A touching and relatable story
“It’s a bumpy ride, I know. Chin up. You’re going to make it. You’re going to be alright.”
🌷About the Book…
Addie is a 12 year old girl whose life has been totally uprooted in a cross-cultural move. Leaving her beloved Wisconsin behind for the bustling and loud London, this story explores the experience of a tween desiring to belong and find a place to call home, while feeling like a human jigsaw puzzle with pieces of her heart trailing behind her, and the most crucial pieces, lost to eternity. But Addie is determined, resilient and curious. Who is the mysterious lady in the green hat who shows up on the tube? And why does she arrive at the right moment when Addie is missing her home, and her mum the most?
This is a touching and relatable story about growing up, finding a place to belong and learning to embrace our lives, even through the unexpected.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Teen Fiction
Themes: Emotions, Suffering & Loss, Belonging, Home, Growing Up
Age: 10- 16 years
CW: Bullying, Dead parent
🌷What I Liked…
Addie Brown is such a relatable leading character. I found myself cheering her on and wanting to see her succeed. The author does a brilliant job of tackling common tween/teen issues, and Addie’s hair issues - which mask so many deeper issues - is the most tender and relatable part of her. I could see so much of my young self in this sweet, somewhat selfish, and heartbroken young heroine who just wants to be loved and accepted for who she is.
🌷This Book is for you if
You’re into realistic fiction with a dash of mystery. While I’d say this is a mostly character driven story, it strikes a nice balance between character and plot progression as the story twists and turns. This book covers important topics that can be heavy, however the writing style is casual and Rachel is delicate when addressing these topics. Overall, it’s a great story for a tween or teen to relax into.
Renee @blossomingthroughbooks
Heartwarming and relatable
Rachel Allord’s debut children’s novel is alluring and unique. Writing for her own experience, she introduces us the Addie, a young American girl who has moved across the Atlantic to London to start a new life with her father. Grieving the loss of her mother, and missing all that she called home, she has to navigate the unknowns of a new school, a new city, and the London Underground. Life feels scary, lonely, and unfair….but Addie notices that wherever she goes on the Tube, a kind-eyed lady in a green hat goes too, watching from a distance, but seeming to know the sadness and struggles she carries in her heart. Addie’s discovers friendship in other unexpected places too – an Iranian friend at school becomes her confidant, and Lilian, an elderly lady in the flat below Addie’s, befriends her and offers guidance and support when she most needs it.
This is a gentle novel, accessible because of its length and easy prose, but dealing beautifully with the challenges many teenagers face; loneliness in a crowd, navigating the complexities of friendships, communicating with parents, and coping in new surroundings. Allord celebrates the joy of cross-cultural community too, as she brings Parisa’s Iranian family and Addie’s American one together, with neighbour Lilian included too. The message is subtle but powerful, and joyfully champions what is possible when we reach out with open minds and hearts to the people around us.
The lady in the green hat leaves Addie when she has found other friends…but the reader is left with the question, what if there really is someone with us in our darkest moments, seeing us, rooting for us, showing us the way home?
I’d recommend this book unreservedly to anyone 9 and above; encouraging, relatable, and ultimately joyful, it’s a celebration of how knowing we are loved, even in the hardest of times, is what brings us through.
Fliss
Together Magazine
"This is a wonderful story for younger readers. Despite the themes of loneliness, grief and the challenges of adjusting to new experiences, it is far from a depressing read. The author moved from Wisconsin to London herself, hence the richly detailed descriptions of the culture shock of moving to a new city. This is not a book with overt Christian references, but it is written from a solidly Christian worldview and would certainly give plenty of opportunities to start conversations. An excellent read, which convincingly addresses common challenges and has a wonderful thread of mystery running throughout."
A Review taken from Together Magazine
The girl on the tube
Really good, clearly showed the troubles of change to young people and how it can help build a relationship with God. Not much my style of reading, however brilliant book and one I would recommend. (Steffi, 13)
Rachel
Unexpected!
An amazing book filled with all sorts of interesting mystery. Highly recommended- Emily (Aged 12)
Samantha
The Girl on the Tube
What a fun read with loveable characters! This book was light-hearted while also showing a young girl work through the difficulties of grief and transitions such as moving country. This is the kind of book I found so helpful around the age of 11 as I thought about how to live life and thought about my relationship with God.
Hazel
