'I feel like I'm always ... last. Like I'm running to try and keep up with everyone but it's no good.'
April has always marched to the beat of her own drum, but would life be easier if she learned to fit in? Now that she's in Year 8, things have got even worse. She's much more likely to be trying to rescue an animal in need than worrying about who's dating who at school, which April just finds BORING. Plus, her lessons feel like they're in a foreign language, and it suddenly seems impossible to make it through the week without landing in detention.
As family worries and classroom romances ramp up, it feels like everyone around her is pulling away - even her best friend Ben. But when the pressure's on, can she find a way to fit in and still be true to herself?
An empowering follow up to When I See Blue about finding your place in the world from the inspiring author and mental health activist, Lily Bailey.
Some books you know are going to be classics as soon as you start reading. This is definitely one of them. Lily has captured beautifully the confusion and pain of early teenagehood, and done it in a way that doesn't feel like lecturing, it just feels like a story.
April has traits that I always thought were associated with dyslexia, not dyspraxia; it's always interesting to learn new things, and this did lead me to look up some information on both! I also may have teared up a bit at some of the Flame scenes, but that's just me.
April's frustration and anger were so familiar from my teenage years, I think anyone who reads this will empathise whether they have dsypraxia or not. I loved her pointing out that there's no one way to be an Uber Reader and as long as you're reading, whatever it may be, you're in!
A fantastic read that needs to be on every school shelf in the country.
When I Feel Red publishes on the 15th of February, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment