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Home: My Life in the Universe
14-year-old Leah loves wilderness survival books. In fact, sometimes she wishes she could escape into the wild. Then she could get away from the body image obsession at school and the bullies who pick on her little brother, Aiden. As long as she could still braid her hair, she could definitely survive without home comforts... and she could explore her passion for stargazing. But alone in the woods one night, Leah's life is transformed. She has the strangest sensation of gliding across the night sky, among millions of dazzling stars. This profound experience sparks a burning question in Leah that no one seems able to answer. Desperate to broaden her horizons, Leah challenges herself to attend an international summer camp. Will the people she meets there, from her first love Sean, to formidable climate activist Kayleigh, help Leah find the answer to her what is 'Home'? 'This is a book with a lot of positive messages.' – LoveReading ‘Once in a while a precious book comes along that finds a way to gently hold your hand, tug your heart, and help you understand the strangely curious world you live in. Home is THAT precious book for you.’ – Goodreads 'This is a book that should be given to all teens to help them on their journey through life.’ – NetGalley ‘A moving story about what it means to laugh, to hurt, to rejoice, to celebrate and to be human.' - Goodreads
- GenresYoung Adult
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 27, 2022
A huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a preview copy of this book.
‘Home’ follows Leah as she discovers who she is, on an international camp.
I honestly picked up ‘Home’ not knowing what to expect, but I was not disappointed. It is very rare I feel so attached to a book.
I would describe ‘Home’ as a novel fill to the brim with philosophical ideas and concepts; you definitely will find yourself go on a journey as you are reading it. I also feel the author very much leaves the book open to your own interpretations and each reader will have a journey with this book.
As someone who massively enjoys philosophical matters I therefore loved. this book, however it is certainly still accessible for those who don’t embrace philosophical concepts.
The main question of the book is ‘ Where is home?’, a question that is both complex and simple. I marvel at the way the author created a book along these lines. I am truly in awe of some of the discoveries made in the book.
Even though this book is a philosophical haven, it still felt like a novel. I still enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I can only describe this as two books in one.
I also enjoyed the diversity of characters in this book, the setting of an international holiday camp certainly enhanced this. The character development throughout the novel was fascinating, I definitely felt like I was almost growing up with Leah and even some of the other characters.
I hope that this book is a huge success; it is one of the best I have read.
Well how do you even sum up a review for one of the best books you have ever read? Well I would purely say that I would recommend it for novel loving and philosophical book lovers young and old.
5/5 stars
‘Home’ follows Leah as she discovers who she is, on an international camp.
I am here too. We’re spinning through space and time, on the edge of our Milky Way galaxy. I’ve seen a glittering arc of it on a pitch-black winter’s night. And it made me wonder… …where is home?
I honestly picked up ‘Home’ not knowing what to expect, but I was not disappointed. It is very rare I feel so attached to a book.
I would describe ‘Home’ as a novel fill to the brim with philosophical ideas and concepts; you definitely will find yourself go on a journey as you are reading it. I also feel the author very much leaves the book open to your own interpretations and each reader will have a journey with this book.
As someone who massively enjoys philosophical matters I therefore loved. this book, however it is certainly still accessible for those who don’t embrace philosophical concepts.
The main question of the book is ‘ Where is home?’, a question that is both complex and simple. I marvel at the way the author created a book along these lines. I am truly in awe of some of the discoveries made in the book.
Even though this book is a philosophical haven, it still felt like a novel. I still enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I can only describe this as two books in one.
I also enjoyed the diversity of characters in this book, the setting of an international holiday camp certainly enhanced this. The character development throughout the novel was fascinating, I definitely felt like I was almost growing up with Leah and even some of the other characters.
I hope that this book is a huge success; it is one of the best I have read.
Well how do you even sum up a review for one of the best books you have ever read? Well I would purely say that I would recommend it for novel loving and philosophical book lovers young and old.
5/5 stars
May 8, 2022
Home is the start of Mark Ballabons new series Leah’s Universe; a series of contemporary novels following the inner world of the titular 14-year old, as she ponders the big questions that come with growing up. A profound experience in the woods and attending an international summer camp spark the question in Leah’s mind that is at the centre of this first instalment: what is “Home”?
As much as I liked the idea of this book, and felt like I should have been the kind of reader to enjoy it, this was a big miss for me. The best way for me to describe it is this: have you ever heard of #imfourteenandthisisdeep ? Because that’s exactly what this entire book felt like to me.
What I liked:
The first thing you notice when picking up this book is how stunning it is to look at. Each chapter starts with a full page coloured illustration in a similar style to the cover, and they are spectacular to look at. Each illustration, and every stylistic choice in this book match the feeling and context, making for a beautiful cohesive whole.
Speaking of the content: I’m a big fan of children’s- and YA literature that takes their readers serious, and isn’t afraid to throw some big questions and important topics their way. One of my favourite books for the longest time as a kid was Sophie’s World, and I was really hoping to find something similar to this in Leah’s Universe. Unfortunately, as much as I liked the concept, the execution was very off-putting to me.
What I didn’t like:
As soon as we go into the content of Leah’s musings, the story begins to fall apart. It’s filled with so much melodrama and pseudo-intellectualism that it made me cringe at times. Take sentences like:
“How do these crises come about? Are there too many people, or is there too little care?”
or
“Down here is only a smaller, different version of what’s up there. You’re a living breathing universe. (…) Look at your fingerprints. That’s the universe’s unique signature.”
Or the fact that Leah calls chapters “windows” and goes on for half a page on why that word fits better. It tries so hard to sound profound while really being quite mundane even for e 14-year-old. The further into the story we get, the more I began to dislike Leah. How hard the author tried to make her come across as a “special” girl, and a “deep thinker”, but also how pandering and preachy the tone became about topics such as climate change or how to treat other people. It may just have been me, but to me it hit a wrong nerve.
Another thing that bothered me was that Leah never felt like a fully developed character. She was more so a blank slate for the author to project his own philosophy and views on climate change on, but through the voice of a “woke” teen.
Overall: spectacular first impression with the concept and the art, but left me disappointed with the end result. Don’t take my word for gospel however; I’m about a decade outside the intended age category.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Eminent Productions Ltd. for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As much as I liked the idea of this book, and felt like I should have been the kind of reader to enjoy it, this was a big miss for me. The best way for me to describe it is this: have you ever heard of #imfourteenandthisisdeep ? Because that’s exactly what this entire book felt like to me.
What I liked:
The first thing you notice when picking up this book is how stunning it is to look at. Each chapter starts with a full page coloured illustration in a similar style to the cover, and they are spectacular to look at. Each illustration, and every stylistic choice in this book match the feeling and context, making for a beautiful cohesive whole.
Speaking of the content: I’m a big fan of children’s- and YA literature that takes their readers serious, and isn’t afraid to throw some big questions and important topics their way. One of my favourite books for the longest time as a kid was Sophie’s World, and I was really hoping to find something similar to this in Leah’s Universe. Unfortunately, as much as I liked the concept, the execution was very off-putting to me.
What I didn’t like:
As soon as we go into the content of Leah’s musings, the story begins to fall apart. It’s filled with so much melodrama and pseudo-intellectualism that it made me cringe at times. Take sentences like:
“How do these crises come about? Are there too many people, or is there too little care?”
or
“Down here is only a smaller, different version of what’s up there. You’re a living breathing universe. (…) Look at your fingerprints. That’s the universe’s unique signature.”
Or the fact that Leah calls chapters “windows” and goes on for half a page on why that word fits better. It tries so hard to sound profound while really being quite mundane even for e 14-year-old. The further into the story we get, the more I began to dislike Leah. How hard the author tried to make her come across as a “special” girl, and a “deep thinker”, but also how pandering and preachy the tone became about topics such as climate change or how to treat other people. It may just have been me, but to me it hit a wrong nerve.
Another thing that bothered me was that Leah never felt like a fully developed character. She was more so a blank slate for the author to project his own philosophy and views on climate change on, but through the voice of a “woke” teen.
Overall: spectacular first impression with the concept and the art, but left me disappointed with the end result. Don’t take my word for gospel however; I’m about a decade outside the intended age category.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Eminent Productions Ltd. for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 6, 2022
✨4.5 stars✨
Home follows 14-year-old Leah as she faces big questions about her place in the universe, discovering things about both herself and those around her that pack a powerful punch. She loves the environment around her, braiding her hair, and asking huge philosophical questions that would make any adult’s head spin. I adored this. I remember being younger and wanting to know everything there was to know, and I wish I’d had a Maia to answer my questions with even bigger questions!
A large part of the novel takes place at summer camp, and I was SO impressed with how diverse the cast of characters were, it felt really natural and cultures were explored so carefully, but in a way that still felt genuine and real. I found myself wanting to join Leah at camp, I used to love going on ‘adventure holidays’ when I was at school (think canoeing, rock climbing, caving, all that fun jazz) and this took me right back to the excitement of staying up late in your bunk whispering with your friends about boys and the white water rafting you’d done that day.
I particularly enjoyed the balance of the book (which also felt fitting as Leah is a Libra like me and the Libran scales come to mind!⚖️). Leah is a very profound teenager, with deep thoughts and an aversion to social media, but she is still figuring out all the everyday things and changes that teenagers have to figure out. Her crush on Sean was so well depicted because it felt real, she had no idea what she was doing or what was going on, and she had to ask Taka whether she thought he liked her back or if she was just reading too deep into it. Leah also experiences body issues, doubting her beauty and calling herself plain. When I say I felt this in my bones, I mean I felt this in my BONES. It was so raw and real, and whilst I would have liked a bit more time spent on it, I felt like my 14-year-old self had really been seen. Heck, even my 23-year-old self felt seen, because I still struggle with my appearance, even now.
The illustrations throughout the book had me captivated, I read this on kindle and I spent at least 5 solid minutes before every chapter (window!) zooming in on various aspects of each illustration because they’re all just so beautiful. I’m going to be giving this book to all my teenage cousins for their birthdays this year because I feel like it’s a bit of a must-read for them, in all honesty. It reminded me that I shouldn’t stop asking questions just because I’m technically an adult now, and it made me think really deeply about what/where I consider to be my home. 💫
Home follows 14-year-old Leah as she faces big questions about her place in the universe, discovering things about both herself and those around her that pack a powerful punch. She loves the environment around her, braiding her hair, and asking huge philosophical questions that would make any adult’s head spin. I adored this. I remember being younger and wanting to know everything there was to know, and I wish I’d had a Maia to answer my questions with even bigger questions!
A large part of the novel takes place at summer camp, and I was SO impressed with how diverse the cast of characters were, it felt really natural and cultures were explored so carefully, but in a way that still felt genuine and real. I found myself wanting to join Leah at camp, I used to love going on ‘adventure holidays’ when I was at school (think canoeing, rock climbing, caving, all that fun jazz) and this took me right back to the excitement of staying up late in your bunk whispering with your friends about boys and the white water rafting you’d done that day.
I particularly enjoyed the balance of the book (which also felt fitting as Leah is a Libra like me and the Libran scales come to mind!⚖️). Leah is a very profound teenager, with deep thoughts and an aversion to social media, but she is still figuring out all the everyday things and changes that teenagers have to figure out. Her crush on Sean was so well depicted because it felt real, she had no idea what she was doing or what was going on, and she had to ask Taka whether she thought he liked her back or if she was just reading too deep into it. Leah also experiences body issues, doubting her beauty and calling herself plain. When I say I felt this in my bones, I mean I felt this in my BONES. It was so raw and real, and whilst I would have liked a bit more time spent on it, I felt like my 14-year-old self had really been seen. Heck, even my 23-year-old self felt seen, because I still struggle with my appearance, even now.
The illustrations throughout the book had me captivated, I read this on kindle and I spent at least 5 solid minutes before every chapter (window!) zooming in on various aspects of each illustration because they’re all just so beautiful. I’m going to be giving this book to all my teenage cousins for their birthdays this year because I feel like it’s a bit of a must-read for them, in all honesty. It reminded me that I shouldn’t stop asking questions just because I’m technically an adult now, and it made me think really deeply about what/where I consider to be my home. 💫
April 18, 2022
This is a beautiful book in its content, its writing and its stunning illustrations. In my opinion it would appeal to any teenager of any gender, any parent, in fact anyone! The journey of self discovery of 14 year old Leah Greene is wonderfully described by the author Mark Ballabon. Her summer camp experience took me back decades to a Girl Guides World Jamboree I attended when I was about Leah’s age. Reluctant to go and then reluctant to leave I too had grown in so many ways over a few short weeks.
In a period where there are such social media pressures, particularly on young people, this book has an innocence and a timelessness, whilst still very much of this challenging era we live in. I love the themes of astronomy, astrology, climate change, friendship, family, insecurity, destiny. I can’t wait to read the other two parts of the trilogy.
A sprinkling of stardust and hope. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Thank you to Readers First and to the publisher for the opportunity of a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In a period where there are such social media pressures, particularly on young people, this book has an innocence and a timelessness, whilst still very much of this challenging era we live in. I love the themes of astronomy, astrology, climate change, friendship, family, insecurity, destiny. I can’t wait to read the other two parts of the trilogy.
A sprinkling of stardust and hope. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Thank you to Readers First and to the publisher for the opportunity of a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 6, 2022
Where do I start, this book is hands down one of the most beautiful stories I've read, and definitely up there with my favourite books!
A beautifully written story, which is thought provoking, inspirational and a book that everyone needs to read at some point throughout their life.
The illustrations are stunning, as are the cover images. It has a diverse range of characters, who all have their flaws and it was lovely seeing them develop throughout the pages.
The topics covered are current and global warming is something we should all be made aware of, and the damage we as humans are causing to our 'home'.
I can't wait to read Dragonfly now.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
A beautifully written story, which is thought provoking, inspirational and a book that everyone needs to read at some point throughout their life.
The illustrations are stunning, as are the cover images. It has a diverse range of characters, who all have their flaws and it was lovely seeing them develop throughout the pages.
The topics covered are current and global warming is something we should all be made aware of, and the damage we as humans are causing to our 'home'.
I can't wait to read Dragonfly now.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
July 30, 2022
‘Home: My Life in the Universe is the first book in a new series by Mark Ballabon. Philosopher, environmentalist and author, Mark has been teaching and writing about personal and spiritual development for over two decades.
Every so often you come across a book that belongs in every high school library in the world. Home is one such book. It’s a wonderful coming of age story. Leah is a character who like us all has questions and tries to find the answers while she is away at an international summer camp.
The illustrations by Grant MacDonald really help to draw the reader into Leah’s universe, even more, giving a true insight into her thoughts and feelings.
If you love books that make you think, regardless of your age, Home is a book you should consider reading.
Every so often you come across a book that belongs in every high school library in the world. Home is one such book. It’s a wonderful coming of age story. Leah is a character who like us all has questions and tries to find the answers while she is away at an international summer camp.
The illustrations by Grant MacDonald really help to draw the reader into Leah’s universe, even more, giving a true insight into her thoughts and feelings.
If you love books that make you think, regardless of your age, Home is a book you should consider reading.
April 23, 2022
I am not your typical YA reader, I generally enjoy an adult thriller or a romance but being a secondary school teacher I try to pick up the odd YA book just to keep up to date and I am glad I picked up Home.
Home is uniquely written in that the story is told in windows, not chapters with beautiful illustrations at the start of each window. It is told through the eyes of Leah who is potentially a little earnest and worthy (but aren't most teenagers?!) as she explores growing up, of understanding the world around her and her relationships with her friends. Every so often Leah has an out of body experience which wasn't really for me but worked well with the story.
Overall the book is quite philosophical and considers the 'bigger picture' of life, its definitely not an escapist read. It is full of useful life advice for those growing up (or fully grown) but is not condescending or preachy.
Home is uniquely written in that the story is told in windows, not chapters with beautiful illustrations at the start of each window. It is told through the eyes of Leah who is potentially a little earnest and worthy (but aren't most teenagers?!) as she explores growing up, of understanding the world around her and her relationships with her friends. Every so often Leah has an out of body experience which wasn't really for me but worked well with the story.
Overall the book is quite philosophical and considers the 'bigger picture' of life, its definitely not an escapist read. It is full of useful life advice for those growing up (or fully grown) but is not condescending or preachy.
April 26, 2022
This teen novel is set in our present day and gives an eye-opening account into a 14 year old's ideas of what the world is. Leah is a young woman and her ideas about how we can save the world through changing small things about ourselves really opened my eyes. Leah's guide through life and what home means really spoke to me, and others who I know have read the book. She's really perceptive and her love of handwriting and it's meanings really emphasise this passion for finding things out.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and really show the ideas that Leah is trying to get the reader to understand. They set the book off beautifully, and I would love them to be posters that I could put on my wall to admire all day. I especially love the subtle gradients and hues of the galaxy, further linking it to the main themes of the novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and really show the ideas that Leah is trying to get the reader to understand. They set the book off beautifully, and I would love them to be posters that I could put on my wall to admire all day. I especially love the subtle gradients and hues of the galaxy, further linking it to the main themes of the novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
April 19, 2022
The first thing that really caught my attention was the beautiful illustrations on the first page of each 'window'/chapter which are clearly related to their upcoming story. They bring out the curious side of me and help me imagine how the story will go.
The second thing that stands out is the personality of Leah, the main character who clearly experiences anxiety during her exploration of the world in her teenage year. There are a lot of scenes from the book that reminds me of how I would react as a child myself to the external world, like what Leah does: fear of the unknown and refuse to experience new opportunity (at first).
After reading the two ‘windows’, there is 1 question that I’m curious to know more about from the book.
1. Why are chapters called windows? (I’d love to know what ‘windows’ mean to the main character )
The second thing that stands out is the personality of Leah, the main character who clearly experiences anxiety during her exploration of the world in her teenage year. There are a lot of scenes from the book that reminds me of how I would react as a child myself to the external world, like what Leah does: fear of the unknown and refuse to experience new opportunity (at first).
After reading the two ‘windows’, there is 1 question that I’m curious to know more about from the book.
1. Why are chapters called windows? (I’d love to know what ‘windows’ mean to the main character )
July 31, 2022
This book is beautiful, the illustrations throughout have gorgeous colours that shine in front of you. There’s personal aspects to this book that feel so real you get to know Leah on an emotional level as you read the words through her writing. Even though this is aimed as a young persons read it’s so easy to just be inspired. It’s one of those books that plants itself into your mind and you just want to pick it up and remember it word for word. I wasn’t expecting the life lessons that popped out at me. The structure I would imagine could keep the full attention of any aged child. However I think it would really motivate pre teens to learn more about the passions they have in their life.
I felt really emotional as I started the book and I instantly thought about all those children in Ukraine that are going through what they are now. The author has some powerful words before even getting into the full plot of the book. Leah is an absolute diamond of a character who had so much identity. I didn’t really fully know what it felt like to read such an uplifting book until I read this one. The author has really put out valuable lessons of the world in a story that really resonates with the reader.
I was drawn to this book from the cover, it reminded me of a painting my daughter completed during lockdown. I really started to think of my own version of home and now I would explain it to other people. I cannot wait to share this book with my children and understand their views on it.
I felt really emotional as I started the book and I instantly thought about all those children in Ukraine that are going through what they are now. The author has some powerful words before even getting into the full plot of the book. Leah is an absolute diamond of a character who had so much identity. I didn’t really fully know what it felt like to read such an uplifting book until I read this one. The author has really put out valuable lessons of the world in a story that really resonates with the reader.
I was drawn to this book from the cover, it reminded me of a painting my daughter completed during lockdown. I really started to think of my own version of home and now I would explain it to other people. I cannot wait to share this book with my children and understand their views on it.
April 21, 2022
Thank you Readers First for an advanced copy of HOME in exchange of my honest opinion.
I have never read anything by Mark Ballabon before so I didn't know what to expect. And now that I have had the pleasure to read HOME, I don't really know how to review this book.
No words will express everything this story made me feel.
Let's start by the easy part, I think. The illustrations. Every chapter, called window, starts with a stunning illustration in the colour range this book has going on: blue, purple and white.
They get prettier and prettier as the book advances and they were able to bring me straight into the story.
I also found myself asking me questions, as did our main character, Leah, and trying to answer the ones she proposed. The majority of them were quite deep and hard to answer but made me think about us, as humans, and our role in Earth.
I felt like I was friends with Leah. I could feel her anxiety and worry, I could relate to her thoughts and I wish I have had a Maia when I was younger for support.
I loved Leah's relationship with nature. The care, the love, the respect, the understanding. It is a great lesson for every reader.
Without a shadow of a doubt, 5⭐. HOME is a book worth reading.
I have never read anything by Mark Ballabon before so I didn't know what to expect. And now that I have had the pleasure to read HOME, I don't really know how to review this book.
No words will express everything this story made me feel.
Let's start by the easy part, I think. The illustrations. Every chapter, called window, starts with a stunning illustration in the colour range this book has going on: blue, purple and white.
They get prettier and prettier as the book advances and they were able to bring me straight into the story.
I also found myself asking me questions, as did our main character, Leah, and trying to answer the ones she proposed. The majority of them were quite deep and hard to answer but made me think about us, as humans, and our role in Earth.
I felt like I was friends with Leah. I could feel her anxiety and worry, I could relate to her thoughts and I wish I have had a Maia when I was younger for support.
I loved Leah's relationship with nature. The care, the love, the respect, the understanding. It is a great lesson for every reader.
Without a shadow of a doubt, 5⭐. HOME is a book worth reading.
May 23, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book Home: My Life in the Universe written by Mark Ballabon, even though I bought it for my daughter. But I couldn't resist a quick peek and then..... well it captivates the reader from the outset and you just need to see what happens next!
Home is a beautifully illustrated, thought-provoking book, for anyone in their early teens who cares about this planet, and their own future. It touches on many crucial issues that the younger generations are facing at this time and yet it is filled with many practical tips to deal with them and has so much hope for the future. I highly recommend this book for the young and ‘young in heart’ alike.
My daughter loved it too and said that she wished she had read this book when she was the same age as Leah the 'star' of the book, Home.
Home is a beautifully illustrated, thought-provoking book, for anyone in their early teens who cares about this planet, and their own future. It touches on many crucial issues that the younger generations are facing at this time and yet it is filled with many practical tips to deal with them and has so much hope for the future. I highly recommend this book for the young and ‘young in heart’ alike.
My daughter loved it too and said that she wished she had read this book when she was the same age as Leah the 'star' of the book, Home.
June 1, 2023
Leah is a teenage girl with a lot of big questions about the universe. Leah has a profound experience stargazing in the park one evening which leads her on a journey to seek out the answers as to why we are made of stardust and what is really the meaning of home. In this thought-provoking book, Mark Ballabon explores a number of important issues such as climate change, bullying, body image and the effects of social media, alongside introducing curious young minds to philosophical thinking. Home is a unique and heartwarming book that will encourage young people to think about their place in the world, to understand themselves and others better and to protect Earth, our home in the universe.
November 21, 2024
This is my daughter’s review of Home.
Window 1- The Beginning.
Like in the book, I will be separating certain points with the word ‘window’. I thought I should point this out since others might see this review and have no idea what I’m talking about. This will also just be a character review since it would take quite a while to write the whole story in.
I first started with reading the blurb, as blurbs preface what will happen in the story in detail little enough for the reader to not know everything that will happen, but just enough to entice us into discovering more. And oh boy, this blurb did this perfectly for me.
Window 2- The Characters
The characters I was introduced to made me understand the diversity of our world much more than I did before. I loved the personality and the general curiosity of the protagonist, Leah.
I absolutely loved the fact that the writing we can see just before reading this book belongs to a real person acting as Leah. The fact that this segment was handwritten instead of typed made it so authentic to me! There is nothing that I didn’t like about her, mainly because her personality reminded me of myself!
When Taka was introduced, I immediately warmed up to her since others never had a proper go at Leah because Taka was always next to her. It reminded me of the relationships I have with my friends at school, and it warmed my heart to see Leah had a friend that was scary on the outside but was a big soft sweetheart on the inside.
When I was reading ‘Window Two’ and had come across the segment in which I could see Aiden getting bullied, I was immediately scared for him. I got the sense that the Bentoni Brothers wouldn’t back down if this was simply reported to the school even before it was proven in the text. The only way they would stop was if the victim stood up to them. And when Aiden had done so, I felt so proud for him!
Leah’s dad, I immediately noticed, was a naturally anxious, yet caring and strong individual! When he was teaching his two children the ‘Code of Five’, I realised that this would be a very important life skill both in the book and in real life. The way you, Mark Ballabon, incorporated things that others would grow to learn and things that they would experience outside the book kept me awake even when my mother would groan at me to turn the light off when she could just close her eyes and stop pestering me!
Maia was, by far, the best side character I had ever seen in any book before! And trust me, I read a lot of books. She could teach anyone what true kindness is by solely reading the segment in Leah’s essay in ‘Window 1’, which goes as follows:
“I remember we were all on the beach one day, and I was crying because I was terrified of going into the sea. Other children around were pointing at me and laughing. Mum told me Maia was standing nearby, saw me crying and ran straight into the sea, shouting out madly, “It’s sooooo cold. But I love the wobbly waves!” Apparently I switched from crying to shrieking laughter in seconds.”
This experience made Maia and Leah become quite close, not only because she gave her courage to do something that scared Leah, but also because she had some answers to Leah’s mountainous amounts of questions. I never thought that while I was reading this book, I would grow so attached to such lovely characterisation.
I could go on forever about every single character, but to save more time, I’ll only talk about 4 more people that piqued my interest.
Discovering the character of Kayleigh was an emotional rollercoaster. And that’s putting it lightly. From the blurb, I immediately knew she was going to disagree with Leah. But what I didn’t know is that she was going to act nice when she first met her, then switch attitudes with her when it came to making a film on something.
I was appalled when she lashed out at Leah multiple times. But I didn’t know about what she had been through then. I can’t imagine having to go through what she did, let alone react when someone was going to want to make a film about home when she didn’t have one!
But overall, I learnt something new. And that’s the fact that you can hide grief in many ways, no matter what type of grief you must deal with. For Kayleigh, she hid her anger and sadness with her boisterous matter of fact personality. And she avoided Leah because of the very grief she was trying to hide!
But at the same time, there was even more grief she had. The death of her adoptive sibling, Callum, caused by fossil fuels. She wanted to honour his death and raise awareness for deaths caused by global warming to shrink. But because she thought Leah was getting in her way, she grew aggressive and malicious! At the end of the day, she was just as much as a victim as Leah.
Tanguy has a deep history of pain. He is a refugee and a youth worker at Bridgewell camp. He used to live in Chad, a country in Africa with his family.
His father was a fisher at the river Chad until irrigation and air pollution took over and forced Tanguy and his uncle first to go to France and stay there with his uncle’s cousin for a short while. When I heard about his story, I was heartbroken.
He had to move away from the place he valued as a home and make a new one in a place where he would be judged by some and accepted by others. But when he was in the film project, he always tried to figure out what was wrong and tried to bring everyone together into unity!
When I first got introduced to Natsuki, I knew that Leah would become great friends with her. I saw her as a wise person and when she stood up to Helena (Absolutely hate Helena, very sorry) and Kayleigh, I could already tell that she was going to be a loyal friend to Leah.
She has such a calm and kind personality; I can’t not like her! She’s my 3rd favourite side character because she’s smart and calm yet has the bravery to stick with Leah when Taka isn’t around, even if it meant singling her out along with her friend.
Femi immediately stuck out to me as the wisest out of all the children in the film project, so I wasn’t surprised when she was the leader. I think that Femi deeply cared for everyone in the project and that by putting certain people together, she would avoid more arguments and setbacks!
What I also love about her is that she tried to find ways to include everyone and not leave anyone out of the project! Not to mention its implied she’s a Virgo (I’m a Virgo too :DD). And those are all the reasons why she’s my 2nd favourite character!
Window 3- My Thoughts
Home, for me, is a very inspiring story, not only about philosophy, but also about the importance of understanding others and knowing what they’re going through. The words chosen to describe certain people or actions was immaculate and I absolutely loved that every name has a meaning behind it. E.g. Tanguy – Warrior, Leah – Weary, delicate, Femi – Love me.
The plot and character development could not be better! Overall, I think this book showed me how people's lives can impact others, for the bad or the better! After reading this, I think I truly discovered myself and answered the one question that has been asked from the very start. I now know what home is to me.
Megan, 13
Window 1- The Beginning.
Like in the book, I will be separating certain points with the word ‘window’. I thought I should point this out since others might see this review and have no idea what I’m talking about. This will also just be a character review since it would take quite a while to write the whole story in.
I first started with reading the blurb, as blurbs preface what will happen in the story in detail little enough for the reader to not know everything that will happen, but just enough to entice us into discovering more. And oh boy, this blurb did this perfectly for me.
Window 2- The Characters
The characters I was introduced to made me understand the diversity of our world much more than I did before. I loved the personality and the general curiosity of the protagonist, Leah.
I absolutely loved the fact that the writing we can see just before reading this book belongs to a real person acting as Leah. The fact that this segment was handwritten instead of typed made it so authentic to me! There is nothing that I didn’t like about her, mainly because her personality reminded me of myself!
When Taka was introduced, I immediately warmed up to her since others never had a proper go at Leah because Taka was always next to her. It reminded me of the relationships I have with my friends at school, and it warmed my heart to see Leah had a friend that was scary on the outside but was a big soft sweetheart on the inside.
When I was reading ‘Window Two’ and had come across the segment in which I could see Aiden getting bullied, I was immediately scared for him. I got the sense that the Bentoni Brothers wouldn’t back down if this was simply reported to the school even before it was proven in the text. The only way they would stop was if the victim stood up to them. And when Aiden had done so, I felt so proud for him!
Leah’s dad, I immediately noticed, was a naturally anxious, yet caring and strong individual! When he was teaching his two children the ‘Code of Five’, I realised that this would be a very important life skill both in the book and in real life. The way you, Mark Ballabon, incorporated things that others would grow to learn and things that they would experience outside the book kept me awake even when my mother would groan at me to turn the light off when she could just close her eyes and stop pestering me!
Maia was, by far, the best side character I had ever seen in any book before! And trust me, I read a lot of books. She could teach anyone what true kindness is by solely reading the segment in Leah’s essay in ‘Window 1’, which goes as follows:
“I remember we were all on the beach one day, and I was crying because I was terrified of going into the sea. Other children around were pointing at me and laughing. Mum told me Maia was standing nearby, saw me crying and ran straight into the sea, shouting out madly, “It’s sooooo cold. But I love the wobbly waves!” Apparently I switched from crying to shrieking laughter in seconds.”
This experience made Maia and Leah become quite close, not only because she gave her courage to do something that scared Leah, but also because she had some answers to Leah’s mountainous amounts of questions. I never thought that while I was reading this book, I would grow so attached to such lovely characterisation.
I could go on forever about every single character, but to save more time, I’ll only talk about 4 more people that piqued my interest.
Discovering the character of Kayleigh was an emotional rollercoaster. And that’s putting it lightly. From the blurb, I immediately knew she was going to disagree with Leah. But what I didn’t know is that she was going to act nice when she first met her, then switch attitudes with her when it came to making a film on something.
I was appalled when she lashed out at Leah multiple times. But I didn’t know about what she had been through then. I can’t imagine having to go through what she did, let alone react when someone was going to want to make a film about home when she didn’t have one!
But overall, I learnt something new. And that’s the fact that you can hide grief in many ways, no matter what type of grief you must deal with. For Kayleigh, she hid her anger and sadness with her boisterous matter of fact personality. And she avoided Leah because of the very grief she was trying to hide!
But at the same time, there was even more grief she had. The death of her adoptive sibling, Callum, caused by fossil fuels. She wanted to honour his death and raise awareness for deaths caused by global warming to shrink. But because she thought Leah was getting in her way, she grew aggressive and malicious! At the end of the day, she was just as much as a victim as Leah.
Tanguy has a deep history of pain. He is a refugee and a youth worker at Bridgewell camp. He used to live in Chad, a country in Africa with his family.
His father was a fisher at the river Chad until irrigation and air pollution took over and forced Tanguy and his uncle first to go to France and stay there with his uncle’s cousin for a short while. When I heard about his story, I was heartbroken.
He had to move away from the place he valued as a home and make a new one in a place where he would be judged by some and accepted by others. But when he was in the film project, he always tried to figure out what was wrong and tried to bring everyone together into unity!
When I first got introduced to Natsuki, I knew that Leah would become great friends with her. I saw her as a wise person and when she stood up to Helena (Absolutely hate Helena, very sorry) and Kayleigh, I could already tell that she was going to be a loyal friend to Leah.
She has such a calm and kind personality; I can’t not like her! She’s my 3rd favourite side character because she’s smart and calm yet has the bravery to stick with Leah when Taka isn’t around, even if it meant singling her out along with her friend.
Femi immediately stuck out to me as the wisest out of all the children in the film project, so I wasn’t surprised when she was the leader. I think that Femi deeply cared for everyone in the project and that by putting certain people together, she would avoid more arguments and setbacks!
What I also love about her is that she tried to find ways to include everyone and not leave anyone out of the project! Not to mention its implied she’s a Virgo (I’m a Virgo too :DD). And those are all the reasons why she’s my 2nd favourite character!
Window 3- My Thoughts
Home, for me, is a very inspiring story, not only about philosophy, but also about the importance of understanding others and knowing what they’re going through. The words chosen to describe certain people or actions was immaculate and I absolutely loved that every name has a meaning behind it. E.g. Tanguy – Warrior, Leah – Weary, delicate, Femi – Love me.
The plot and character development could not be better! Overall, I think this book showed me how people's lives can impact others, for the bad or the better! After reading this, I think I truly discovered myself and answered the one question that has been asked from the very start. I now know what home is to me.
Megan, 13
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Leah is fourteen and is often called weird at school, she enjoys stargazing, the wilderness, seven a land isn't like the social media obsessed culture.
She just wants to understand herself and the universe she lives in.
After a walk in the park leading to an episode where Leah feels she is at one with the universe.
She feels passionately now more than ever, something is calling to her to make sense of her life and explore the theme of home and what it means to her and others.
Desperate for answers to her huge questions she joins an international summer camp.
There she learns to grow, work as part of a team, overcomes dissension and bullying and even make new friends and maybe a first boyfriend.
But her burning questions are still unanswered while Leah is forced to move onto the next phase of her life and see what comes next.
This sounded so promising in the blurb but I found it was a little lack lustre for me.
Wasn't bad, but just not that exciting and it just read in a way like a Greta Thunberg campaign all about climate change etc.
At times it just felt full of hippy trippy preaching ethics, meditation, finding yourself, being at one with the universe.
The story was "nice" but like it was REALLY pushing an angle in your face, yes the social and environmental issues covered are serious but it all had this didactic, teaching tone throughout the whole story and the kids and characters involved seemed just that little TOO perfect and responsible.
Not everyone is like that so felt at times it was a little untrue to real life, I just don't know what it was but it just felt like a bit of a "miss" for me.
She just wants to understand herself and the universe she lives in.
After a walk in the park leading to an episode where Leah feels she is at one with the universe.
She feels passionately now more than ever, something is calling to her to make sense of her life and explore the theme of home and what it means to her and others.
Desperate for answers to her huge questions she joins an international summer camp.
There she learns to grow, work as part of a team, overcomes dissension and bullying and even make new friends and maybe a first boyfriend.
But her burning questions are still unanswered while Leah is forced to move onto the next phase of her life and see what comes next.
This sounded so promising in the blurb but I found it was a little lack lustre for me.
Wasn't bad, but just not that exciting and it just read in a way like a Greta Thunberg campaign all about climate change etc.
At times it just felt full of hippy trippy preaching ethics, meditation, finding yourself, being at one with the universe.
The story was "nice" but like it was REALLY pushing an angle in your face, yes the social and environmental issues covered are serious but it all had this didactic, teaching tone throughout the whole story and the kids and characters involved seemed just that little TOO perfect and responsible.
Not everyone is like that so felt at times it was a little untrue to real life, I just don't know what it was but it just felt like a bit of a "miss" for me.
May 22, 2022
Leah is fourteen and is often called weird at school, she enjoys stargazing, the wilderness, seven a land isn't like the social media obsessed culture.
She just wants to understand herself and the universe she lives in.
After a walk in the park leading to an episode where Leah feels she is at one with the universe.
She feels passionately now more than ever, something is calling to her to make sense of her life and explore the theme of home and what it means to her and others.
Desperate for answers to her huge questions she joins an international summer camp.
There she learns to grow, work as part of a team, overcomes dissension and bullying and even make new friends and maybe a first boyfriend.
But her burning questions are still unanswered while Leah is forced to move onto the next phase of her life and see what comes next.
This sounded so promising in the blurb but I found it was a little lack lustre for me.
Wasn't bad, but just not that exciting and it just read in a way like a Greta Thunberg campaign all about climate change etc.
At times it just felt full of hippy trippy preaching ethics, meditation, finding yourself, being at one with the universe.
The story was "nice" but like it was REALLY pushing an angle in your face, yes the social and environmental issues covered are serious but it all had this didactic, teaching tone throughout the whole story and the kids and characters involved seemed just that little TOO perfect and responsible.
Not everyone is like that so felt at times it was a little untrue to real life, I just don't know what it was but it just felt like a bit of a "miss" for me.
(less)
She just wants to understand herself and the universe she lives in.
After a walk in the park leading to an episode where Leah feels she is at one with the universe.
She feels passionately now more than ever, something is calling to her to make sense of her life and explore the theme of home and what it means to her and others.
Desperate for answers to her huge questions she joins an international summer camp.
There she learns to grow, work as part of a team, overcomes dissension and bullying and even make new friends and maybe a first boyfriend.
But her burning questions are still unanswered while Leah is forced to move onto the next phase of her life and see what comes next.
This sounded so promising in the blurb but I found it was a little lack lustre for me.
Wasn't bad, but just not that exciting and it just read in a way like a Greta Thunberg campaign all about climate change etc.
At times it just felt full of hippy trippy preaching ethics, meditation, finding yourself, being at one with the universe.
The story was "nice" but like it was REALLY pushing an angle in your face, yes the social and environmental issues covered are serious but it all had this didactic, teaching tone throughout the whole story and the kids and characters involved seemed just that little TOO perfect and responsible.
Not everyone is like that so felt at times it was a little untrue to real life, I just don't know what it was but it just felt like a bit of a "miss" for me.
(less)
August 15, 2022
I genuinely feel so bad giving this a low score because I wanted to love it. The premise was interesting and I've actually met Mark, he signed my copy when I bought it, and he is a lovely guy with a lot of passion. The book just did not work for me though at all. 'Home' features some gorgeous artwork and I did enjoy getting to the start of a new chapter so that I could see some more art. It definitely works in the books favour and suits the story.
The themes of environmental awareness and philosophy were nice up until a point where sadly I was just a little bored of it all. There isn't too much plot, we're mostly following a girl who is experiencing a bit of a spiritual awakening and I felt like the page count could have been a lot smaller. We do have some conflict within the story but it starts around the page 140 mark if I remember correctly which meant we spent a lot of time with Leah just discussing different topics.
My other issue connected to the philosophy side of things is that none of the characters felt like real people to me, they all spoke far too eloquently for people who haven't studied these concepts in depth and this was especially noticeable when Leah, a 14 year old girl, is talking. There are times where she thinks about not knowing the meaning of something that someone else is talking about, but then she opens her mouth and talks like a 32 year old guru. Her attitude towards other topics felt very "not like other girls" too.
I know that there will definitely be people who love this book and really connect with it, and it could prompt them into thinking about some new concepts and ideas, but it sadly just did not work for me.
The themes of environmental awareness and philosophy were nice up until a point where sadly I was just a little bored of it all. There isn't too much plot, we're mostly following a girl who is experiencing a bit of a spiritual awakening and I felt like the page count could have been a lot smaller. We do have some conflict within the story but it starts around the page 140 mark if I remember correctly which meant we spent a lot of time with Leah just discussing different topics.
My other issue connected to the philosophy side of things is that none of the characters felt like real people to me, they all spoke far too eloquently for people who haven't studied these concepts in depth and this was especially noticeable when Leah, a 14 year old girl, is talking. There are times where she thinks about not knowing the meaning of something that someone else is talking about, but then she opens her mouth and talks like a 32 year old guru. Her attitude towards other topics felt very "not like other girls" too.
I know that there will definitely be people who love this book and really connect with it, and it could prompt them into thinking about some new concepts and ideas, but it sadly just did not work for me.
May 29, 2024
This stunning masterpiece is an example of benefits that challenging yourself and pushing on can bring. Leah is a brave but shy character. She also has an advanced charisma skill, meditating conversations and speaking freely to a large crowd. Alongside that, she has a quality of compassion; she listens whole-heartedly to Tanguy’s and Kayleigh’s stories, plus comforting Taka when her cousin died. Leah also goes out of her way to stop the bullying when her brother, Aiden, becomes a victim of the Bentoni Brothers. Mark Ballabon structured her very well, adding diverse qualities and inner depth to her.
The eye-catching illustrations enhance the storyline, attracting readers young and old. The story has a good pace and a fair consistency of brilliant description. It is appealing for all ages and Leah is a role-model for young teenagers, expressing how you should act when faced with a challenge or a tricky task. Of course, she also makes new friends on her adventure - Natsuki, Tanguy, Kayleigh, Helena, the twins, Sarah… overall, she is very social.
I could never write a book at this level. It is so hard to put together a piece that touches the reader, motivates them and leaves them with an everlasting moral. This deserves a five-star rating. The ending is unexpected yet wholesome as Leah fights through her pain. She attends physiotherapy happily and, four months later, she makes a shocking recovery. I enjoyed this read greatly and I will be looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
The eye-catching illustrations enhance the storyline, attracting readers young and old. The story has a good pace and a fair consistency of brilliant description. It is appealing for all ages and Leah is a role-model for young teenagers, expressing how you should act when faced with a challenge or a tricky task. Of course, she also makes new friends on her adventure - Natsuki, Tanguy, Kayleigh, Helena, the twins, Sarah… overall, she is very social.
I could never write a book at this level. It is so hard to put together a piece that touches the reader, motivates them and leaves them with an everlasting moral. This deserves a five-star rating. The ending is unexpected yet wholesome as Leah fights through her pain. She attends physiotherapy happily and, four months later, she makes a shocking recovery. I enjoyed this read greatly and I will be looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2022
The cover first attracted me to this book but the writing style of the author kept me reading. I don’t often read books targeted at a younger audience, but I’m very glad I read Home. There are the gorgeous illustrations from Grant MacDonald among the pages, and while I think they really popped out when reading the Kindle Edition, I found that I preferred the look of them in the paperback.
This is book one in a trilogy about main character Leah, and I’m already looking forward to reading more about her life. The subjects in the story are relevant to us all as we follow Leah in her search for the meaning of ‘home’. Our place in the universe, death, and climate change being some of the topics covered.
I immediately liked Leah, I felt her longing to escape from the unkind world of body shamers and bullies, to stargaze and feel as if she is the universe experiencing itself. Sean and Kayleigh are equally likeable. In fact, all of the characters were three dimensional and entirely credible.
While this is for younger people, I feel it is also a great book for many adults to read too. It may awaken a long dormant curiosity about life and what ‘home’ means to us, and encourage conversation between parents and their children. With that in mind, I recommend this book to everyone, young and not-so-young. I gave Home: My Life In The Universe, by Mark Ballabon, four stars (no pun intended 😉).
This is book one in a trilogy about main character Leah, and I’m already looking forward to reading more about her life. The subjects in the story are relevant to us all as we follow Leah in her search for the meaning of ‘home’. Our place in the universe, death, and climate change being some of the topics covered.
I immediately liked Leah, I felt her longing to escape from the unkind world of body shamers and bullies, to stargaze and feel as if she is the universe experiencing itself. Sean and Kayleigh are equally likeable. In fact, all of the characters were three dimensional and entirely credible.
While this is for younger people, I feel it is also a great book for many adults to read too. It may awaken a long dormant curiosity about life and what ‘home’ means to us, and encourage conversation between parents and their children. With that in mind, I recommend this book to everyone, young and not-so-young. I gave Home: My Life In The Universe, by Mark Ballabon, four stars (no pun intended 😉).
May 23, 2022
I joined goodreads to leave a review. In this age of on-screen communication I honestly find very little time to read a paperback, or indeed any literature, unless I am lying on a beach somewhere. However I was recommended 'Home' by my neighbours teenage daughter and was intrigued so purchased it.
I'm only three-quarter of the way through this beautifully illustrated book - like I said, I don't often sit down to read - but am captivated by the characters, the wisdom woven through the conversations - all delivered in a non-dogmatic form. I can see why my young friend likes it!
The language is beautiful. Even reading through the Chapters, renamed 'The Gallery of Windows' - each one is tantalising in it's own right. 'Let the Need Lead' for example, and how so true 'Your Eyes Only See What You've Taught Them To See'. The humour existing throughout is also noticeable in the fly leaf 'Inspired by true events and real teenagers'.
Even at my mature age (not telling) I can't wait to read 'Who Am I?' And did I say how awesome the art work is.
I did a google research on the author, Mark Ballabon and see he has published other books, with equally provocative titles such as 'Why Is The Human on Earth'. I see that Birthday and Christmas presents for my nieces and nephews are covered this year. But perhaps not exclusively the young in years, because, as the author states, 'This Story is Dedicated to the Young in Spirit'. I count myself in there.
I'm only three-quarter of the way through this beautifully illustrated book - like I said, I don't often sit down to read - but am captivated by the characters, the wisdom woven through the conversations - all delivered in a non-dogmatic form. I can see why my young friend likes it!
The language is beautiful. Even reading through the Chapters, renamed 'The Gallery of Windows' - each one is tantalising in it's own right. 'Let the Need Lead' for example, and how so true 'Your Eyes Only See What You've Taught Them To See'. The humour existing throughout is also noticeable in the fly leaf 'Inspired by true events and real teenagers'.
Even at my mature age (not telling) I can't wait to read 'Who Am I?' And did I say how awesome the art work is.
I did a google research on the author, Mark Ballabon and see he has published other books, with equally provocative titles such as 'Why Is The Human on Earth'. I see that Birthday and Christmas presents for my nieces and nephews are covered this year. But perhaps not exclusively the young in years, because, as the author states, 'This Story is Dedicated to the Young in Spirit'. I count myself in there.
June 20, 2022
This is a contemporary fiction that centres around Leah Greene.
It is set in North London with some references to Ireland. 14 year old Leah is known to be 'precocious' because she often is seen reading and is very knowledgeable. Her best friend, Taka is unlike her. She's bold, brave and popular in school. They support each other.
It all began when Mr Eaton, Leah's English teacher set a life-changing essay titled 'understanding people.'
Leah began writing about her family and her friends.
Later, Leah learnt that her younger brother Aiden was getting bullied so with her dad's wise words, they helped Aiden in being confident and dealing with the bullies. Leah needed this help too as her life changed when she attended an international summer camp.
I like how the author wrote in the first person, so you get a better insight to the main character. I like how you as the reader find out about her secrets and hopes. I like the normal interactions with other characters especially Leah's interaction with her family and friends.
When I first read the title, saw the cover and read the synopsis, I thought I would like to read this book because it sounds like a book about belonging. Having read it, I wasn't disappointed. I like how the author developed the characters of Leah to make her more confident. I loved the coloured illustrations of each chapter (window) and the handwritten notes that give it a personal touch.
It is set in North London with some references to Ireland. 14 year old Leah is known to be 'precocious' because she often is seen reading and is very knowledgeable. Her best friend, Taka is unlike her. She's bold, brave and popular in school. They support each other.
It all began when Mr Eaton, Leah's English teacher set a life-changing essay titled 'understanding people.'
Leah began writing about her family and her friends.
Later, Leah learnt that her younger brother Aiden was getting bullied so with her dad's wise words, they helped Aiden in being confident and dealing with the bullies. Leah needed this help too as her life changed when she attended an international summer camp.
I like how the author wrote in the first person, so you get a better insight to the main character. I like how you as the reader find out about her secrets and hopes. I like the normal interactions with other characters especially Leah's interaction with her family and friends.
When I first read the title, saw the cover and read the synopsis, I thought I would like to read this book because it sounds like a book about belonging. Having read it, I wasn't disappointed. I like how the author developed the characters of Leah to make her more confident. I loved the coloured illustrations of each chapter (window) and the handwritten notes that give it a personal touch.
April 23, 2022
This is hands down one of the most unusual fiction books I’ve read, from the start it’s clearly different with the high quality paper, stunning graphics and the overall literal weight of it, this is far from your average novel. This is not my usual read and it took me a while to get through it however it’s not designed to be a speed read, it raises so many questions and issues and is well designed to get you to think and challenge yourself. I think pitching it at a YA audience works extremely well, teens are much more aware of the world these days and this gradually leads from the question of what is home to the far bigger issue of what we as humans are doing to the planet, each chapter has its own philosophy and offers something new to consider but none of it is too overwhelming to process. Leah herself is decent character, she’s got her own way of doing things but I felt her character wasn’t too big for the book which allowed the themes to stand out more. It’s really hard to rate this out of five, in terms of entertainment for me it’s less so than my average read however this is actually quite a special book and a great way of getting its audience to really think about themselves and the world and question everything they know.
December 24, 2022
This narrative has a lot more to it; Leah's brother, Aiden, is being bullied at school, and Leah is determined to defend him. She is quite self-conscious. Her English instructor has inspired her to write creatively before he had to leave the school owing to a terminal illness. Leah's personal journey takes a detour after a chance and slightly trippy experience with the stars one night in the local park. She begins to question as she has never before, and she has always been an inquisitive adolescent! She is not the most confident of teenagers, but she resolves to seize the opportunity of the international summer camp and all it has to offer, while also experiencing first love and youthful activism.Leah is no stranger to the spiritual aspects of life; after meeting Maia on the beach, her family adopted her as a guide for the entire family. Leah's father is likewise plenty of sound advise.
This novel inspires while raising numerous questions in the reader's mind. It's nicely made and divided into windows rather than chapters, each beginning with a lovely artwork. The philosophical problems and concepts in the work are ideal for young adult readers, and I believe they will find it difficult to put down once they get started.
This novel inspires while raising numerous questions in the reader's mind. It's nicely made and divided into windows rather than chapters, each beginning with a lovely artwork. The philosophical problems and concepts in the work are ideal for young adult readers, and I believe they will find it difficult to put down once they get started.
April 22, 2022
I loved the style of this book, the illustrations at the start of each window (not chapter!) really match the feel of the book. I'm not the target audience of this book, but even as an adult, there are messages that you can take away. It covers a lot of themes that kids and young adults may be dealing with, including friendship, bullying, facing your fears and understanding yourself, which to be honest some older adults may be dealing with too! It offered great tips but didn't come across as preachy. The out of body experience and presences that Leah kept referring to sounded a bit far-fetched to me, but maybe that's just because I haven't had an experience like that. The characters were likeable and real, and I loved seeing them develop and learn to understand and respect each other, even if at first they didn't get along. It's unusual to have a book with glossy white pages which actually made the book rather heavy to read in bed, but it worked with the illustrations and occasional different fonts.
May 7, 2022
CAPTIVATING!
A first person plot, set in the modern day, with an optimistic teenage girl as lead.. could i ask for anything better?
The writing style is gentle, and modern, but not too colloquial- it makes perfect sense.
But the characters- they are interesting and diverse, without it seeming to 'try to hard to tick boxes'.
There are a few elements, like a small lack of description, that might have made the introduction a little better, but the lack did lend to the WONDERFULLY SMOOTH paragraphs, and overall flow of the story.
It is a must read novel, with a wonderful story line...
Leah is an utter inspiration!!!!
The family dynamic is clear and realistic, displaying good morals, and values, from which a lesson or two can be learnt.
And, Leah's experiences are so understandable, especially for today's teenagers! This is a GREAT book for any early to mid teenager, as it clearly states positivity, even though tough and uncertain times.
10/10, would recommend, strongly!!
A first person plot, set in the modern day, with an optimistic teenage girl as lead.. could i ask for anything better?
The writing style is gentle, and modern, but not too colloquial- it makes perfect sense.
But the characters- they are interesting and diverse, without it seeming to 'try to hard to tick boxes'.
There are a few elements, like a small lack of description, that might have made the introduction a little better, but the lack did lend to the WONDERFULLY SMOOTH paragraphs, and overall flow of the story.
It is a must read novel, with a wonderful story line...
Leah is an utter inspiration!!!!
The family dynamic is clear and realistic, displaying good morals, and values, from which a lesson or two can be learnt.
And, Leah's experiences are so understandable, especially for today's teenagers! This is a GREAT book for any early to mid teenager, as it clearly states positivity, even though tough and uncertain times.
10/10, would recommend, strongly!!
May 11, 2022
Chapters become windows – sheer genius!
A wonderful read. And the illustrations are just superb - they simply lift the words off the pages and transport you into the visual imagery of Leah’s world.
My favourite window was Words Swords and Dancing Letters. It explores the power of language in such an unusual way – I was utterly taken with it. I spent ages afterwards, thinking about ‘silent’ and ‘listen’ (anagrams) and the fact that you need to be silent to listen. And ‘words’ are a ‘sword’… they are capable of both protecting or cutting people. Language came alive for me in this window, I just loved it.
Can’t recommend highly enough for adults, teenagers and anyone looking for some magical insights and inspiration. It’s packed with so many positive messages. It touches on major issues such as bullying at school and body image, together with addressing the vital need to be proactive in slowing down global warming.
A unique book and one I shall treasure – it made a huge impact on me.
A wonderful read. And the illustrations are just superb - they simply lift the words off the pages and transport you into the visual imagery of Leah’s world.
My favourite window was Words Swords and Dancing Letters. It explores the power of language in such an unusual way – I was utterly taken with it. I spent ages afterwards, thinking about ‘silent’ and ‘listen’ (anagrams) and the fact that you need to be silent to listen. And ‘words’ are a ‘sword’… they are capable of both protecting or cutting people. Language came alive for me in this window, I just loved it.
Can’t recommend highly enough for adults, teenagers and anyone looking for some magical insights and inspiration. It’s packed with so many positive messages. It touches on major issues such as bullying at school and body image, together with addressing the vital need to be proactive in slowing down global warming.
A unique book and one I shall treasure – it made a huge impact on me.
September 21, 2022
amazing
This book touches on everything from etymology to more traditional teen issues of school bullies and body image issues and the ever increasing urgency to act to slow down global warming. It's clear that the author has some passionate and spiritual ideas they wish to share with readers about unity and how a sense of ownership and belonging might inspire more action to reduce pollution and the other behaviors that are harming the world around us. Although written with great intentions, I would have liked to find more dimension in Leah, something outside of her existential musings to help me relate to the character. I liked how Leah’s family and friends were supportive of her exploring her ideas. I like the messages throughout to push outside your comfort zone to learn more about the world and yourself, as well as the conflict resolution at the summer camp. This is a book with a lot of positive messages and would be a good introduction into more philosophical thinking for teenagers while helping them to perhaps understand themselves and the world around them better.
This book touches on everything from etymology to more traditional teen issues of school bullies and body image issues and the ever increasing urgency to act to slow down global warming. It's clear that the author has some passionate and spiritual ideas they wish to share with readers about unity and how a sense of ownership and belonging might inspire more action to reduce pollution and the other behaviors that are harming the world around us. Although written with great intentions, I would have liked to find more dimension in Leah, something outside of her existential musings to help me relate to the character. I liked how Leah’s family and friends were supportive of her exploring her ideas. I like the messages throughout to push outside your comfort zone to learn more about the world and yourself, as well as the conflict resolution at the summer camp. This is a book with a lot of positive messages and would be a good introduction into more philosophical thinking for teenagers while helping them to perhaps understand themselves and the world around them better.
Read
April 9, 2022DAMN
Where do I start, this book is hands down one of the most beautiful stories I've read, and definitely up there with my most favourite books on my 'top book shelf'!
A beautifully written story, (Mark Ballabon must have had some very meticulous ideas) which is thought provoking, inspirational and a book that everyone needs to read at some point throughout their life. THEY SIMPLY MUST!! No matter their age or gender - it is a MUST!
The illustrations are stunning, as are the cover images. Congratulations to the illustrator. It has a diverse range of characters, who all have their flaws and it was lovely seeing them develop throughout the pages. Character development is something I'm usually very picky about, but in this scenario, it was executed perfectly.
The topics covered are current and global warming is something we should all be made aware of, and the damage we as humans are causing to our 'home'.
I can't wait to read Dragonfly now.
Where do I start, this book is hands down one of the most beautiful stories I've read, and definitely up there with my most favourite books on my 'top book shelf'!
A beautifully written story, (Mark Ballabon must have had some very meticulous ideas) which is thought provoking, inspirational and a book that everyone needs to read at some point throughout their life. THEY SIMPLY MUST!! No matter their age or gender - it is a MUST!
The illustrations are stunning, as are the cover images. Congratulations to the illustrator. It has a diverse range of characters, who all have their flaws and it was lovely seeing them develop throughout the pages. Character development is something I'm usually very picky about, but in this scenario, it was executed perfectly.
The topics covered are current and global warming is something we should all be made aware of, and the damage we as humans are causing to our 'home'.
I can't wait to read Dragonfly now.
April 16, 2022
I ordered this book to read to my great-nephew, Toby. We read a lot together and it popped up as a recommendation, although Toby is a little below the target age-group.
Toby has recently joined the Cubs and is mad on astronomy, camping and nature study/climate change. He was absorbed by Leah's story and although some of it was, I think, beyond him, he insisted on returning to it each night of his stay.
We particularly loved the pictures and practised 'walking into them', as well as some of the other experiments in the book.
This is a fascinating read which covers all sorts of subjects - astronomy, astrology, philosophy, climate disaster, bullying, the pain of first love and self-image. There are chapters on fear, the place of humanity in the universe and death - areas that parents do not always want to tackle.
I hope to buy the paperback book in due course so that my other young relatives can have a browse when they are at my place.
Toby has recently joined the Cubs and is mad on astronomy, camping and nature study/climate change. He was absorbed by Leah's story and although some of it was, I think, beyond him, he insisted on returning to it each night of his stay.
We particularly loved the pictures and practised 'walking into them', as well as some of the other experiments in the book.
This is a fascinating read which covers all sorts of subjects - astronomy, astrology, philosophy, climate disaster, bullying, the pain of first love and self-image. There are chapters on fear, the place of humanity in the universe and death - areas that parents do not always want to tackle.
I hope to buy the paperback book in due course so that my other young relatives can have a browse when they are at my place.
April 22, 2022
Home is a beautiful book.
For a start it is beautifully presented with thick, glossy pages and illustrations at the start of every chapter (or “windows” as they’re called in this book.)
Then, as you read, there are some beautiful messages around what it means to be yourself and what beauty truly is.
Written from the perspective of 14 year old Leah as she experiences a strange sensation of flying out from her body in a park that makes her question her place in the universe, Home is a story of teenage self analysis and discovery. Spending time away at Summer camp and making new friends and working through conflict enables the introduction of many positive messages. In a lot of ways this is an inspiring guide book on how to deal with some of those awkward teenage moments.
Alongside the positive messages there is a focus on the climate emergency and a reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to act now.
For a start it is beautifully presented with thick, glossy pages and illustrations at the start of every chapter (or “windows” as they’re called in this book.)
Then, as you read, there are some beautiful messages around what it means to be yourself and what beauty truly is.
Written from the perspective of 14 year old Leah as she experiences a strange sensation of flying out from her body in a park that makes her question her place in the universe, Home is a story of teenage self analysis and discovery. Spending time away at Summer camp and making new friends and working through conflict enables the introduction of many positive messages. In a lot of ways this is an inspiring guide book on how to deal with some of those awkward teenage moments.
Alongside the positive messages there is a focus on the climate emergency and a reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to act now.
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