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helendipietro's reviews
243 reviews
The Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis
adventurous
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? No
5.0
I loved this!
The Girl Who Reads on the Métro by Christine Féret-Fleury
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I read this in Paris during moments on the metro and it was enjoyable but for me lacked warmth and detail. I was expecting to LOVE this book but it fell a bit flat.
Fine: A Comic About Gender by Rhea Ewing
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Non-fiction graphic novel exploring gender. This was really interesting and felt well researched and raw. I loved the art work; the characters convey so much emotion! I love a reflective read and the style of this graphic novel was captivating!
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
3.5
Picked this up in a charity shop because it looked so cute and I’ve always loved the Danish culture so why not learn more about one of the defining characteristics of their culture?
I learnt a few new things but mainly just enjoyed the ‘hygge’ feel that the book gave off with its cozy photos and colour coordinated illustrations.
I like books that make you reflect on how you live your own life and this definitely did that for me.
I learnt a few new things but mainly just enjoyed the ‘hygge’ feel that the book gave off with its cozy photos and colour coordinated illustrations.
I like books that make you reflect on how you live your own life and this definitely did that for me.
Hands: An Anxious Mind Unpicked by Lauren Brown
3.0
Hands is quite the ride! Super emotional, raw, chaotic and at times relatable, this memoir takes you on a journey through anxiety manifested as skin picking and I can see how this will make many people feel seen!
Brown has a way with words and I did enjoy some of the writing including her humorous and self-deprecating tone.
But I also felt that the book as a whole lacked any cohesion, just jumping from memory to anecdote which made me feel pretty anxious!
The dentist chapter honestly made me writhe around in my seat!
Brown has a way with words and I did enjoy some of the writing including her humorous and self-deprecating tone.
But I also felt that the book as a whole lacked any cohesion, just jumping from memory to anecdote which made me feel pretty anxious!
The dentist chapter honestly made me writhe around in my seat!
A Pinch of Love by Barry Timms
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A touching and lyrical read celebrating the power of love, community, kindness and baking!
The Night Animals by Sarah Ann Juckes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
This is a story full of hope, beauty and kindness! I absolutely LOVED it! A story that will break your heart open and then mend it again. The illustrations capture the magic and the descriptive writing has you right there with Nora throughout her journey. The concept is super clever - rainbow ghost-animals representing different emotions - and your attention is grabbed from the get-go!
With themes explored so beautifully, this is truly a novel for all ages but sits within our 9-12 section. I loved the mix of adventure and mental health where our main character, Nora Frost - a young carer, goes on a journey to accepting that she needs help with her Mum who is struggling with PTSD. Also, I must add that we all desperately need a best friend like Kwame in our lives; what a great role model for children to aspire to be!
With themes explored so beautifully, this is truly a novel for all ages but sits within our 9-12 section. I loved the mix of adventure and mental health where our main character, Nora Frost - a young carer, goes on a journey to accepting that she needs help with her Mum who is struggling with PTSD. Also, I must add that we all desperately need a best friend like Kwame in our lives; what a great role model for children to aspire to be!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Love: Poems to Bolster Every Heart That Ever Beat by Donna Ashworth
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Moonflight by Gill Lewis
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
This book was transporting! Absolutely loved the world that Gill Lewis creates in this story. The writing is creative and high quality. I plan to recommend this to all my students! 👌
On this joyous, and at times tense adventure, we follow Tilbury the rat on a fabulously risky quest to remove the curse caused by one of his ancestors who stole the stone! Tilbury is a timid young ratling who goes on his own personal development journey which is truly heartwarming! The side characters are well developed and the writing is pure talent.
Reading it I had Fievel from ‘An American Tail’ in my head, admittedly he’s a mouse but whatever! I also loved ‘Ratatouille’ so maybe rodents are my thing?😂
On this joyous, and at times tense adventure, we follow Tilbury the rat on a fabulously risky quest to remove the curse caused by one of his ancestors who stole the stone! Tilbury is a timid young ratling who goes on his own personal development journey which is truly heartwarming! The side characters are well developed and the writing is pure talent.
Reading it I had Fievel from ‘An American Tail’ in my head, admittedly he’s a mouse but whatever! I also loved ‘Ratatouille’ so maybe rodents are my thing?😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Violence