Though the content matter is treated so carefully that it's accessible, older readers should also appreciate many of the hidden complexities, including the relationships, in this book.Īs aforementioned, this is a book that includes many more issues than the main one of cancer. I was very pleasantly surprised with the complexity that this book had, the author has proven to have such a wonderful ability of reaching across to different age groups. With this suggestion, you'd assume that it's a book written specifically for middle grade children, and I can easily say that yes it is, but it I would certainly not hesitate to recommend this book to any older teen or even to any adult. Thankfully, I think that Dandelion Clocks does add something new to this market, and it's something that's definitely worth checking out, especially for those on the 'younger' side of the young adult genre.ĭandelion Clocks is a book that is said to appeal to fans of authors such as Jacqueline Wilson, Cathy Cassidy or Annabel Pitcher.
There seems to be a flood of recent YA books tackling the tough subject that is cancer, and this book is another of those. When I was asked whether or not I would like to review Dandelion Clocks, I jumped at the chance. It’s the kind of novel every school library should stock. This is an emotional read but by the end of the novel I felt content that Liv would be OK and she would make sure Isaac would be too. I can’t imagine what losing a parent is like but I can’t imagine anyone knows how to handle it very well – let alone an 11 year old child. Once Liv’s mum dies we see her struggle to come to terms with it and managing even the simplest daily tasks become a challenge. Her emotions are everywhere, uncontrollable even, and how could blame her? It’s impossible to read this novel without feeling terribly sad for Liv and her older brother Isaac who has Asperger’s Syndrome. At the beginning she’s unbelievably embarrassed by her mum who won’t let her get her ears pierced but as the novel progresses and we and Liv learn the terrible truth about her mum’s terminal illness, she grows impressively but the hallmarks of her young age are still present.
There’s a realism to Westcott’s novel which I think would be very helpful for young readers who had or were going through the same thing as Rebecca as it is honest without being brutal.ġ1 year old Liv grows up through the novel and it’s a painful thing to see. It looks candidly at the issue of losing a parent when you’re very young and adds into the mix an elder sibling with a developmental disability.
Dandelion Clocks is a caringly written beautiful story for younger readers.
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