I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this book. It was kind of meh and I don’t really have much to say about it.

One thing I liked was the fact that it was diverse. That was awesome. But I didn’t really like the main character, Harry. I thought she was kind of judgmental.

I don’t think there is anything else I can really say. It was an okay read. If it sounds like something you might like, check it out. It’s not very long and I flew through it. So if you pick it up it shouldn’t take you long to read. If it doesn’t sound that interesting to you, skip it. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a very fast read and one that kept my interest. Spirit Level is the story about a girl named Harriet.

Harriet is the product of a sperm donor. She learns in this book that she has siblings. There is Lucy, Meredith, James, Adam and Ben.

The characters are wonderfully developed and engaging. The different personalities of the siblings make for some great entertainment. ( )

When I first got this book I was like ehhh, not sure if I'm gonna like it. All I can say now is Holy Shit! Completely awesome read, difficult to put down. I am very glad I took the time to read it. Granite, its not something I will read again (very few books make that list) but I highly recommend it to others.

This was a well-written YA book. Harriet (aka Harry) has known her whole life she's the product of a sperm donor, and doesn't give it much thought until her world is rocked by her best friend/boyfriend moving across the country. She becomes curious about possible family and learns of her donor and many siblings through a donor registry.

Learning how to deal with the variety of personalities Harry comes across in her siblings is a big part of the book. The author keeps the interest by keeping the writing tight and developing the characters. We get to know Harry's mom, her adopted grandma Verna, two of her siblings that live nearby, and all of the emotions and concerns Harry has in taking on this challenge.

Nicely written book that touches on a number of hot points in our culture today. ( )

Harriet (but you can call her Harry) feels abandoned. Her long-term best friend, now boyfriend, has moved across the continent, and her close friend has left the country. When she reaches out for potential half-siblings through an online sperm-donor registry site, Harry is surprised by the responses. With relatives of various ages nearby and around the world, she has a chance to develop new friendships, new romantic relationships, and new knowledge, some of it challenging.

SPIRIT LEVEL introduces numerous topical themes, but manages their introduction so that they don't feel didactic or preachy. Poverty, homelessness, trans issues, sexuality, mental wellness, and privilege all enter the story, but their presence feels organic, not forced. I also really enjoyed the storytelling. Harry describes herself as level-headed, but as a narrator she's lively, personable, and reflective. The story moves quickly and kept me engaged.

SPIRIT LEVEL would be a great choice for classroom libraries, particularly outside of major cities, where many of the topics the book explores are sharper and less understood. Many teens are receptive to the kinds of change our society at large is undergoing, but many more — like Harriet — are still discovering what they know, what they believe, and how they feel about change. This novel could be a great resource for starting conversations. ( )