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A review by polishandpaperbacks
The Girl and the Grove by Eric Smith
4.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Girl and the Grove is a heartfelt book about a girl, Leila, who is adopted and lives with seasonal affective disorder.
Leila is a big environmental activist, and when she learns that a hidden grove in Fairmont Park is going to be destroyed, Leila and her nature-loving friends fight to prevent the demolition of such a beautiful place.
I really enjoyed how the topic of adoption was handled well in this book. It’s often a hard and heavy subject to accurately convey, especially with the awkwardness of questions people who are adopted are often asked and the inner conflict a person who is adopted must go through at some point in their life.
I also really enjoyed the sense of activism and passion for the environment this book had. Had I been able to read this book when I was younger, I would’ve been more inspired to get involved with such clubs my school offered.
I adored Sarika, Leila’s best friend, who followed her through the system. Sarika is funny, confident, and says it like it is, and I felt that she was a great addition to the story.
One thing that did feel out of place for me, at least when it was initially introduced, is the magic element. I felt that it was introduced a little too late into the story, and would’ve been fine if it was completely removed and Leila did not have any relation to the fantasy creatures she finds in the grove.
Overall, Girl in the Grove is a beautifully written book that artfully handles the strong themes of family, friendship, and trust.
The Girl and the Grove is a heartfelt book about a girl, Leila, who is adopted and lives with seasonal affective disorder.
Leila is a big environmental activist, and when she learns that a hidden grove in Fairmont Park is going to be destroyed, Leila and her nature-loving friends fight to prevent the demolition of such a beautiful place.
I really enjoyed how the topic of adoption was handled well in this book. It’s often a hard and heavy subject to accurately convey, especially with the awkwardness of questions people who are adopted are often asked and the inner conflict a person who is adopted must go through at some point in their life.
I also really enjoyed the sense of activism and passion for the environment this book had. Had I been able to read this book when I was younger, I would’ve been more inspired to get involved with such clubs my school offered.
I adored Sarika, Leila’s best friend, who followed her through the system. Sarika is funny, confident, and says it like it is, and I felt that she was a great addition to the story.
One thing that did feel out of place for me, at least when it was initially introduced, is the magic element. I felt that it was introduced a little too late into the story, and would’ve been fine if it was completely removed and Leila did not have any relation to the fantasy creatures she finds in the grove.
Overall, Girl in the Grove is a beautifully written book that artfully handles the strong themes of family, friendship, and trust.