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If You Read This
When Brie was younger, her mama would surprise her with treasure hunts around their town. After she died three years ago, these became Brie’s favourite memories.
Now on her twelve birthday, her mama has another surprise: a series of letters leading Brie on one last treasure hunt.
The first letter guides Brie to a special place.
The next urges her to unlock a secret.
And the last will change her life as she knows it.
In this poignant coming-of-age story of new memories, surprises, and moments of healing, Kereen Getten beautifully captures the edge of adolescence, when everything is thrilling, amazing, and terrifying in a way it will never be again.
Now on her twelve birthday, her mama has another surprise: a series of letters leading Brie on one last treasure hunt.
The first letter guides Brie to a special place.
The next urges her to unlock a secret.
And the last will change her life as she knows it.
In this poignant coming-of-age story of new memories, surprises, and moments of healing, Kereen Getten beautifully captures the edge of adolescence, when everything is thrilling, amazing, and terrifying in a way it will never be again.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2022
About the author
Kereen Getten
13 books116 followersKereen Getten grew up in Jamaica where she would climb fruit trees in the family garden and eat as much mango, guinep and pear as she could without being caught. She now lives in Birmingham with her family and writes stories about her childhood experiences. When Life Gives You Mangos is her debut novel.
Visit her on n Instagram @Kereengetten
Visit her on n Instagram @Kereengetten
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 28, 2024
This is a really sweet and gentle story about a young girl learning how to continue loving and remembering her Mother after death. The plot loosely follows a scavenger hunt of letters left to her by her late mother as she rediscovers all the ways she can honour her Mother’s memory and adventurous spirit. It’s not too dark or emotional, it strikes just the right balance of heartfelt and heartwarming.
I would definitely recommend the audiobook as the narrator Sara Novak was wonderful, doing the character’s Caribbean accents and mannerisms justice. It’s a shorter listen and I downloaded free as part of the Audible Plus catalogue.
I would definitely recommend the audiobook as the narrator Sara Novak was wonderful, doing the character’s Caribbean accents and mannerisms justice. It’s a shorter listen and I downloaded free as part of the Audible Plus catalogue.
April 16, 2023
Get ready for a heart-warming, adventurous read between a mother and daughter…
In Kereen Getten’s second book, If You Read This we meet Brie who lost her mother to an illness over three years ago. Brie is about to celebrate her twelfth birthday and birthdays are generally had because of how much she misses her mother and would want to have her there. While Brie does have the strong support of her friends, aunts, uncle, father and grandparents she truly misses her mother.
As part of her twelfth birthday celebrations, Brie is given a surprise from her mother- a box filled with letters that leads to a treasure hunt. The treasure being, Brie finding her mother’s special place. Brie gets to hear from her mother through the letters, uncover family secrets and learn more about who she is becoming as a young adult. What secret is her father keeping from her, what will her mother’s secret place be like? Brie finds this all out when she reads each letter.
I am generally not a middle grade reader but I always enjoy Kereen Getten’s writing, because it feels so innocent and heart-warming- also I love the fact that it is set in the Caribbean. I am a huge fan of mother daughter themes and I felt the author did a great job of exploring grief in a middle grader who lost her mother. I also love how much of an adventurer the mother was and how she raised Brie to be brave.
If you are looking for a heart-warming read, filled with adventure- I cannot recommend this book enough! A solid #ReadCaribbean pick!
In Kereen Getten’s second book, If You Read This we meet Brie who lost her mother to an illness over three years ago. Brie is about to celebrate her twelfth birthday and birthdays are generally had because of how much she misses her mother and would want to have her there. While Brie does have the strong support of her friends, aunts, uncle, father and grandparents she truly misses her mother.
As part of her twelfth birthday celebrations, Brie is given a surprise from her mother- a box filled with letters that leads to a treasure hunt. The treasure being, Brie finding her mother’s special place. Brie gets to hear from her mother through the letters, uncover family secrets and learn more about who she is becoming as a young adult. What secret is her father keeping from her, what will her mother’s secret place be like? Brie finds this all out when she reads each letter.
I am generally not a middle grade reader but I always enjoy Kereen Getten’s writing, because it feels so innocent and heart-warming- also I love the fact that it is set in the Caribbean. I am a huge fan of mother daughter themes and I felt the author did a great job of exploring grief in a middle grader who lost her mother. I also love how much of an adventurer the mother was and how she raised Brie to be brave.
If you are looking for a heart-warming read, filled with adventure- I cannot recommend this book enough! A solid #ReadCaribbean pick!
March 21, 2023
*Audibl e audio *
Narration and story: 4 stars 🌟
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Really enjoyed this one, a short but sweet and compelling/powerful story about grief, sometimes complicated families, and friendships.
I wanted to hug Brie a few times during this. I understand the frustration she had with her dad but I could see it from his side too.. doesn't mean he didn't drop the ball but nothing was clarified.. though I had a gut feeling it was a bit of both thing that passes through my mind.
The idea of the scavenger hunt and the letters warmed my heart. It was a beautiful gift and the end result plus the origination of it had me tearing up a bit:).
The ending was sweet but a bit rushed too.. it made me smile but at the same time I wanted to see a serious heart-to-heart between them.
Narration and story: 4 stars 🌟
----
Really enjoyed this one, a short but sweet and compelling/powerful story about grief, sometimes complicated families, and friendships.
I wanted to hug Brie a few times during this. I understand the frustration she had with her dad but I could see it from his side too.. doesn't mean he didn't drop the ball but nothing was clarified.. though I had a gut feeling it was a bit of both thing that passes through my mind.
The idea of the scavenger hunt and the letters warmed my heart. It was a beautiful gift and the end result plus the origination of it had me tearing up a bit:).
The ending was sweet but a bit rushed too.. it made me smile but at the same time I wanted to see a serious heart-to-heart between them.
October 23, 2023
A moving tale of love, loss, grief, family and self-discovery. I enjoyed following Brie on her adventure. I also appreciate the book acknowledging the very fine line between being spontaneous and irresponsible as I had the exact same thoughts, though I would have preferred a more nuanced approach to the subject of coping with a family member who has dementia.
While the book was a bit too short for me to be fully invested in the story and characters, it was nevertheless a heartwarming read overall.
Thank you to Pushkin Press for the Netgalley ARC.
While the book was a bit too short for me to be fully invested in the story and characters, it was nevertheless a heartwarming read overall.
Thank you to Pushkin Press for the Netgalley ARC.
August 26, 2022
On my blog.
Actual rating 3.5
Rep: Jamaican cast & setting
Galley provided by publisher
If You Read This is a sweet, quick contemporary read, centering on a young girl who is surprised by one last treasure hunt, organised by her mother before her death three years earlier. It’s a book underpinned by themes of family and love, and an excellent read because of it.
That’s probably what I enjoyed most about this book. At its heart is Brie and her family, a family she doesn’t always like, but who she loves and who loves her. Even if they don’t always show it in ways she would like. In particular, her father. I think what this book did well was show Brie’s frustration at him, so you could sympathise, but—and I guess this might just be an adult perspective—you could see where he was coming from and the different way he showed his love than other family members. It never made him completely unsympathetic in contrast to Brie, though. There was a good balance to it.
And Brie is also surrounded by other family members and friends who love her. This is what I mean by it’s a book underpinned by love: Brie’s mother’s love for her, which endures after her death, Brie’s father’s love for her, and her family and friends’. I think what was great here was that it showed different ways of loving people: Brie’s father shows his love in a different way to Brie’s mother, but in both ways you can feel it (and, obviously, part of the story was Brie coming to learn that and express her own needs from her father).
Of course, with all this, it helps that the characters and the setting they’re in leap off the page. You’re rooting for them because they feel so real—you can imagine yourself alongside them as you read. That’s what you most want from a character-driven book like this, and it really delivers.
So, if you’re looking for a new middle grade author to try, I would highly recommend Kereen Getten. Both of her books I’ve read I have really enjoyed, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.
Actual rating 3.5
Rep: Jamaican cast & setting
Galley provided by publisher
If You Read This is a sweet, quick contemporary read, centering on a young girl who is surprised by one last treasure hunt, organised by her mother before her death three years earlier. It’s a book underpinned by themes of family and love, and an excellent read because of it.
That’s probably what I enjoyed most about this book. At its heart is Brie and her family, a family she doesn’t always like, but who she loves and who loves her. Even if they don’t always show it in ways she would like. In particular, her father. I think what this book did well was show Brie’s frustration at him, so you could sympathise, but—and I guess this might just be an adult perspective—you could see where he was coming from and the different way he showed his love than other family members. It never made him completely unsympathetic in contrast to Brie, though. There was a good balance to it.
And Brie is also surrounded by other family members and friends who love her. This is what I mean by it’s a book underpinned by love: Brie’s mother’s love for her, which endures after her death, Brie’s father’s love for her, and her family and friends’. I think what was great here was that it showed different ways of loving people: Brie’s father shows his love in a different way to Brie’s mother, but in both ways you can feel it (and, obviously, part of the story was Brie coming to learn that and express her own needs from her father).
Of course, with all this, it helps that the characters and the setting they’re in leap off the page. You’re rooting for them because they feel so real—you can imagine yourself alongside them as you read. That’s what you most want from a character-driven book like this, and it really delivers.
So, if you’re looking for a new middle grade author to try, I would highly recommend Kereen Getten. Both of her books I’ve read I have really enjoyed, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.
August 1, 2022
Great fast Middle School books that touches on growing older as a tween, friendships, losing your mom and a love/hate relationship with your father. This coming of age story takes place on an island in the tropics, so it widens the horizons a bit fir the reader on culture, while still showing we are more alike than different.
Thanks to Delacorte Press for an E-ARC via NetGalley. Anticipated publication date is 8/16/2022.
Thanks to Delacorte Press for an E-ARC via NetGalley. Anticipated publication date is 8/16/2022.
June 24, 2024
This is my second read novel by Kereen Getten and similar to the first, When Life Gives You Mangoes, I adored the narrative. 😍
Kereen Getten is becoming a favorite middle grade/young adult author. I would urge anyone, but specifically children, parents, or soon-to-be parents to read this innocent yet life filled novel. 🙏 It's a very quick read (I read it in one sitting), but the author does well through empathetically beautiful writing to touch on some important topics families experience such as, death of a spouse and parent, dealing with grief and how it can impact those closest to us, elderly care and parenting styles. 🥺 Friendship also played a key role within Brie's story. These themes, coupled with island living, made for a nostalgic and warm-hug type of read. This is a perfect story for upcoming readers and should be introduced into primary school's literature lists!
Kereen Getten is becoming a favorite middle grade/young adult author. I would urge anyone, but specifically children, parents, or soon-to-be parents to read this innocent yet life filled novel. 🙏 It's a very quick read (I read it in one sitting), but the author does well through empathetically beautiful writing to touch on some important topics families experience such as, death of a spouse and parent, dealing with grief and how it can impact those closest to us, elderly care and parenting styles. 🥺 Friendship also played a key role within Brie's story. These themes, coupled with island living, made for a nostalgic and warm-hug type of read. This is a perfect story for upcoming readers and should be introduced into primary school's literature lists!
October 21, 2022
What stood out the most to me when reading If You Read This was the emotional dynamism in regards to Brie's feelings surrounding her mother's death and the now complicated relationship she had with her father.
Brie was reaching that age where she started to think about she wanted to be perceived as a person when her mother died and as such she largely considered her mother to be an embarrassing burden in the time leading up to her getting sick. She carries a lot of complex, contradictory baggage because she was robbed of getting past that formative hump ie the very normal I-want-nothing-to-do-with-you phase of late childhood thru adolescence to recognize she didn't love her mother in spite of her faults but because of them. Barring serious personality deficits, it's often the most embarrassing moments that reveal the most love that a parent has for their child.
Her father, somewhat serious though beloved all the same, has become like a stranger to her. Due to work he is rarely home and when he is his concerns relating to Brie are shallow. Their relationship has become so fractured, she has actually come to believe that he wishes she had died rather than her mother.
Her mothers letters were a blessing in that, in a way, her mother was brought back to her however it was also bittersweet as they shined a light on the deep unhappiness brewing just under the surface of her life. Brie wading through this series of internal conflicts was immensely investing.
The three stars is because Getten didn't stick the landing.
She explores the guilt, the anger, the disappointment very well throughout the book. When it comes to concluding these themes she falters.
The whole book you're waiting for Brie to finally unleash all that pent up repression on her father who, though doing his best, has been emotionally neglecting Brie since her mother died. Heck, when the character is first introduced it's in name only as he misses the pivotal twelfth birthday that kicks off the story. So you can imagine my disappointment when the two totally resolve their issues in one single conversation that only grazes the surface of the conflict between the two.
Brie is basically writing soliliquies in her head about how much she despises this man yet when the time to share comes she leaves it at 'I'm mad at you'. And yes, in the midst of stressful and/or important discussions people can often lose their words, but even if she's not the most articulate she should be able to communicate the gist of her grievances. It felt like Getten all of a sudden didn't want engage with the complexity of the circumstances.
She even vaguely retcons her own writing: it is heavily implied at the beginning that her father is intentionally using work as a distraction from his grief, by the end he suddenly has just had difficulty balancing work and life now that they have to live on a single income. Now technically it's entirely possible that Brie has misjudged the situation - she is only twelve after all - but Getten provides no proof. She has Bries' father simply state this as if it's fact when there is no evidence that the family is in dire straits or absolutely needs the money. The only logical conclusion really is that he's purposely avoiding Brie.
The ending while a letdown did not ruin everything. I still generally enjoyed the book. I still would categorize it as a solid recommend it.
Brie was reaching that age where she started to think about she wanted to be perceived as a person when her mother died and as such she largely considered her mother to be an embarrassing burden in the time leading up to her getting sick. She carries a lot of complex, contradictory baggage because she was robbed of getting past that formative hump ie the very normal I-want-nothing-to-do-with-you phase of late childhood thru adolescence to recognize she didn't love her mother in spite of her faults but because of them. Barring serious personality deficits, it's often the most embarrassing moments that reveal the most love that a parent has for their child.
Her father, somewhat serious though beloved all the same, has become like a stranger to her. Due to work he is rarely home and when he is his concerns relating to Brie are shallow. Their relationship has become so fractured, she has actually come to believe that he wishes she had died rather than her mother.
Her mothers letters were a blessing in that, in a way, her mother was brought back to her however it was also bittersweet as they shined a light on the deep unhappiness brewing just under the surface of her life. Brie wading through this series of internal conflicts was immensely investing.
The three stars is because Getten didn't stick the landing.
She explores the guilt, the anger, the disappointment very well throughout the book. When it comes to concluding these themes she falters.
The whole book you're waiting for Brie to finally unleash all that pent up repression on her father who, though doing his best, has been emotionally neglecting Brie since her mother died. Heck, when the character is first introduced it's in name only as he misses the pivotal twelfth birthday that kicks off the story. So you can imagine my disappointment when the two totally resolve their issues in one single conversation that only grazes the surface of the conflict between the two.
Brie is basically writing soliliquies in her head about how much she despises this man yet when the time to share comes she leaves it at 'I'm mad at you'. And yes, in the midst of stressful and/or important discussions people can often lose their words, but even if she's not the most articulate she should be able to communicate the gist of her grievances. It felt like Getten all of a sudden didn't want engage with the complexity of the circumstances.
She even vaguely retcons her own writing: it is heavily implied at the beginning that her father is intentionally using work as a distraction from his grief, by the end he suddenly has just had difficulty balancing work and life now that they have to live on a single income. Now technically it's entirely possible that Brie has misjudged the situation - she is only twelve after all - but Getten provides no proof. She has Bries' father simply state this as if it's fact when there is no evidence that the family is in dire straits or absolutely needs the money. The only logical conclusion really is that he's purposely avoiding Brie.
The ending while a letdown did not ruin everything. I still generally enjoyed the book. I still would categorize it as a solid recommend it.
May 6, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
If you read this follows Brie, who lives with her grandma and her father. After having lost her mother early on, she feels lonely, especially since her father works a lot and rarely has time to spend time with her. But on her twelfth birthday a chance to live an adventure arises and Brie can't help but seek it out.
This was a really sweet book all about grief and feeling lonely. I think whether you fit into the age category of middle grade or not, there will be something for you in this story. It's wholesome and makes you see the world in a different light. I enjoyed my time with this book and wouldn't mind picking up another book by the author.
If you read this follows Brie, who lives with her grandma and her father. After having lost her mother early on, she feels lonely, especially since her father works a lot and rarely has time to spend time with her. But on her twelfth birthday a chance to live an adventure arises and Brie can't help but seek it out.
This was a really sweet book all about grief and feeling lonely. I think whether you fit into the age category of middle grade or not, there will be something for you in this story. It's wholesome and makes you see the world in a different light. I enjoyed my time with this book and wouldn't mind picking up another book by the author.
April 8, 2022
The setup for this story, about a Jamaican girl whose mother died three years ago, is that she just turned 12. Up until this year, all of her birthdays have been dull. But for her 12th birthday she is given, among other things, a box with letters from her mother, written before she died. They are a puzzle she has to solve. She wants her dad to help her, but he is too busy with work.
This annoys Brie, because she always was able to get her mother to do things with her, when she was alive, but for some reason, her father can’t get the time off work to do the fun things she used to do.
Brie gets annoyed with her father, but decides that she is going to solve the puzzle on her own, if she has to. She gets the help of her friends, and doesn't notice that although her father isn't always right there with her, he does keep showing up.
Cute story of the frustration of responsible adults, versus spontaneous ones.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This annoys Brie, because she always was able to get her mother to do things with her, when she was alive, but for some reason, her father can’t get the time off work to do the fun things she used to do.
Brie gets annoyed with her father, but decides that she is going to solve the puzzle on her own, if she has to. She gets the help of her friends, and doesn't notice that although her father isn't always right there with her, he does keep showing up.
Cute story of the frustration of responsible adults, versus spontaneous ones.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
June 1, 2022
Brie's mama died three years ago and her papa spends all his time working. She yearns for the adventures that she used to have with her mama and, in her twelfth birthday, she is given a letter from her mama which leads to a series of discoveries...
This is a lovely book which explores issues of loss, sadness and illness. Although quite a short book, it packs a lot into the pages.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book.
This is a lovely book which explores issues of loss, sadness and illness. Although quite a short book, it packs a lot into the pages.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book.
July 24, 2022
I received an digital ARC of this book from Net galley in return for my honest opinion.
Brie is turning 12 and as part of her birthday gift she receives a box of letters from her mum who died 3 years ago.
This was a quick and wholesome read and I enjoyed following Brie and her friends on a journey to crack the codes left by her mum. I enjoyed the Jamaican setting and the amity feel of the book 😊
Brie is turning 12 and as part of her birthday gift she receives a box of letters from her mum who died 3 years ago.
This was a quick and wholesome read and I enjoyed following Brie and her friends on a journey to crack the codes left by her mum. I enjoyed the Jamaican setting and the amity feel of the book 😊
April 17, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this heartwarming tale of finding yourself and your family. On her twelfth birthday, Brie receives a letter from her deceased mother, reviving their shared love of scavenger hunts and adventures. This gift takes her to her grandparents’ house to unlock something extraordinary, and helps her find her way back to her father (emotionally). Short and sweet, hand to readers who long to be seen. Recommended for grades 4-6.
May 9, 2022
Getten is a wonderful author for young readers. I hope she writes for many years to come. If You Read This was inventive, vivid and sad … bright spots near the end, but sad.
I will read all books published by this author.
I will read all books published by this author.
September 2, 2022
A heartfelt, emotional story sensitively exploring child/parent relationships, losing a parent as a child and the different ways in which grief effects people. Getten is such a gift to the middle grade and I’m already looking forward to reading whatever she writes next.
July 17, 2023
My heart hurt so much during this book! It's a book of grief but also of magic and family. The setting in this book is absolutely gorgeous. There were also some humorous parts to offset the sadness.
September 13, 2023
Me and Minnie read this sporadically at bed time between other reads
It was such a lovely story touching on grief and loss as well as friendship
It was such a lovely story touching on grief and loss as well as friendship
September 22, 2022
A young girl losses her mother and has a hard time....Beautiful story.
January 11, 2023
This book is really good. It really made me think. I think Brie is a lovely character and whilst reading the book, she became my friend.
July 17, 2022
I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. It gave me P.S. I love you vibes but with a very different twist. I was so intrigued by the letters left by Brie's mum and it was bitter sweet to see how her relationship with her mum developed even after her mum's death. I think it was also important to see how her relationship with her father and the other members of her family changed over the course of the book. I would highly recommend this book to the children in my school and will definitely be purchasing it to put into our book corners. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.
July 8, 2022
Middle-grade books are often some of the best at tackling complex emotional topics, and If You Read This by Kereen Getten is no exception. This surprisingly deep middle-grade story follows 12-year-old Brie who lives with her family on the outskirts of a tourist resort in Jamaica. Her father, who manages the resort, has been distant with Brie ever since the death of her overly free-spirited mother three years before, leaving Brie largely in the care of her grandmother and resentful of the resort that steals away all her father’s time.
On her 12th birthday, Brie receives a gift left for her by her mother before her death: a box filled with a number of letters that will send her on one final treasure hunt, something she and her mother would do often before she fell ill. Initially hopeful that her father will accompany her on the hunt that involves going to a special place the family once frequented, Brie fears her hopes will be dashed once again. But with support from her closest friends and her remaining family, Brie is determined to follow her late mother’s clues and find out exactly what they are leading her to.
If You Read This is a very fast-paced book at just over 200 pages and, unfortunately, this means that what could have been a brilliant story doesn’t really get the time it needs to shine. Everything feels just that little bit too hurried and the sense of adventure ends up being stripped away because of this. Even the special secret at the end of the treasure hunt, a secret that supposedly took another character years to find, is discovered within a matter of hours in order to advance the plot and rush toward the ending.
However, all that being said, I did enjoy If You Read This a whole lot. Despite minimal time on the page every character really gets to shine, from Brie’s grumpy grandmother to her playful and occasionally immature uncle. There’s a wonderful subplot about the effects of dementia and how they can play out in the eyes of younger family members who often feel left out and confused about what is happening to beloved older relatives, and the subject of Brie’s mother is handled sensitively and lovingly. This story is set three years after her death, long enough for the casseroles and offers of help to have dried up, but still recent enough for the pain to feel ever-present, and Brie clearly feels lost—especially with the distance she now feels from her father.
If You Read This is a short yet powerful story, but I would be cautious about recommending it to all readers based on its subject matter. Approach this one with caution, but, in the right hands, this could be exactly the cathartic read someone desperately needs.
On her 12th birthday, Brie receives a gift left for her by her mother before her death: a box filled with a number of letters that will send her on one final treasure hunt, something she and her mother would do often before she fell ill. Initially hopeful that her father will accompany her on the hunt that involves going to a special place the family once frequented, Brie fears her hopes will be dashed once again. But with support from her closest friends and her remaining family, Brie is determined to follow her late mother’s clues and find out exactly what they are leading her to.
If You Read This is a very fast-paced book at just over 200 pages and, unfortunately, this means that what could have been a brilliant story doesn’t really get the time it needs to shine. Everything feels just that little bit too hurried and the sense of adventure ends up being stripped away because of this. Even the special secret at the end of the treasure hunt, a secret that supposedly took another character years to find, is discovered within a matter of hours in order to advance the plot and rush toward the ending.
However, all that being said, I did enjoy If You Read This a whole lot. Despite minimal time on the page every character really gets to shine, from Brie’s grumpy grandmother to her playful and occasionally immature uncle. There’s a wonderful subplot about the effects of dementia and how they can play out in the eyes of younger family members who often feel left out and confused about what is happening to beloved older relatives, and the subject of Brie’s mother is handled sensitively and lovingly. This story is set three years after her death, long enough for the casseroles and offers of help to have dried up, but still recent enough for the pain to feel ever-present, and Brie clearly feels lost—especially with the distance she now feels from her father.
If You Read This is a short yet powerful story, but I would be cautious about recommending it to all readers based on its subject matter. Approach this one with caution, but, in the right hands, this could be exactly the cathartic read someone desperately needs.
July 27, 2022
3.5 stars
In this bittersweet middle grade contemporary novel, Getten explores grief and reconnection in a touching and memorable way.
Brie, the m.c., is having a birthday when readers meet her, and her mother sends her a special gift: a letter. This letter is meaningful not only because it sparks a small adventure but because Brie's mother passed away and planned ahead. This setup alone makes for an intriguing start.
It's apparent early that while Brie is struggling with her mother's death, she seems to be struggling with her relationship with her father even more. Though he is still sort of around, he works so much that Brie feels consistently unimportant and not good enough. This aspect of the novel is somehow even more heartbreaking than the loss that Brie has already experienced, and it is the evolution of this connection - between Brie and her dad - that I found most gripping throughout.
While I enjoyed the setup with the letters and adventure and found the relationship between Brie and her friends quite sweet, I was missing some of the development and growth that I hoped for overall in the short adventure and in the father/daughter relationship. I'd have loved to see a more in-depth and explicit discussion about what has happened and what will happen in the future. Without this, the end felt a little too anticlimactic in light of the possibilities.
I really enjoyed Getten's debut, and I find a lot of merit in this second effort. I'll definitely be recommending it to students, especially those who are interested in seeing a unique portrait of grief in a middle grade novel.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
In this bittersweet middle grade contemporary novel, Getten explores grief and reconnection in a touching and memorable way.
Brie, the m.c., is having a birthday when readers meet her, and her mother sends her a special gift: a letter. This letter is meaningful not only because it sparks a small adventure but because Brie's mother passed away and planned ahead. This setup alone makes for an intriguing start.
It's apparent early that while Brie is struggling with her mother's death, she seems to be struggling with her relationship with her father even more. Though he is still sort of around, he works so much that Brie feels consistently unimportant and not good enough. This aspect of the novel is somehow even more heartbreaking than the loss that Brie has already experienced, and it is the evolution of this connection - between Brie and her dad - that I found most gripping throughout.
While I enjoyed the setup with the letters and adventure and found the relationship between Brie and her friends quite sweet, I was missing some of the development and growth that I hoped for overall in the short adventure and in the father/daughter relationship. I'd have loved to see a more in-depth and explicit discussion about what has happened and what will happen in the future. Without this, the end felt a little too anticlimactic in light of the possibilities.
I really enjoyed Getten's debut, and I find a lot of merit in this second effort. I'll definitely be recommending it to students, especially those who are interested in seeing a unique portrait of grief in a middle grade novel.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
December 31, 2023
Wowee! such a good book
August 18, 2022
The first question you should really ask yourself before you start reading is: Do you feel like you want to really immerse yourself into their world and cry, quite a bit because of it, but also smile and root for them along the way? if the answer is: Yes I do! then THIS is your book!
This book pulls all the heartstrings, the story is about a young girl who is surprised by one last treasure hunt, organised by her mother, (organised before her death three years earlier.) A book underpinned by themes of family and love.
This book sucks you into it’s pages and won’t let you go until you read it all. It played in the back of my mind, even when I wasn’t reading it. Thinking about what could or will happen. If I would like this? If I would do something like this for my children? What to do when time is running out? This might be a fiction for Young Adults, but it made me rethink the way I do things with my own children. I suddenly appreciate their laughter more, soaking it all up, because what if it is suddenly the last moment I get to spend with them or they spend with me?
The book handles difficult subjects like: dealing with loss and grief. The impact it has on the whole family. How difficult it is for everyone and that sometimes children feel forgotten during this process. But it also shows processing, acceptance and carrying on living!
It really is an exceptional book! I will even recommend this book to adults, to see the perspective of the Young Adult / Child, because sometimes adults forget that children need to grief too!
I will say it ones more, just in case you weren’t sure if you wanted to read this: THIS BOOK IS EXTRAORDINARY!
(Ps, my physical copy is on pre-order)
https://readingtheyearaway.co.uk/blog...
This book pulls all the heartstrings, the story is about a young girl who is surprised by one last treasure hunt, organised by her mother, (organised before her death three years earlier.) A book underpinned by themes of family and love.
This book sucks you into it’s pages and won’t let you go until you read it all. It played in the back of my mind, even when I wasn’t reading it. Thinking about what could or will happen. If I would like this? If I would do something like this for my children? What to do when time is running out? This might be a fiction for Young Adults, but it made me rethink the way I do things with my own children. I suddenly appreciate their laughter more, soaking it all up, because what if it is suddenly the last moment I get to spend with them or they spend with me?
The book handles difficult subjects like: dealing with loss and grief. The impact it has on the whole family. How difficult it is for everyone and that sometimes children feel forgotten during this process. But it also shows processing, acceptance and carrying on living!
It really is an exceptional book! I will even recommend this book to adults, to see the perspective of the Young Adult / Child, because sometimes adults forget that children need to grief too!
I will say it ones more, just in case you weren’t sure if you wanted to read this: THIS BOOK IS EXTRAORDINARY!
(Ps, my physical copy is on pre-order)
https://readingtheyearaway.co.uk/blog...
October 24, 2023
I’ve been having fun reading some middle grade books my 6th grader is reading for school. This one is my least favorite so far. It just felt like a good concept that was hastily slapped together without thinking through the details.
A surprise birthday party first thing in the morning?? Like everyone is there right when you wake up? Maybe this is some sort of Jamaican tradition? I’ve just never heard of such a thing. How did she get an elderly man to climb out of a window? Why in the world would her dad miss her birthday when it was his idea in the first place for her mom to write the letters and he knew she would finally be opening them? You wouldn’t have arranged to have the day off? There’s just too much that doesn’t make sense. She says Femi was there for her when her mom died three years ago, but then in her letter to her mom she says Femi moved to town two years ago and acts like her mother never knew about her. It’s just sloppy storytelling that I don’t understand how no editors caught? When I read the back I thought there would be more mystery and deciphering of clues, but everything kind of just happened without her having to try (Brim just putting the key in her hand). And why didn’t she ask Brim about the key? She was going to just not even try bringing it up after all of that? Also, had she never been to visit Brim since he moved to the home? She acts like she had never been there, but then she acts like they were so close. I also needed a better description of the secret door in the floor, tunnel, and cave…I just couldn’t picture how all that would work. Was Brim some sort of engineering genius?
The story just didn’t work. I did enjoy a glimpse into life in Jamaica.
A surprise birthday party first thing in the morning?? Like everyone is there right when you wake up? Maybe this is some sort of Jamaican tradition? I’ve just never heard of such a thing. How did she get an elderly man to climb out of a window? Why in the world would her dad miss her birthday when it was his idea in the first place for her mom to write the letters and he knew she would finally be opening them? You wouldn’t have arranged to have the day off? There’s just too much that doesn’t make sense. She says Femi was there for her when her mom died three years ago, but then in her letter to her mom she says Femi moved to town two years ago and acts like her mother never knew about her. It’s just sloppy storytelling that I don’t understand how no editors caught? When I read the back I thought there would be more mystery and deciphering of clues, but everything kind of just happened without her having to try (Brim just putting the key in her hand). And why didn’t she ask Brim about the key? She was going to just not even try bringing it up after all of that? Also, had she never been to visit Brim since he moved to the home? She acts like she had never been there, but then she acts like they were so close. I also needed a better description of the secret door in the floor, tunnel, and cave…I just couldn’t picture how all that would work. Was Brim some sort of engineering genius?
The story just didn’t work. I did enjoy a glimpse into life in Jamaica.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2023
There are no half stars but I gave this 3.5 stars.
We meet Brie as she wakes up on her 12th birthday. She’s in for a lot of surprises today. Starting with her birthday party. Everyone’s these except mama, who passed away from cancer when Brie was 9 and her dad, who never seems to be around. Brie gets to her last present, a box from her mom who wrote letters to send them on one last adventure together. Will these letters help Brie heal with the loss of her mom and maybe even help her know why her dad has been so distant since her death?
My heart strings tugged for Brie the entire book. She’s still grieving her mom’s death from 3 years earlier while also feeling like she’s not good enough for her father because he’s never around. I didn’t like the all the adults kept making excuses for him especially why he didn’t show up for her birthday. Which obviously wasn’t the first one he missed. Brie’s relationship with her friends and Brim was sweet and they were there for her when others were not. When Brie’s father finally comes around and sits down to speak with her, she starts telling him about things her mom did to embarrass her when he asked why she was upset. I get that she had found out what he did which was nice but she still had a lot of reasons why she was and should be upset with her father and it wasn’t discussed between them. That discussion would have been great for the development in their relationship. It just feels like she forgave him with no true explanation or apology for why he’s been acting how he has since her mother passed.
I really enjoyed the audiobook of this and look forward to reading more from this author.
We meet Brie as she wakes up on her 12th birthday. She’s in for a lot of surprises today. Starting with her birthday party. Everyone’s these except mama, who passed away from cancer when Brie was 9 and her dad, who never seems to be around. Brie gets to her last present, a box from her mom who wrote letters to send them on one last adventure together. Will these letters help Brie heal with the loss of her mom and maybe even help her know why her dad has been so distant since her death?
My heart strings tugged for Brie the entire book. She’s still grieving her mom’s death from 3 years earlier while also feeling like she’s not good enough for her father because he’s never around. I didn’t like the all the adults kept making excuses for him especially why he didn’t show up for her birthday. Which obviously wasn’t the first one he missed. Brie’s relationship with her friends and Brim was sweet and they were there for her when others were not. When Brie’s father finally comes around and sits down to speak with her, she starts telling him about things her mom did to embarrass her when he asked why she was upset. I get that she had found out what he did which was nice but she still had a lot of reasons why she was and should be upset with her father and it wasn’t discussed between them. That discussion would have been great for the development in their relationship. It just feels like she forgave him with no true explanation or apology for why he’s been acting how he has since her mother passed.
I really enjoyed the audiobook of this and look forward to reading more from this author.
October 12, 2022
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for the eARC of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
After 'When Life Gives You Mangoes' became one of my favourite books of last year, I was excited to see what Getten's next work had to offer. In many ways 'If You Read This' is similar to WLGYM, also dealing with the themes of grief and growing up. Like WLGYM, If You Read This is full of vibrant and endearing characters, who form a community of love and support around our main character, Brie. Getten also offers a delightful depiction of Jamaica through a child's eyes - full of the wonder and exploration of childhood, but with the beginnings of an awareness that the world isn't as simple as you thought it was. In particular, I think this book does an excellent job of depicting those first moments when you begin to develop of your parents' own fallibility.
Ultimately, this one didn't have quite the same impact on me as WLGYM- I got a bit of a sense that towards the end the author was pulling her punches. The promise of 'adventure' given at the start never really feels like it bears fruit and there is a sense of the ending feeling a bit rushed in the resolution. Still more than happy to recommend this one to pupils, regardless!
After 'When Life Gives You Mangoes' became one of my favourite books of last year, I was excited to see what Getten's next work had to offer. In many ways 'If You Read This' is similar to WLGYM, also dealing with the themes of grief and growing up. Like WLGYM, If You Read This is full of vibrant and endearing characters, who form a community of love and support around our main character, Brie. Getten also offers a delightful depiction of Jamaica through a child's eyes - full of the wonder and exploration of childhood, but with the beginnings of an awareness that the world isn't as simple as you thought it was. In particular, I think this book does an excellent job of depicting those first moments when you begin to develop of your parents' own fallibility.
Ultimately, this one didn't have quite the same impact on me as WLGYM- I got a bit of a sense that towards the end the author was pulling her punches. The promise of 'adventure' given at the start never really feels like it bears fruit and there is a sense of the ending feeling a bit rushed in the resolution. Still more than happy to recommend this one to pupils, regardless!
April 29, 2022
I received an eArc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Brie turns twelve, she is gifted a series of letters from her mother, who died three years before. The letters lead her, her family, and her friends, on a treasure hunt that's all about family, sharing secrets, and growing up.
This book is very short and sweet. Brie struggles with her dad working more since her mum died, with feeling like he doesn't care anymore. Her mother's letters give them a chance to form bonds again, and it's quietly emotional in watching them try without understanding quite what the other needs.
The characters in this book are fun and vibrant - I particularly liked Nana! You can tell they all love Brie, but that they don't always know how to help her in that awkward tween stage, with grief or with family.
I would have loved for this book to be a little longer, to get a bit more of a chance to be shown the relationship between Brie and her Dad, but the framework of the letters does work well in giving the story starts and ends. For a younger, middle grade reader, this would be a something brief but important in sharing and discussing ideas of grief and transition.
When Brie turns twelve, she is gifted a series of letters from her mother, who died three years before. The letters lead her, her family, and her friends, on a treasure hunt that's all about family, sharing secrets, and growing up.
This book is very short and sweet. Brie struggles with her dad working more since her mum died, with feeling like he doesn't care anymore. Her mother's letters give them a chance to form bonds again, and it's quietly emotional in watching them try without understanding quite what the other needs.
The characters in this book are fun and vibrant - I particularly liked Nana! You can tell they all love Brie, but that they don't always know how to help her in that awkward tween stage, with grief or with family.
I would have loved for this book to be a little longer, to get a bit more of a chance to be shown the relationship between Brie and her Dad, but the framework of the letters does work well in giving the story starts and ends. For a younger, middle grade reader, this would be a something brief but important in sharing and discussing ideas of grief and transition.
September 30, 2022
Letters Left for the Living... nicely done for a young audience.
P.S. I Love You was the same idea, but here it's for the UKS2 audience. Brie's much-loved and eccentric mother's death still has her reeling three years later, and her father has thrown himself into his work and barely speaks to his daughter, never laughs, and she can't help but feel unloved.
On her 12th birthday however, Brie is given three letters written to her by her mother before she died. Letters suggesting adventure, secrets and taking her father along for the ride with her. Will he go?
The pain of losing a parent as well as feeling the one left is also lost is nicely conveyed, within the world of the hurting tween/adolescent.
The family relationships here are warm and realistic, with a particularly quirky grandfather. The story itself moves very quickly to a conclusion, the clue-finding and resolution over in mere pages. That being said, there's a funny sequence at a care home that I can imagine going down well on screen.
Quite a quick read, lots to say about fathers and daughters, and the aftermath of a death.
For ages 9-13.
P.S. I Love You was the same idea, but here it's for the UKS2 audience. Brie's much-loved and eccentric mother's death still has her reeling three years later, and her father has thrown himself into his work and barely speaks to his daughter, never laughs, and she can't help but feel unloved.
On her 12th birthday however, Brie is given three letters written to her by her mother before she died. Letters suggesting adventure, secrets and taking her father along for the ride with her. Will he go?
The pain of losing a parent as well as feeling the one left is also lost is nicely conveyed, within the world of the hurting tween/adolescent.
The family relationships here are warm and realistic, with a particularly quirky grandfather. The story itself moves very quickly to a conclusion, the clue-finding and resolution over in mere pages. That being said, there's a funny sequence at a care home that I can imagine going down well on screen.
Quite a quick read, lots to say about fathers and daughters, and the aftermath of a death.
For ages 9-13.
October 14, 2022
If You Read This had an excellent narrative voice. This is exactly how I’d think a child would process grief and parental neglect. The voice felt like it truly came from a child, which is not always easy to convey when writing as an adult. I also loved the island setting (Jamaica this time).
Brie’s 12th birthday is the central part of the story, so her family and friends play a prominent role. Brie’s friends are a bit one-note because we don’t get to see much of them. But I absolutely enjoyed Brie’s father (and mother). I have the double-vision as an adult to empathize with both Brie and her father.
Now, the story length is both a merit and a downside: the story is very short. You could read this all-in-one satisfying sitting. However, I felt like it could’ve been slightly longer and included another stop on Brie’s journey. There is one climatic point, or at least a point, where the drama ramps up. It concludes itself quickly and tied with a bow, but the story is largely more character-driven than plot driven.
Overall, the narrative voice won me over though I wished it could’ve been longer or explored more of Brie’s grief and her father’s aloofness.
3.5
Brie’s 12th birthday is the central part of the story, so her family and friends play a prominent role. Brie’s friends are a bit one-note because we don’t get to see much of them. But I absolutely enjoyed Brie’s father (and mother). I have the double-vision as an adult to empathize with both Brie and her father.
Now, the story length is both a merit and a downside: the story is very short. You could read this all-in-one satisfying sitting. However, I felt like it could’ve been slightly longer and included another stop on Brie’s journey. There is one climatic point, or at least a point, where the drama ramps up. It concludes itself quickly and tied with a bow, but the story is largely more character-driven than plot driven.
Overall, the narrative voice won me over though I wished it could’ve been longer or explored more of Brie’s grief and her father’s aloofness.
3.5
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