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rgoodhart's review against another edition
5.0
Zofia and Tom. Two very different 11 year olds thrown together by their parents’ relationship. Beautiful writing. Very clear characters. Lots of emotion.
katykelly's review
5.0
Beautiful and relatable blended family tale.
A very contemporary plotline forms the basis of a two-narrator story, with the 'lump in your throat' writing that doesn't happen a lot in children's books.
Two children, Zofia and Tom, both with one parent, discover that their parents have met at work and are dating. Forced to meet regularly for days and trips, there is resentment but both tolerate the situation in their own ways. Zofia is loud and energetic, with bright swimming goals and keen to keep everything exactly as it is. Tom is small, meek and scared, after the trauma he witnessed and experienced before his dad was locked up.
When they learn that they're going to be moving in together, both cope in the way their personalities might lead you to suspect. There are going to be clashes, jealousy, unspoken feelings. Tom's paper cranes give both the idea of wishing away their hurt and anger, but wishes should not always come true...
Both viewpoints were very well told, Zofia's side is full of anger and noise, movement and sound. Tom's shows his small voice and fears. You want them to see what they have in common and what good they could do for each other, but you also empathise with their situation, being thrust together into a new family they hadn't asked for.
It's really quite a beautiful story about connecting, finding kinship and peace together, and did bring a tear to my eye a few times.
For ages 9 and above.
A very contemporary plotline forms the basis of a two-narrator story, with the 'lump in your throat' writing that doesn't happen a lot in children's books.
Two children, Zofia and Tom, both with one parent, discover that their parents have met at work and are dating. Forced to meet regularly for days and trips, there is resentment but both tolerate the situation in their own ways. Zofia is loud and energetic, with bright swimming goals and keen to keep everything exactly as it is. Tom is small, meek and scared, after the trauma he witnessed and experienced before his dad was locked up.
When they learn that they're going to be moving in together, both cope in the way their personalities might lead you to suspect. There are going to be clashes, jealousy, unspoken feelings. Tom's paper cranes give both the idea of wishing away their hurt and anger, but wishes should not always come true...
Both viewpoints were very well told, Zofia's side is full of anger and noise, movement and sound. Tom's shows his small voice and fears. You want them to see what they have in common and what good they could do for each other, but you also empathise with their situation, being thrust together into a new family they hadn't asked for.
It's really quite a beautiful story about connecting, finding kinship and peace together, and did bring a tear to my eye a few times.
For ages 9 and above.
pa259's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
bookwormandtheatremouse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marimar1730's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
geegee_74's review against another edition
4.0
I read this hard on the heels of October, October and admired how Katya Balen has developed as a writer (IMHO) here. I loved the swiftly switching viewpoints of Zofia and Tom and the way she gave both children room to explore their feelings with their parents as just a backdrop. I loved the coastal setting too and the almost additional character of the sea. I look forward to reading the next book. Always happy endings though? It would be interesting to see how she manages not quite so neat a resolution to one of her stories.
hewlettelaine's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely beautiful book! Completely adored it. Balen is truly gifted at capturing children's voices and their inner, emotional lives
vasa_bee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
megvic's review against another edition
3.0
3rd book for Carnegie Book Shadowing. Would recommend for 10-11 year olds. Not my favourite, but had some nice themes.
mmmn2570's review against another edition
4.0
i loved it, i enjoyed the 2 different perspectives, i was captured by tom at first sentence but i strongly disliked zofia, as a 13 year old myself i could not believe she was 12 and not 5, the lack of empathy she had with tom and her dad actually being happy???? however i enjoyed and understood her arc, i loved it and crues a lot