Stay a Little Longer by Bali Rai

Rating:

5 Stars

Themes:

Short Story, Teen, Young Adult

Thoughts:

This book is such an emotional rollercoaster. Starting the book with the death of Aman’s dad is an emotional hit straight off and it’s sweet seeing her take Gurnam in as a paternal figure as their friendship develops, we get the feeling the hole in her life is a little smaller with him there. I also liked that there were complexities in Gurnam’s life as so often in younger books like this it’s the kids with all the problems and adults are seen as almost immune so seeing Gurnam working through his past and Aman’s dad also working through grief is great to remind young readers that adults can have things going on in their heads too. I started to have an inkling of Gurnam’s secret and I’m glad it was done as it is an often overlooked topic that everyone should consider, especially among religions other than our own.

Favourite Quote:

“I get low sometimes, I feel numb like there's nothing inside me. But being around your lovely family and friends makes me feel something …”

Comments

Shame-Sex Attraction by Lucas Wilson

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Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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