A review by nadiamasood
Girl of the Southern Sea by Michelle Kadarusman

adventurous emotional funny 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

…because people expect that a girl would choose her beauty over anything else. But maybe one day you will write your own version of the story about a girl who overcomes her hardships instead.

I love how Nia is not perfect but she’s strong, feisty, and determined. She’s relatable and inspiring, and I find myself rooting for her as she faced various challenges. I think important themes such as poverty, education, family, loss, empowerment, self-acceptance, and friendship are explored so well in this book.

Built into the layered story are mesmerizing Javanese folktales, traditions and customs. Kadarusman's prose is lyrical, painting a vivid picture of Nia's world and her internal struggles. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

She couldn’t take away the ache of hunger or the hurt of harsh words, but she could give comfort through the magic of stories.

This was a fast-paced Middle Grade novel that I truly enjoyed despite the difficult themes.