Review of Kalayla
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Sseatvet1
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- Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
Review of Kalayla
[Following is a volunteer review of "Kalayla" by Jeannie Nicholas.]
The book Kalayla, written by Jeannie Nicholas, is an amazing fictional story of a young girl, her single mother, elderly neighbor and the relationships that have shaped them into who they are today. Kalayla, an 11 year old biracial daughter and her single Mother, Maureen, are trying to navigate their new worlds and figuring out who they are as a family unit as well as who they are as individuals. With the introduction to their new elderly neighbor and landlady, Lena, Kalayla is realizing that her freedom to roam the neighborhood, while her mother is at work at the diner, is no longer an option for her. Throughout the book the story flashes back in history to tell the stories of how Kalayla and Maureen became a small family living in a cramped apartment, how Lena became the widow who has worn all black for the past few decades and other flashbacks that formed and created who the characters are today through their choices, choices they did not have and family relationships.
I enjoyed this book as it was relatable in today’s world and society with blended families, interracial couples and the coming of age of parents and children in the society that doesn’t always look positively at these types of relationships. The story of Kalayla was high energy on every page and the action continued with twists to the story throughout the whole book. I believe that the story wasn’t just of 11 year old Kalayla coming of age but also of her Mother and neighbor, Lena, coming of age in their own stages of life as well. I am a firm believer that we are ever evolving and if we don’t grow we are just stuck and this story pushes that belief that no matter our age we can still learn and evolve which is exciting. The story was a reminder that it takes a village, or a whole neighborhood and family, to raise a child and to ensure they are the best that they can be. I really enjoyed that each chapter was basically the same scene but from the other characters point of view, which really helped create the scene as a whole.
I really liked the story of Kalayla and I was sad that the story ended when it did as I felt that a little more of the story could have continued beyond the final scene however the ending did make sense and was still a very good ending. There were some other scenes throughout the story that I felt may have been a little far fetched and if it would have happened in real life than the ending would have been totally different however, this is a fictional book and the scenes definitely did add context and built up the story for later.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. There were very little to no errors and the story was easy to read. The chapters were brilliantly told from another character's point of view which was probably my favorite part of the book and a way to get to know the characters. I did not rate it a 4 out of 4 as I think a different ending would fit the story better.
I recommend this book to adults as I believe it will relate to any adult, at any age, and any generation as it has a common theme of going through life and learning lessons of heartache, forgiveness and self growth caused by ourselves, our lovers and families.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The book Kalayla, written by Jeannie Nicholas, is an amazing fictional story of a young girl, her single mother, elderly neighbor and the relationships that have shaped them into who they are today. Kalayla, an 11 year old biracial daughter and her single Mother, Maureen, are trying to navigate their new worlds and figuring out who they are as a family unit as well as who they are as individuals. With the introduction to their new elderly neighbor and landlady, Lena, Kalayla is realizing that her freedom to roam the neighborhood, while her mother is at work at the diner, is no longer an option for her. Throughout the book the story flashes back in history to tell the stories of how Kalayla and Maureen became a small family living in a cramped apartment, how Lena became the widow who has worn all black for the past few decades and other flashbacks that formed and created who the characters are today through their choices, choices they did not have and family relationships.
I enjoyed this book as it was relatable in today’s world and society with blended families, interracial couples and the coming of age of parents and children in the society that doesn’t always look positively at these types of relationships. The story of Kalayla was high energy on every page and the action continued with twists to the story throughout the whole book. I believe that the story wasn’t just of 11 year old Kalayla coming of age but also of her Mother and neighbor, Lena, coming of age in their own stages of life as well. I am a firm believer that we are ever evolving and if we don’t grow we are just stuck and this story pushes that belief that no matter our age we can still learn and evolve which is exciting. The story was a reminder that it takes a village, or a whole neighborhood and family, to raise a child and to ensure they are the best that they can be. I really enjoyed that each chapter was basically the same scene but from the other characters point of view, which really helped create the scene as a whole.
I really liked the story of Kalayla and I was sad that the story ended when it did as I felt that a little more of the story could have continued beyond the final scene however the ending did make sense and was still a very good ending. There were some other scenes throughout the story that I felt may have been a little far fetched and if it would have happened in real life than the ending would have been totally different however, this is a fictional book and the scenes definitely did add context and built up the story for later.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. There were very little to no errors and the story was easy to read. The chapters were brilliantly told from another character's point of view which was probably my favorite part of the book and a way to get to know the characters. I did not rate it a 4 out of 4 as I think a different ending would fit the story better.
I recommend this book to adults as I believe it will relate to any adult, at any age, and any generation as it has a common theme of going through life and learning lessons of heartache, forgiveness and self growth caused by ourselves, our lovers and families.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
