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A review by katykelly
Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? by Holly Bourne
4.0
Mental health honesty for teenagers, an engaging story and heroine.
Holly Bourne has been on my radar for several years, but this is my first. It's refreshing to read teenage-aimed books that put a spotlight on mental illness.
We meet a youth, Olive, who clearly isn't mentally well, but who refuses to know her diagnosis, though accepting she needs help after one of many increasingly disturbing episodes. From the description of her behaviour and symptoms, it feels fairly obvious what 'may' be the problem, but it doesn't matter overly. The story moves to a rehabilitation 'camp' for teenagers suffering a multitude of mental issues.
Here Olive is encouraged to join in, to talk to other residents, to look in depth at her problems. Never one to give in easily to authority, Olive tries to find her own way into understanding herself and solving her issues.
There is an enjoyable range of characters in Camp Reset, who are all recognisable as individuals, a sign of good writing. I felt a few times that this was reminiscent of Juno Dawson's 'Clean' but the premises are not the same at all.
Olive is highly likeable, though you can see her problems coming. She's funny, aware of her charms, though less so of her mental health, and keen to make a difference. It's good to see her move from examining herself to seeing the bigger picture.
Though we did get glimpses into the mental issues of the other camp residents, it was the Olive Show, despite some realistic teenagers in there.
Some uplifting ideas in here, some powerful scenes of adolescents struggling to cope with modern life and their own internal disturbances. The focus on teamwork and helping each other was a good one and there's a warm feeling awaiting you at the end...
Some slightly graphic sexual content, frank discussions on mental health and relationships, make this a book best suited to older teens.
One for ages 14 and above.
Holly Bourne has been on my radar for several years, but this is my first. It's refreshing to read teenage-aimed books that put a spotlight on mental illness.
We meet a youth, Olive, who clearly isn't mentally well, but who refuses to know her diagnosis, though accepting she needs help after one of many increasingly disturbing episodes. From the description of her behaviour and symptoms, it feels fairly obvious what 'may' be the problem, but it doesn't matter overly. The story moves to a rehabilitation 'camp' for teenagers suffering a multitude of mental issues.
Here Olive is encouraged to join in, to talk to other residents, to look in depth at her problems. Never one to give in easily to authority, Olive tries to find her own way into understanding herself and solving her issues.
There is an enjoyable range of characters in Camp Reset, who are all recognisable as individuals, a sign of good writing. I felt a few times that this was reminiscent of Juno Dawson's 'Clean' but the premises are not the same at all.
Olive is highly likeable, though you can see her problems coming. She's funny, aware of her charms, though less so of her mental health, and keen to make a difference. It's good to see her move from examining herself to seeing the bigger picture.
Though we did get glimpses into the mental issues of the other camp residents, it was the Olive Show, despite some realistic teenagers in there.
Some uplifting ideas in here, some powerful scenes of adolescents struggling to cope with modern life and their own internal disturbances. The focus on teamwork and helping each other was a good one and there's a warm feeling awaiting you at the end...
Some slightly graphic sexual content, frank discussions on mental health and relationships, make this a book best suited to older teens.
One for ages 14 and above.