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jenpaul13's review against another edition
3.0
Homes offer a sense of identity, particularly for those in their formative years. Sarah Carroll's The Girl In Between depicts life on the street and on the move for a young girl and her mother from the eyes of the young girl.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Within the walls of her Castle, a young girl can dream of the fairy tale life she wants instead of the harsh reality of homelessness she faces every day. While she has free reign over the Castle, she must be vigilant to remain invisible from the outside world or risk being taken away from her mother by the Authorities. With Authority representatives in yellow vests coming around her Castle to evaluate it, the girl fears that her home may be taken away from her or she from it, which would greatly change her life. In learning about the Castle's history as a mill from a fellow squatter, called the Caretaker, who is struggling against his past and grief to leave the mill after forty-seven years, the girl realizes that her mother also needs to face what's haunting her in order to keep moving forward.
A quick read that presents the realities of the world through the lens of a young girl offering a new perspective from which to consider the unfortunate issue of homelessness that plagues society. While the perspective of and experience with homelessness from the vantage point of young girl was quite intriguing and interesting as it was written in a manner that was captivating and using language that befits the narrator, the narrative was ultimately rather confusing, perhaps because it lacked an appreciable plot. With the minimal plot present, the "twist" at the end of the story, while a key point of the narrative, wasn't as poignant as it could have been had a plot been reasonably developed.
Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Within the walls of her Castle, a young girl can dream of the fairy tale life she wants instead of the harsh reality of homelessness she faces every day. While she has free reign over the Castle, she must be vigilant to remain invisible from the outside world or risk being taken away from her mother by the Authorities. With Authority representatives in yellow vests coming around her Castle to evaluate it, the girl fears that her home may be taken away from her or she from it, which would greatly change her life. In learning about the Castle's history as a mill from a fellow squatter, called the Caretaker, who is struggling against his past and grief to leave the mill after forty-seven years, the girl realizes that her mother also needs to face what's haunting her in order to keep moving forward.
A quick read that presents the realities of the world through the lens of a young girl offering a new perspective from which to consider the unfortunate issue of homelessness that plagues society. While the perspective of and experience with homelessness from the vantage point of young girl was quite intriguing and interesting as it was written in a manner that was captivating and using language that befits the narrator, the narrative was ultimately rather confusing, perhaps because it lacked an appreciable plot. With the minimal plot present, the "twist" at the end of the story, while a key point of the narrative, wasn't as poignant as it could have been had a plot been reasonably developed.
Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
A book that feels sad, that feels without a conclusion... until the last few pages.
Sam and her mother (Ma) are homeless, having left Sam's grandmother's house after a fight. All Sam wants is a home, a safe place, somewhere where the looking Authorities can't find her and take her away. Her Ma copes with drugs and alcohol, though they have found 'the Castle', a huge dilapidated building that's all theirs...
This is poignantly moving about the dangers and everyday life of a homeless family, quite upsetting though it never becomes graphic.
For most of the book I wasn't sure what I thought of this, it didn't feel as though the story was taking me anywhere. Finally, the closing pages showed me the point of the book, and though I appreciated the turn, which brought back some interest, it didn't answer all my questions or make perfect sense, and isn't a plot twist I would have wanted to read about if I had known.
The writing, however, is very good. Sam's voice (and accent) are well established, the world of a homeless girl and her love for a downward-spiralling mother are heart-tuggingly sad. She is charmingly innocent.
This is a YA novel, and there's nothing unsuitable here for KS3 readers, besides some swearing. The slow pace may not suit all though, but the payoff is good for those patient enough. It's a short read as well, and the themes of family and homelessness would be excellent for discussions.
With thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
Sam and her mother (Ma) are homeless, having left Sam's grandmother's house after a fight. All Sam wants is a home, a safe place, somewhere where the looking Authorities can't find her and take her away. Her Ma copes with drugs and alcohol, though they have found 'the Castle', a huge dilapidated building that's all theirs...
This is poignantly moving about the dangers and everyday life of a homeless family, quite upsetting though it never becomes graphic.
For most of the book I wasn't sure what I thought of this, it didn't feel as though the story was taking me anywhere. Finally, the closing pages showed me the point of the book, and though I appreciated the turn, which brought back some interest, it didn't answer all my questions or make perfect sense, and isn't a plot twist I would have wanted to read about if I had known.
The writing, however, is very good. Sam's voice (and accent) are well established, the world of a homeless girl and her love for a downward-spiralling mother are heart-tuggingly sad. She is charmingly innocent.
This is a YA novel, and there's nothing unsuitable here for KS3 readers, besides some swearing. The slow pace may not suit all though, but the payoff is good for those patient enough. It's a short read as well, and the themes of family and homelessness would be excellent for discussions.
With thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
catalinagm11's review against another edition
4.0
It had a really interesting plot twist but I was disappointed in so many parts. But I really liked the idea and how she expressed what the characters were feeling, it was a really nice and interesting book.
kawarwick's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to get into the writing style of this book. I couldn't put it down because I had so many questions.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition
5.0
This was so, so sad. I did not expect that ending. What a great book!
maryam162424's review against another edition
4.0
*3.75 stars* I became really attached to the main character, Sam. The twist at the end had me kinda confused but it did catch me by surprise. This is a good read but I am kind of lost about the ending!
readsbyross's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my God this book!! It was so beautiful and the twist at the end — jaw-dropping. I had suspected it towards the end but that didn’t make it any less shocking or harrowing. A beautiful debut and Carroll clearly has heaps of potential.
remusreads's review against another edition
2.0
Actual rating: 2.5*'s.
I'm incredibly mixed in my rating...
This book is confusing to say the least - I have to say that even after finishing it I'm still extremely perplexed and confused as to what actually happened. I understand the "twist" and all, but before that I'm not exactly sure. I don't understand. I think, honestly, this book is a big question mark for me wherein it'll take a while for it to sink in and for me to genuinely soak it all up.
Despite my confusion at the plot, I did enjoy this book in a strange way and I read through it all in one sitting, so it is obviously well written enough to keep me sucked in. The characters are interesting, the smaller woven plots are intriguing and the writing style is impeccable and that is certainly what kept me interested throughout. The way it is written is enthralling and keeps you interested as you read, even with the lacking plot. I think what redeems this book for me is the writing - the writing is absolutely brilliant and the way it is written kept me involved in the story.
There was something utterly charming about the characters that kept me intrigued and the topic of homelessness in this novel is something that is rarely covered in YA fiction and that gripped me too; it was interesting to read something so vastly different than the norm.
So, despite my lack of absorption in the plot, I think this book has a lot of promise. To be entirely honest, I think it was me that didn't quite gel with the plot as opposed to the plot being absent.
I would recommend this book if the premise sucks you in! Even if the plot doesn't turn out to be your cup of tea, I think it's definitely worth it for the writing alone.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy for review!
I'm incredibly mixed in my rating...
This book is confusing to say the least - I have to say that even after finishing it I'm still extremely perplexed and confused as to what actually happened. I understand the "twist" and all, but before that I'm not exactly sure. I don't understand. I think, honestly, this book is a big question mark for me wherein it'll take a while for it to sink in and for me to genuinely soak it all up.
Despite my confusion at the plot, I did enjoy this book in a strange way and I read through it all in one sitting, so it is obviously well written enough to keep me sucked in. The characters are interesting, the smaller woven plots are intriguing and the writing style is impeccable and that is certainly what kept me interested throughout. The way it is written is enthralling and keeps you interested as you read, even with the lacking plot. I think what redeems this book for me is the writing - the writing is absolutely brilliant and the way it is written kept me involved in the story.
There was something utterly charming about the characters that kept me intrigued and the topic of homelessness in this novel is something that is rarely covered in YA fiction and that gripped me too; it was interesting to read something so vastly different than the norm.
So, despite my lack of absorption in the plot, I think this book has a lot of promise. To be entirely honest, I think it was me that didn't quite gel with the plot as opposed to the plot being absent.
I would recommend this book if the premise sucks you in! Even if the plot doesn't turn out to be your cup of tea, I think it's definitely worth it for the writing alone.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy for review!