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Into the Kryvolis Forest by L. Kharkiv

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Fairy Tales Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I hadn’t read a modern fairy tale like this before and this one feels quite timely. Bronas and Solomiya are forced into the forest by monsters invading their village, destroying and killing as they go which reflects the real experiences of many Ukrainian children (and too many others in occupied and warring areas). The stories they had been told by family members growing up didn’t dissuade them when there was little choice and the lack of human/adult presence throughout lends itself well to fairytales and reality. The different creatures throughout the forest are well described and easy to imagine, and most matched my imagination to the images when provided. The use of illustration throughout in sharp dark lines added to the eeriness of the tale and the doubt as to how the journey for Bronas and Solomiya would end. Favourite Quote: “I guess, sometimes, mon...
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The Other Boy by Hamed Amiri

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 an extremely important read, especially now with the growing political tensions. Amiri takes us on his journey from initially fleeing from danger to running towards the only country (well 1 of 2) that can save his brothers life. This allows us to see the life of a refugee from a child's point of view which feels even more emotive with how innocent and vulnerable children are. The illustrations are very childlike and uncomplicated which reinforces the young age of Amiri at the time of the events. I liked that the ending was filled with hope as hopefully it will inspire those who are reading this to find a story that represents them and their life. It really is an important and poignant read. Favourite Quote: “These men didn't want us here. Maybe no one did. But didn't they know what we'd been through, how dangerous it was...
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Cabin Fever by Cynthia Gunderson

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Romance  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Another cute installment to the Dreamboat Cruises series. Harper embodies the eldest daughter (although I can’t 100% remember if she is the eldest) to a tee, organising everything for a wedding on the cruise and squashing emergencies almost as soon as they arrive. Then Finn arrives and becomes her cabin roommate and throws everything in the air. I loved that Finn instantly saw her burden and started to try ease it, helping with setting up and supporting wherever possible. Finn and Harper are childhood friends which makes it all so much cuter as they have a full history already and a few inside jokes already which led to some great banter at moments. Though this feels like a romcom at times there are some real moments of vulnerability with childhood traumas and supporting each other as a four. Also the fence moment was the cutest thing and really showed th...
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War by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book and definitely need to keep an eye out for more of Colfer’s graphic novels. The book is really powerful, showing us the impact of war on children which is often forgotten in reports of deaths, refugees and battleline reports in the news. I liked that there was no country or city addressed throughout as it can be applied to so many different conflicts not only through history but across the globe currently. The illustrations were really well done and showed the graphic and devastating nature of war really well. Favourite Quote: “Sometimes war is not knowing what happens to people.”
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The Mind of a 16-Year-Old by Adrien Kabunga

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Poetry, Mental Health  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a beautiful but almost broken poetry collection. As someone who was really struggling with their own mental health at that age I related to many of the poems and could really feel the emotions pouring through the page. I think the poem seventeen is extremely true and also full of beauty and hope. Favourite Quote: “17 feels like delirium. I can’t quite believe that I made it this far.  Going back,  I can’t help but feel remorseful”
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The Map in My Hair by Colleen A. Phillip

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction, History Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. What an amazing but also cute way to teach the younger generations about their cultural history. Phillip addresses slavery and the horrors in an age appropriate way, even with the pair even stopping for a hug when it gets a bit much for McKenzie. I found McKenzie asking for a map in her hair after learning the history sweet and so much like what a child would ask. The illustrations are great and focus on the facial expressions on the people and their hair which feels like the most important parts of the story. Favourite Quote: “The patterns in their hair weren't just for beauty, It was so they could communicate escape routes with one another. The slaves also created secret messages and hid small tools in their cornrows.”
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Girl, Groomed by Carol Odell

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Memoir, Trauma  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book isn’t an easy read but it’s an important one. Odell shares her childhood traumas both through family relationships and her grooming and abuses at the stables she held dear for years. It’s interesting to see her as an adult reflecting back on some of it, such as how quickly she was left alone with Clarentine without parental supervision. Odell is able to explore the relationship with her mother and how toxic it was, and how that both left her vulnerable to and drove her into the control and abuse of Clarentine. It's also interesting to see Odell navigating the impacts those childhood experiences have on her adult relationships, especially her marriage. It’s also important that she outlined the grooming tactics she experienced to show how easy it is to be drawn in little by little and also shares warning signs for readers to keep a look out...
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