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The Revolution of Birdie Randolph
Brandy Colbert (Goodreads Author)
Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Nicola Yoon comes a novel about first love and family secrets from Stonewall Book Award winner Brandy Colbert.
Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she's on track to finish high Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Nicola Yoon comes a novel about first love and family secrets from Stonewall Book Award winner Brandy Colbert.
Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she's on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past...whom she knows her parents will never approve of.
When her estranged aunt Carlene returns to Chicago and moves into the family's apartment above their hair salon, Birdie notices the tension building at home. Carlene is sweet, friendly, and open-minded--she's also spent decades in and out of treatment facilities for addiction. As Birdie becomes closer to both Booker and Carlene, she yearns to spread her wings. But when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, everything she's known to be true is turned upside down. ...more
Published August 20th 2019 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Chicago, Illinois (United States)
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This book is tagged as LGBT and reviews mention both queer rep and ace rep, but could someone tell me which characters actually have these IDs? Thanks!
1 like · like
Mehreen Birdie's sister is a lesbian and her aunt is bi...completely forgot, her best friend, Laz, is gay, as is Laz's father, but he's not in the book. Sorry…moreBirdie's sister is a lesbian and her aunt is bi...completely forgot, her best friend, Laz, is gay, as is Laz's father, but he's not in the book. Sorry had to look up what ace rep was but Mitchell, Birdie's ex, believes he's asexual.(less)
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Sep 18, 2019 Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) rated it really liked it
This was so raw and real and nuanced and sex positive and I loved it so damn much. Brandy Colbert is a master when it comes to writing hard-hitting, realistic YA and I am forever in awe of her. Read this book!!!!
TW: addiction
Aug 31, 2019 Lola rated it really liked it
Shelves: family-relationships, 2019-publications, romance
This is a book that truly surprised me. First, Brandy Colbert completely improved upon her previous release—Finding Yvonne—a book I did not care to finish. I enjoyed Little & Lion from her, but this was twice as good and well developed. I dare say it's a page turner from the start. Another reason why this book and author surprised me was Booker, Birdie's love interest. The way he is presented in the beginning makes the reader think he is trouble. I mean, any guy who encourages a girl to This is a book that truly surprised me. First, Brandy Colbert completely improved upon her previous release—Finding Yvonne—a book I did not care to finish. I enjoyed Little & Lion from her, but this was twice as good and well developed. I dare say it's a page turner from the start. Another reason why this book and author surprised me was Booker, Birdie's love interest. The way he is presented in the beginning makes the reader think he is trouble. I mean, any guy who encourages a girl to sneak out of the house is a no-no for me. But then I got to know him better and saw how sweet he was to Birdie and began to like him quite a lot.
The third thing that surprised me was the big revelation, which I will not spoil for you of course. I did figure it out before the main character did but I was still pretty shocked when I put two and two together. But instead of coming out of the blue like some revelations do and making no sense whatsoever, it actually helped me figure out the puzzle that is Birdie's family. Family is a very important theme in this story, one I loved to see being explored. I enjoyed reading about Aunt Carlene, who recently joined Birdie's household, almost as must as I did about the heroine herself. Not only that but Aunt Carlene's dark past helped clarify Birdie's present and future funnily enough. I'm pretty pleased with how things turned out and curious to see if the author will give us another winner next.
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Jul 12, 2019 Katie B rated it really liked it
Shelves: illinois, fiction, read-in-2019, young-adult, arc, lgbt
I finished this a few days ago and the more I think about this book, the more I appreciate all of the things the author managed to do with the story. At first it seems like a fairly simple story but in reality there's a lot going on here.
Sixteen-year-old Dove "Birdie" Randolph has always tried to live up to her parents' expectations. She studies hard and gets good grades and follows the rules they have set in place for her. Well kinda. Even though her parents insist they meet any boy she wants I finished this a few days ago and the more I think about this book, the more I appreciate all of the things the author managed to do with the story. At first it seems like a fairly simple story but in reality there's a lot going on here.
Sixteen-year-old Dove "Birdie" Randolph has always tried to live up to her parents' expectations. She studies hard and gets good grades and follows the rules they have set in place for her. Well kinda. Even though her parents insist they meet any boy she wants to date, Birdie so far has been keeping quiet about her new boyfriend, Booker. She knows her parents won't approve of his troubled past.
Birdie's estranged aunt, Carlene, is staying with the family after just getting out of rehab. Even though there is some tension among Carlene and Birdie's parents, Birdie has been developing a close relationship with her aunt. Birdie wants to be in control of her life rather than her parents, and begins testing the waters and making choices she knows her parents won't approve of. But then a long held secret comes to light that is going to rock her world.
I don't read YA fiction all that often when compared to other genres but I found the book cover for this so visually stunning, I knew I just had to make time for this one. And I'm so glad I did because it's a good reminder that stories about teenagers can be just as compelling and interesting as those about adults. This was a quick read and I wouldn't say the writing is overly descriptive, but it's well worth reading because it's a book with substance. I don't want to elaborate much further than that because I don't like giving spoilers in my reviews. Just trust me when I say the author did a good job exploring many issues that are relevant to not just teenagers but adults as well. And what I liked is there was a good combination of subjects explored in depth and some that were just briefly touched upon. It didn't feel like the author was trying to cram in so much stuff that it overwhelmed the story.
There's a diverse cast of characters and even though Birdie is the star of the show, I thought her family and friends had depth and were intriguing characters as well. If the author ever wanted to do a spin off book featuring any of the teenage characters or Birdie's older sister, I would definitely be interested in reading it.
Definitely recommend especially if you love YA fiction.
I was sent an advance copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Sep 01, 2019 Camryn rated it really liked it
This is my second favorite Brandy Colbert book after Pointe! I didn't expect to like this so much or to stay up reading the whole thing, but it was so readable and almost comforting in that way that I didn't want to stop. I love that everyone was basically black and queer. The love interest reminded me of the love interest from my book, which is fun. I also saw myself and my family in a lot of this, like having an alcoholic family member/parent, a divorce that happens bc one parent is gay, being This is my second favorite Brandy Colbert book after Pointe! I didn't expect to like this so much or to stay up reading the whole thing, but it was so readable and almost comforting in that way that I didn't want to stop. I love that everyone was basically black and queer. The love interest reminded me of the love interest from my book, which is fun. I also saw myself and my family in a lot of this, like having an alcoholic family member/parent, a divorce that happens bc one parent is gay, being afraid to come out to your parents bc of that, etc. I'm really glad I got to see this Aunt struggling because this was sort of my dad... except he never got better.
That was depressing. But the book isn't!
I was just thinking that Brandy writes "quiet" interior books for black girls about black girls having problems in their lives and hanging out and falling in love that aren't necessarily high concept. I really love that.
I did think Booker was sometimes flat (I was wondering why she was SO into him) but he proved his sweetness a lot of the time. There's also one part with the cops that bothered me where the author seemed to imply that black men face police brutality and black women don't.
The plot twist is a well worn trope with a bit of a twist. It just made me... I was like "none of this would've happened if you just communicated." And Dove was too forgiving. I would've been mad at everyone forever for being manipulative and annoying. I also thought her mom was ridiculous, but I sort of saw why she was like that.
All in all, this was really good. I'm glad Brandy Colbert writes.
Apr 13, 2019 Dahlia added it
Shelves: 2019-releases, racial-diversity-in-ya-na
Brandy Colbert stays very, very, very good at what she does.
Jan 01, 2019 Kelly added it
Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2019, read-in-2018
I don't think Brandy Colbert needs a comparison to stand out, as she's proven herself a voice in YA. But the ARC compares her to Nicola Yoon and Nina LaCour and I'd absolutely agree: this is a quieter book (a la Nina LaCour) that takes on family and relationships in realistic teen ways (both LaCour and Yoon!). The romance in this one definitely has the Yoon effect to it.
This is a book about following the rules and breaking them, but even more than that, it's a book about the family we're born I don't think Brandy Colbert needs a comparison to stand out, as she's proven herself a voice in YA. But the ARC compares her to Nicola Yoon and Nina LaCour and I'd absolutely agree: this is a quieter book (a la Nina LaCour) that takes on family and relationships in realistic teen ways (both LaCour and Yoon!). The romance in this one definitely has the Yoon effect to it.
This is a book about following the rules and breaking them, but even more than that, it's a book about the family we're born into and the families that we make along the way. Birdie's aunt shows up at their apartment right before the summer begins, and that's when everything changes; it's at this same time Birdie is secretly dating a boy she knows her very strict, proper parents wouldn't like. Despite never pushing boundaries before, these two new people in her life encourage her to take some chances and learn some lessons she never would have on her own.
Colbert depicts Carlene's alcoholism with tenderness and offers up the whole range of emotions people experience both as those who are addicts and those who are friends and family of addicts. There is support, but there is also caution exercised around Carlene that showcase hope for her to find recovery but also experience in knowing that this is a disease that is challenging to manage.
The Chicago setting is, no surprise, spot on. I started reading this in a hotel just a block from the Civic Opera House, which plays a tiny role in the story. Other Chicagonalia include Portillo's, Montrose Beach, the L (including above and below ground talk), the way Chicagoans live for those four perfect days a year, and more. It's vibrant and real, and isn't also afraid to highlight the racial challenges within the city, in terms of violence, racism, and bigotry, and the places and spaces where those do and don't overlap.
Also handled really fabulously is anger and anger management, recovery from trauma and what that does and doesn't look like, and it offers such a refreshing perspective on teens, especially teens of color, who've been in the juvenile justice system.
Birdie's best friend is half black and half Latinx, while her ex-boyfriend (view spoiler)[ this is just a spoiler because it's so pre-pub -- is asexual (hide spoiler)].
I'm never sad when I read a Brandy Colbert book, except when I am finished and know I'll be waiting another year for her next. ...more
Aug 11, 2019 Toya rated it really liked it
Shelves: arcs, young-adult, ya-contemporary
Have you ever read a book that immediately transports you back to your teenage, awkward self? This was that book for me, and what made it even better was the fact that this story was about black characters and black culture, which is something that I didn't get to read a lot of when I was younger.
16-year-old Dove 'Birdie' Randolph has always strived to live up to the expectations that her parents have set for her. With her big sister Mimi studying pre-med in college, Birdie is expected to follow Have you ever read a book that immediately transports you back to your teenage, awkward self? This was that book for me, and what made it even better was the fact that this story was about black characters and black culture, which is something that I didn't get to read a lot of when I was younger.
16-year-old Dove 'Birdie' Randolph has always strived to live up to the expectations that her parents have set for her. With her big sister Mimi studying pre-med in college, Birdie is expected to follow behind Mimi's success. Therefore, Birdie puts her schoolwork first, has a perfect GPA, and adheres to the strict rules that her parents have set in place. Her parents insist on having a relationship with anyone that she decides to date, which up until now she has always abided by, but she knows that her parents won't approve of Booker since he has a troubled past.
Birdie's estranged aunt Carlene shows up to stay with her family after a stint in rehab for substance abuse and addiction. Birdie immediately notices the tension between Carlene and her parents, but she is even more drawn to Carlene since she's much more lax when it comes to household rules. As Birdie begins to open to Carlene, she begins to rebel against her parents' strict rules by making choices that her parents would definitely NOT approve of.
This is one of those YA books, that I think is incredibly important and relevant to teenagers because the book has substance and deals with real life topics. This book discusses important topics such as substance abuse and addiction, underage drinking, peer and societal pressure, and a host of others. I think the author does a fantastic job of having an honest conversation about these topics without glorifying anything.
Overall, if you are looking for a real to life YA contemporary full of complex characters as well as a greater insight into black culture then you definitely need to pick this one up. Also, I really wish Carlene could come do my hair…just saying.
Thank you to The NOVL for providing an ARC for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Aug 22, 2019 Kayla Brunson rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: young-adult, arc, read-in-2019
This was my first book by Brandy Colbert and I was excited to start it. This covers some serious topics and also has quite a bit of diversity. However, what kept me from really loving this book were the characters and the lack of plot.
This book just follows along with Birdie's everyday life while she manages love, family, and finding out about herself. For the most part, I did like Birdie. She came off as an average teenager. Really naïve, but still an average teenager.
I can't say that I This was my first book by Brandy Colbert and I was excited to start it. This covers some serious topics and also has quite a bit of diversity. However, what kept me from really loving this book were the characters and the lack of plot.
I can't say that I connected with any character here sadly. I didn't grow up the same as Birdie so when I say I that I didn't really like her family, you have to take that from a different point of view. My parents were never strict and never forced me to do things that I didn't love. Also, I think the worst to me was her mother. She super judgmental and pushed her beliefs onto Birdie. I think that teenagers should get to form their own opinions about the world, not just what their parents want them to. The best character to me was her aunt Carlene. While she was NOWHERE near perfect, she didn't let the bad days win and she really pushed herself to finally be on the recovery road that she wanted to be.
We did get a bit of a romance here and I really enjoyed our love interest, Booker. He was sweet and someone that Birdie really paired well with. I would have loved to see more about the two of them.
I think the best part of this novel was how much diversity we received. There were so many discussions of race, sexual orientation, and also dealing with alcoholism. It didn't feel forced and was thrown into even regular conversation between characters.
To wrap up my review, while I wasn't wowed by my first Brandy Colbert read; I can see why her work is well loved in the book community. The characters and lack of plot are what held me back but I think that so many readers will enjoy this one.
TW: Alcoholism; talk of drug use
✨I received an ARC via The Novl for an honest review.
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Nov 24, 2019 Neville Longbottom rated it really liked it
Shelves: lgbtqia, 2019
4.5 - A great YA contemporary about family, relationships, and the impact that addiction can have on a family. I loved how sex-positive this book was, it was also great to see how much queer & ace rep there was within the side characters. The story has some twists and dramatic moments, but it always feels believable and doesn't get into the territory of melodrama. I'd definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a nice YA with romance in addition to some more serious topics.
Jul 25, 2019 Kelsea rated it really liked it
Shelves: reviewed, arc
4.5 stars!
I finished this book last night and I'm still a bit stunned! The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is such a quietly beautiful and powerful story, written with a level of finesse and nuance that is frankly quite enviable for those of us with writing aspirations.
Birdie is an interesting, relatable character! She's the kind of person you can see yourself as — or that you'd want to be friends with. And this is HER story. The title has it exactly right - this story is about a revolution, but 4.5 stars!
Birdie is an interesting, relatable character! She's the kind of person you can see yourself as — or that you'd want to be friends with. And this is HER story. The title has it exactly right - this story is about a revolution, but it's one that takes place internally. This is a story of identity, of teenage struggles, of family. It's the story of a black girl in Chicago learning who she is, what she wants, and who she wants to be.
There's something refreshing about picking up a story like this — one that's narrowly focused on one character and the people in her life. I zipped through it! I found myself so invested in Birdie - far more than I usually am in any character, and I wanted so badly for everything to go right for her. Her frustrations became mine and she felt so real to me that it's still a bit hard to believe Birdie and everyone she knows exist only between the pages of a book!
My only word of caution would be to anyone expecting the plot to blow them away. I enjoyed every moment of the story (there were no slow points) and I think the simpler plot fits the story wonderfully, but it wasn't earth-shattering.
I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone interested in diverse read with quiet intensity, own voices YA lit, character-driven stories that make you think, and second chances.
Free advanced copy provided by TheNOVL in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ...more
Sep 06, 2019 *Layali* rated it liked it
Shelves: stand-alone, genre-contemporary, rat-2019-hogwartshousebattles, rat-2019-zodiacathon
I want to start this review by clarifying that a 3 star rating does not mean this was a bad book by any means. I really enjoyed listening to this on audio. I liked the characters, the secrets, and the flawed reality of Birdie's life. I enjoyed the diverse representation, and I enjoyed the discussion about addiction and how it affects people's lives.
This wasn't a life changing novel, but it was enjoyable. I think others will enjoy it too, especially if you like contemporary stories.
Jun 29, 2019 Richelle Robinson rated it really liked it
Shelves: young-adult, diverse-reads-2019
This is my first time reading a full length novel by Brandy Colbert and I am truly impressed with her writing. I have read short stories in anthologies by this author which I enjoyed but this book was next level. We are introduced to Dove aka Birdie who is struggling with being the perfect daughter but also wants to enjoy being a teen. While reading I would think back on my teenage days. How you want to please your parents and do as they say but you also want to do things your own way and make This is my first time reading a full length novel by Brandy Colbert and I am truly impressed with her writing. I have read short stories in anthologies by this author which I enjoyed but this book was next level. We are introduced to Dove aka Birdie who is struggling with being the perfect daughter but also wants to enjoy being a teen. While reading I would think back on my teenage days. How you want to please your parents and do as they say but you also want to do things your own way and make mistakes along the way. Throughout this story there are some twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and it made my jaw drop. At the end of the day we all make mistakes and no one is perfect. This was a well written coming of age story about discovering yourself, carving your own path, redemption and forgiveness. I loved the diversity of the characters as well. I wish I had books like these when I was growing up. I will be making it my business to read Colbert's backlog and see what I have been missing all these years!
I received a review copy from publisher via Vine. ...more
Aug 22, 2019 Sasha rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: 2019, wndb, reading-challenge, ya
Colbert's got a LOT going on in this one, but it works. Dove (Birdie) bucks her parents' extreme pressure and high expectations to pursue a forbidden love as well as relationship with her estranged Aunt, who has a long history of addiction. While in the midst of discovering who she is and who she wants to become, Birdie stumbles across a long-hidden family secret that threatens to tear everyone apart. Kudos to Brandy Colbert, who kept my eyes glued to these pages like Elmer's to a Colbert's got a LOT going on in this one, but it works. Dove (Birdie) bucks her parents' extreme pressure and high expectations to pursue a forbidden love as well as relationship with her estranged Aunt, who has a long history of addiction. While in the midst of discovering who she is and who she wants to become, Birdie stumbles across a long-hidden family secret that threatens to tear everyone apart. Kudos to Brandy Colbert, who kept my eyes glued to these pages like Elmer's to a Kindergartner's sticky little fingers. Read this one in less than a day's time as part of Bout of Books 26. ...more
Aug 27, 2019 Jonea rated it it was amazing
I LOVED this book. For me it was the book that I wanted when I was a teenager. A coming of age novel about a young black girl in today's world. The story touches on so many things but none of them overshadow the main story. I definitely recommend it. I LOVED this book. For me it was the book that I wanted when I was a teenager. A coming of age novel about a young black girl in today's world. The story touches on so many things but none of them overshadow the main story. I definitely recommend it. 🙂 ...more
Jan 26, 2019 Sarah ➖Goddess of Mischief➖ marked it as to-read
Shelves: young-adult, contemporary
Me: *sees cover* I think I should add to TBR
Brain: why?
Me: pretty cover
Brain: good idea
Sep 08, 2019 Rena rated it really liked it
Shelves: library, need-to-own
Thoughts to come.
Sep 21, 2019 Chelsea rated it liked it
Pretty average YA contemporary. Some good themes of adolescence and coming of age, just nothing exceptional. Looking forward to Brandy Colbert's next release!
Aug 19, 2019 ☼ rachel ☼ rated it really liked it
Shelves: own, arc, 2019-reads, young-adult, contemporary
You can see this review and many others on my Blog
"With a name like Dove, you got to fly."
This story follows sixteen-year-old Dove "Birdie" Randolph, who strives to be the perfect daughter for her parents. She studies hard, gets good grades, and always follows the rules. However, she meets and falls for this boy named Booker who she keeps a secret, knowing her parents won't approve of their relationship due to his troubled past.
Birdie's estranged aunt, Carlene, shows up one day after just You can see this review and many others on my Blog
Birdie's estranged aunt, Carlene, shows up one day after just getting out of rehab for substance abuse and addiction. Even though Birdie starts sensing some tension among her parents, and Carlene, she starts developing a close relationship with her aunt. That leads to Birdie wanting to take control of her life, and make a few choices she knows her parents won't approve of.
This YA novel is one that talks about so many relevant, and important topics such as Racism, Substance Abuse, Alcoholism, Anger Management, and many more!
While Birdie is the main character she doesn't completely outshine all of the characters, like a lot of YA books do.
I felt like I knew each and every character, with what they were feeling and going through. And, I'm personally someone who really enjoys a character-driven story more than a plot-driven one. However, I did feel like the plot was lacking a little and it was a little too simple for me. So if you're someone who doesn't enjoy a simpler plot, beware.
This book was being pitched for fans of Nina La Cour and Nicola Yoon. I have yet to read a book by Nina La Cour, but I definitely think the romance in this novel has a Nicola Yoon vibe.
I highly recommend this book if you like YA contemporary.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ...more
Aug 29, 2019 The Nerd Daily rated it really liked it
Originally posted on The Nerd Daily | Review by Teralyn Mitchell
The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is a coming-of-age story about a sixteen-year-old girl who experiences a lot of changes in one summer and it deals with family, secrets, first loves, and addiction. Dove was the youngest of two girls. Her mother ran a hair salon and her father was a team physician for a professional basketball team. She had everything she could want and her parents had very high expectations for her and her older Originally posted on The Nerd Daily | Review by Teralyn Mitchell
The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is a coming-of-age story about a sixteen-year-old girl who experiences a lot of changes in one summer and it deals with family, secrets, first loves, and addiction. Dove was the youngest of two girls. Her mother ran a hair salon and her father was a team physician for a professional basketball team. She had everything she could want and her parents had very high expectations for her and her older sister, Mimi. Her mother made her quit soccer because there was no chance of her playing in college and she's expected to take an SAT class over the summer. Her life was structured and she was expected to behave but just before the summer, Dove met a boy, Booker, who she knew her parents would never approve of and her aunt, Carlene who she doesn't remember ever meeting has come back into her life. These two events seem to have Dove questioning her life and why everything is so structured. She starts breaking the rules and even drinks. The story progresses from there with Dove's relationships with Carlene and Booker strengthening. She has to learn some hard truths and realise if she isn't the one to demand what she wants, then she'll never get it.
I have to discuss the fact that this is a book about a black girl and her family. This book was reminiscent of the kinds of the books I devoured as a kid by authors like Walter Dean Myers and Sharon M. Draper. Colbert did an amazing job of showing all facets of the black community and sexual preferences as well, which made it diverse and inclusive to a group of people who are not always represented in literature. Colbert did an excellent job of showing that and I was able to relate to a lot of what was going on in the book. This story was well written and really explored multiple hard topics and touched on gay and queer issues as well as black issues.
I loved Dove from the beginning and I loved how this was a summer book about finding your voice and yourself separate from the expectations of your family. It was great seeing her grow into someone who spoke up for herself but still knew how to forgive when something wrong was done to her. She was relatable and you'll be rooting for her throughout the book. I liked Carlene from the moment she showed up and how open and honest she was with Dove from the start. Their bond seemed to grow quickly and she was there for Dove when she needed her. I also enjoyed Booker, Laz, Mimi, and Greg too. The romance between Dove and Booker was sweet and I loved seeing how they explored what they had in the limited time they had to do so. It was clear that they really cared for one another. I liked how protective but open Mimi was with Dove. She cared for her little sister. Laz and Dove's friendship was amazing as well and I liked how they could talk to each other about anything and how he helped her as she tried to find herself over the summer.
Dove's relationship with her parents was more complicated; more so with her mother than with her father. Her mother seemed to have very high expectations for Dove and her older sister and she expected them to do things exactly the way she thought they should be done them. Her father seemed to go along with what Dove's mother thought was best. He worked a lot but their relationship was sweet and I loved seeing the two of them together. I thought the group of characters in The Revolution of Birdie Randolph was unique and kept the reader engaged throughout the entire story.
The Revolution of Birdie Randolph was another perfect summer read! This was such a powerful story that showed the importance of family, forgiveness, and finding your own voice and doing your own thing within the rules created by parents. Dove had to learn how to demand what it was she wanted from life and remain respectful while doing it. She discovered first love, family secrets that shook up her world, and her voice and wants. This was another great coming of age story that I've read so far this year! ...more
Dec 06, 2019 kelly {BookCrushin} rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2019-release, covercrush, contemporary
3.5 stars rounded up. The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is another exemplary book that brings in important less talked about topics into the YA narrative. Brandy Colbert has a unique voice, but every book is different. One thing is for certain is that Brandy is not afraid to hit hard with the feels and bring to light aspects of her culture into modern day stories. Brandy also has such diversity within her novels that is always seamless and still poignant.
Aug 19, 2019 Forever Young Adult added it
Shelves: contemporary, reviewed-by-brian
Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Drinking Buddy: Know When to Say When
MPAA Rating: Adult Situations, Drug and Alcohol Use, Strong Language
Talky Talk: This Bird Will Fly
Bonus Factors: LGBTQ, Race Relations, Cool Aunt
Bromance Status: Party Host
Read the full book report here.
Aug 27, 2019 Christy rated it really liked it
Brandy always seems to write the important social issues and considering the recent win against J&J for their role in the opioid crisis, a book about the impacts of substance use disorders seems relevant. Birdie jumped right off the page and into my heart, as I am sure she will yours!
May 21, 2019 Emma rated it really liked it
Shelves: vine, bea
Birdie has always been a good daughter. She works hard in school, she's responsible. She listens to her parents even when it's hard like when she had to give up soccer to focus on her classes and college prep.
But it's hard to balance being a good daughter with dating Booker--the new boy in her life. Birdie's parents would never approve of Booker with his bad reputation and his juvenile record. Rather than upset her parents Birdie does what seems like the best thing for everyone: she decides to Birdie has always been a good daughter. She works hard in school, she's responsible. She listens to her parents even when it's hard like when she had to give up soccer to focus on her classes and college prep.
But it's hard to balance being a good daughter with dating Booker--the new boy in her life. Birdie's parents would never approve of Booker with his bad reputation and his juvenile record. Rather than upset her parents Birdie does what seems like the best thing for everyone: she decides to keep Booker a secret for as long as possible.
Then there's her estranged aunt Carlene who is back in Chicago, and Birdie's life, after years of struggling with substance abuse. Birdie barely remembers her aunt but she's eager to reconnect now--especially when Carlene seems willing to listen to Birdie in a way her mother hasn't for years. As Birdie grows closer to Carlene and to Booker, the secrets mount. When Birdie finds out that she isn't the only one who's been keeping secrets everything she thought she knew about her family will be thrown into question in The Revolution of Birdie Randolph (2019) by Brandy Colbert.
Colbert's latest standalone is an introspective novel about family, secrets, and what it means to be true to yourself. Birdie is an open and honest narrator struggling with how to balance what she wants with what her parents expect of her. Her story unfolds across a vibrantly described Chicago that is immediately evocative.
Typical stressors of school and college prep are amplified as Birdie finds herself keeping more and more secrets as she tries to spend time with Booker. Their sweet and new romance is tempered by the knowledge that they'll soon have to figure out how far their relationship can go--if it can go anywhere at all, in fact--while contending with disapproving parents on both sides. Birdie faces a similar push and pull with her aunt who soon becomes a confidant despite the strain it causes with her parents.
In a lot of ways, The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is a story about decisions. The course of Birdie's life up to this point has been shaped by decisions her parents, and even her aunt, have made. As Birdie begins to understand the ramifications of those choices, she has to decide for herself how to move forward. But luckily for her, and readers, she has a lot of support along the way.
The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is a smart, nuanced story about learning to be true to yourself--even when the truth about your past might not be what you expect. Come for the swoony romance, stay for the authentic intersectional identities, complex relationships, and memorable characters. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake, Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum, Past Perfect Life by Elizabeth Eulberg, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith, How to Save a Life by Sarah Zarr ...more
Jan 14, 2019 Ivy marked it as to-read
Shelves: coming-soon-19
This cover is enough for me to give the book five starts already.
Jul 28, 2019 Heather rated it really liked it
Shelves: female-protagonist, lgbtqia, 2019, ya, arc, contemporary, books-to-buy, its-ya-girl, netgalley
Review originally posted on my blog, It's YA Girl Reviews
Disclaimer: I received this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
If a beautiful coming-of-age, tumultuous self-discovery, bad-ass revolution is what you're in the mood for, this is definitely the book you will want to pick up. Birdie Randolph offers just about everything you could want in a main character. She's intelligent and compassionate, she understands and Review originally posted on my blog, It's YA Girl Reviews
If a beautiful coming-of-age, tumultuous self-discovery, bad-ass revolution is what you're in the mood for, this is definitely the book you will want to pick up. Birdie Randolph offers just about everything you could want in a main character. She's intelligent and compassionate, she understands and appreciates what she has, and she is finally ready to come into her own. With a big heart and a lot of determination, it is actually impossible to not love her. And to watch her revolution happen before our eyes, that's something we hardly deserve.
There isn't a character in this book that doesn't at one point or another endear themselves to you, and honestly sometimes you just need that as a reader. They all have flaws, don't get me wrong, but they're forgivable flaws when taken in context. Birdie makes some questionable decisions, sure, but she's never had a chance to misbehave her entire life and she's never really wanted to before now. She's a teenager and she's lived on such a straight and narrow line for so long it's no wonder she'd want to test the limits a little. Especially when there's a cute boy involved. Booker is everything you want from a fictional love interest – he's romantic and sweet, attractive, exciting, and a little bit dangerous. He and Birdie are just getting to know each other, but the chemistry is undeniable. And while sparks are flying, they're also igniting Birdie's revolution. Because she's never wanted to fight for anything the way she wants to fight for Booker. And fight she'll have to, because he's not exactly her parents' dream. So she resorts to sneaking around and predictably, that only leads to more trouble. But it's trouble Birdie is willing to deal with, for the chance to finally make her own decisions.
We also get Aunt Carlene, who has been absent from most of Birdie's life. She's been in and out of rehab for alcohol and various drug addictions. But this time she seems to really want to stay clean. Over the course of the book, Birdie spends more and more time getting to know Carlene and while she understands the devastating effect addiction had on not just Carlene's life but on their whole family, she also sees the joy for life Carlene has. That's not really something Birdie has felt since her mom made her quit soccer, the one thing she did just for the enjoyment of it. Not until she met Booker, that is. With Carlene around showing her how life doesn't always have to be so structured and utilitarian, and Booker giving her heart the jolt it needed to ask for what she wants (or do what she wants and ask for forgiveness later), Birdie's revolution is about to begin.
There is a lot in this book structurally that stands out for me. It feels both contemporary and timeless, as Birdie struggles to find the balance between making her parents happy and prioritizing her own happiness. It's a struggle every teen faces at some point, with varying levels of difficulty and success. There's first loves and family complications, also incredibly relatable at any age. And it's not without it's statements. A situation arises with a police interaction, and Colbert doesn't sugarcoat it or shy away from the racial tensions. Booker and Birdie's best friend Laz aren't white, and ~shockingly~ they get the worst treatment during this interaction. Meanwhile some other male characters who are, in fact, white, receive far less harsh treatment. It's not something that hides in the background of this interaction either. Birdie addresses it directly, because it's obvious and it needs to be talked about. It needs to be shoved in the face of every reader, of every person, until the injustice is corrected. Pretending it's not happening at this point is frankly, ignorant, and I'm glad that so much of the YA lit out there right now is facing it down. Talking about it openly and harshly is the only way to expose it and hopefully one day change enough hearts that it becomes a thing of the past. This is a book that does that and more. It gives us the pain, but also the joy. There is so much to Birdie's world, and every aspect is important to her development, and ultimately, her revolution.
On a lighter note, a really odd and specific thing that has caught and held my attention in this book is the description of sound. There is something about the way Colbert writes about the background noises and the way her characters notice what they're hearing that has struck a chord (pun intended) with me. It just felt so tangible, and it was a feature throughout the whole book. I don't know quite why but for whatever reason I am kind of obsessed with it? It pulled me in through an unexpected sense, it made me feel much more surrounded by the story than I usually do. I could feel the rumble of the L underneath my feet, and hear the sounds of the city. I don't know if it was just how often what Birdie could hear was brought up, or if it was more about the way the sounds were described, but either way, it was significant to my reading and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I already have the rest of Colbert's books on my to-read list, but now I am even more enticed, just to see if this is a trend that continues.
But anyway, if you want to read about an intelligent, bad-ass black girl that is testing the boundaries of her world as she knows it for the first time, a story that has a racially diverse cast of lovable characters (Laz is the best friend we all deserve, tbh), with a pride parade attended, plenty of queer rep, ace rep, and just a lot of teenage adventures, this is the book for you, out August 20! PS there is a huge twist secret that totally catches Birdie off guard and changes everything she thought she knew about her world and I quite literally screamed in shock when it happened and scared everyone in my house, so if you like surprises, you definitely need this one. ...more
Oct 31, 2019 Sacha rated it really liked it
I like this character and the relationships with her family, friends, and past and present romantic partners. While I predicted the potential twist too early on for my taste, it did prove to be more complex than I expected.
Dec 19, 2019 Latanya (Crafty Scribbles) rated it really liked it
Shelves: ya, audiobook, african-american, women, food-for-the-melaninated-soul
Not my favorite of hers, but it's still a great story to experience. I'm glad I read it. There are so many things to untangle, but the journey's worth the traveling.
Oct 04, 2019 Jess rated it really liked it
Shelves: read-in-2019
My review of The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is up on my blog now!
https://bookreviewsfromanovelnerd.wor...
Oct 06, 2019 Rich in Color added it
Shelves: contemporary
Review copy: ARC via publisher
I think I've reviewed every book Brandy Colbert has written here on RiC and you all know that I've loved every book she's written. Her latest novel is no exception. Again, I planned on reading this novel slowly like a extravagant meal, instead I inhaled it like a yummy treat that you eat in the middle of the night. I was really drawn to Dove (aka Birdie) and her revolution as she began to assert herself from her parents and become the young woman she wanted to be.
One of the aspects of this novel that I really liked was that there was no build-up to Dove's life before Carlene moves in and her meeting Booker. The novel begins with Carlene meeting Dove on the stoop of their house and she's already in her secret relationship with Booker. It felt like I was being dropped off in the middle of Dove's life and going on the journey with her as she meets her aunt, officially, and her desire to create an new relationship with Booker despite her parents. Dove is a girl who has met her parents expectations but she is on the cusp of figuring out who she really is and what she wants. When we meet Dove, this desire to "revolt", so to speak, is already there, it's just a matter of how she will go about it. Her growing relationship with her aunt, and her budding romance with Booker, only help her come out of her shell, rather than be the catalyst for it. Through her relationship with Carlene, Dove has an adult that she can express herself with and question the world (to a certain extent). This is a relationship that is opposite from her parents, specifically her mother, as her mother is very strong-willed and focused on doing things "the proper way" instead of allowing her children to form their own identity. For Dove, Carlene becomes a sounding board for her thoughts and helps her make decisions. Booker, on the other hand, allows Dove to express herself in a different manner, to learn what type of romantic relationship she wants. Booker is not her first relationship (which I also found refreshing) so Dove has the ability to counter the two and understand what she needs from a romantic partner and how much her parents influenced her previous relationship. Her romance with Booker is for her, about her happiness, and not something she is doing to make her parents happy. She learns to be open and honest with Booker, as well as be able to express her sexuality. I loved their relationship as it was so sweet and so loving.
Colbert's strength is writing characters that you can immediately relate with and "Revolution of Birdie Randolph" is no exception. All of the characters were people who made both good and bad decisions, and you felt some kind of way towards them. I kinda hated Birdie's mom, Kitty, for I felt like she was too hard, to strict on Dove, but I understood she was coming from a place of love, therefore she felt very real to me. Because of Dove's quiet revolution, her relationship with her mom had a very realistic tension that many mothers and daughter's experience. There was love between the two, but also when they fought it wasn't pretty. They come to understand each other in the end, through a lovely plot twist that I didn't see coming, but works magnificently. Again, these relationships are Colbert strengths and I love that she writes these complex relationships with such care and beauty.
"The Revolution of Birdie Randolph" comes out on Tuesday, and I suggest you pre-order it now, or ask your library to order it so you can read it when it comes out. ...more
Nov 13, 2019 Melanie Brinkman added it
Shelves: young-adult, contemporary, fiction, own-c
Sometimes you have to fall before you fly.
Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her. She gave up everything that could derail her path to the top of the class. But then Birdie meets Booker, a boy her parents won't care for.
When Birdie's estranged Aunt Carlene moves into the family's Chicago apartment, tempers start to flare. Carlene is unlike anyone Birdie's ever met. As Birde gets closer to both Booker and Carlene, she Sometimes you have to fall before you fly.
When Birdie's estranged Aunt Carlene moves into the family's Chicago apartment, tempers start to flare. Carlene is unlike anyone Birdie's ever met. As Birde gets closer to both Booker and Carlene, she longs for more in her life. But a well kept family secret emerges, and Birdie's world is shattered. Now Birdie feels like she's fluttering in the wind.
A story of first love and family. A tale of secrets both kept and told.
Trigger warning for underage drinking, drug use, steamy scenes, mentions of violence, alcoholism, parental death, and mention of divorce.
Determined and studious, Birdie was sure she knew the course of her life. But as time passed, Birdie was just as sure that this wasn't the life she wanted. Birdie's desire to soar on her own steadily increased as she tested the waters of a "normal" teenage life. Hesitant to put her heart on the line, it was beautiful to see her give the new relationships in her life her all. Every high and low Birdie endured only made her more endearing.
From Birdie's strict, but loving parents, to the friendly, open minded Aunt Carlene, from her smart, supportive sister Mimi, to her long-time best friend Laz, from the sweet but troubled Booker, to her ex-boyfriend Mitchell, Birdie's life was jam-packed with people who cared about her. No matter which way you looked, love infused the air of Birdie's world. While her family gave her both a place to leave from in land, her friends and new relationships helped her to step out of the protective shell she was encased in. Though they allowed Birdie to find her roots and grow, she blossomed into a beautiful flower all her own. The supporting cast was wonderfully diverse and full of representation for the LGBTQ+ and ace communities. Every character was incredibly nuanced, but my favorite was Aunt Carlene. Although we got to hear the story of her complicated past, I would devour a novel following her life.
No one is purely good or bad, we are all in various places in between the two. Sadly, we're usually known for our actions that are drastically one or the other. As Birdie's loving and forgiving soul became closer to those with trouble with histories, they dismantled to the idea that we are our best or worst moments. With a softer but none the less impactful hand, Brandy Colbert expertly removed stigmas surrounding those in recovery. Raw, emotional moments helped to show the largely untalked about side of recovery. Birdie's slice of life story was realistic and even more stunning than the book's cover. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, this novel contained fantastically organic conversations about race, sexuality, safe sex, societal pressures and the reality of a life impacted by alcoholism. Though I saw the plot twist coming, my heart still ached for Birdie. I also wish there would have been a little bit more time to examine the fallout. Birdie's journey was an engaging coming-of-age story about living life and finding out who you want to be.
The Revolution of Birdie Randolph was honest, modern, and simply beautiful. ...more
About Brandy Colbert
Brandy Colbert
Brandy Colbert was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks and has worked as an editor for several national magazines. She lives and writes in Los Angeles.
Books by Brandy Colbert
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