Joanna Kenrick

The coming-of-age of eleven year-old Angelica, called Jelly by all. She knows her weight makes her different from her classmates and she's also aware that she compensates by being the class clown. Making the other kids laugh with her rather than at her is a defense mechanism she's completely aware of and she wishes things were different. She also wishes her mother could pick better boyfriends, and that wish seems to come true.
An interesting story about an angst-filled girl, whose poetry is too mature for an eleven year old. Still enjoyable.… (meer)

This should be essential reading for any child who has lost a parent. Calypso's emotions and feelings are illustrated so beautifully; from making her first best friend to dealing with her grief stricken father.
More than that though this book demonstrates beautifully the joy of reading and the comfort that a familiar book can bring. I love the scene where Calypso is wondering if she's normal because she's never played a computer game. As someone whose main aim in life is encouraging reading for pleasure this book is like a little ray of sunshine.
I can't recommend this highly enough.… (meer)

An absolutely stunning book which can hit hard and make you cry. I know I certainly did! The author's writing is so creative and powerful in this that I think this is possibly one of the best books that I've ever read. I would recommend it to anybody that's into powerful books.

Inside Cover:

What if you had nothing left but the tales inside your head?
This is the tale of an ordinary child, just like any other, apart from the terrible times in which she lives.
This is the tale of an extraordinary child, whose wild imagination gives the people around her a reason to survive.
This is the tale of Amina, separated from her family and forced to flee the war ravaging her country, who finds hope in the power of stories to never give up on the people she loves.
This is a tale of love and war, family and friendship, and it will stay with you for as long as the stars are in the sky.… (meer)