Official Review: Goodbye, Rudy Kazoody by AA Freda

[Vickie Noel]

This book sure borders on deep themes, targeted specifically for teens, but with ample information for those outside that age bracket. I usually prefer my YA to be fantasy and light-hearted, but I do have a teenager sister to whom this book would be beneficial. Will check it out for her sake, thanks for the review.

[Ms_Bookworm]

Great job on the review, though I don't think this book is for me. I do think that YA novels with realistic life lessons built into the story have a lot to offer teen readers and I hope this book ultimately reaches its target audience.

[AA1495]

I understand your point that Spike should have been the narrator since it was mostly his story. I'm glad that you liked the book overall though. Congrats to the author on the 4/4 review!

[revna01]

Joey and Spike are Italian immigrants in the Bronx. As part of a street gang, the pair of cousins find themselves in some very grown up situations. The graphic content definitely make this unappealing to me but it does sound like a realistic interpretation of some of the hardships teenagers face these days.

[KRay93]

Thank you for the review. While it does not sound like the kind of stories I usually read, many readers will surely be able to empathize with the protagonist and his harsh background in the Bronx. In addition, it seems that this book touches on many important issues with which teens will feel identified, without mentioning the number and variety of characters from different cultural backgrounds.

[jgrimshaw]

I was really getting into the idea of reading this book until you said that there are graphic sex scenes and one girl allows herself to get gang-banged. I'm not into sex scenes in books in general, but I especially hate sex scenes with kids. Otherwise, the book sounds good and you wrote a good review, I just don't think I'll be reading it.

[LV2R]

The issues of violence, physical abuse, sex, religion, and bullies all sound realistic to the lives of teens, Joey and Spike, growing up in the Bronx. The diversity of people from different countries, with different beliefs, reflect the neighborhood that they grew up in and of America as a whole.

[P Reefer]

An important aspect of my job as an educator is relating to teenagers and assisting them to develop to their fullest potential. Understanding some of their obsessions, pains, and fears would make me better equipped to counsel them when needed. Thus the plot and characters of this book are quite appealing to me and I look forward to reading it.

[ShailaSheshadri]

Thanks for your elaborate review. You did a good job. It's nice this book is realistic and has many important matters for teenagers. Good, this novel contains many vivid characters like Hispanic, African American, Italian, etc. The negatives of this novel seem graphic sex scenes and language. However, this novel is meant for older teenagers, and it includes many life lessons. Congrats to the author!

[Jacquelyn-63]

This is not a book for me. I don’t approve of all of the sex, especially between teenagers. I understand they do it, but I never did and I’m in my early twenties. Thank you for the option of reading.

[00LynnMarie]

I would not have skipped right past this book bases on It's title, or assumes it was for a younger reader. Despite being YA fiction, it sounds like it explores some pretty adult themes in a raw and gritty way. I am interested to see what this book has to offer, thanks to the review.

[rave_2]

Interesting to hear that this book is inspirational and that these characters learn from mistakes. Great review.

[Sahani Nimandra]

Interestingly, what drew me in was the realistic nature, but sounds like the physical intimate scenes are too graphic to me. But I would like to sample this read out. Thank you for your review!

[starshipsaga]

Not everyday that I come across a contemporary Young Adult novel that is so candid about a lot of issues that teens in cities face today. I definitely agree with your warning that the book is not for the faint of heart though, based on some of the topics. Despite the flaws you described, I'm curious, especially about what this "Rudy Cazoody" is, even if it wasn't too interesting to the plot! A sign of a great review, nice job

[plutonian_grade]

Great review! From the sample, I thought it had something to do with demonic possession. Lol