Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

(Review by Megan, age 14)

The original story behind the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why is a very raw and emotional story about a suicidal girl who has left behind casette tapes for her peers who are the 'reasons why'. 

The book is different from the on-screen show, but is definitely still hard-hitting and certainly makes you think about the affect you make on other people's lives, that however small it may be, it can make a big difference. It might not be a story for everyone, but I think that everyone should read it, because unfortunately, it is based on countless true stories that are still happening around the world today.

Overall, a very touching, emotive and important tale, told in a realistic and heart-breaking way. I recommend this book to anyone aged 13+.

The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

The Apple Tart of Hope
by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

This was such a lovely book. The style of writing reminded me so much of John Boyne and Frank Cottrell-Boyce. It's gentle, heartfelt, emotional, a little book kooky - I just adored it. It had the feel of a 9-12yr audience, but the subject matter might deny that age group because it deals with attempted suicide which I think is a bit too adult emotionally for young children to grasp and cope with.

The story is set in Ireland. Oscar and Meg are best friends - they live next door to each other, go to the same school, they talk all day and nearly all night out of their bedroom windows. Meg's father takes a job in New Zealand for 6 months, and Meg reluctantly goes with them. While they're away, Paloma and her mother move in to Meg's old house, and Oscar befriends Paloma. But this is where Oscar's life suddenly gets turned around, from good to bad. He is hurt, ridiculed, and bullied, and due to an awful misunderstanding over a letter, Meg no longer keeps in contact with him. He feels all alone, and sees only one way out. But what Oscar doesn't realise is that there are people around who care about him, and save him from a life-threatening action.

A beautiful book about being different, about good and bad friendships, and how salvation can come from an unlikely place.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
by Matthew Quick

Leonard is a troubled soul. His parents are no longer together - his ex-rock star alcoholic father is no longer in the picture, and his fashion designer mother spends most of her time away from home with her French boyfriend. It is his 18th birthday, but nobody remembers. He is bullied at school by Asher Beale, one-time best friend until that dreadful life-changing incident. He is unhappy, and he sees no happiness in the future for himself either, so he makes the decision to take himself out of this world and into another, happier place - and take Asher Beale with him. And that's where his grandfather's P-38 gun that was used to kill a Nazi officer in World War II, comes into the picture. It is up to his 3 friends in the world - Herr Silverman his history and German teacher; Walt his Humphrey Bogart film loving neighbour; Lauren the beautiful Christian - to convince him that life is worth living. But will it be enough?

This is understandably a very sad story. Poor Leonard, even though he is highly intelligent, is seen as a weirdo by his classmates, so when he starts to spiral downwards no-one seems to notice because they think he is strange anyway. The school guidance counsellor remarks on his behaviour but when he laughs it off, so does she. You end up screaming at some of the characters to give him the help he needs, stop the inevitable from happening. Thankfully Herr Silverman is a lot more astute and aware and you hope you can rely on him to pull Leonard out of his suicidal hole.

There were a few annoying things in the story, the first being footnotes. I'm not a big fan of these, they seem to tear you away from the moment and when the story is so emotionally heavy, it takes a while to get back into it. The second is the sudden introduction of letters from the future. You wonder what on earth it is about, until it is explained a little further into the book. The third is the ending - I often seem disappointed by endings, but this one really annoys. See what you think yourselves.

Other than that, a really enjoyable, thoughtful, heartbreaking story about a taboo subject.