KJK Reads

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, History  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I didn’t know what to expect starting this book as I knew nothing about Operation Pedro Pan and my knowledge of the Cuban revolution is also limited. I liked how the book started on each child before Castro first as it gave us a real sense of the lives they had and lost due to the political climate. The multiple children also gave a better sense of the people in Cuba at that time, especially the one who joined the party and the one who had to leave against her fathers will. I also really liked the ending showing where the children ended up and the achievement each one made by being given a chance at a different life.  Favourite Quote: “While Operation: Pedro Pan is very unique to Cuba, and uniquely belongs to that generation of Cubans sent here as children, it is a universal tale for any parent willing to sacrifice everything for their...

Rating: DNF  Themes: Memoir, Mental Health  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really wanted to get along with this book as the commentary on how women are viewed and commented on from a young age and eating disorders are topics that interest me and are great to see different viewpoints on. However, the way in which this memoir was addressed with the code names and timeline jumping meant I struggled to keep track in my mind at points and I found myself struggling with it. The idea of the author's Wolf protecting her when reflecting is a great way to address the thoughts of a child with an adults’ perspective but it did add another element for me to contend with when there was already the critical voice and the author's own story to contend with. Favourite Quote: “You both had to live in a time and a place where people or at least women didn't like themselves, or if they did, concealed their self-esteem with rigo...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction, Mental Health  Thoughts: I  received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book to help little kids get their heads round and accept the adults in their lives. The book is marketed as addressing adults in children's lives with mental health problems but most of it also applies really well to disabled people too, especially those who have a Dynamic Disability. It’s cool to take something that is so abstract like mental health and explain it in a way that children can not only understand but have also likely experienced themselves before. I also really liked the little bit of advice at the end that not only explained a mood disorder but tells kids what they can do if they’re worried about someone they love too so they feel less hopeless in bad spells. Favourite Quote: “I wait, too - for my hope to build - but worry presses at my chest, anger rises in my throat, and sadness stings my ...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book for young kids. I like the questions on the bottom about what’s happening on the page or allowing the child to engage with that page. The KS1 age child in my life is currently reading books with no words for this exact reason so he can both use it and absorb the message. The illustrations are great and inclusive as there are different races and ages shown but also disability and religious expression which are often forgotten. The overall message is really important and I loved that at the end it allows schools to buy an extra special copy with their own name on it to further engage their students.  Favourite Quote: “We are the future! Proud, kind, and united in the way we care for one another. Together, we shine today, tomorrow, and always.”

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Horror Thoughts:  Wow, just wow. This is my first book by Shine so I had no idea what I was walking into but it had me hooked (like finished it in 2 and a half days hooked). The idea of being watched for half a day everyday for months left me with a claustrophobic feeling but I just had to know what the group would do next. The group themselves are such an eclectic combination but somehow each person adds to the overall working of their routines. Mina is our main character and I liked how she analysed everyone with an artists’ view as it let me picture them so much more detailed but it was interesting to see the other views and it lets us get such a more broad picture of the story when they split up. I did see one of the twists coming but started to doubt myself before it was told. I couldn’t see that ending coming and am sooo glad I can read the next one straight away. Favourite Quote: “All days were the same. Dates were insignificant numbers. Life in the f...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Poetry, British Literature, Race Thoughts: This poetry collection is enlightening on the Black British experience and also heartbreakingly relevant 25 years on, especially the Arabian war if we swap the Q for an N. Some of the poems were especially stark like ‘What Stephen Lawrence Has Taught Us’, ‘Appeal Dismissed’, and ‘Christmas Has Been Shot’. Some poems were also quite educational like ‘Having a Word’, ‘Kill Them Before Ramadan’, and ‘The Men from Jamaica Are Settling Down’. Favourite Quote: "You've had so many wars to end all wars, Still millions are dying from the wars you left behind."