Teodora's Blog

The title itself anticipates the whole playful tone of Sweet Cherry’s upcoming book, bound to be published this autumn. You enter this new world with hope that you won’t meet a common kid detective. And the odds are in your favour, for Mina Mistry will only make the smile plastered on your face grow bigger. Children’s literature is most definitely an effective means of communicating a significant message, attracting kids and their suddenly (and similarly) curious parents. The straightforward aim of this story is to encourage youngsters to choose healthy snacks over fatty and sugary ones (or at least maintain a balanced diet). Sometimes that is not possible and this is where all readers should pay attention to a better hidden purpose, slipped in carefully among the pages. Adults may occasionally prove to be contradictory, pointing out one thing and doing the opposite, thus influencing children to head on a wrong direction. Some will detect the mistakes, but will take longer to alert ...

The Sun is also a star. The moon is also a satellite. Earth is also a donut with a hole in the centre and waterfalls flowing through it. It keeps getting more philosophical, doesn’t it? On a serious note, although I haven’t read many YA romance novels so far, I can easily tell that there is a strong tendency to depict teenagers as heavily interested in “deep” topics or thought-provoking questions – especially when they are around their crushes. At this rate, these are already nothing more than a cheap way for teens to temporarily hide their desire for a make-out session or to suggest that they are “more unique” than anyone else. Prove me otherwise. This brings us to Nicola Yoon’s The Sun Is Also a Star . The book makes you think about multiple issues at once – and you still reach a dead end (unless you are the legendary “hopeless romantic” and you write your 5-star rated review in-between tears and head shakes). This halt of mine leads me to a 3-star rating. A midway position. Surro...

At the time being, it may be harder than ever to step into the universe of Bob the famous cat and his owner, James Bowen. And yet, whether you are a newcomer or not, you cannot help but pay extra attention to the little ginger cat – after his heart-breaking death this year, in June. But we should not dwell on that too much, other elements are meant to be emphasized. For those who are not familiar with the main story, James Bowen came across Bob back in 2007, when he was a recovering drug addict (on a methadone withdrawal). It can be imagined how unpleasant it is to relive some bad decisions one would rather forget. Surely, James’ books do not share an overall grim atmosphere. However, each time he stops over a hardship from his childhood and teenage years, thoughts may come to a halt, with feelings taking over, naturally. There may only be an incessant echo in your mind, chiefly asking what James has done in order to deserve such struggles. But then again, why is it that we all stru...