Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry is what I will be reviewing today!
Author: Ellie Terry
Age group: 10 - 13
Page count: 336 pages
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Summary from Amazon:
Astronomy-loving Calliope June has Tourette syndrome, so she sometimes makes faces or noises that she doesn't mean to make. When she and her mother move yet again, she tries to hide her TS. But it isn't long before the kids at her new school realize she's different. Only Calliope's neighbor, who is also the popular student body president, sees her as she truly is--an interesting person and a good friend. But is he brave enough to take their friendship public?
As Calliope navigates school, she must also face her mother's new relationship and the fact that they might be moving--again--just as she starts to make friends and finally accept her differences.
Ellie Terry's affecting debut will speak to a wide audience about being true to oneself.
I think the most important part of Forget Me Not is Tourette syndrome. I think that it is amazing the author herself has TS, because it makes the book more meaningful and inspirational. It comes from a person who has experienced it herself and understands what could happen.
Calli was a fun relatable character. TS didn't make a difference on her except it caused to make faces or noises. She struggles because she moves every time her mom breaks up with a boyfriend. Her TS makes it difficult for her to fit in, and moving often doesn't help her a lot. She thought that TS would cause others to treat her differently, so she kept it a secret. People started noticing her tics and made fun of her. Calli has accepted her TS but she needs others to as well. She needs others to understand her. I love Calli's dedication and determination. She believes that she will be the first person on the moon if she keeps on trying.
Calli makes a friend of the student body president. He understands her differences and doesn't judge her for it. He is scared about everyone making fun of him with Calli so he doesn't talk to her outside of school. I was mentally screaming, "Get a move on, buddy! She's your friend!" It was really annoying, but the horrifying fact is it happens a lot. People are scared by how they will be viewed. I think it's great that he eventually realizes the power of friendship and staying true to one's self. This was a huge part of the story, because Calli endures a lot of things without a friend by her side. Calli faces social murder while her friend saves his skin, but by being nice everybody learns more. This book shows what we can do to help others.
Forget Me Not is jam-packed full of emotion. The narrators experience so many different things and their emotions vary. Calli is scared, determined, angry, giddy, and so much more. Her friend is embarrassed, hopeful, sad, happy... Through each page, I went through a roller-coaster ride. Middle school is definitely a challenge, and being a social outcast doesn't help. Especially when you feel rejected by a friend. I connected with the characters very well. Watching them face trials and trying to overcome them added to the drama.
I love how when Calli is the narrator, she writes in poetry. When her friend is the narrator, he writes in prose. I think it shows a big difference in how they think, but also how they can be friends even through their differences.
I learned some cool things about the moon. For example, the moon drifts farther away from Earth each year? One day, the moon will be gone. Mentioning this made the story seem a little more real. It showed the controllable and the uncontrollable, and how it affected the story was great.
Forget Me Not is a memorable story about understanding and accepting differences between people and getting the courage to do what's right.
Author bio:
Taken from her website. Click the button if you'd like to go to it.
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Bye,
Vi