Jennifer Longo

Jennifer Longo takes a serious subject and makes it relatable – for the most part I enjoyed her writing style, the protagonist, most of the supporting characters (Natan is just a caricature).
Muiriel has spent her entire life in foster care and to survive she has learned an important lesson – travel light. But this is not just with possessions, this is with people and relationships. Muiriel can’t stay in any foster home for a year. And she is terrified because she is going to age out of the system and the odds are not in her favor.
I did like the fact that the novel exposed assumptions many of us make about kids in foster care and gives the reader insight into this life. Foster kids do not deserve to be in foster care. They are entitled to have an adult in their life that genuinely cares for them. These kids need a voice and to tell their stories – Muir’s flashbacks have a strong impact in giving these stories a voice.
There are lots of feelings in the book and introspection by the main character. I was surprised that Muiriel has such a hard time understanding that her friends and Francine want to be there for her. I wasn’t sure how realistic that was. Also, the book becomes preachy and I lost patience with it in certain parts. The author tries to pack a lot of social injustices in this book and it come across as contrived in some parts. Also, why is the white main character always recusing the small black girl and Japanese American teen girl?
I think tweens and teens would enjoy this read. Although What I Carry started out strong, it falters a little in the middle, with the ending drawn out a little too long. I wanted to really like this book, but I think it would have been more powerful if it had been more nuanced.
… (altro)

I really did like this read. This book did take a awhile to grow on me. I thought the structure in this book was not as clear to follow but intreating. i def grew to love this character as this book progreseed this book de was more a of see discovery novel that I feel tackled foster care issues in a very inspireing way. I really did enjoy the various side characters in this book and really loved how much character growth happened in this novel. It was a book that def brought the emotions and overall good read, just not my favorite.… (altro)

I really did like this read. This book did take a awhile to grow on me. I thought the structure in this book was not as clear to follow but intreating. i def grew to love this character as this book progreseed this book de was more a of see discovery novel that I feel tackled foster care issues in a very inspireing way. I really did enjoy the various side characters in this book and really loved how much character growth happened in this novel. It was a book that def brought the emotions and overall good read, just not my favorite.… (altro)