Tamsin Winter - Girl (In Real Life)

Age 11+

About the Book:

What's it like to grow up online and have every tantrum, every spot - even your first period - broadcast to hundreds of thousands of followers?  A funny and heartfelt novel for fans of Geek Girl, from the award-winning Tamsin Winter. 

Most parents try to limit their kids' online exposure.  But not Eva's.  Her parents run a hugely successful YouTube channel, and Eva is the star of the show.  But Eva is getting sick of being made to pose in stupid mum-and-daughter matching outfits for sponsored posts.  The freebies aren't worth the teasing at school.  And when an intensely humiliating "period party" goes viral, Eva is outraged.  She's going to find a way to stop the channel, even if she has to sabotage it herself. 

My review: 

My daughter and I loved reading the contemporary Girl (In Real Life) from one of our favourite authors @tamsinwinterauthor
12 year old Eva has been the subject of her parents' YouTube channel, All About Eva, since before she was born, and she's had enough.

5/5 from us, for the opportunity to discuss the biological and emotional changes that occur between Year 7- Year 9, the relevance of social media in school, and just a brilliant book full of drama, great characters and cringeworthy moments with heart.

Disclaimer: we received a free paperback copy of this book from the publisher, @usborne_books in exchange for a review. All honest opinions are from me and my daughter.

Buy Girl (In Real Life) from my Usborne shop, Awesome Bookshop, £7.99

William Hussey - The Outrage

 William Hussey - The Outrage

LGBTQ

Age 14+

About the book: 

"You know, when you live in a time of progress, it seems that progress is the only possible way. The idea that everything we'd gained, all of those hard-won rights, could be taken away from us, and that open minds could be closed again? But then the Outrage happened."

Welcome to England, where the Protectorate enforces the Public Good. Here, there are rules for everything - what to eat, what to wear, what to do, what to say, what to read, what to think, who to obey, who to hate, who to love. Your safety is assured, so long as you follow the rules.

Gabriel is a natural born rule-breaker. And his biggest crime of all? Being gay.

Gabriel knows his sexuality must be kept secret from all but his closest friends, not only to protect himself, but to protect his boyfriend. Because Eric isn't just the boy who has stolen Gabriel's heart. He's the son of the chief inspector at Degenerate Investigations ­­­- the man who poses the single biggest threat to Gabriel's life.

And the Protectorate are experts at exposing secrets.

My review: 

I've had The Outrage on my bookshelf for a few months now, and finally started reading it at lunch time today. Four hours later I slowly closed the final pages on a stunning book, full of real friendships between The Rebels and the raw relationship of Gabe and Eric, plus also humour, warmth and edge-of-your-seat stuff. The dual timelines really helped to add poignancy to early events, whilst the current timeline kept the pages turning. Relatable references (early warning signs?) from literature, film and history added even more depth to a book that more people should be reading and talking about. Will recommend to my book club to read next month.

5/5

Buy The Outrage from my online Usborne shop, Awesome Bookshop, £7.99

Holly Bourne - The Yearbook

 YA Book Review 

Holly Bourne - The Yearbook 

Age 14+

 

About the book:

Finding your voice. Speaking the truth. Falling in love. All the biggest drama happens in high school...
Mean Girls meets To All The Boys I've Loved Before in this hugely relatable high-school takedown from the queen of UKYA.

Paige is used to staying quiet in the face of lies. Like how popular girl Grace is a such an amazing person (lie). How Laura steals people's boyfriends (lie). How her own family are so perfect (lie).

Now Grace and friends have picked their "best" high-school moments for Paige to put in the all-important Yearbook. And they're not just lies. They're poison.

But Paige has finally had enough. And as she starts to find love through the pages of a book, she finds her voice too. Now she is going to rewrite her story - and the Yearbook is the perfect place to do it.

My Review: 

I love Holly Bourne's relatable and insightful storytelling.  Her latest novel, The Yearbook, began unexpectedly, with the focus on home rather than school.  We learn more about Paige, and how she takes control over her life, this way.  Midway through the book we meet a wonderful character and I couldn't turn the page fast enough to discover how Paige's story unfolds.  

4/5 

Buy The Yearbook from my online Usborne shop, Awesome Bookshop, £7.99