Official Review: Picture Us by Janejira Damron

[kaylahk17]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Picture Us" by Janejira Damron.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Janejira Damron creates a relatable story through the book Picture Us. The book is seen entirely from Len's perspective. Len is a teenage boy who is new to the area and local high school. He quickly becomes friends with September, a vibrant young girl whose art speaks volumes. September agrees to be Len's wing-woman and aid him in starting a relationship with the girl he has a crush on. When both Len and September are rejected by who they think they love, they go on an adventure that teaches them that sometimes you don’t have to go looking for love because it's been next to you the whole time.

Picture Us created an immersive experience for me as a reader. The depth of descriptive writing the author used created a story that was easy to visualize and enjoy. Because of this, I felt like I was seeing and feeling the characters just as the author intended. I also did not feel like I had to work to visualize anything occurring in the book because the descriptions were easy to visualize, making the book much more enjoyable to read.

I most liked the multiple themes used within the book and how applicable they are to the teenagers and young adults this book was written for. Len and September immerse readers into themes like depression, anxiety, and sexuality. I enjoyed the book as a romance novel but thought the addition of these relevant themes made the book more realistic. Janejira Damron’s ability to shed light on tough subjects like depression and sexuality gives the reader a safe place to explore and learn these topics. Readers can enjoy a great novel while learning from the experiences the characters have. Learning about these topics is helpful to others going through similar situations by showing them that they are not alone. It is also beneficial for people who are not going through these situations because they can be a better support system for their friends and family members who may be feeling that way.

I found this book to contain an excellent balance between being insightful and an enjoyable read. The easy flow of the book made it clear the author edited thoroughly to create a polished story. I enjoyed this book a lot and can not find anything I disliked about the book. It would have been interesting to hear from September’s perspective, but it would not be necessary to fully understand the book. I could easily see an opportunity for a sequel that would continue Len and September’s story, although the book finishes nicely and does not require a sequel.

I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because of the excellent emotional journey it took me on. The themes are current and could be beneficial to a lot of people. I would recommend this book to young adults and teenagers because this age range is the ones dealing with these issues the most. The book does contain a moderate amount of language and minor violence but would be appropriate for teenage and young adult audiences. I loved the journey I took with Len and September and would enjoy taking another by Janejira Damron. Picture Us is full of hot topics and young romance that I think many people would enjoy reading.

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Picture Us
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[Miller56]

This is an interesting look on romance. I think young adults forget that often their best friends make the best relationships. This person has been with you through thick and thin and knows you better than anyone else. Unfortunately, we always are looking for something other than what is right in front of us. It happens with everything in life: work, play, relationships. Thanks for the review. This is one I think Iwould enjoy.

[AvidBibliophile]

I kind of like the thought of an artist named September, and tough topics often need to be covered, especially when done well! Thank you for your honest review of this one.