Reviewed by sstaley on
Main character Sophie has a hemangioma on her face that makes her feel like a monster. Readers find out from the first that she feels she was cursed by a witch. Sophie retreats in her own world as she reads her book, The Big Book of Monsters. As she goes throughout her life she identifies the people around her as monsters and fairies. This is a coping mechanism for her as she deals with bullies at school and out in public. Sophie's single mom tries hard to bring her out of her shell but often doesn't know how to help her child. This book told from Sophie's child-like perspective deals with huge human issues of bullying, anxiety, and a deadly disease; but it also shows the beauty of friendship and acceptance and learning to love yourself despite what's going on inside or outside of ones self.
This novel would be a great book to read out-loud to children in the home where good discussions could take place. My other favorite characters were Autumn, Sophie's "fairy-like" friend, her grandmother the "good witch" Mrs. Barrett, and her mother's boyfriend Kelsi who taught her a lot about self acceptance. This book is a well written first novel by the author which is brimming with good messages. This novel is bound to teach many children about hard to talk about issues within the pages of a sweet story.
****Come follow me & my reviews at:
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com
Like my Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/WhyNotBecaus...
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 10 March, 2019: Finished reading
- 10 March, 2019: Reviewed