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bookofcinz's review against another edition
3.0
Get ready for a heart-warming, adventurous read between a mother and daughter…
In Kereen Getten’s second book, If You Read This we meet Brie who lost her mother to an illness over three years ago. Brie is about to celebrate her twelfth birthday and birthdays are generally had because of how much she misses her mother and would want to have her there. While Brie does have the strong support of her friends, aunts, uncle, father and grandparents she truly misses her mother.
As part of her twelfth birthday celebrations, Brie is given a surprise from her mother- a box filled with letters that leads to a treasure hunt. The treasure being, Brie finding her mother’s special place. Brie gets to hear from her mother through the letters, uncover family secrets and learn more about who she is becoming as a young adult. What secret is her father keeping from her, what will her mother’s secret place be like? Brie finds this all out when she reads each letter.
I am generally not a middle grade reader but I always enjoy Kereen Getten’s writing, because it feels so innocent and heart-warming- also I love the fact that it is set in the Caribbean. I am a huge fan of mother daughter themes and I felt the author did a great job of exploring grief in a middle grader who lost her mother. I also love how much of an adventurer the mother was and how she raised Brie to be brave.
If you are looking for a heart-warming read, filled with adventure- I cannot recommend this book enough! A solid #ReadCaribbean pick!
In Kereen Getten’s second book, If You Read This we meet Brie who lost her mother to an illness over three years ago. Brie is about to celebrate her twelfth birthday and birthdays are generally had because of how much she misses her mother and would want to have her there. While Brie does have the strong support of her friends, aunts, uncle, father and grandparents she truly misses her mother.
As part of her twelfth birthday celebrations, Brie is given a surprise from her mother- a box filled with letters that leads to a treasure hunt. The treasure being, Brie finding her mother’s special place. Brie gets to hear from her mother through the letters, uncover family secrets and learn more about who she is becoming as a young adult. What secret is her father keeping from her, what will her mother’s secret place be like? Brie finds this all out when she reads each letter.
I am generally not a middle grade reader but I always enjoy Kereen Getten’s writing, because it feels so innocent and heart-warming- also I love the fact that it is set in the Caribbean. I am a huge fan of mother daughter themes and I felt the author did a great job of exploring grief in a middle grader who lost her mother. I also love how much of an adventurer the mother was and how she raised Brie to be brave.
If you are looking for a heart-warming read, filled with adventure- I cannot recommend this book enough! A solid #ReadCaribbean pick!
jackbauer12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dovedovington's review against another edition
The book is just lovely, I've just been in the wrong mood for reading children's fiction.
emily_in_wonderland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mekeisha's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
A heartfelt, emotional story sensitively exploring child/parent relationships, losing a parent as a child and the different ways in which grief effects people. Getten is such a gift to the middle grade and I’m already looking forward to reading whatever she writes next.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
A captivating and heartfelt coming-of-age story that takes readers on a transformative journey filled with adventure, joy, and the complexities of family and grief. On her 12th birthday, Brie is surprised with a gift from her deceased mother, a woman who had a zest for life.
Through the letters her mother left behind, Brie embarks on a treasure hunt across her Jamaican town, uncovering secrets that will shape her understanding of herself and her family. Despite the frequent absence of her father and his lack of attention, Brie finds solace and support from her best friends, Nana, and her aunt and uncle as she navigates the emotional and strategic ups and downs of her journey.
Brie's treasure hunt becomes a catalyst for healing and growth. The story explores the complexity of an ordinary family grappling with the aftermath of a parent's death, portraying the emotions and challenges with sensitivity and honesty. A poignant, short novel that celebrates the power of resilience, and self-discovery: a resonant coming-of-age tale.
Through the letters her mother left behind, Brie embarks on a treasure hunt across her Jamaican town, uncovering secrets that will shape her understanding of herself and her family. Despite the frequent absence of her father and his lack of attention, Brie finds solace and support from her best friends, Nana, and her aunt and uncle as she navigates the emotional and strategic ups and downs of her journey.
Brie's treasure hunt becomes a catalyst for healing and growth. The story explores the complexity of an ordinary family grappling with the aftermath of a parent's death, portraying the emotions and challenges with sensitivity and honesty. A poignant, short novel that celebrates the power of resilience, and self-discovery: a resonant coming-of-age tale.
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5