Mel Darbon

When Maudie's Dad died of cancer, her family's world imploded. Both Maudie and her Mum barely had chance to grieve as they needed to care for Jake, Maudie's brother, who has profound difficulties. Now, two years later, Maudie is making plans for her future at college alongside best friend Izzy, her Mum, however, really cannot cope and suddenly leaves. Maudie finds that legally she cannot care for Jake on her own and their Aunt Eve sends Jake into temporary foster care. Maudie decides that she must get Mum back and 'kidnaps' Jake to travel to Cornwall, a place of happy memories.
As part of our school reading programme I had to read Darbon's last book' Rosie Loves Jack' with my form group. They loved the story and it takes a lot to get through to 15-year-olds! Therefore I had high expectations of this book and was not disappointed. Darbon is very clear that she writes to show that people with disabilities have thoughts and feelings and she promotes independence as well as highlighting negative attitudes. Maudie is a misguided but feisty heroine and, although the plot is as creaky as a caravan (!), it's a great book. I'm sure my form would love this as well.… (mais)

This book was a challenge for me. I had to get behind the eyes of a character that's not often represented, at least not as the lead narrator, in books that I've previously read, and while exciting, it left me initially unsettled...much like I'm guessing she feels when people express themselves differently to her. I pressed on, found my footing, and quite honestly, could not believe the strength, the beauty, and the wonder of our girl Rosie.

She could charm you with a smile, disarm you with her simple few of the world, and melt your heart with her innocence. She knew her feelings for Jack were real, something worth fighting for, so when obstacles were put in her way, there was nothing that would stop her from reaching him. Like she says...Jack made Rosie, Rosie....and Rosie made Jack, Jack. They completed each other, maybe not in the exact sense that everyone imagines, but it worked for them, and anyway, what two relationships look EXACTLY alike? The miles she travels, the people she interacts with, the situations she finds herself in, would be enough to topple the most able-bodied genius to their knees. Those that showed her kindness, I blessed. Those that showed her indifference, I wished enlightenment upon. Those that showed her disdain, I thought less than nice words towards. Those that aimed to harm her and shatter her brightness in the world...were my sworn enemy. You see, it doesn't matter how kind a heart or innocent a soul, bad things can happen...but it's that desire to push through, that never say die spirit, that uniqueness of her viewpoint and her ability to always look for good in the world that helped her come out the other side. True, the ending is fraught with potential disaster despite all she went through...but you can't help but see how much better the world is for having Rosie in it, and hoping against hope that she gets her happy ending.

So if you're looking for a Young Adult book with a unique perspective, and a gritty story that just might end in the love of a lifetime, this is SO the book for you!


**ARC received fore review; opinions are my own… (mais)