What do you think?
Rate this book
Jelly
Jelly, aged 11, is the life and soul of the classroom. She's popular and great at doing impressions. She's also overweight. She's learned to deal with the put-downs by brushing them off and pretending she finds it all very funny - while making up poems and writing her private worries in a notebook.
Then Lennon arrives, Mum's new boyfriend. He's nice. He treats her mum well, buys her flowers, doesn't let her down. He's the first person to have noticed that Jelly is playing a part. He reads her poems and tells her they're really good. In fact, he'd like to set one to music.
When a talent show is announced at school, Lennon persuades Jelly sing her poem in the contest. But can Jelly find the courage to perform something so personal - especially when Lennon might not always be there to cheer her on?
Then Lennon arrives, Mum's new boyfriend. He's nice. He treats her mum well, buys her flowers, doesn't let her down. He's the first person to have noticed that Jelly is playing a part. He reads her poems and tells her they're really good. In fact, he'd like to set one to music.
When a talent show is announced at school, Lennon persuades Jelly sing her poem in the contest. But can Jelly find the courage to perform something so personal - especially when Lennon might not always be there to cheer her on?
263 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2018
17 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Jo Cotterill
53 books75 followersJo Cotterill has had several careers - actor, musician, teacher, newspaper seller - but is now a full-time writer in Oxfordshire. She loves writing for all ages and has published over twenty books. A Library of Lemons is a book from the heart about making connections and what it really means to be human. Jo loves going into schools and talking about books and reading, and can be found making cards and writing music when she's not spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 20, 2018
When I was a child I ate up the books that I felt told “the truth” about life. I especially loved those written by Judy Blume and Paula Danziger that talked about the issues that didn’t often get talked about. ‘Jelly’ does for the contemporary child what ‘Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret?’ did for me. It is open, honest and is a great catalyst for children to have open conversations about body image and adolescence (including periods). Just wonderful!
August 11, 2018
A wonderful story about acceptance - and self-acceptance. Warm, funny, sweet and full of the importance of kindness. Recommended.
September 13, 2023
This is the story of an overweight 11 year old who is trying to find her way. She uses humor as a way to cover up her pain ands she secretly writes poetry to get out her true feelings. Her mom is dating a really gross guy at the beginning but then finds a good guy that accepts and encourages Jelly and loves her mom authentically. I really liked the story of this girl finding herself and overcoming hardships to be her true self. I didn't like some of the added commentary in this book. There are mentions of her mom having sex (kissing noises in the bedroom with guys, etc.) and there were just some other things thrown in that felt like this was trying to check some boxes. I wish it wouldve focused a little more on just overcoming the bullying and stigma instead of trying to be all encompassing of this girls life.
May 7, 2023
Cărțile pentru copii pe care le-am tradus au fost întotdeauna printre cele mai dragi proiecte. E în ele un miez aparte, un fel de a vorbi cu sinceritate și candoare despre Lucruri Mari, pe care nu îl întâlnești într-alt loc.
Jeleu de Jo Cotterill, la care am început să lucrez în luna aprilie a anului 2022, este una dintre aceste mici bijuterii. „E mai simplu să râzi, decât să plângi. Nu-i așa?” stă scris cu litere colorate pe coperta cu o prăjitură uriașă, trandafirie, cu cireașă în vârf, pe care o fetiță cât Degețica încearcă să o balanseze deasupra capului. Desigur! Noi, adulții, știm totul despre măști și despre cum se ascund tristețile, colțurile de întuneric și lacrimile, despre cum se închid în sipete. Cu atât mai tulburător că aici ne povestește despre ele vocea unei fetițe de 11 ani. Dar, până la urmă, nu de acolo începe totul? De la copilul care am fost/ suntem?
Sipetul Angelicăi Waters (poreclită Jeleu) este un carnețel cu copertă roz, pe care l-a primit cadou pentru că arată a ceva ce își doresc toate fetițele („un camuflaj bun, pentru că toți cred că desenez inimioare și unicorni”). În el, Angelica scrie versuri – fără mască. Sunt poemele unui copil cu o sensibilitate oceanică, în mare parte cu rimă albă, uneori apropiindu-se de pictopoezie. Felicitări, Corint Junior, pentru cât de bine arată grafic acest volum!
Jeleu de Jo Cotterill, la care am început să lucrez în luna aprilie a anului 2022, este una dintre aceste mici bijuterii. „E mai simplu să râzi, decât să plângi. Nu-i așa?” stă scris cu litere colorate pe coperta cu o prăjitură uriașă, trandafirie, cu cireașă în vârf, pe care o fetiță cât Degețica încearcă să o balanseze deasupra capului. Desigur! Noi, adulții, știm totul despre măști și despre cum se ascund tristețile, colțurile de întuneric și lacrimile, despre cum se închid în sipete. Cu atât mai tulburător că aici ne povestește despre ele vocea unei fetițe de 11 ani. Dar, până la urmă, nu de acolo începe totul? De la copilul care am fost/ suntem?
Sipetul Angelicăi Waters (poreclită Jeleu) este un carnețel cu copertă roz, pe care l-a primit cadou pentru că arată a ceva ce își doresc toate fetițele („un camuflaj bun, pentru că toți cred că desenez inimioare și unicorni”). În el, Angelica scrie versuri – fără mască. Sunt poemele unui copil cu o sensibilitate oceanică, în mare parte cu rimă albă, uneori apropiindu-se de pictopoezie. Felicitări, Corint Junior, pentru cât de bine arată grafic acest volum!
August 2, 2024
Jeleu. Cum am devenit superstar.
O carte cu adolescenți,despre comportamentul acestora la școală, situații de agresare verbală, problemele cu greutatea la adolescenți, cum reacționează Angelica în altfel de situații etc
Fiecare copil are o superputere ( talent, înclinare) numai că el trebuie să o descopere...la unii se întâmplă mai devreme, la unii mai târziu...important este să nu renunțe, să nu-și piardă speranța.. ...fiecare s-a născut cu un scop anume.
Superputerea lui Jeleu (a Angelicăi), pe care cei cunoscuți o știu, este hazul, dar mai are una ascunsă: cuvintele așternute în jurnalul său sub forma unor poezii. Sunt trăirile ei, emotiile ei....viata ei...dar neîncrederea în aceasta putere o face să țină totul pentru ea, până cand cineva, la fel de special, reușește să-i redea încrederea...și astfel ea speră, încearcă și...trebuie să descoperiți dacă reușește, pentru că nu reusim de fiecare dată cand încercăm.
O adolescentă în vârstă de 11 ani, care se simte complexată de greutatea ei, care nu lasă pe nimeni să vadă ce simte, ce gândește, inclusiv pe mama ei cu care are o relatie extraordinară din punctul meu de vedere.
"Nu întotdeauna știi ceea ce crezi că stii", așa că Jeleu nu stie cum să reacționeze la unele tachinări, de aceea recurge la a face haz de necaz.
"Râsul este cea mai bună terapie!" preferând să fie amuzantă și să râdă copiii cu ea, nu de ea.
Da, cu totii purtăm măști în diferite situații ale vieții, uneori nu ne dorim să sufere cei dragi alături de noi, câteodată nu știm cum sa spunem ceea ce avem pe suflet..la fel si Jeleu...
O carte despre cum persoana potrivită te poate face să strălucești (Lennon), iar cea nepotrivită să-ți pierzi lumina din ochi, fericirea din priviri.(Chris)
O carte cu adolescenți,despre comportamentul acestora la școală, situații de agresare verbală, problemele cu greutatea la adolescenți, cum reacționează Angelica în altfel de situații etc
Fiecare copil are o superputere ( talent, înclinare) numai că el trebuie să o descopere...la unii se întâmplă mai devreme, la unii mai târziu...important este să nu renunțe, să nu-și piardă speranța.. ...fiecare s-a născut cu un scop anume.
Superputerea lui Jeleu (a Angelicăi), pe care cei cunoscuți o știu, este hazul, dar mai are una ascunsă: cuvintele așternute în jurnalul său sub forma unor poezii. Sunt trăirile ei, emotiile ei....viata ei...dar neîncrederea în aceasta putere o face să țină totul pentru ea, până cand cineva, la fel de special, reușește să-i redea încrederea...și astfel ea speră, încearcă și...trebuie să descoperiți dacă reușește, pentru că nu reusim de fiecare dată cand încercăm.
O adolescentă în vârstă de 11 ani, care se simte complexată de greutatea ei, care nu lasă pe nimeni să vadă ce simte, ce gândește, inclusiv pe mama ei cu care are o relatie extraordinară din punctul meu de vedere.
"Nu întotdeauna știi ceea ce crezi că stii", așa că Jeleu nu stie cum să reacționeze la unele tachinări, de aceea recurge la a face haz de necaz.
"Râsul este cea mai bună terapie!" preferând să fie amuzantă și să râdă copiii cu ea, nu de ea.
Da, cu totii purtăm măști în diferite situații ale vieții, uneori nu ne dorim să sufere cei dragi alături de noi, câteodată nu știm cum sa spunem ceea ce avem pe suflet..la fel si Jeleu...
O carte despre cum persoana potrivită te poate face să strălucești (Lennon), iar cea nepotrivită să-ți pierzi lumina din ochi, fericirea din priviri.(Chris)
May 20, 2020
This book discusses so many things: living in a single parent household, being fat and using humor to disguise the hurt, racial discrimination, feminism, and more. Plus there’s POC and fat rep done right.
This may be targeted at a middle grade audience, but I highly recommend it to YA readers and even adults who enjoy MG/YA.
This may be targeted at a middle grade audience, but I highly recommend it to YA readers and even adults who enjoy MG/YA.
June 5, 2018
A really important book for UKS2 exploring weight and body image. Jelly is a well drawn character, who projects an outgoing self-deprecating persona as a coping mechanism. Her mother has a history of failed relationships but it's her new partner who sees through Jelly's facade and encourages her to foster her real talents of poetry and performance. Highly recommended.
January 8, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher to review. It is out now!
I picked this book up intending to read just a couple chapters and ended up reading 75% of the book in one sitting. I was totally sucked in to Jelly’s story and felt very invested in her journey.
It follows an 11 year old girl named Jelly who loves to make people laugh, but also uses her humor to mask her pain and insecurities when people tease her about her weight or when she is vulnerable. She saves her true feelings for the poems she privately keeps in a notebook, until someone comes into her life that encourages her to let others see her true self.
I think it’s wonderful to have a novel that explores body image, self confidence, and sharing feelings in healthy ways. It was also really insightful for me to be inside the head of someone who uses humor as a protection, since that is so different from my own personality (no one has ever labeled me as a queen of comedy 😉).
This is a middle grade novel, but I’d probably recommend it to the upper end of the middle grade age range due to some more mature topics.
I picked this book up intending to read just a couple chapters and ended up reading 75% of the book in one sitting. I was totally sucked in to Jelly’s story and felt very invested in her journey.
It follows an 11 year old girl named Jelly who loves to make people laugh, but also uses her humor to mask her pain and insecurities when people tease her about her weight or when she is vulnerable. She saves her true feelings for the poems she privately keeps in a notebook, until someone comes into her life that encourages her to let others see her true self.
I think it’s wonderful to have a novel that explores body image, self confidence, and sharing feelings in healthy ways. It was also really insightful for me to be inside the head of someone who uses humor as a protection, since that is so different from my own personality (no one has ever labeled me as a queen of comedy 😉).
This is a middle grade novel, but I’d probably recommend it to the upper end of the middle grade age range due to some more mature topics.
October 5, 2018
This book was fantastic. I felt like Cotterill was had gone back to 11yr old me, taken some of my memories and written them down on paper - and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I laughed, I cried, I sympathised, empathised and reminisced. I wished I’d had this book when I was that age.
Jelly is Angelica Waters and she is dealing with the kinds of things many 11 year olds have to cope with - body changes, noticing how you’re different to other people, how other people are different to you, how words and actions can affect positively and negatively, how to find outlets for all those emotions, periods, family dilemmas, friendships.... it goes on.
Beautifully and cleverly written, it’s raw, honest, powerful... and just REAL.
I’m sure that it will be spot on for its target age group, but if you’ve ever been a slightly awkward pre-teen (and even if you haven’t!) it’s definitely worth a read.
This was a great book to get me reading after a huge slump.
I borrowed a review copy from someone who had received the copy for free from the author. This in no way influenced my review. All thoughts are my own.
Jelly is Angelica Waters and she is dealing with the kinds of things many 11 year olds have to cope with - body changes, noticing how you’re different to other people, how other people are different to you, how words and actions can affect positively and negatively, how to find outlets for all those emotions, periods, family dilemmas, friendships.... it goes on.
Beautifully and cleverly written, it’s raw, honest, powerful... and just REAL.
I’m sure that it will be spot on for its target age group, but if you’ve ever been a slightly awkward pre-teen (and even if you haven’t!) it’s definitely worth a read.
This was a great book to get me reading after a huge slump.
I borrowed a review copy from someone who had received the copy for free from the author. This in no way influenced my review. All thoughts are my own.
February 22, 2024
I absolutely loved this.
This book felt nostalgic to me and reminded me of my childhood when I used to inhale Jaqueline Wilson books. Why? Because Jelly has the same important real life messages that JW was always famous for.
This is such an important book for UKS2. With themes related to single parent families, body image and self esteem, this book teaches children that it’s ok to be your true self and not to always ‘put on a front’.
I love children’s books (then and now) that don’t shy away from the reality of life. This book is truth and children deserve that more than ever.
The song that Jelly writes/performs at the end of the book can be listened to on YouTube and, when I did, I really wanted to cry. Such is the power of books! ❤️
This book felt nostalgic to me and reminded me of my childhood when I used to inhale Jaqueline Wilson books. Why? Because Jelly has the same important real life messages that JW was always famous for.
This is such an important book for UKS2. With themes related to single parent families, body image and self esteem, this book teaches children that it’s ok to be your true self and not to always ‘put on a front’.
I love children’s books (then and now) that don’t shy away from the reality of life. This book is truth and children deserve that more than ever.
The song that Jelly writes/performs at the end of the book can be listened to on YouTube and, when I did, I really wanted to cry. Such is the power of books! ❤️
October 1, 2019
For someone in the correct target audience, I think this book has an incredible message, but I'm a bit too old for it. Jelly's inner dialogue about herself ran very close to home from when I was about her age, so it was quite hard to read at times. I've met Jo and she is lovely. I highly recommend this book to people aged between 10 and 14, as it has a necessary message.
September 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and it’s topic, loving ourselves while hiding behind our vice to make ourselves happy. However some of the of the situations described I feel are not appropriate for this age range.
June 25, 2018
It was a fast and funny reading. I really enjoyed the plot. Characters are so funny and supportive.
It is perfect for 12-16 years old girls.
It is perfect for 12-16 years old girls.
November 3, 2023
Jelly appears on the surface to enjoy being the class clown, when in fact she does this to hide her feelings of hurt from comments and jokes directed towards her size. We see the power of writing and music to express these true feelings, and those 11 year old girls who love Judy Blume type pre-teen true life dramas will love the family and growing up dramas Jelly experiences in this book.
March 20, 2025
O nouă capodoperă a lui Jo Cotterill!
July 19, 2018
(Content note for brief discussion of eating disorders. Full disclosure: I know the author, but also full disclosure, I'd give this book five stars even if I didn't because it's a cracking good read).
There are some books you read as an adult that you wish you'd had when you were a kid. This is one of them.
Throughout my school life, I was always the biggest girl in the class, both height- and weight-wise. I did read books with fat girl heroines, but they always followed the same pattern. Fat girl is sad about being fat. Fat girl develops an eating disorder. There's a dramatic narrative climax where the now-much-less-fat girl faints. Fat girl then moves smoothly to a healthy eating and exercise plan, and ends the book slimmer but with absolutely no ill-effects from the eating disorder.
As anyone who's actually struggled with the complex feelings around being fat in a fatphobic society will know, this isn't how it works in real life. An eating disorder isn't a mildly perilous but ultimately useful path to getting thin, and getting thin is a shifty mirage of a goal that most fat people will not achieve because various factors mean it's not possible for us. And why should we have to anyway?
In Jelly, we finally have a middle-grade heroine who is fat, but whose journey is far more interesting than a "weight loss fixes everything!" story. Jelly's experience is realistic - she gets nasty comments about her weight, and feels like she's constantly being held up against the other girls her age - but it's so clear all the way through this story that the problem isn't Jelly's weight, but society's attitude to it. Jelly is smart, creative, funny, kind and (thank you SO MUCH to Jo Cotterill for putting this in) fit and athletic - and she's also fat, and that's fine.
As you can see, I identified a lot with Jelly, and I also adored the story. The friend and family dynamics were pitch-perfect and utterly believable, and the plot reminded me of the best examples of feel-good teen movies - there's a talent contest, the heroine being honest about herself to her classmates, and, in the adults' B-plot, a romance as sweet as sugar. (I'm pretty sure that Lennon's going to be everyone's new fictional crush). Also, middle-grade literature needs more inclusion of periods, and the world in general needs more cis men who are mature about them.
I'd recommend Jelly to readers of all ages who love contemporary fiction and upbeat, funny stories, and particularly to younger girl readers who are dealing with body image issues for the first time.
There are some books you read as an adult that you wish you'd had when you were a kid. This is one of them.
Throughout my school life, I was always the biggest girl in the class, both height- and weight-wise. I did read books with fat girl heroines, but they always followed the same pattern. Fat girl is sad about being fat. Fat girl develops an eating disorder. There's a dramatic narrative climax where the now-much-less-fat girl faints. Fat girl then moves smoothly to a healthy eating and exercise plan, and ends the book slimmer but with absolutely no ill-effects from the eating disorder.
As anyone who's actually struggled with the complex feelings around being fat in a fatphobic society will know, this isn't how it works in real life. An eating disorder isn't a mildly perilous but ultimately useful path to getting thin, and getting thin is a shifty mirage of a goal that most fat people will not achieve because various factors mean it's not possible for us. And why should we have to anyway?
In Jelly, we finally have a middle-grade heroine who is fat, but whose journey is far more interesting than a "weight loss fixes everything!" story. Jelly's experience is realistic - she gets nasty comments about her weight, and feels like she's constantly being held up against the other girls her age - but it's so clear all the way through this story that the problem isn't Jelly's weight, but society's attitude to it. Jelly is smart, creative, funny, kind and (thank you SO MUCH to Jo Cotterill for putting this in) fit and athletic - and she's also fat, and that's fine.
As you can see, I identified a lot with Jelly, and I also adored the story. The friend and family dynamics were pitch-perfect and utterly believable, and the plot reminded me of the best examples of feel-good teen movies - there's a talent contest, the heroine being honest about herself to her classmates, and, in the adults' B-plot, a romance as sweet as sugar. (I'm pretty sure that Lennon's going to be everyone's new fictional crush). Also, middle-grade literature needs more inclusion of periods, and the world in general needs more cis men who are mature about them.
I'd recommend Jelly to readers of all ages who love contemporary fiction and upbeat, funny stories, and particularly to younger girl readers who are dealing with body image issues for the first time.
June 9, 2020
being your self is all that matters
December 5, 2022
This was just...so good. Jelly's feelings were so complex and incredibly realistic. This is probably one of the best written fat characters I've seen. And the mom was so good, like she wasn't just like 100% supportive or 100% shitty, she was also super complex and not always a very good mom, but we actually saw her inner struggles and why she reacted the way she did to things. Idk you really never see that in middle grade, I loved that. Lennon was also just...everything. he made me so happy, I love shit like that. The frickin best, most supportive person. And I loved that he was able to draw her out where her mom wasn't, but it made sense because they connected over music, it wasn't just like the mom was bad in some way, jelly just didn't feel like she could open up until Lennon made it easier for her. I just want every frickin fat kid, or fat person in general to read this because its so validating, has so many nuanced and complex things to say, and is just so smart, especially for middle grade. One thing I found very funny though was that this is clearly a book by a British author, like that's just incredibly obvious in how it's written, and yet there's references to her doing a southern (presumably US accent) and referring to her mom as mom instead of mum. I suppose that was maybe a publisher thing since this was released in the US, they didn't want it to be too British or whatever lol. Not a mark against the book just thought it was funny.
July 5, 2018
It's getting a bit embarrassing now, how much I love each new book from Jo Cotterill! Jelly is a very important story in my opinion, with its themes of body image and self confidence. Angelica or Jelly as she is known , is just 11 but casual remarks from schoolmates and her mum as well as very negative comments from her very critical grandfather have meant she has hidden her hurt behind a wisecracking shell. She is the class clown , impersonating teachers and making her classmates laugh but when she goes home she pours out her feelings in poetry. The ending is hopeful however and shows the influence just one person can have on a child's feelings of self worth.
I felt for Jelly so much - she is from the sounds of it just a normal little girl, not grossly overweight but just a bit chubby. Her mum means well but has body image issues herself and without meaning to has passed these on to her daughter. The story reminded me of how careful we must be in conversations with young people, as it is far too easy for them to misunderstand what we say and to take to heart throwaway comments (a member of my family frequently told me I had 'childbearing' hips when I was younger - I was a size 12 as a teenager! - and this did give me a complex for many years. A sensitive, important story, perfect to use when working on empathy, bullying and diversity with children.
I felt for Jelly so much - she is from the sounds of it just a normal little girl, not grossly overweight but just a bit chubby. Her mum means well but has body image issues herself and without meaning to has passed these on to her daughter. The story reminded me of how careful we must be in conversations with young people, as it is far too easy for them to misunderstand what we say and to take to heart throwaway comments (a member of my family frequently told me I had 'childbearing' hips when I was younger - I was a size 12 as a teenager! - and this did give me a complex for many years. A sensitive, important story, perfect to use when working on empathy, bullying and diversity with children.
July 23, 2018
An open and heart-warming book about learning to believe in who you really are, Jelly deals with a lot of issues while never being heavy-handed. At its core, it is a book about body imagery and the influence that has on the confidence of a growing girl. It is also about friendship, family, bullying and acceptance from yourself as well as others. There are many interesting vignettes of family life that reveal a poignant backstory without adding too much depressing detail. Jelly is such a warm, wonderful character, full of life and kindness, but also full of confusion and deeper feelings. She is just an ordinary girl. There are moments when you can see her friends trying to get Jelly to open up and show more of her true self; a self they don't really know. The parallels between Jellys' sense of self and her mothers' bring another thought-provoking layer to the tale. Perhaps none of us are as confident as we appear. Perhaps we all need someone or something to allow us to reveal our hidden talents. The story is honest, expressive, filled with joy and laughs while delivering a powerful message. Inspiring, reassuring and completely lovable. (ages 9-12yrs, but one everyone would enjoy.)
March 25, 2024
💜💜💜💜💜Este o carte perfecta pentru cei cu un moral si stima de sine scazut si o parere proasta despre infatisarea lor. Este motivationala din foarte multe puncte de vedere. Iar micuta Angelica alias Jeleu este un copil minunat care devine si mai frumos pe parcursul povestii. Jeleu este la inceputul adolescentii cand parerea despre sine incepe sa se contureze foarte mult. Ea are o silueta cam plinuta care o deranjeaza foarte mult dar ascunde acest fapt prin firea ei mereu vesela si faptele comice. Toate durerile si suferintele ei sunt insa transmise unui carnetel cu coperta roz, primit cadou de la mama ei, pentru ca asa credea ca este potrivit pentru fetite. Angelica a fost bucuroasa de cadou considerandu-l un fel de jurnal si usor de camunflat („un camuflaj bun, pentru că toți cred că desenez inimioare și unicorni”). Este frumos ca mama ei o sustine in toate felurile si mi-a placut ca in final noul iubit al mamei ei i-a oferit atentia necesara unei fetite lipsita de increderea in ea dar si derutata de faptul ca desi mama ei arata perfect nu avea o viata fericita. Cartea este o poveste minunata despre familie, relatii si puterea deciziilor. Sunt minunate si poeziile scrise de Angelica.
October 24, 2025
Dacă ar fi să aleg un cuvânt care descrie această carte, acela ar fi curaj. Curajul de a râde când ți-e greu, curajul de a te privi cu sinceritate, curajul de a-ți găsi vocea și de a o lăsa să fie auzită. „Jeleu. Cum am devenit superstar” nu este doar o poveste despre o fată care visează să cânte, ci și despre fiecare dintre noi, cei care ne ascundem uneori în spatele unei glume, a unei măști sau a unui zâmbet grăbit. Jo Cotterill scrie cu blândețe, iar personajul ei te învață, pas cu pas, că nu trebuie să fii perfect ca să fii demn de iubire. Trebuie doar să fii sincer cu tine și să ai curajul să spui: „Asta sunt eu, cu bune și cu mai puțin bune – și e în regulă.”
De aceea, te invit cu tot dragul să citești această carte. Nu contează câți ani ai – povestea lui Jeleu are un farmec universal. Te va face să râzi, poate să lăcrimezi puțin, dar sigur te va lăsa cu o inimă mai ușoară și cu o dorință sinceră de a te privi cu mai multă îngăduință. Așa că ia cartea în mână, așază-te confortabil și lasă-te purtat de poveste. S-ar putea ca, odată cu Jeleu, să redescoperi și tu micuțul superstar care așteaptă, tăcut, să iasă la lumină.
link blog: https://vorbepentrusufletblog.wordpre...
De aceea, te invit cu tot dragul să citești această carte. Nu contează câți ani ai – povestea lui Jeleu are un farmec universal. Te va face să râzi, poate să lăcrimezi puțin, dar sigur te va lăsa cu o inimă mai ușoară și cu o dorință sinceră de a te privi cu mai multă îngăduință. Așa că ia cartea în mână, așază-te confortabil și lasă-te purtat de poveste. S-ar putea ca, odată cu Jeleu, să redescoperi și tu micuțul superstar care așteaptă, tăcut, să iasă la lumină.
link blog: https://vorbepentrusufletblog.wordpre...
November 15, 2018
Jelly is the school class clown as we discover her insecurity at being the bigger girl at school. She suffers from some bullying comments made towards her many times about her weight building her insecurity as she lets out her anger against people by writing some rather emotional short poetry as a hobby.
She also has to battle with her mothers bad taste in boyfriends as they use her and treat her badly until by chance her mum finally meets a decent guy whom might just also make Jelly happy too.
As Jelly deals with puberty and entering the school talents show with her rather brilliant impersonation act, we see a brave girl emerge as she turns the cruel words said to her into a work of art and owns the stage for her performance.
The book cleverly shows how bullying can effect someone but also how it can in turn inspire them as well. It also shows how a plus size teen is a great choice of main character as Jelly is a normal teenager dealing with an array of issues like any teen of any size a first for teen fiction and I commend Jo for this!
She also has to battle with her mothers bad taste in boyfriends as they use her and treat her badly until by chance her mum finally meets a decent guy whom might just also make Jelly happy too.
As Jelly deals with puberty and entering the school talents show with her rather brilliant impersonation act, we see a brave girl emerge as she turns the cruel words said to her into a work of art and owns the stage for her performance.
The book cleverly shows how bullying can effect someone but also how it can in turn inspire them as well. It also shows how a plus size teen is a great choice of main character as Jelly is a normal teenager dealing with an array of issues like any teen of any size a first for teen fiction and I commend Jo for this!
August 2, 2018
What an absolute delight of a book!
Angelica (aka Jelly) lives with her mum who is a home-rep for a beauty products company and thus is always perfectly made-up and watches what she eats, unlike Jelly who is constantly aware of her weight. She is taller and bigger than anyone else in her class so gets comments from her peers and, to cover up how much they hurt her, plays the class clown, often mimicking teachers. She secretly writes poetry as a way of expressing her feelings but never mentions this to anyone, not even her best friends Sanvi and Kayma. Then her mum starts dating Lennon, a kind and insightful musician, who enables Jelly to express her true self.
A book about body image, bullying, kindness, being yourself, self confidence … so many important issues all wrapped up in a wonderful story. With a strong female protagonist and a male who isn't afraid to express his feelings, this is the perfect book for 8 - 12 years olds.
Angelica (aka Jelly) lives with her mum who is a home-rep for a beauty products company and thus is always perfectly made-up and watches what she eats, unlike Jelly who is constantly aware of her weight. She is taller and bigger than anyone else in her class so gets comments from her peers and, to cover up how much they hurt her, plays the class clown, often mimicking teachers. She secretly writes poetry as a way of expressing her feelings but never mentions this to anyone, not even her best friends Sanvi and Kayma. Then her mum starts dating Lennon, a kind and insightful musician, who enables Jelly to express her true self.
A book about body image, bullying, kindness, being yourself, self confidence … so many important issues all wrapped up in a wonderful story. With a strong female protagonist and a male who isn't afraid to express his feelings, this is the perfect book for 8 - 12 years olds.
Read
February 11, 2020Eleven-year-old Jelly is the life and soul of the classroom. She's popular, thanks to her hilarious impressions. She's also overweight and has learn to deal with the put-downs from her friends by brushing them off and pretending she finds it all very funny. Her true feelings come out in poetry that she keeps hidden in a notebook.
Then Lennon arrives, Mum's new boyfriend. He's nice. He treats her mum well, buys her flowers, doesn't let her down, yet he’s the first person to have noticed that Jelly is playing a part. He reads her poems and tells her they're really good. In fact, he'd like to set one to music. When a talent show is announced at school, Lennon persuades Jelly sing her poem in the contest. Can Jelly risk letting people see the real her?
What drew me in was the humor and beautiful poetry in this book. A truly wonderful book about being true to yourself.
Reviewed by Skye Kordistos, Youth and School Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library
Then Lennon arrives, Mum's new boyfriend. He's nice. He treats her mum well, buys her flowers, doesn't let her down, yet he’s the first person to have noticed that Jelly is playing a part. He reads her poems and tells her they're really good. In fact, he'd like to set one to music. When a talent show is announced at school, Lennon persuades Jelly sing her poem in the contest. Can Jelly risk letting people see the real her?
What drew me in was the humor and beautiful poetry in this book. A truly wonderful book about being true to yourself.
Reviewed by Skye Kordistos, Youth and School Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library
May 1, 2020
This is a book I think every middle grader should read.
I wanted to read the book for the fat rep. I was overweight in school and I wanted to see how much I could relate to it. And it is very relatable. I think this does accurately describe what a child with weight issues goes through and thinks and feels. But I am judging based on my experiences. I even liked how it showed how the mom was affecting Jelly without realizing it.
The poems were really good and hard-hitting.
My only gripe was I didn't always like the main character.
I will also say there was one part that was done too Disney like and not realistic.
I wanted to read the book for the fat rep. I was overweight in school and I wanted to see how much I could relate to it. And it is very relatable. I think this does accurately describe what a child with weight issues goes through and thinks and feels. But I am judging based on my experiences. I even liked how it showed how the mom was affecting Jelly without realizing it.
The poems were really good and hard-hitting.
My only gripe was I didn't always like the main character.
I will also say there was one part that was done too Disney like and not realistic.
Read
March 26, 2021A warm, feel-good story for 9+ about taking a leap of faith when life feels wobbly. Perfect for fans of Cathy Cassidy. Jelly, aged 11, is the life and soul of the classroom. She's popular and great at doing impressions. She's also overweight. She's learned to deal with the put-downs by brushing them off and pretending she finds it all very funny - while making up poems and writing her private worries in a notebook. Then Lennon arrives, Mum's new boyfriend. He's nice. He treats her mum well, buys her flowers, doesn't let her down. He's the first person to have noticed that Jelly is playing a part. He reads her poems and tells her they're really good. In fact, he'd like to set one to music. When a talent show is announced at school, Lennon persuades Jelly sing her poem in the contest. But can Jelly find the courage to perform something so personal - especially when Lennon might not always be there to cheer her on?
July 29, 2018
Review taken from lovedbysunny.com
Wow! Well, I wasn't expecting to be so emotionally involved in this book! I first discovered Jo's writing when A Library of Lemons was released, and A Storm of Strawberries was amazing too. But this? Some how topped Strawberries! Jelly is an amazing eleven year old, and I LOVE how supportive her mum is of her. And Lennon? Well, he's a sweetheart and I'm sure I'm not the only woman wishing there were more men like him in the world, especially after a certain chapter featuring a tub of ice cream! It's also lovely to read about a a step parent type figure taking part and being so active in a childs life, because they always just seem to be on the sidelines in books unless they are horrible.
Jelly gets a 5* from me and I can't wait to see what Jo has next!
Wow! Well, I wasn't expecting to be so emotionally involved in this book! I first discovered Jo's writing when A Library of Lemons was released, and A Storm of Strawberries was amazing too. But this? Some how topped Strawberries! Jelly is an amazing eleven year old, and I LOVE how supportive her mum is of her. And Lennon? Well, he's a sweetheart and I'm sure I'm not the only woman wishing there were more men like him in the world, especially after a certain chapter featuring a tub of ice cream! It's also lovely to read about a a step parent type figure taking part and being so active in a childs life, because they always just seem to be on the sidelines in books unless they are horrible.
Jelly gets a 5* from me and I can't wait to see what Jo has next!
June 21, 2021
this book is obviously written for children (Jelly is literally 11) so it's quick and easy. I finished it in about 24. but GOD is it heartfelt and wonderful and important. as a fat, mentally ill kid from a dysfunctional, tumultuous background who hid behind being funny and clever to avoid having to talk about my feelings when I was Jelly's age - and now at 18 - this book means a lot. my copy is signed from when I met Jo Cotterill (who is absolutely lovely) and I'm so glad this exists because it would have done wonders for me when I was 11.
(also the representation in this is just lovely. Jelly's friends are girls of colour, one of their sisters has a disability, there's casual mention of queerness and mental illness throughout. just a really well done, genuine appreciation for the diversity of the world we live in. love love love it.)
(also the representation in this is just lovely. Jelly's friends are girls of colour, one of their sisters has a disability, there's casual mention of queerness and mental illness throughout. just a really well done, genuine appreciation for the diversity of the world we live in. love love love it.)
February 6, 2019
What a lovely book. Jo Cotterill tackles some tricky subjects including body image and adolescence with kindly wisdom and a gentle humour. The writing shows an understanding of the issues facing young girls today and I believe that many readers will find this story both affecting and reassuring. Jelly is a wonderful character who develops in maturity and confidence by the end of the book. I think this would be wonderful for Year 6 pupils and would make a great transition to secondary school read. The dialogue feels believable and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed this very much and notice that it’s been nominated for the Carnegie, will be interested to see if it appears on the long list. Highly recommended for school libraries and classrooms as it could make a difference.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews