KJK Reads

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”

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.”

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...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Thriller Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is the first thriller I’ve read in graphic novel format and it was a great one to start with. It was interesting to see true crime through the lens of a family member rather than just the more sensationalised way that society likes to view it. It’s also great in terms of representation with anyone being able to find a character they identify with, with different races, foster children and also a rare and dynamic disability being shown in different characters. The disability one especially led to a funny moment with the Kinesthesiology tape and an interesting alternative use. I like the found family element with both the foster family and also having friends become family. Kubrick gives us an almost classic slasher without being excessively gory and it still focuses on an overarching story rather than just slashing for the sake of it. I als...

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an amazing little book. I didn’t have type 3 or 4 hair or get protective styles every week but I still hated having my hair done and I can only imagine how much worse it must be to be the only one whose hair looks different in the class. The idea of Malashia twists being magic brings childhood joy to the different possible protective styles and is a fun way to talk to kids about their hair. I really liked the glossary and care guide/steps at the end of the book to help not only the kids but potentially parents of mixed race kids or even just those whose hair is a different type to their child. Favourite Quote: “Malashia realized that what made her different also made her special. She and her hair were perfect just the way they are.”

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Children Thoughts: This isn’t the first book I’ve read around children and their bodies to keep them safe but it is the first that’s targeted to young children. It handles the topic in a very age appropriate way and the cartoon images add to the explanations and examples given in a way that kids are more likely to identify with. I liked that the can you identify your body bit is given for both boys and girls rather than just a basic body expecting the child to be able to identify themselves on a basic outline.  Favourite Quote: “It is okay to speak up and ask for help if we ever feel unsafe Let us always take care of ourselves and protect our bodies.”

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Historical Fiction, Short Story Thoughts: What a cute story for the creation of the friction match and also the origins of the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF). I didn’t actually know that the friction match was invented in Teesside until I saw a display in the library and the local knowledge helps with some of the streets (though since I only shop there I didn’t know them all). I loved the idea of tying in the origins of SIRF as it is a beautiful celebration and added some colour to the end of the book. I also think it’s a great book to teach a little history and instill pride in their area to children too. Favourite Quote: “It is a restless river, the Tees - it always has been.”