I Read, Therefore I Blog

The Blurb On The Back:

School. Home. Life. Everything has changed for Amir and Mo since they arrived in the UK as refugees. The two close friends are navigating their new lives as best they can: navigating their new lessons, using new languages.

But when Amir suddenly finds himself in hospital, he starts to read. Through the books, he finds an inspiring, unexpected voice to guide him. Will this help Amir and Mo to finally find their voice and come to terms with their past?

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The Verdict:

Sita Brahmachari’s contemporary novella for readers aged 11+ is part of a collection specifically aimed at readers with dyslexia and those lacking in confidence. It’s a very sensitive, empathic look at friendship, what it means to be a refugee and the terrible experiences that those who have been displaced endure in their journey to the UK that is all the more important given the current political climate.

PHOENIX BROTHERS was released in the United Kingdom on 5 June 2025. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Pen in one hand,
On my wrist,
A ticking clock
I’ve got to make this work,
Just need
A little luck …

When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it’s finally time they move from East London to East Anglia.

In his new city, as a Black teenager in a mostly white school, Ronny feels like a complete outsider and struggled to balance keeping his head down with his ambition of becoming a rapper.

But when a local poet comes into class, Ronny discovers and opportunity he never considered before. Rap is like spoken word, bars equal poetry - and maybe the combination of both could be the key to achieving his dreams?

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The Verdict:

Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s YA novel effectively uses its verse narrative to tell a compelling story of a boy who learns how to tap into his creativity to express himself. However I don’t think that the Malachi storyline had the intended impact and nor did Ronny’s friendship with the extroverted Leigh. That said, the use of language is great and Ronny’s guilt over Maz holds true. I’d definitely check out the author’s other work on the basis of this.

WILD EAST was released in the United Kingdom on 23rd May 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Meet … Sunshine Simpson

Sunshine’s larger-than-life Grandad is always telling her to get out and find her own adventures, but unfortunately BAD LUCK has a habit of coming her way.

Her new friend Evie is fast becoming a FRENEMY, her home haircut is a DISASTER, and the school showcase is so STRESSFUL! Everything seems to be going wrong! Especially with Granddad getting older every week.

Sunshine needs to find her voice, but can she break through the clouds to stand tall, stand proud and show the world she can SHINE?

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The Verdict:

G. M. Linton’s debut novel for readers aged 9+ (illustrated by Fuuji Takashi and Emily Bornoff and the first in a series) is a sensitively written book about learning who you are and what’s important to you while also dealing with the difficult topic of illness, death and grief. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on Sunshine’s Jamaican heritage and her and her family’s pride in their identity and I look forward to reading more of her adventures.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The story of a dolphin, a girl and a life-changing friendship

Ró finds school impossible. When she reads, the words seem to jump around on the page, and she just can’t make them stick.

But when she goes to the bay each afternoon to watch a dolphin leap through the water, she finds the strength to keep going. Then the dolphin disappears, and everything in her life starts falling apart. Can Ró overcome her fears to find him?

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The Verdict:

Serena Molloy’s novel for readers aged 9+ is a moving coming-of-age story about a girl struggling with dyslexia against the backdrop of the breakup of her parents’ marriage told in a lyrical style. The formatting of the text is unusual in how it distributes text across the page but works well with George Ermos’s dynamic illustrations (although I do wish there had been more in a manga style given that Ró is described as using it in her own art).

WIDER THAN THE SEA was released in the United Kingdom on 30th March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Here’s what you need to know about me: I’m seventeen and a comedy god … in waiting. TBC and all that. But I know I’m pretty funny. I have two and a half terms left before going to uni, so if I want to try stand-up, it’s now or never

More than anything in the world, Madhu wants to be a stand-up comedian, but her parents are rooting for her to do something sensible that involves uni and a law degree.

Just as she thinks they’re probably right, a clip of Madhu goes viral and a comedy legend offers her the chance of a lifetime. It feels like all her dreams are coming true … until Madhu becomes the punchline.

Can Madhu stand up for what she believes is right and keep everyone she loves laughing?

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The Verdict:

Nikesh Shukla’s contemporary YA novel has a sharp-tongued female main character who makes interesting points about race and sexism, including among the British Asian community. Although the book makes the most of its Bristol setting, the plot is predictable and strains credibility but the big issue is that the comedy routines are flat and unfunny, with Madhu coming across as gobby and mean-spirited, which makes it hard to root for her.

STAND UP was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd March 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Wag your tail if you believe in fairies!

Oh no! Peggy the pug’s local park is shutting down! Now where will she go for walks with Chloe, her best friend? Chloe plans a summer fair with a cake sale to save the park, but Peggy has a better idea - she just needs to find a fairy to grant her friend’s wish!

You don’t always need wings and a wand to work some magic …

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The Verdict:

The 7th in Bella Swift’s (a pseudonym for a group of writers) illustrated series for readers aged 6+ is a genuinely fun affair that gets across how Peggy is very keen to help but doesn’t quite understand everything that is going on. I enjoyed her friendship with Chloe and especially her conversations with the other dogs and animals, which are well done while the illustrations have a warmth to them and get across the various personalities.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Emma is beautiful.
Men stare at her.
Girls are jealous of her.

Yet Emma is trapped.

Trapped by her beauty and trapped by a lack of prospects. She sleeps on her nan’s sofa and rushes to cleaning jobs after school. She dreams that there’s more to life than just scraping by.

Then Emma is tempted by two men who promise her the world in exchange for modelling work. But there’s a dark side to their offer that she will only discover when she’s in too deep …

Can Emma break free and take control of her own life?

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The Verdict:

Shappi Khorsandi’s contemporary YA novel uses the life of Nelson’s mistress, Lady Emma Hamilton, reimagining her as a girl on a council estate. Khorsandi is strong on prejudice, the difficulties of having a low income and the low expectations of teens from these backgrounds, but the story is repetitive with a series of selfish or abusive men taking advantage and Emma not dealing with it, which I found dull, while the pacing is lop-sided.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Round these ends, it’s hard to hold on to your dreams.

Life’s a constant hustle for Mo. Her mum’s boyfriend Lloyd is just another man who likes to beat down women; the South Crong streets are fraught with hazards and nasty G’s; and when it comes to matters of the heart … she’s still hung up on Sam. No wonder she’s vexed so much of the time.

Thank God her sisters, Elaine and Naomi, are on her side.

But when badness goes down and a life is let handing in the balance, Mo has to face her hot urge for revenge … and she might end up losing more than she wins.

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The Verdict:

The third in Alex Wheatle’s YA CRONGTON SEQUENCE has a wonderful narrative voice that reads authentically and does a great job of portraying female teenage friendship and the chaotic and difficult life on an estate. I was less convinced by some of Mo’s decisions in the final quarter of the book, mainly because I needed a bit more consideration of her thinking, but it’s still a good read and I will definitely check out the rest of the Sequence.

The Blurb On The Back:

The boat sways and rocks.
Bodies pressed against bodies.
Holding on for our lives.

Natalie’s world is falling apart. She’s just lost her mum, and her brother marches the streets of Dover with a far-right gang. Swimming is her only refuge.

Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future.

A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope.

But is hope enough to mend a broken world?

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The Verdict:

Manjeet Mann’s YA novel pitches the plight of refugees against increasing anti-refugee sentiment within the UK. It’s told in verse and very well written with Mann effortlessly switching between Sammy and Nat to emphasise their common experiences and emotions. Sammy’s experiences make it a difficult read at times while Mann shows why people are attracted to racism without excusing it. This will be on the 2021 awards lists and it deserves to be.

THE CROSSING was released in the United Kingdom on 3rd June 2021. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

”I wonder what people would think if they could take the front off our house, like a doll’s house, and watch us. All in the same house, but everyone separate. No one talking, but everyone thinking the same thing. Will we ever be a normal family again?”

Izzy’s family is under the spotlight when her dad comes out as Danielle, a trans woman. Now shy Izzy must face her fears, find her voice, confront the bullies and stand up for her family.

Warm, honest and hopeful, this is a story about the power of family, friendship and being true to yourself.

You can buy NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE by Sarah Hagger-Holt from Amazon UK, Waterstone’s or Bookshop.org UK.  I earn commission on any purchases made through these links.

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The Verdict:

Sarah Hagger-Holt’s contemporary novel for children aged 9+ is a sensitive look at what it’s like to have a parent who realises that they need to transition. Although it’s very much an ‘issue’ book, at times I think it soft soaps some of the prejudice that trans people face by merging it in with generic teasing and bullying. However, saying that, it is a book with a lot of heart and a strong theme of friendship that children will enjoy.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.