J's Musings

Book Review by Janhavi B.

Change and change makers have always been a large part of our society and its history. These change makers have changed and moulded our society into something better than before.

Today I present to you a book about 4 such change makers that may not be real, but will leave you proud.

It’s the summer of 2019, vacations have begun and 4 girls dread them. What’s there to love when divorce, overbearing parents and starting school for the first time is involved?

To introduce the characters:

Lane – An artist and rebel at heart, she is as cool as a cucumber. What with divorced parents; Lane’s summer consisted of living with her grandmother and balancing between being from a reputed family and being a threat to society.

Cat: When someone’s life has always been surrounded by people who set examples, they learn to either follow in or completely rebel out. Cat can do neither, because her sisters encourage her to step out and pursue her passion for birds and birdwatching. While her mother complies her to follow the family traditions. Messed up and mesmerizing, Cat must learn what it is to live on one’s own beliefs.

Aster: Sometimes, people grow up a bit too early. Sometimes, they must face this fact as they step out into the real world and try to fit in. Aster must do the same. Raised by a grandfather and never having interacted with people of her age, she is an old woman in the body of a child. But starting school for the first time should feel exciting, so why doesn’t it? What the world is made of and why you are there is a question Aster will have to find the answer to.

Ofelia – Loving parents are great, caring parents are great, loving + caring parents are even better. Although for a 12-year-old they can feel overbearing and restricting. With a passion for journalism and truth; Ofelia’s life feels dictated by her parents. But nothing can come between the truth and a feisty young girl who only craves freedom.

These girls are completely unaware of each other, but when Lane goes around the city putting random invitations in bags, things might change…

As soon as they meet, the girls click. Not long after, Cat reveals how her mother forces her to participate in The Floras. A local girl scout that teaches about the local flora and fauna, educating young girls about the environment that surrounds them. They also hold an annual Miss. Flora competition which rewards the winner with an old, traditional Flora hat. One made of real birds.

Forced to take part herself, Cat takes help from her friends to take down the tradition. To bring out to the people how wrong it is to over the years have changed their ideals to protecting the environment, yet still use something that goes against.

The author has done a formidable job at exploring emotions, relations and complexity of certain ages. The writing is crisp and cool which makes for a refreshing read.

Fighting the wrongs of society takes strength, power and a lot of rebel, nothing these girls can’t handle. Join them on a disastrous and thrilling journey of setting the wrongs right and finding your place in this world.

Wishing you a delightful read,

Janhavi B.