A review by birdykinsreads
SWAN: The Girl Who Grew by Sidura Ludwig

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

A bittersweet novel told in verse about Anna Swan’s growth from girl to Giantess of Nova Scotia. Based on the true story of Swan’s childhood Ludwig takes some liberties with the details and in doing so paints such a vivid and wistful picture of what Swan might have felt and gone through. The poetry is beautiful, accessible and the way she tells this story is so compelling. We leave Anna Swan after her first exhibition with a hopefulness for what comes next and I didn’t want it to end. I wish I could have read her entire life story told from Ludwig’s imaginings, her family felt so real and her small town was populated with such vibrant characters. This is considered middle-grade but I found it incredibly engaging as an adult reader, too. I can see it easily enchanting readers of all ages.