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Tangerines
Gilly keeps her secrets close—hidden in whispers, dreams, and the quiet spaces where the forest meets her imagination. Somewhere on the other side of the trees, her dad is waiting. Maybe.
With Oggy, her best friend and keeper of a thousand made-up words, Gilly searches for answers:
Can a prayer—or a spell—bring back someone who’s been gone too long?
What if he doesn’t want to be found?
And if she finds him, will he still be the dad she remembers?
Written in the voice of a 10-year-old girl with a heart full of questions, Tangerines is a lyrical, tender story about family, friendship, and the quiet magic of believing in what matters most.
With Oggy, her best friend and keeper of a thousand made-up words, Gilly searches for answers:
Can a prayer—or a spell—bring back someone who’s been gone too long?
What if he doesn’t want to be found?
And if she finds him, will he still be the dad she remembers?
Written in the voice of a 10-year-old girl with a heart full of questions, Tangerines is a lyrical, tender story about family, friendship, and the quiet magic of believing in what matters most.
182 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2025
62 people are currently reading
4685 people want to read
About the author
Tsvi Jolles
5 books36 followersTsvi Jolles writes stories for young readers and reflective fiction for adults. His middle-grade novels explore imagination, loss, and belonging, while his literary work focuses on family, memory, and the quiet strangeness of everyday life. He lives in Georgia with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
May 1, 2025
In a Nutshell: A lyrical and imaginative teen fiction about a girl looking for answers and finding none. Charming in its tone and subtly impactful in its themes. Aimed at middle-graders, but I feel this book will work better for older readers as several points are only hinted at without outright explanations.
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Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
🍊 Gilly – a lovely lead character and convincing as a child, with her wacky and wild imagination and optimistic personality even in the face of sadness. I love her love for nature and writing.
🍊 Oggy, Gilly’s best friend who is somewhat contrary to her in personality. Their friendship has its ups and downs, but their bond is always visible.
🍊 The ode to nature and its beauty throughout the writing, especially in the content connected to the tangerine tree and the special animal that only Gilly can see: the yanaka.
🍊 The titular tangerines, used literally as well as symbolically in the plot. Loved the metaphors connected to the fruit.
🍊 The diary reads just like an actual personal diary would, being full of Gilly’s thoughts, introspections, hopes, fears, wishes, prayers and even descriptions of things around her. I love it when content matches its declared format.
🍊 So many beautiful thoughts and lines! Quite thought-provoking, though they might be appreciated by adult readers better, Sample this: "Dreams are a bit like dandelion seeds--they float around and sometimes land where they are not meant to. And instead of getting your own dream, you might get someone else's."
🍊 The acknowledgments section, which comes from Gilly and not the author. Excellent, quirky, and heartfelt.
🍊 The cover art - so very pretty. (And not AI-generated, unlike what I had assumed. My thanks to the author for clarifying this in the comments.)
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍓 Quite a few serious and relevant themes, touching upon tougher topics such as feelings of parental abandonment and mental health issues. However, as we hear only from Gilly’s first-person POV, our knowledge is limited. We only know what she thinks and imagines, not the actual facts. As an adult, I could read some things between the lines, but I am not sure if children will be able to understand what’s actually happening.
🍓 The luscious writing is a treat for prose lovers, but plot lovers might feel a bit frustrated. The storyline is minimal, with more focus on Gilly’s ramblings than on taking the story ahead.
🍓 The randomness of the narrative might not work for everyone. Gilly jumps from topic to topic just like typical kids do, making her diary entries feel almost like stream-of-consciousness writing. In her own words, "My thoughts don't go straight. They hop around, stop, and fly off again, like birds on Orti." Processing her meanderings takes effort, especially as her reveals aren’t linear. It helps that her thoughts are quite interesting.
Bookish Nays:
🍄 Personal preference: Some of the content was a bit red-flag for me, especially considering the target age. Like, talking about eating mushrooms from the forest and the resultant "dreaming" – a risky idea to put across in a MG book. Further, Gilly often mentions her future wedding plans with Oggy. I am never a fan of middle-grade books that keep talking of “romance”, though there are kids who might think similarly and might be open to such content.
🍄 The adults in this book are really frustrating. There’s plenty of miscommunication, all in the name of protecting the child. As an adult myself, I found all of them irritating and their reasons, ridiculous.
🍄 The ending left too many things unanswered. The main objective of the book – Gilly’s wish to reunite with her dad – is also not handled satisfactorily. This would have been a great ending for adult literary fiction, but in a children’s book, I expect better closure.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 3 hrs 40 min, is narrated by Casey Montgomery. She is a great narrator, infusing a childlike innocence into Gilly’s voice. However, despite her enthusiastic performance, it is easy to wander off from the audio as the story is not at all sequential. The abrupt changes in topics and the lack of linearity to the barely-there plot affected my concentration. After making three attempts to hear this (the third attempt saw me reach the 60% mark – the furthest on audio), I ditched the audiobook and stuck to reading the digital version on my Kindle.
All in all, this indie novel is for those who enjoy the journey without bothering about the destination. It has lovely prose, but with the abundance of random musings, the lack of focus on the actual journey across the forest, and the unexplained plot points, I'm not sure if it would work well for children.
The protagonist Gilly is ten, hence a middle-grader. Amazon pegs this book for ages 13-18. NetGalley tags it for middle-graders and teens. However, the writing style and the plot structure make this a slightly unusual option for younger kids. I think it would be a much better book for older YAs and adult readers who wouldn’t mind reading stories written from a ten-year-old child’s perspective.
Recommended to readers who enjoy poetic writing and care more about the route than the terminus.
3.25 stars. (I would have rated this higher – say about 4 stars – if I looked at the content from an adult reader’s perspective. But I genuinely don’t know if this type of writing works well for children. I hope it does.)
My thanks to Brave Fawn Books for providing the DRC and ALC of “Tangerines” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Ten-year-old Gilly loves to write her deepest feelings and fears in her diary, which she hopes to publish someday. In its pages, she reveals her longing for her dad, who has left her mom to live on the other side of the forest. Gilly mainly has her mom and her best friend Oggy for company. But she also loves Orti, her beloved tangerine tree, under whose shade she has spent many a happy hour. Gilly wants to go and find her dad with the help of Oggy. But is it easy to traverse a forest you have never ventured across before?
The story comes to us in Gilly’s first-person perspective through her diary entries.
Bookish Yays:
🍊 Gilly – a lovely lead character and convincing as a child, with her wacky and wild imagination and optimistic personality even in the face of sadness. I love her love for nature and writing.
🍊 Oggy, Gilly’s best friend who is somewhat contrary to her in personality. Their friendship has its ups and downs, but their bond is always visible.
🍊 The ode to nature and its beauty throughout the writing, especially in the content connected to the tangerine tree and the special animal that only Gilly can see: the yanaka.
🍊 The titular tangerines, used literally as well as symbolically in the plot. Loved the metaphors connected to the fruit.
🍊 The diary reads just like an actual personal diary would, being full of Gilly’s thoughts, introspections, hopes, fears, wishes, prayers and even descriptions of things around her. I love it when content matches its declared format.
🍊 So many beautiful thoughts and lines! Quite thought-provoking, though they might be appreciated by adult readers better, Sample this: "Dreams are a bit like dandelion seeds--they float around and sometimes land where they are not meant to. And instead of getting your own dream, you might get someone else's."
🍊 The acknowledgments section, which comes from Gilly and not the author. Excellent, quirky, and heartfelt.
🍊 The cover art - so very pretty. (And not AI-generated, unlike what I had assumed. My thanks to the author for clarifying this in the comments.)
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍓 Quite a few serious and relevant themes, touching upon tougher topics such as feelings of parental abandonment and mental health issues. However, as we hear only from Gilly’s first-person POV, our knowledge is limited. We only know what she thinks and imagines, not the actual facts. As an adult, I could read some things between the lines, but I am not sure if children will be able to understand what’s actually happening.
🍓 The luscious writing is a treat for prose lovers, but plot lovers might feel a bit frustrated. The storyline is minimal, with more focus on Gilly’s ramblings than on taking the story ahead.
🍓 The randomness of the narrative might not work for everyone. Gilly jumps from topic to topic just like typical kids do, making her diary entries feel almost like stream-of-consciousness writing. In her own words, "My thoughts don't go straight. They hop around, stop, and fly off again, like birds on Orti." Processing her meanderings takes effort, especially as her reveals aren’t linear. It helps that her thoughts are quite interesting.
Bookish Nays:
🍄 Personal preference: Some of the content was a bit red-flag for me, especially considering the target age. Like, talking about eating mushrooms from the forest and the resultant "dreaming" – a risky idea to put across in a MG book. Further, Gilly often mentions her future wedding plans with Oggy. I am never a fan of middle-grade books that keep talking of “romance”, though there are kids who might think similarly and might be open to such content.
🍄 The adults in this book are really frustrating. There’s plenty of miscommunication, all in the name of protecting the child. As an adult myself, I found all of them irritating and their reasons, ridiculous.
🍄 The ending left too many things unanswered. The main objective of the book – Gilly’s wish to reunite with her dad – is also not handled satisfactorily. This would have been a great ending for adult literary fiction, but in a children’s book, I expect better closure.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 3 hrs 40 min, is narrated by Casey Montgomery. She is a great narrator, infusing a childlike innocence into Gilly’s voice. However, despite her enthusiastic performance, it is easy to wander off from the audio as the story is not at all sequential. The abrupt changes in topics and the lack of linearity to the barely-there plot affected my concentration. After making three attempts to hear this (the third attempt saw me reach the 60% mark – the furthest on audio), I ditched the audiobook and stuck to reading the digital version on my Kindle.
All in all, this indie novel is for those who enjoy the journey without bothering about the destination. It has lovely prose, but with the abundance of random musings, the lack of focus on the actual journey across the forest, and the unexplained plot points, I'm not sure if it would work well for children.
The protagonist Gilly is ten, hence a middle-grader. Amazon pegs this book for ages 13-18. NetGalley tags it for middle-graders and teens. However, the writing style and the plot structure make this a slightly unusual option for younger kids. I think it would be a much better book for older YAs and adult readers who wouldn’t mind reading stories written from a ten-year-old child’s perspective.
Recommended to readers who enjoy poetic writing and care more about the route than the terminus.
3.25 stars. (I would have rated this higher – say about 4 stars – if I looked at the content from an adult reader’s perspective. But I genuinely don’t know if this type of writing works well for children. I hope it does.)
My thanks to Brave Fawn Books for providing the DRC and ALC of “Tangerines” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
February 8, 2025
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 3.5 stars🍊✨
Ohhh, this was such a fantastic piece of children’s literature. A perfect glimpse into the mind of a 10-year-old girl full of curiosity, stubbornness and the little chaos that comes with being a children.
There was something so nostalgic about reading this. I saw so much of my younger self in Gilly, and it brought back that mix of wonder and frustration that comes with being a kid who feels everything so much. The way the story captures her thoughts, emotions, and the way she navigates the world is absolutely adorable and so well done.
This book truly gets what it feels like to be ten. How everything is so important, how friendships and little victories feel like the biggest things in the world. It’s heartwarming and real, and I loved every second of it.
-`♡´- concluding thoughts
Sweet, nostalgic, and full of heart. If you love books that bring back the feeling of being a kid again, Tangerines is such a lovely read.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Pre-Read🍊✨
I know nothing about this book except that the cover is absolutely stunning. If the story doesn’t match the vibes, I’ll cry, but here’s to hoping it’s as juicy as it looks😌💕
e-arc (IIIIIK MY FIRST) kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Ohhh, this was such a fantastic piece of children’s literature. A perfect glimpse into the mind of a 10-year-old girl full of curiosity, stubbornness and the little chaos that comes with being a children.
There was something so nostalgic about reading this. I saw so much of my younger self in Gilly, and it brought back that mix of wonder and frustration that comes with being a kid who feels everything so much. The way the story captures her thoughts, emotions, and the way she navigates the world is absolutely adorable and so well done.
This book truly gets what it feels like to be ten. How everything is so important, how friendships and little victories feel like the biggest things in the world. It’s heartwarming and real, and I loved every second of it.
-`♡´- concluding thoughts
Sweet, nostalgic, and full of heart. If you love books that bring back the feeling of being a kid again, Tangerines is such a lovely read.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Pre-Read🍊✨
I know nothing about this book except that the cover is absolutely stunning. If the story doesn’t match the vibes, I’ll cry, but here’s to hoping it’s as juicy as it looks😌💕
e-arc (IIIIIK MY FIRST) kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
April 14, 2025
Gilly is ten-years-old with one best friend, Oggy, and lives in a forest. Her Dad resides on the other side of it and she is determined to rescue him and return to his side. Oggy is the creator of spells whilst she is the master of stories and together they hatch a plan to reunite Gilly with her Dad.
I was initially drawn to this book due to the gorgeous cover art and alluring title. I was pleased to see the story inside was just as whimsical in its creation. I adored Gilly and Oggy and loved seeing their world through their young eyes.
Middle grade fiction forever has my heart and this book was no exception. From the very first page it exuded such raw and honest emotion, which stemmed from the protagonist's inability to be anything but totally and authentically herself. It was a refreshing read, but also one full of heartache and uncertainty. I thought Jolles penned this expertly, as though from the pen of someone actually in this age range.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Tsvi Jolles, and the publisher, , for this opportunity.
I was initially drawn to this book due to the gorgeous cover art and alluring title. I was pleased to see the story inside was just as whimsical in its creation. I adored Gilly and Oggy and loved seeing their world through their young eyes.
Middle grade fiction forever has my heart and this book was no exception. From the very first page it exuded such raw and honest emotion, which stemmed from the protagonist's inability to be anything but totally and authentically herself. It was a refreshing read, but also one full of heartache and uncertainty. I thought Jolles penned this expertly, as though from the pen of someone actually in this age range.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Tsvi Jolles, and the publisher, , for this opportunity.
May 19, 2025
This meandering short and sweet diary-format novel falls somewhere halfway between Barbara Newhall Follett’s seminal book, The House Without Windows, and something like The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.
I’m having difficulty identifying a reading age for it, though. Thematically, Jolles presents an adult readership with an insightful exploration of neurodivergent experience. He also investigates children’s perspective on loss, viewed through the lens of innocence and optimism, and he depicts childish confusion with subtlety and sensitivity. But for a younger readership? Given that the general rule for young readers is that main characters should be a year or two years older than the target reader, I’m not sure that a ten-year-old’s point-of-view is going to resonate with the majority of Middle Grade readers, and certainly not YA. For instance, Oggy provides a nice foil for Gilly’s character, but his contrariness is tiresome and blunts any dramatic impact.
However, Tsvi Jolles offers readers some really marvellous (in the literal sense of the word) descriptions here, and I encountered many moments of remarkably creative language as well as intense emotional insight:
My thanks to Brave Fawn Books, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the audio ARC.
I’m having difficulty identifying a reading age for it, though. Thematically, Jolles presents an adult readership with an insightful exploration of neurodivergent experience. He also investigates children’s perspective on loss, viewed through the lens of innocence and optimism, and he depicts childish confusion with subtlety and sensitivity. But for a younger readership? Given that the general rule for young readers is that main characters should be a year or two years older than the target reader, I’m not sure that a ten-year-old’s point-of-view is going to resonate with the majority of Middle Grade readers, and certainly not YA. For instance, Oggy provides a nice foil for Gilly’s character, but his contrariness is tiresome and blunts any dramatic impact.
However, Tsvi Jolles offers readers some really marvellous (in the literal sense of the word) descriptions here, and I encountered many moments of remarkably creative language as well as intense emotional insight:
'Stars are like all the places we want to go and all the things we wish we had but don't. They're so far away, just hanging in the sky, teasing us.'I listened to the audiobook of ‘Tangerines’ all in one go and I found Casey Montgomery’s narration an absolute joy; she is exceptional. I was sure I’d heard her narrate other audiobooks, but none of her credits are novels that I know! There wasn’t a moment she didn’t hold my attention, as she pitched the voice just right for the narrator's age, and also paced the performance flawlessly for the symbolism-dense prose.
My thanks to Brave Fawn Books, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the audio ARC.
January 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
We follow Gilly, a ten year old who lives in the forest with her mother, and has a tangerine tree growing in her back garden. The whole book is told from her point of view, and steeped with the innocence and magic of childhood. Her father has left and she spends a lot of the book planning on going through the forest to find him. I found it very interesting to see what she and her childhood friend think is happening, compared to what is actually going on, and the central mystery kept me reading.
At times my interest did wane, and it did sometimes feel to me that she was a child much younger than her years, however as a whole this was quite a charming story.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
We follow Gilly, a ten year old who lives in the forest with her mother, and has a tangerine tree growing in her back garden. The whole book is told from her point of view, and steeped with the innocence and magic of childhood. Her father has left and she spends a lot of the book planning on going through the forest to find him. I found it very interesting to see what she and her childhood friend think is happening, compared to what is actually going on, and the central mystery kept me reading.
At times my interest did wane, and it did sometimes feel to me that she was a child much younger than her years, however as a whole this was quite a charming story.
February 14, 2025
Simply ENCHANTING!! One of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read! The cover art really draws you in. And the story hooks immediately, and it was tempting to gobble the whole thing in one go, but I took my time. And it is a story that deserves time. I’ve had Gilly’s voice, and the musings of her heart, in my head for days, and she won’t be leaving anytime soon. She and Oggy’s journey through the forest was delightful—as were the animals—these friends, and we, learned so much. The end scenes, with her father, were so bittersweet. The big things like emotions and complex family dynamics were handled with such compassion and lyrical beauty. So many beautiful phrases in this slender powerhouse of a book! I kept reading aloud bits of it every night—so many lines beg to be read aloud and thought about! Highly recommend—and for all ages!
February 28, 2025
I realize the premise of the style, but I didn’t care for it. So sorry, but for the vast majority of the story I couldn’t help but wonder what was the point?
However, I am grateful to have won this in a giveaway and had the opportunity to read it.
However, I am grateful to have won this in a giveaway and had the opportunity to read it.
April 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Wow this is absolutely whimsical and such a sweet read! Thank you NetGalley for this listeners arc!!
I found the voice actor be so engaging and captures our sweet Gilly perfectly. I haven’t read very many middle grade stories, but they tend to be enchanting and this one definitely is. The story is set in the real world, but Gilly and her best friend, Oggy, have such a big imagination that it often feels like they’re in their own special world. I will say there are a lot of made up words in this and not being able to visually read them left me lost in some moments 😆
Our narrator is a 10 year old girl who is on a journey to find her dad and try to bring him home. This has a very stream of conscious style of writing, which is fitting for the story haha. One moment we’re going down one path of the forest and next thing Gilly is going on and on about different fruits she loves or memories of her family. Being a teacher myself, it really feels like being in the mind of a child.
I can see this being a story full of adventure and silly moments for children. Reading this as an adult you see the greater picture and Gilly’s naïveté is both endearing and a little bittersweet. While it’s a pretty short read, I still enjoyed Gilly’s journey and how different moments of her life and family history are revealed to her (and the audience).
Wow this is absolutely whimsical and such a sweet read! Thank you NetGalley for this listeners arc!!
I found the voice actor be so engaging and captures our sweet Gilly perfectly. I haven’t read very many middle grade stories, but they tend to be enchanting and this one definitely is. The story is set in the real world, but Gilly and her best friend, Oggy, have such a big imagination that it often feels like they’re in their own special world. I will say there are a lot of made up words in this and not being able to visually read them left me lost in some moments 😆
Our narrator is a 10 year old girl who is on a journey to find her dad and try to bring him home. This has a very stream of conscious style of writing, which is fitting for the story haha. One moment we’re going down one path of the forest and next thing Gilly is going on and on about different fruits she loves or memories of her family. Being a teacher myself, it really feels like being in the mind of a child.
I can see this being a story full of adventure and silly moments for children. Reading this as an adult you see the greater picture and Gilly’s naïveté is both endearing and a little bittersweet. While it’s a pretty short read, I still enjoyed Gilly’s journey and how different moments of her life and family history are revealed to her (and the audience).
April 23, 2025
**Review: *Tangerines* by Tsvi Jolles**
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75 stars)
Listening to *Tangerines* in audiobook format was like quiet therapy. It’s one of those gentle stories that you can play in the background while going about your day, yet it seeps into your heart with unexpected softness. There’s something so comforting about the way the little girl and her friend see the world—it made me feel safe, seen, and weirdly nostalgic.
The book captures childhood innocence beautifully, especially in how the kids question the world without even realizing those questions come from deep, unspoken struggles. It broke my heart and healed it in the same breath. Their interactions made me reflect on my own childhood and the silent battles we often overlook.
But don’t be fooled by the soft storytelling—*Tangerines* hits hard when it comes to societal issues. It quietly, but powerfully, challenges the broken parts of our systems, the ones that let kids carry burdens they shouldn’t. It forces you to see the cracks and ask the tough questions.
It’s a book you feel more than you read. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to understand, heal, and eventually help create a gentler world for the next generation.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75 stars)
Listening to *Tangerines* in audiobook format was like quiet therapy. It’s one of those gentle stories that you can play in the background while going about your day, yet it seeps into your heart with unexpected softness. There’s something so comforting about the way the little girl and her friend see the world—it made me feel safe, seen, and weirdly nostalgic.
The book captures childhood innocence beautifully, especially in how the kids question the world without even realizing those questions come from deep, unspoken struggles. It broke my heart and healed it in the same breath. Their interactions made me reflect on my own childhood and the silent battles we often overlook.
But don’t be fooled by the soft storytelling—*Tangerines* hits hard when it comes to societal issues. It quietly, but powerfully, challenges the broken parts of our systems, the ones that let kids carry burdens they shouldn’t. It forces you to see the cracks and ask the tough questions.
It’s a book you feel more than you read. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to understand, heal, and eventually help create a gentler world for the next generation.
April 26, 2025
3.5/5.0
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Brave Fawn Books for this audio ARC copy of Tangerines.
I have to admit, what drew me into this story was the cover. After I read the summary I wanted to give this a try as it sounded like a very nice and cute child story.
During this short story, you follow Gilly, a 10-year-old girl that lives with her mother and wants to reunite with her father who lives on the other side of the forest. With the help of her best friend, Oggy, and his magical spells (or so he says), they prepare their journey to cross the forest.
Through the book, you can see the innocence of a child's mind and how whimsical everything seems to Gilly, making you think you might be in a fantasy world. This makes the narration unreliable for obvious reasons and adds a lot of magic and sweetness to the plot.
This story touches on some complex themes like family dynamics and grief, which I did not expect and it definitely added more depth. It was my first time attempting a book aimed at middle-graders and it was definitely an interesting experience.
I must also add that Casey Montgomery made a great job at narrating this story and her soothing voice had me enjoy the story greatly.
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Brave Fawn Books for this audio ARC copy of Tangerines.
I have to admit, what drew me into this story was the cover. After I read the summary I wanted to give this a try as it sounded like a very nice and cute child story.
During this short story, you follow Gilly, a 10-year-old girl that lives with her mother and wants to reunite with her father who lives on the other side of the forest. With the help of her best friend, Oggy, and his magical spells (or so he says), they prepare their journey to cross the forest.
Through the book, you can see the innocence of a child's mind and how whimsical everything seems to Gilly, making you think you might be in a fantasy world. This makes the narration unreliable for obvious reasons and adds a lot of magic and sweetness to the plot.
This story touches on some complex themes like family dynamics and grief, which I did not expect and it definitely added more depth. It was my first time attempting a book aimed at middle-graders and it was definitely an interesting experience.
I must also add that Casey Montgomery made a great job at narrating this story and her soothing voice had me enjoy the story greatly.
February 5, 2025
First off I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC copy of this book!! My review is 100% truthful and authentic to my opinions.
This book is not like anything I’ve read before. I genuinely felt like I was reading a 10 year olds journal. The complete randomness of certain things really made that 10 year old POV come to life. The story is very immersive and I could really picture everything that was happening.
The ending wasn’t completely satisfying BUT I feel like that was the whole point. The story has a big emphasis on the journey and the friend we make along the way rather than having a big bang at the end. (Also I’m in love with the cover of this book)
This book is not like anything I’ve read before. I genuinely felt like I was reading a 10 year olds journal. The complete randomness of certain things really made that 10 year old POV come to life. The story is very immersive and I could really picture everything that was happening.
The ending wasn’t completely satisfying BUT I feel like that was the whole point. The story has a big emphasis on the journey and the friend we make along the way rather than having a big bang at the end. (Also I’m in love with the cover of this book)
June 1, 2025
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
This is a bizarre and magical story about relationships, magical creatures, imagination, and tangerines.
Told from the perspective of ten year old Gilly, alongside her best friend Oggy, this is an utterly enchanting, joyously lyrical, and uniquely inspired odyssey of what it's like trying to understand and relate to the unfathomably big concepts of love and loss when you are small and filled with wonder.
Beautiful stuff!
This is a bizarre and magical story about relationships, magical creatures, imagination, and tangerines.
Told from the perspective of ten year old Gilly, alongside her best friend Oggy, this is an utterly enchanting, joyously lyrical, and uniquely inspired odyssey of what it's like trying to understand and relate to the unfathomably big concepts of love and loss when you are small and filled with wonder.
Beautiful stuff!
March 29, 2025
3.5⭐️ Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book - it felt so immersive and atmospheric like we were all in the forest together with all their made up creatures and Oggy. I loved the randomness and flight of ideas she had and it felt really realistic for a 10 year old girls diary. I also liked the ending and how it felt very realistic!
If you want a nice easy read from a small cute narrator that you want to give a cuddle but also feel all the feels!
If you want a nice easy read from a small cute narrator that you want to give a cuddle but also feel all the feels!
January 23, 2025
Ooooo this one was good and it’s a short story that is full of excitement! This one can be read in an afternoon! Better review to come
February 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Definitely worth the read
March 31, 2025
This was a beautiful audio book to experience. It felt ephemeral and like listening to a kid’s whispers. The story is poignant but told in such a hopscotch way that it ebbs and flows like waves, washing the truth of the story up before hiding it a bit, then washing it all clean again. Once you get the feel for the narration, it becomes such a melodic experience.
I actually love that it’s not really a happy ending. The journey doesn’t end as expected, but even in its sadness there is still an element of beauty.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I actually love that it’s not really a happy ending. The journey doesn’t end as expected, but even in its sadness there is still an element of beauty.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ALC and ARC of this book
This is a middle grade and I was curious about it
I can see little girls liking this story about the rambles of the inner mind of a child.
for me the story didn't leave a lasting impression
This is a middle grade and I was curious about it
I can see little girls liking this story about the rambles of the inner mind of a child.
for me the story didn't leave a lasting impression
May 15, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own
One of the plagues modern entertainment faces is unoriginality. It's becoming more and more common for stories to be predictable, generic, and cliche. Tangerines is anything but.
Tangerines is told through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl Gilly, following the adventures of her and her best friend, Oggy. I expected this book to be a witty, charming read targeted towards kids. After reading it, I am completely blown away by how much this book makes me think. Tangerines is clever and fun, but it's also much more meaningful of a book than I anticipated.
The prose is one of the stars of this book. Tsvi Jolles has truly captured the thinking and mannerisms of a 10-year-old. Nearly all of the prose is witty; however, I do think at times it veered into the territory of being different to be different. There were only a few instances of this, though, and overall, it was very well-written.
This book isn't quite 5 stars, but it offers a unique experience to readers. It's definitely worth the quick read, and I will be checking out Jolles' other works.
3.5 stars
One of the plagues modern entertainment faces is unoriginality. It's becoming more and more common for stories to be predictable, generic, and cliche. Tangerines is anything but.
Tangerines is told through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl Gilly, following the adventures of her and her best friend, Oggy. I expected this book to be a witty, charming read targeted towards kids. After reading it, I am completely blown away by how much this book makes me think. Tangerines is clever and fun, but it's also much more meaningful of a book than I anticipated.
The prose is one of the stars of this book. Tsvi Jolles has truly captured the thinking and mannerisms of a 10-year-old. Nearly all of the prose is witty; however, I do think at times it veered into the territory of being different to be different. There were only a few instances of this, though, and overall, it was very well-written.
This book isn't quite 5 stars, but it offers a unique experience to readers. It's definitely worth the quick read, and I will be checking out Jolles' other works.
3.5 stars
April 14, 2025
Tangerines
by Tsvi Jolles
Format: Audiobook
Narrated by Casey Montgomery
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction, Literary
Pages: 180, Time: 3 hrs 46 min
Pub. Date: March 05, 2025
Rating: 5/5
A book I enjoyed so much that two days after reading it, I have turned on the audiobook again. Is it the magic of the author's words or the charm of the narrator's voice that is making me re-read, or rather re-hear a book I have just completed, again? A strange thing for me to do because usually I am always in a state of rush to read a new book; we all know there are many, many books to read and not as much time.
My guess is that the author's words and the narrator's style complement each other so well, that what we have in Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles, narrated by Casey Montgomery is an audiobook that just fills up the heart with a sense of being adult while making us nostalgic for the innocent time we have left behind, and it's always tempting to revisit such a book, especially given its depth in exploring the life and mind of a 10-year-old girl who crosses a forest to meet her father.
The book is rich in imagination, as well as character exploration, and the view of the adult world through the eyes of a 10-year-old is done not just with brilliance, but with so much warmth and empathy.
My guess is that children, especially the imaginative ones, will find this book relatable, and more than that, very enjoyable. I plan to hear this with a couple of kids.
Gilly lives with her mother. Her best friend is Auggie. They sit on a branch in her favourite tangerine tree, talk, imagine (even flying yenekas) and watch the world below. Mother plays cards with Mississippi, Audelia and Eternity. Gilly's father lives across the forest with Mississippi. When Gilly decides to meet her father, Auggie offers to accompany her and do spells to make the journey across the forest a success, because he doesn't have so much faith in Gilly's prayers. Gilly is always writing new prayers.
Given her age, Gilly doesn't understand everything and because the book is in her pov, readers are also left guessing a bit now and then. This enhances the reading experience, because it brings Gilly and Auggie closer to our hearts.
Tangerines is a Middle-Grade fiction, but middle-grade children too don't get to live in a perfect world. Nor is the real world a children's adventure fiction, so Gilly and Auggie cannot win everywhere in life, they have to toe the line and live within the circumstances of their lives. In Tangerines we see the beauty of how the young and imaginative minds bloom and flourish even within the periphery of unwanted circumstances in life. As the book closes, I see a tangerine tree, it's canopy sparkling with tangerines glowing in orange warmth. We know there is a tartness in the tangerines, but we still want to taste it because it will bring sweetness along with its tartness. This is life, and this is also the cover of this amazing book.
Tangerines also happens to be the first audiobook I have read/heard till completion. Usually I don't fare well with audiobooks (been attempting since last 4-5 years), I enjoy hearing the story, but after a point my mind plays truant. This didn't happen in Tangerines. I don't know why, but I want to credit both the author and the narrator for the same. The rich, imaginative and poignant story, told in a soothing yet animated voice did some magic. May be Auggie had cast a spell or Gilly had whispered a prayer when I picked up Tangerines, who knows!
I fell asleep twice when hearing Tangerines—the soothing voice lulled me to sound, peaceful sleep, once for so long that when I woke up, I was in the penultimate chapter. 😀😀
I hope Tsvi Jolles soon writes another book, I am waiting. And I will reach out for more audiobooks narrated by Casey Montgomery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Brave Fawn Books for the audiobook of Tangerines in exchange for a honest review.
Q: Do I recommend Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles to my fellow readers?
A: Absolutely to the power of infinity ❤️❤️❤️
by Tsvi Jolles
Format: Audiobook
Narrated by Casey Montgomery
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction, Literary
Pages: 180, Time: 3 hrs 46 min
Pub. Date: March 05, 2025
Rating: 5/5
A book I enjoyed so much that two days after reading it, I have turned on the audiobook again. Is it the magic of the author's words or the charm of the narrator's voice that is making me re-read, or rather re-hear a book I have just completed, again? A strange thing for me to do because usually I am always in a state of rush to read a new book; we all know there are many, many books to read and not as much time.
My guess is that the author's words and the narrator's style complement each other so well, that what we have in Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles, narrated by Casey Montgomery is an audiobook that just fills up the heart with a sense of being adult while making us nostalgic for the innocent time we have left behind, and it's always tempting to revisit such a book, especially given its depth in exploring the life and mind of a 10-year-old girl who crosses a forest to meet her father.
The book is rich in imagination, as well as character exploration, and the view of the adult world through the eyes of a 10-year-old is done not just with brilliance, but with so much warmth and empathy.
My guess is that children, especially the imaginative ones, will find this book relatable, and more than that, very enjoyable. I plan to hear this with a couple of kids.
Gilly lives with her mother. Her best friend is Auggie. They sit on a branch in her favourite tangerine tree, talk, imagine (even flying yenekas) and watch the world below. Mother plays cards with Mississippi, Audelia and Eternity. Gilly's father lives across the forest with Mississippi. When Gilly decides to meet her father, Auggie offers to accompany her and do spells to make the journey across the forest a success, because he doesn't have so much faith in Gilly's prayers. Gilly is always writing new prayers.
Given her age, Gilly doesn't understand everything and because the book is in her pov, readers are also left guessing a bit now and then. This enhances the reading experience, because it brings Gilly and Auggie closer to our hearts.
Tangerines is a Middle-Grade fiction, but middle-grade children too don't get to live in a perfect world. Nor is the real world a children's adventure fiction, so Gilly and Auggie cannot win everywhere in life, they have to toe the line and live within the circumstances of their lives. In Tangerines we see the beauty of how the young and imaginative minds bloom and flourish even within the periphery of unwanted circumstances in life. As the book closes, I see a tangerine tree, it's canopy sparkling with tangerines glowing in orange warmth. We know there is a tartness in the tangerines, but we still want to taste it because it will bring sweetness along with its tartness. This is life, and this is also the cover of this amazing book.
Tangerines also happens to be the first audiobook I have read/heard till completion. Usually I don't fare well with audiobooks (been attempting since last 4-5 years), I enjoy hearing the story, but after a point my mind plays truant. This didn't happen in Tangerines. I don't know why, but I want to credit both the author and the narrator for the same. The rich, imaginative and poignant story, told in a soothing yet animated voice did some magic. May be Auggie had cast a spell or Gilly had whispered a prayer when I picked up Tangerines, who knows!
I fell asleep twice when hearing Tangerines—the soothing voice lulled me to sound, peaceful sleep, once for so long that when I woke up, I was in the penultimate chapter. 😀😀
I hope Tsvi Jolles soon writes another book, I am waiting. And I will reach out for more audiobooks narrated by Casey Montgomery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Brave Fawn Books for the audiobook of Tangerines in exchange for a honest review.
Q: Do I recommend Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles to my fellow readers?
A: Absolutely to the power of infinity ❤️❤️❤️
April 16, 2025
I’ll start by saying that the author did such a brilliant job of capturing the gears in a curious child mind that never stop turning. I do know this book is being published as a children’s book but I truly believe the people who would get the most out of it are actually adults. I loved the very amusing observations 10 year old Gilly makes about the world around her. It kind of reminds me of when you take your kid to the park and another child comes and sits down and just starts telling you every single thing that pops into their head and their whole life story, and they say things in such a non challant and matter of fact way that makes it clear that they’re a little naive to the reality or severity of a situation, but they definitely observe more than the adults around them likely think that they’re do.
It was an incredible exploration of the perception of a child and how that often is vastly different to that of the adults around them. A good reminder that adults see things that children don’t, but children also have the ability to see things that adults can’t. So while Gilly may be oblivious to the reality of her situation, that may be overwhelming obvious to an adult listener, she also makes observations about things/life that at some point we seem to grow out of being able to see.
I appreciate NetGalley and the author for giving me an opportunity to read and review this.
It was an incredible exploration of the perception of a child and how that often is vastly different to that of the adults around them. A good reminder that adults see things that children don’t, but children also have the ability to see things that adults can’t. So while Gilly may be oblivious to the reality of her situation, that may be overwhelming obvious to an adult listener, she also makes observations about things/life that at some point we seem to grow out of being able to see.
I appreciate NetGalley and the author for giving me an opportunity to read and review this.
March 21, 2025
I appreciate NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Tangerines is a very cute and charming children’s book that completely exceeded my expectations. The story follows a ten-year-old girl named Gilly and her best friend, Oggy, as they go on adventures together. At first, I expected this to be a lighthearted and funny read aimed at kids, but I was surprised by how much depth it had. While the book is imaginative and intelligently told, it also carries a meaningful message that stuck with me long after I finished reading.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its prose. Tsvi Jolles does an excellent job capturing the voice and mindset of a ten-year-old, making Gilly feel incredibly authentic. The writing style is interesting and kept me engaged throughout the story, adding to its charm and uniqueness.
It was a delightful and worthwhile book. It’s a quick, engaging story that offers a fun yet meaningful experience, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Jolles’ work in the future.
Tangerines is a very cute and charming children’s book that completely exceeded my expectations. The story follows a ten-year-old girl named Gilly and her best friend, Oggy, as they go on adventures together. At first, I expected this to be a lighthearted and funny read aimed at kids, but I was surprised by how much depth it had. While the book is imaginative and intelligently told, it also carries a meaningful message that stuck with me long after I finished reading.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its prose. Tsvi Jolles does an excellent job capturing the voice and mindset of a ten-year-old, making Gilly feel incredibly authentic. The writing style is interesting and kept me engaged throughout the story, adding to its charm and uniqueness.
It was a delightful and worthwhile book. It’s a quick, engaging story that offers a fun yet meaningful experience, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Jolles’ work in the future.
April 16, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a simple, yet complex story for a children’s literature book 🤍 The innocence of a mind at that age, but as a listener/reader, yk everything isn’t always as her mind depicts. Things being kept from her due to her age, but you understand it. It was lowkey sad, but Oggy sure brightens the moods. Overall such a bittersweet read!!
Casey Montgomery did an amazing job narrating this so well 🫶🏽
"When scared and hopeful meet in the woods at night, they have a sword fight. Only scared has an actual sword, but for hopeful to win, it just needs to believe it's holding a sword- One twice as sharp, three times as long, and five times as dangerous."
Loved this quote 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a simple, yet complex story for a children’s literature book 🤍 The innocence of a mind at that age, but as a listener/reader, yk everything isn’t always as her mind depicts. Things being kept from her due to her age, but you understand it. It was lowkey sad, but Oggy sure brightens the moods. Overall such a bittersweet read!!
Casey Montgomery did an amazing job narrating this so well 🫶🏽
"When scared and hopeful meet in the woods at night, they have a sword fight. Only scared has an actual sword, but for hopeful to win, it just needs to believe it's holding a sword- One twice as sharp, three times as long, and five times as dangerous."
Loved this quote 🤍
January 23, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Brave Fawn Books for providing the e-ARC for me. This book feels like a warm hug. A story about family and friendship, about love and hate, from the POV of a 10-year-old girl.
The storytelling is unique, it feels like I read a diary entry of a little kid. The "innocent" commentary somehow relatable, I even have to take a moment to highlight them because it's so good.
The made up names and words, it really feels like a kid wrote this book! I also found my favorite quotes from this book: [....] hating a person is just the forest's way of reminding you that you're wasting your time.
Definitely a worth-to-read children literature if you want something unique.
The storytelling is unique, it feels like I read a diary entry of a little kid. The "innocent" commentary somehow relatable, I even have to take a moment to highlight them because it's so good.
The made up names and words, it really feels like a kid wrote this book! I also found my favorite quotes from this book: [....] hating a person is just the forest's way of reminding you that you're wasting your time.
Definitely a worth-to-read children literature if you want something unique.
June 1, 2025
3.5 stars
RTC
RTC
April 21, 2025
— 2.5 ✷
I don't particularly have anything to say.
I loved the cover and thought the book was going to give childlike wonder and whimsy, based on the synopsis, but I didn't. Something just felt off and I couldn't connect with the magic the story supposedly had. Sometimes the tone felt machine-like, sometimes like ramblings.
It was told episodically, in sort-of vignettes, and I didn't mind it.
At the same time, nothing was inherently bad about it to the point of making me abhor the book, so I didn't lower the rating to 2 stars.
Thank you to Brave Fawn Books, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Tsvi Jolles and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I don't particularly have anything to say.
I loved the cover and thought the book was going to give childlike wonder and whimsy, based on the synopsis, but I didn't. Something just felt off and I couldn't connect with the magic the story supposedly had. Sometimes the tone felt machine-like, sometimes like ramblings.
It was told episodically, in sort-of vignettes, and I didn't mind it.
At the same time, nothing was inherently bad about it to the point of making me abhor the book, so I didn't lower the rating to 2 stars.
Thank you to Brave Fawn Books, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Tsvi Jolles and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
What is the saddest word you know? A loaded question, isn't it? But it's a question 10 year old Gilly has asked herself: "longing". And that word summarizes the book Tangerines rather perfectly.
Gilly lives in a forest with her mom. Her best (and only) friend is Ever-So-Wise-Or-So-He-Says Oggy, a passionate 10 year-old who believes in magic and makes up his own words and spells. Gilly's father is no longer in the picture, living on the other side of the forest, and by way of her diary Gilly narrates around the deep longing she has to have her father back. Gilly and Oggy devise a spell to get him back from his live-in girlfriend, Mississippi, whom Gilly loathes and thus lists FIRST when musing on the topic "If people HAD to die in order..."
Welcome to the magical world of 10 year old brains with 10 year old imaginations and fitting childlike interpretations. It's unreliable narration at its finest and funniest: Gilly has no qualms about admitting she lies. Her directness is refreshing and witty in a manner exclusively reserved for preteens. But more than that, the reader immediately senses, apart from Gilly's inability as a 10 year old to process adult complexities, that things are also being kept from her.
In her writing journey (Gilly hopes this becomes a book one day), Gilly ponders about family a lot. Along with magical words made up by Oggy, they discuss equally powerful real words like "psychology", "high sensitivity" and particularly "heredity". Both kids marvel at the concept of heredity, thinking that if one parent likes something, they will inherit that same like. Or that same choice. Or behavior. These conversations and these kids' life experiences so far give us a lot of insight into Oggy's motivations especially and how he affects Gilly. Without giving much away, I thought this was just beautifully woven together.
Much like the world this story takes place in. Initially, we think it's a timeless sort of enchanted forest, with tangerine trees, and 'yanika' animals (I listened to the audiobook, please forgive me for not knowing the spelling). So when Gilly suddenly mentions Disney and Stephen King, it's really jarring! We're in the modern world after all! But it's a very, very isolated, small world for Gilly. She doesn't attend school and has only her mom, her Tangerine tree, and Oggy. Oggy is clearly her whole world, her diary full of Oggy-isms. He's her anchor in life.
Despite that, Gilly is full of light and humor, her journal a chronicle of a journey, but also full of random observations and delightful information, such as her having been to Oggy's house 53 times. Of Oggy's parents having "a special mirror above the bed. Oggy swears it's for catching night smiles." Or of Oggy being just "this kid in front of her" or "that boy she knows" when they're in a fight. The way I chuckled at all of this. Kids are awesome.
But stowed away in between the Oggy-isms or the 1000 references to yanika's, she works in thoughts like: "Beautiful things should stand on her own," referring to her individuality. And the heartbreaking question she longs to ask her mom: "'Do you love me?' I know the answer, but I just need to hear her say it."
These sensitive, honest thoughts made me physically brace myself for Gilly towards the end. I was fully invested, and upon finishing the book I found myself entirely baffled to be suddenly in tears. Again without spoiling the ending, as a person whose own childhood was full of questions about family and belonging, so much of this just resonated. I kept flashing back to my own chaotic journal entries from when I was 9 years old. The stuff that mattered then (cringe!) with little hints of hope and heartbreak scattered in between. You know, the soul-shaping stuff in a little time capsule. This little book has got all that.
What is the saddest word you know? A loaded question, isn't it? But it's a question 10 year old Gilly has asked herself: "longing". And that word summarizes the book Tangerines rather perfectly.
Gilly lives in a forest with her mom. Her best (and only) friend is Ever-So-Wise-Or-So-He-Says Oggy, a passionate 10 year-old who believes in magic and makes up his own words and spells. Gilly's father is no longer in the picture, living on the other side of the forest, and by way of her diary Gilly narrates around the deep longing she has to have her father back. Gilly and Oggy devise a spell to get him back from his live-in girlfriend, Mississippi, whom Gilly loathes and thus lists FIRST when musing on the topic "If people HAD to die in order..."
Welcome to the magical world of 10 year old brains with 10 year old imaginations and fitting childlike interpretations. It's unreliable narration at its finest and funniest: Gilly has no qualms about admitting she lies. Her directness is refreshing and witty in a manner exclusively reserved for preteens. But more than that, the reader immediately senses, apart from Gilly's inability as a 10 year old to process adult complexities, that things are also being kept from her.
In her writing journey (Gilly hopes this becomes a book one day), Gilly ponders about family a lot. Along with magical words made up by Oggy, they discuss equally powerful real words like "psychology", "high sensitivity" and particularly "heredity". Both kids marvel at the concept of heredity, thinking that if one parent likes something, they will inherit that same like. Or that same choice. Or behavior. These conversations and these kids' life experiences so far give us a lot of insight into Oggy's motivations especially and how he affects Gilly. Without giving much away, I thought this was just beautifully woven together.
Much like the world this story takes place in. Initially, we think it's a timeless sort of enchanted forest, with tangerine trees, and 'yanika' animals (I listened to the audiobook, please forgive me for not knowing the spelling). So when Gilly suddenly mentions Disney and Stephen King, it's really jarring! We're in the modern world after all! But it's a very, very isolated, small world for Gilly. She doesn't attend school and has only her mom, her Tangerine tree, and Oggy. Oggy is clearly her whole world, her diary full of Oggy-isms. He's her anchor in life.
Despite that, Gilly is full of light and humor, her journal a chronicle of a journey, but also full of random observations and delightful information, such as her having been to Oggy's house 53 times. Of Oggy's parents having "a special mirror above the bed. Oggy swears it's for catching night smiles." Or of Oggy being just "this kid in front of her" or "that boy she knows" when they're in a fight. The way I chuckled at all of this. Kids are awesome.
But stowed away in between the Oggy-isms or the 1000 references to yanika's, she works in thoughts like: "Beautiful things should stand on her own," referring to her individuality. And the heartbreaking question she longs to ask her mom: "'Do you love me?' I know the answer, but I just need to hear her say it."
These sensitive, honest thoughts made me physically brace myself for Gilly towards the end. I was fully invested, and upon finishing the book I found myself entirely baffled to be suddenly in tears. Again without spoiling the ending, as a person whose own childhood was full of questions about family and belonging, so much of this just resonated. I kept flashing back to my own chaotic journal entries from when I was 9 years old. The stuff that mattered then (cringe!) with little hints of hope and heartbreak scattered in between. You know, the soul-shaping stuff in a little time capsule. This little book has got all that.
![Profile Image for lexactuallyreads [surviving off vibes ftm].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1718587936i%2F139940672._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 1, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, Tsvi Jolles, and Brave Fawn Books for the Advanced Listener's Copy of the audiobook!
"Because beautiful things should stand out on their own. Beautiful things have beautiful names, like burgundy. But not always... Mississippi."
Let's be real, how could you look at the cover and decide to move on from this? It's absolutely gorgeous! This book is exactly what I expected it to be, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say this would be the perfect read for neurodivergent children, as a neurodivergent adult myself. The voice is perfectly of that as a child, but both Gilly and her friend Oggy think differently than everyone else.
"Oggi says magic is like a clock, everything has to happen at just the right time or it won't work. I want to believe him, part of me already does. If anyone can bend the rules of the forest, it's Oggi."
The question of can a prayer or a spell bring a loved one back to you tends to be the main theme here, but there were so many other elements at play here to bring enough to the story without overwhelming it. The magical but foreboding forest in between them and their heart's desire, coupled with the magical animal only she can see really lend to the childlike fantasy the author is going for. I also have to agree with other reviewers when I say that I enjoyed the "acknowledgments" section reading as it is coming from Gilly, and not Jolles, because it really actualizes the idea that Tangerines is Gilly's final written work. I won't harp on some of the elements that were questionable but I did have to stop and say "Is that...'x'?" and thought it was a choice.
"I don't think magic is real, but I totally believe in Oggi."
Casey Montgomery kills it as the narrator, lending the childlike voice and wonderment, making the story feel realized and complete.
"If you blush in the dark, no one can see it. Only you know. Blush is a funny word, it sounds like something Oggi would make up. But the funniest word I know is hodgepodge. The saddest word? Longing, like longing for someone. If I'm sad, I can say hodgepodge a few times and it helps. When mom is sad and I say hodgepodge over and over, she gets annoyed and tells me to stop. But by then, she usually forgets why she was sad in the first place. Words can be a bit like magic."
"Because beautiful things should stand out on their own. Beautiful things have beautiful names, like burgundy. But not always... Mississippi."
Let's be real, how could you look at the cover and decide to move on from this? It's absolutely gorgeous! This book is exactly what I expected it to be, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say this would be the perfect read for neurodivergent children, as a neurodivergent adult myself. The voice is perfectly of that as a child, but both Gilly and her friend Oggy think differently than everyone else.
"Oggi says magic is like a clock, everything has to happen at just the right time or it won't work. I want to believe him, part of me already does. If anyone can bend the rules of the forest, it's Oggi."
The question of can a prayer or a spell bring a loved one back to you tends to be the main theme here, but there were so many other elements at play here to bring enough to the story without overwhelming it. The magical but foreboding forest in between them and their heart's desire, coupled with the magical animal only she can see really lend to the childlike fantasy the author is going for. I also have to agree with other reviewers when I say that I enjoyed the "acknowledgments" section reading as it is coming from Gilly, and not Jolles, because it really actualizes the idea that Tangerines is Gilly's final written work. I won't harp on some of the elements that were questionable but I did have to stop and say "Is that...'x'?" and thought it was a choice.
"I don't think magic is real, but I totally believe in Oggi."
Casey Montgomery kills it as the narrator, lending the childlike voice and wonderment, making the story feel realized and complete.
"If you blush in the dark, no one can see it. Only you know. Blush is a funny word, it sounds like something Oggi would make up. But the funniest word I know is hodgepodge. The saddest word? Longing, like longing for someone. If I'm sad, I can say hodgepodge a few times and it helps. When mom is sad and I say hodgepodge over and over, she gets annoyed and tells me to stop. But by then, she usually forgets why she was sad in the first place. Words can be a bit like magic."
May 7, 2025
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Brave Fawn Books for providing me with an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review
These were my immediate thoughts after listening to this audiobook...
The main thing I couldn't get my head round was I just couldn't understand why a 10 year old wasn't given a more substantial explanation for her father's absence. Children being lied to is a massive no-no for me. This lack of communication profoundly affects Gilly and allows her mind to run riot with all the possibilities. I'm not saying she needed a full adult explanation, but her mother should've had an age appropriate conversation with her, to put her mind at rest. It is widely accepted that when parents part ways, the child tends to blame themselves and the impact of unspoken truths on a child's emotional development could be catastrophic.
Then a strange thing happened; I slowly started to change my opinion...
I realised that the way the book made me feel was totally intentional. It was the author's way of showing the consequences adult decisions could potentially have on their children and subsequently showing the importance of open communication within families.
Having said that, I am bemused as to why then this book is apparently aimed at 11-13 year olds (Middle Grade US/lower Secondary School UK). Surely this book should be read by the parents, not the children. After all, it is the adults responsibility to choose what to tell the child, following a break up, not the other way round. So shouldn't this book be read by adults to forewarn them of certain consequences? On the other hand, I feel as though this would also be a fascinating book for older children to study in English Literature (GCSE level UK). There is a lot to get your teeth into. Obviously there is a whole mental health aspect bubbling under the surface that could be explored. But also, things like why is the book entitled Tangerines?
Other thoughts:
I can't fault the narrator, Casey Montgomery. She has a wonderful childlike quality to her voice, which was perfect for the naïve, childish voice of Gilly. Also the cover artwork for this book is beautiful.
Gilly seems to jump between subjects all the time, which left me a bit discombobulated. I thought perhaps she may have ADHD. In my experience, ADHD in girls can present as scattered thoughts and constantly going off topic. I wonder if this in some way was the reason for Gilly's mother feeling as though she shouldn't try and explain the father's absence more adequately.
In retrospect I appreciated 'Tangerines' by Tsvi Jolles far more after I had finished the book, than I did while I was caught up in it. I will therefore be rereading this at some point in the future with a different mindset. I have also upped my rating to 4 stars to reflect this.
#MentalHealth #ParentalAbandonment #YA
These were my immediate thoughts after listening to this audiobook...
Then a strange thing happened; I slowly started to change my opinion...
I realised that the way the book made me feel was totally intentional. It was the author's way of showing the consequences adult decisions could potentially have on their children and subsequently showing the importance of open communication within families.
Having said that, I am bemused as to why then this book is apparently aimed at 11-13 year olds (Middle Grade US/lower Secondary School UK). Surely this book should be read by the parents, not the children. After all, it is the adults responsibility to choose what to tell the child, following a break up, not the other way round. So shouldn't this book be read by adults to forewarn them of certain consequences? On the other hand, I feel as though this would also be a fascinating book for older children to study in English Literature (GCSE level UK). There is a lot to get your teeth into. Obviously there is a whole mental health aspect bubbling under the surface that could be explored. But also, things like why is the book entitled Tangerines?
Other thoughts:
I can't fault the narrator, Casey Montgomery. She has a wonderful childlike quality to her voice, which was perfect for the naïve, childish voice of Gilly. Also the cover artwork for this book is beautiful.
Gilly seems to jump between subjects all the time, which left me a bit discombobulated. I thought perhaps she may have ADHD. In my experience, ADHD in girls can present as scattered thoughts and constantly going off topic. I wonder if this in some way was the reason for Gilly's mother feeling as though she shouldn't try and explain the father's absence more adequately.
In retrospect I appreciated 'Tangerines' by Tsvi Jolles far more after I had finished the book, than I did while I was caught up in it. I will therefore be rereading this at some point in the future with a different mindset. I have also upped my rating to 4 stars to reflect this.
#MentalHealth #ParentalAbandonment #YA
April 2, 2025
I was first drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover but the writing proved to be just as captivating.
Tangerine’s by Tvsi Jolles takes you into the mind of a 10 year old girl named Gilly. The way the story is written in prose feels so authentic to the narrator’s young age. She’s telling a story but her thoughts are innocent and scattered just like a young mind. You really start to forget this book isn’t actually written by a child.
In this story Gilly and her best friend Oggy take you on an adventure through the forest to find her father on the other side. Not all is as it seems. Seeing the world through Gilly’s eyes almost gives you a sense of nostalgia and reminds you what it was like to think like a child. Tangerines might be children’s literature but it is a fantastic read for all ages. Though the story itself may be simple, it still has complex themes and gives an interesting childlike outlook on adult dynamics. You will find themes of love, loss, grief, family and friendship. Don’t let the size fool you, it may only be 180 pages but it is packed full of heart and soul.
There are so many quotes I wanted to annotate while reading and listening to this book.
“When scared and hopeful meet in the woods at night, they have a sword fight. Only scared has an actual sword, but for hopeful to win, it just needs to believe it's holding a sword-one twice as sharp, three times as long, and five times as dangerous.”
I read this book in tandem with the audio and truly you cannot go wrong with either. The book will have you wanting to highlight every other sentence. The narrator’s voice for the audio was so calming and perfect for this story being told by a 10 year old girl.
Tangerine’s by Tvsi Jolles takes you into the mind of a 10 year old girl named Gilly. The way the story is written in prose feels so authentic to the narrator’s young age. She’s telling a story but her thoughts are innocent and scattered just like a young mind. You really start to forget this book isn’t actually written by a child.
In this story Gilly and her best friend Oggy take you on an adventure through the forest to find her father on the other side. Not all is as it seems. Seeing the world through Gilly’s eyes almost gives you a sense of nostalgia and reminds you what it was like to think like a child. Tangerines might be children’s literature but it is a fantastic read for all ages. Though the story itself may be simple, it still has complex themes and gives an interesting childlike outlook on adult dynamics. You will find themes of love, loss, grief, family and friendship. Don’t let the size fool you, it may only be 180 pages but it is packed full of heart and soul.
There are so many quotes I wanted to annotate while reading and listening to this book.
“When scared and hopeful meet in the woods at night, they have a sword fight. Only scared has an actual sword, but for hopeful to win, it just needs to believe it's holding a sword-one twice as sharp, three times as long, and five times as dangerous.”
I read this book in tandem with the audio and truly you cannot go wrong with either. The book will have you wanting to highlight every other sentence. The narrator’s voice for the audio was so calming and perfect for this story being told by a 10 year old girl.
April 21, 2025
Audiobook
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I haven't read/listened to a middle school or juvenile fiction story in a long while. However, when I ran across Tangerines on NetGalley, I was intrigued.
The story includes Gilly, a young girl who questions things in her life that don't settle well within her thoughts and emotions. Gilly constantly writes in her diary. It seems to serve as a place where she can contemplate and explore in her own way. Other times, she turns to her best friend Oggy for his thoughts on things. Oggy believes in magic and things of that sort. He also seems to have an answer for everything. Gilly is more spiritual in nature, composing prayers in her diary alomg with her thoughts. The author uses the differences in ways of thinking between the two friends to explore both sides of a subject. It was wonderfully done and made the read even more thought-provoking. The two friends are traveling across a forrest in order for Gilly to see her father. She has questions and feelings about her father that she wants to find the answers to. Her journey across the forrest and the conclusion at its end is both heartwarming and enlightening. I really enjoyed the pacing of the story and the back and forth between Gilly and Oggy. A definite journey that any aged reader can certainly enjoy. As well as take away something to ponder upon for themselves as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I haven't read/listened to a middle school or juvenile fiction story in a long while. However, when I ran across Tangerines on NetGalley, I was intrigued.
The story includes Gilly, a young girl who questions things in her life that don't settle well within her thoughts and emotions. Gilly constantly writes in her diary. It seems to serve as a place where she can contemplate and explore in her own way. Other times, she turns to her best friend Oggy for his thoughts on things. Oggy believes in magic and things of that sort. He also seems to have an answer for everything. Gilly is more spiritual in nature, composing prayers in her diary alomg with her thoughts. The author uses the differences in ways of thinking between the two friends to explore both sides of a subject. It was wonderfully done and made the read even more thought-provoking. The two friends are traveling across a forrest in order for Gilly to see her father. She has questions and feelings about her father that she wants to find the answers to. Her journey across the forrest and the conclusion at its end is both heartwarming and enlightening. I really enjoyed the pacing of the story and the back and forth between Gilly and Oggy. A definite journey that any aged reader can certainly enjoy. As well as take away something to ponder upon for themselves as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
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