Review by Twisted_Smilez -- Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
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- Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
Review by Twisted_Smilez -- Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
[Following is a volunteer review of "Kalayla" by Jeannie Nicholas.]
Kalayla, written by Jeannie Nicholas revolves around 11-year-old Kalayla LeeRoyce. A girl with a spunky attitude whose smart and unafraid to speak her mind. She and her mother Maureen have just moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. They are looking to have a fresh start after the loss of Kalayla’s father in a tragic accident. Maureen is forced to take on life as a single parent and do her best to provide for her daughter. With her mom working two jobs, Kalayla has become self-sufficient. She carries on her life as if she were an adult herself, roaming around the blocks near her apartment. Lena, an elderly neighbor, takes notice of Kalayla and becomes concerned. She worries that the girl might find herself in or get into some sort of trouble because she is not being properly looked after. Therefore, causing Lena to take interest in this young girl and her well-being. Needless to say, Kalayla isn’t very fond of the “Old Lady” meddling in her business. At the same time, she is intrigued and curious to figure out why Lena has such an interest in her.
As if they were missing pieces to an incomplete jigsaw puzzle, these three women form an unbreakable bond. They guide each other through the trials and tribulations of the present and help each other make peace with the past. But most importantly, they each learn that having a family goes beyond genealogy and bloodlines.
The story is told through the perspectives of the novel’s three main female protagonists. Each chapter is narrated by an individual character, alternating as the story progresses. The layout of the novel allows readers to easily understand each character in depth.
This is a very wholesome and heartfelt story. There were several things I liked about it. I appreciated the amount of detail that Jeannie put into the development of each character. They all have a distinct personality, along with quirks and character flaws. I felt that I could picture everyone in real life, and they were easy to relate to because Jeannie has included such real-life issues and situations in her story. My favorite character is Lena. Her horrid experiences with spousal abuse and the loss of her twins, provided her with wisdom to help others. She is a character with a lot of inner strength. I am really glad that this character felt redeemed within herself through her relationship with Kalayla. I also enjoyed how Lena and Kalayla’s friendship developed over time. Although Kalayla’s bratty attitude annoyed me at times, Lena just had a way with her; that wise old woman would get her in line and at the same time build mutual trust between the two. I liked the fact that although she was bratty, she was wise and mature enough to respect Lena. I also found her sense of responsibility to look out for Lena sweet.
As I mentioned before, Kalayla’s bratty attitude irked me at times. Some would define her behavior as sass, but her outbursts when angry lacked respect. I think that there should be a certain level of respect when any child addresses an adult. The language she uses is also not an appropriate way to speak for someone her age. I was glad that with Lena’s help she learned to be a bit better mannered and respectful towards others.
My rating for this novel is 4 out of 4 stars. I applaud Jeannie for her ability to intertwine difficult and heavy topics with moments of love, compassion, and understanding. I recommend this book to those who enjoy heartfelt dramas. Although the novel dealt with serious and heavy topics, it did give me several good laughs.
Those who are bothered by interracial relationships or are sensitive to the topic of racism towards people of color may find it difficult to enjoy this book. Also, be aware that the novel is graphically detailed when portraying moments of spousal abuse, and profanity is used throughout the novel as well. Although two minor mistakes were noted, the book was well-edited in general.
If you find yourself going through a difficult time or are haunted by regrets of the past, turn to this book for a little inspiration.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Kalayla, written by Jeannie Nicholas revolves around 11-year-old Kalayla LeeRoyce. A girl with a spunky attitude whose smart and unafraid to speak her mind. She and her mother Maureen have just moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. They are looking to have a fresh start after the loss of Kalayla’s father in a tragic accident. Maureen is forced to take on life as a single parent and do her best to provide for her daughter. With her mom working two jobs, Kalayla has become self-sufficient. She carries on her life as if she were an adult herself, roaming around the blocks near her apartment. Lena, an elderly neighbor, takes notice of Kalayla and becomes concerned. She worries that the girl might find herself in or get into some sort of trouble because she is not being properly looked after. Therefore, causing Lena to take interest in this young girl and her well-being. Needless to say, Kalayla isn’t very fond of the “Old Lady” meddling in her business. At the same time, she is intrigued and curious to figure out why Lena has such an interest in her.
As if they were missing pieces to an incomplete jigsaw puzzle, these three women form an unbreakable bond. They guide each other through the trials and tribulations of the present and help each other make peace with the past. But most importantly, they each learn that having a family goes beyond genealogy and bloodlines.
The story is told through the perspectives of the novel’s three main female protagonists. Each chapter is narrated by an individual character, alternating as the story progresses. The layout of the novel allows readers to easily understand each character in depth.
This is a very wholesome and heartfelt story. There were several things I liked about it. I appreciated the amount of detail that Jeannie put into the development of each character. They all have a distinct personality, along with quirks and character flaws. I felt that I could picture everyone in real life, and they were easy to relate to because Jeannie has included such real-life issues and situations in her story. My favorite character is Lena. Her horrid experiences with spousal abuse and the loss of her twins, provided her with wisdom to help others. She is a character with a lot of inner strength. I am really glad that this character felt redeemed within herself through her relationship with Kalayla. I also enjoyed how Lena and Kalayla’s friendship developed over time. Although Kalayla’s bratty attitude annoyed me at times, Lena just had a way with her; that wise old woman would get her in line and at the same time build mutual trust between the two. I liked the fact that although she was bratty, she was wise and mature enough to respect Lena. I also found her sense of responsibility to look out for Lena sweet.
As I mentioned before, Kalayla’s bratty attitude irked me at times. Some would define her behavior as sass, but her outbursts when angry lacked respect. I think that there should be a certain level of respect when any child addresses an adult. The language she uses is also not an appropriate way to speak for someone her age. I was glad that with Lena’s help she learned to be a bit better mannered and respectful towards others.
My rating for this novel is 4 out of 4 stars. I applaud Jeannie for her ability to intertwine difficult and heavy topics with moments of love, compassion, and understanding. I recommend this book to those who enjoy heartfelt dramas. Although the novel dealt with serious and heavy topics, it did give me several good laughs.
Those who are bothered by interracial relationships or are sensitive to the topic of racism towards people of color may find it difficult to enjoy this book. Also, be aware that the novel is graphically detailed when portraying moments of spousal abuse, and profanity is used throughout the novel as well. Although two minor mistakes were noted, the book was well-edited in general.
If you find yourself going through a difficult time or are haunted by regrets of the past, turn to this book for a little inspiration.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
