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The Scent of Apples
Libby has an idyllic life on an apple orchard and is close to her grandfather, a cider maker. When he dies in a freak accident, Libby is devastated. She finds it difficult to talk to her parents about her feelings as her mother seems cold and her father says little.
Grieving, angry, and feeling distant from her parents who are struggling with their own relationship, she begins compulsively pulling her hair out. To get away from the unhappiness, Libby unwillingly goes to boarding school.
There, she befriends Charlie, and goes to stay with her family, which is warm, friendly and fun. While there, Libby enjoys being part of all the outdoor adventures and gains new perspectives on herself and her parents. This young adult novel is a story of strong friendships and growing understanding that combine to overcome difficulties.
Grieving, angry, and feeling distant from her parents who are struggling with their own relationship, she begins compulsively pulling her hair out. To get away from the unhappiness, Libby unwillingly goes to boarding school.
There, she befriends Charlie, and goes to stay with her family, which is warm, friendly and fun. While there, Libby enjoys being part of all the outdoor adventures and gains new perspectives on herself and her parents. This young adult novel is a story of strong friendships and growing understanding that combine to overcome difficulties.
183 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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November 3, 2011WONDERFUL BOOK!!!! I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
YOU CAN ALMOST SMELL THE APPLES
TRUELY BEAUTIFUL BOOK.
WELL DONE JACQUIE !
YOU CAN ALMOST SMELL THE APPLES
TRUELY BEAUTIFUL BOOK.
WELL DONE JACQUIE !
Read
April 19, 2012A lot of people I know really liked this, but as someone who has gone through a couple of bouts of depression I just found this book too close to the bone and had to give up.
November 16, 2012
The Scent of Apples was well written and descriptive, the whole time I was hooked. It had a sprinkle of Kiwi in it which I liked and it is one of my favourite books. I rate this 5 stars.
October 24, 2018
The agony Libby feels when she is left alone with her grief seems very real. I wanted to shake her parents, and make them pay more attention to her.
The atmosphere at the boarding school seemed a bit antiquated. I thought there would be more pastoral care these days.
The atmosphere at the boarding school seemed a bit antiquated. I thought there would be more pastoral care these days.
September 25, 2013
My Review
'The Scent of Apples' is a deep, touching, true New Zealand book.
I decided to read this book because i was looking for a New Zealand book in the library to fill in the last box of my bingo board. As soon as i picked this book up and read the blurb i knew i was immediately hooked.
The box this book completed on my bingo board (the very last box!) was the 'A book written by a
New Zealander' category.
My favourite quote from this book was when Libby was talking about how disappointed she was that her Poppa, her grandparent who died, couldn't see a batch of new kittens.
"Poppa won't see the new batch of kittens, and that pisses me off. Nothing can ever be right in the world anymore."
I found this sweet and sad. It shows how distraught Libby was when her Poppa died, but she's trying to fight the pain. I also love kittens and it's funny how she says piss :) (sorry i'm being so childish)
Something new i learnt from the book was to always look on the bright side of life. Sure, times get hard, but over time, things will get better and while you're living, enjoy life to the max.
A character in this book that was interesting to me was Charlie. I love her! She was brave and funny, and as it says in the blurb; 'gutsy', but what i liked the most about her was her positivity. She was the bestest of all friends to Libby and made her feel better and better overtime.
By: Sophie Tse, 9BVD
'The Scent of Apples' is a deep, touching, true New Zealand book.
I decided to read this book because i was looking for a New Zealand book in the library to fill in the last box of my bingo board. As soon as i picked this book up and read the blurb i knew i was immediately hooked.
The box this book completed on my bingo board (the very last box!) was the 'A book written by a
New Zealander' category.
My favourite quote from this book was when Libby was talking about how disappointed she was that her Poppa, her grandparent who died, couldn't see a batch of new kittens.
"Poppa won't see the new batch of kittens, and that pisses me off. Nothing can ever be right in the world anymore."
I found this sweet and sad. It shows how distraught Libby was when her Poppa died, but she's trying to fight the pain. I also love kittens and it's funny how she says piss :) (sorry i'm being so childish)
Something new i learnt from the book was to always look on the bright side of life. Sure, times get hard, but over time, things will get better and while you're living, enjoy life to the max.
A character in this book that was interesting to me was Charlie. I love her! She was brave and funny, and as it says in the blurb; 'gutsy', but what i liked the most about her was her positivity. She was the bestest of all friends to Libby and made her feel better and better overtime.
By: Sophie Tse, 9BVD
November 20, 2016
This book was the book i have wanted. It was a page turner that made it agonizing to put down. Suddenly finding that obsessive disorders come in different shapes and forms. This book made self respect a thing of realization and letting go. The scent of Apples, for me, was a book to cry over. As you have to sink or swim in order to move on with your life.
I choose my rating for this book as a five star, it made me think about myself and relate the book back to my life and experiences that i had no value in until i read this book.
Although I do believe that not many people would share such interest in this book as me, it is a book i would suggest to most people, whether or not you do want a cry or you need a good story, i really do recommend this book.
I choose my rating for this book as a five star, it made me think about myself and relate the book back to my life and experiences that i had no value in until i read this book.
Although I do believe that not many people would share such interest in this book as me, it is a book i would suggest to most people, whether or not you do want a cry or you need a good story, i really do recommend this book.
May 18, 2013
this book should have thousands of readers and an award! what is wrong with you people?!
the scent of apples is unputdownable, but very, very heavy in content. Not many people can handle death, self-harm, injury, blood and heartbreak all in the space of a short read. It's a very compelling tale though, with great descriptions. I would recommend it if you like reading new zealand books. Also, this book reminded me of the song Blue Jay Way. but then again, that is probably just my inner crazy beatle lady. don't listen to that song, it will kind of creep you out, like the book in a way...
the scent of apples is unputdownable, but very, very heavy in content. Not many people can handle death, self-harm, injury, blood and heartbreak all in the space of a short read. It's a very compelling tale though, with great descriptions. I would recommend it if you like reading new zealand books. Also, this book reminded me of the song Blue Jay Way. but then again, that is probably just my inner crazy beatle lady. don't listen to that song, it will kind of creep you out, like the book in a way...
October 21, 2011
This is a fantastic book. The setting is beautifully rendered and the characters, engaging. I don't remember the last time I became so involved in a book. It made me cry and was very hard to put down. This is a must read.
October 22, 2011
This is a fantastic read, best book I've read in along while, extremely hard to put down, i even lost sleep over it :-). This book is a must read.
March 6, 2012
A great debut novel, wonderful characters, would highly recommend.
April 27, 2013
Wonderful. Beautifully written. One of the best books I have ever read even though it made me cry(!). I will be watching out for this author's next book. Let's hope it's published soon.
Read
May 20, 2013Very intense!!! Packed with drama and emotion, and actually the author doesn't waste a single page!!! Still a very good book though. :):):)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews