A review by missoliviareadsbooks
Needle by Patrice Lawrence

4.0

Nominated for the YOTO Carnegie Medal 2023

4.5 stars

Oooooofffhhh - this hit me in my emotions too.

Patrice Lawrence is an absolute literary goddess (who I have had the honour to meet more than once) and has such a way with addressing subjects that many will avoid talking about because of how "sensitive" they are.

In "Needle", we meet Charlene who despite all the challenges of losing her mother and growing up in the foster care system split up from her younger sister, just wants to be safe, secure and create something for her sister to cherish - a dinosaur blanket.

But what happens when Charlene refuses to apologise when everyone tells her she is in the wrong?

My heart broke for Charlene in this, especially in that she was only doing the right thing in her eyes to protect what she cherishes most.

This is another superb outing from Queen Patrice Lawrence.