author has done an excellent job of explaining certain things and I especially loved the setting.
I definitely highly recommend this book!
You'll not want to put it down once you start.
Do have a box of tissues though.
Some scenes will also make you smile too.
Of course my favorite thing was how the 2 girls enjoyed literature.
I've learned much throughout the book as well. It's these kind of stories that I love.
It's going to be hard to find another good book after this one because I'm still thinking about this one!
5 stars!
My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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The Author Donna Peizer, did such a good job at transporting me back in time, Annie is a young girl who is so sad and lonely until she meets Clydeen, a black girl who has appeared out of nowhere, I loved the friendship these two very opposite girls have found in each other, Annie has no idea what its like to be a black person, in this day and time, and Clydeen, who thinks because Annie is white, and lives in a big house, that her live is perfect, which it is by no means perfect. I wish I would have had a woman like Mrs. B when I was growing up, someone to be her guarding angel, as she calls herself, this truly is a heartwarming story of two young girls that have had their spirits broken by the world around them, and somehow they find each other and also find healing, I will definitely be looking for more books by this Author, thank to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book, this is my honest review of this book.

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Peizer's Somewhere Different Now is a story that caught my attention from the start. Annie and Clydeen are both intriguing characters on their own. and their friendship makes the story feel whole. The conversations the two girls have on literature felt very real in terms of how we can connect with and interpret stories in a way that is different from others, and how we can learn from hearing others speak on issues that might not connect to us directly.

The book deals with themes of racism and abuse, yet there always seems to be a bit of hope in there that keeps it from becoming too dark or depressing (though it certainly has its moments).

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley (thanks!) but the views and opinions above are entirely my own.

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This book was incredible, I couldnt put it down it was completely compelling and I was gripped the whole way through. It was well written with good characters and a good storyline. I adored some of the characters I really took them to my heart especially Annie and Clydeen and the things that they were living through and dealing with were explored so well and in so much detail. It was heartwarming to see their friendship grow and yet there were also some heartbreaking moments. I loved it.

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