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Iris
‘I flinch. I know she’s not going to hit me, we’ve got in arguments a hundred times before and she’s raised her hand – she’s never hit me in the face. But I flinch anyway.’
I put that because whenever you pick up a book at the shop there’s always a quote on the back, and because I’m trying to put off writing the blurb. I don’t know what to put.
This is just a book about me, Iris, and the things that I do, the friends I make, well, try to make, and everything else that happens to me – good, bad and, uh, very bad.
That sounds really boring but I promise, it’s much more extraordinary. I might seem normal, (well, not normal, a bit weird really), little Iris, but there’s so much more to it than that, more than most people can even begin to understand.
I put that because whenever you pick up a book at the shop there’s always a quote on the back, and because I’m trying to put off writing the blurb. I don’t know what to put.
This is just a book about me, Iris, and the things that I do, the friends I make, well, try to make, and everything else that happens to me – good, bad and, uh, very bad.
That sounds really boring but I promise, it’s much more extraordinary. I might seem normal, (well, not normal, a bit weird really), little Iris, but there’s so much more to it than that, more than most people can even begin to understand.
85 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2016
480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 26, 2016
Initially, I wondered why Iris was so sad, but in seeing how she is treated at home, like a total burden on her family, devoid of brains, unattractive, it quickly becomes clear why Iris is so depressed, introverted and filled with self-hate. Toni Owen-Blue tells of a beautiful young girl who is stripped of her confidence by her overly strict and opinionated mother who showers Iris’ younger brother with love. ‘Iris’ stirred up a lot of emotions inside me, as I was easily able to relate to her pain and solitude. Lotus’ arrival at the school was the breath of fresh air which Iris so badly needed, only to have her mother ban the friendship based on Lotus’ looks alone. While ‘Iris’ is not a long story, it has no need to be as the depth and volume of the tale is perfectly packaged, well-paced and beautifully presented. Toni Owen-Blue reaches into your heart, tugging hard on your heart strings while narrating a story which creates a whirlwind of emotions from one extreme to the next, showing how destructive bullying can be, especially when the bullying doesn’t end at home. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Iris’ story and recommend it to all readers 12 years and over as it deals with a very common problem, and shows that everybody has strength and beauty inside; you just need to look in the right place.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
May 11, 2016
Iris is one of those books I’d recommend to anyone, told from the perspective of the titular protagonist herself we get given insight into her troublesome life, tackling some tough themes while remaining accessible to all ages both young and old.
While it’s clear from the beginning that Iris is unhappy with both herself and her surroundings we aren’t initially certain as to why. As the story progresses though we witness for ourselves how she is treated by her peers, her own mother especially, to the point where Iris is in denial of the causes and actually believes what is said about her. While reading I find myself having a lot in common with some of Iris’ feelings, laughing alongside her during the moments of happiness that she gets to enjoy and wanting to help her during moments of sadness, I felt like I was living every moment that she was. This is likely due to the conversational tone that the book takes, as if I’m her friend that Iris is keeping in the loop, telling me about many situations in which I’m sure people can empathise with, from being put down by others to awkwardly trying to socialise and attempt to act cool to make friends, along with the pure joy you feel when finding someone you really click with.
While our time with Iris is short it’s also extremely powerful and has left a lasting effect on me, touching my heart.
While it’s clear from the beginning that Iris is unhappy with both herself and her surroundings we aren’t initially certain as to why. As the story progresses though we witness for ourselves how she is treated by her peers, her own mother especially, to the point where Iris is in denial of the causes and actually believes what is said about her. While reading I find myself having a lot in common with some of Iris’ feelings, laughing alongside her during the moments of happiness that she gets to enjoy and wanting to help her during moments of sadness, I felt like I was living every moment that she was. This is likely due to the conversational tone that the book takes, as if I’m her friend that Iris is keeping in the loop, telling me about many situations in which I’m sure people can empathise with, from being put down by others to awkwardly trying to socialise and attempt to act cool to make friends, along with the pure joy you feel when finding someone you really click with.
While our time with Iris is short it’s also extremely powerful and has left a lasting effect on me, touching my heart.
May 15, 2016
Today We Did
Iris is just a child, she thinks of herself as a bit weird, and to the outside world she is pretty average. Behind the closed doors of her house, her family life is anything but normal. Her mother works in surgery and keeps odd hours, while her father is always holed up in the home office working. This leaves Iris in charge of her younger brother, Waltz. She makes him dinner, bathes him, supervises his homework and puts him to bed. Along with her schoolwork and the housework, that is Iris’ whole life. Then Lotus arrives. Lotus immediately befriends Iris, and for the first time in her life, Iris sees how other mums treat their daughters, and it contrasts dramatically with her own experience.
Written in first person from Iris’ perspective, this novel is short, but it packs a big punch. It touched my heart. I felt great sadness and anger, the end brought tears. As the story progressed I became angrier and angrier with Iris’ mother. The way she treats Iris is horrifying. Neglect, emotional and physical abuse. Iris is always having ‘accidents’ at her mother’s hands, believing that she is stupid, fat and useless because that is what she is told every day. And she has far too much responsibility for her age. No one that young should have to raise their younger sibling, ever. When does she get to be a kid?
She talks about her Dad working in the annexe office but he is not in the story. We never see him interact with Iris and Waltz, he never prepares their meals or puts them to bed. He is there, but not, absent from their lives because his work is more important than his family. And it seems that their mother is not there much either, and when she is, she is shaming Iris, guilting her, hurting her, making her feel worthless. What kind of parents are they? They should never have had kids.
Iris is well written and incredibly realistic. The subject matter made it, at times, difficult to read. There were times when I didn’t want to know what else would happen to Iris, but I haboured hope that she would escape her situation. I read this emotional tale knowing that there are too many children in the world suffering as Iris does, but I had to know how Iris’ story ended.
This story raises awareness of an issue that is often undetected or ignored. Iris’ mum was good at putting on an act for other people to hide how she was treating Iris and Waltz, and she was good at making Iris feel guilty and ashamed. These feelings, along with the natural love she has for her mother kept her from telling anyone what was happening. Lotus’ mum knew something wasn’t right, but she didn’t speak up. She may have felt it wasn’t her place to interfere, or that she was over-reacting, or even that Iris somehow deserved it. And did the teachers never wonder about Iris? They must have seen the bruises, seen her lack of confidence and belief that she is stupid and useless. And so, child abuse can fly below the radar, damaging the child sometimes beyond repair.
Iris is suitable for upper primary and high school children. It may be good for young readers to discuss the themes with an adult, as it is quite confronting. Iris will pull your heart-strings, make you want to swoop in, bundle her in your arms and save her, want to save all the children that suffer at the hands of their parents. This poignant story will stay close to your heart for years to come. If you can help an Iris, somehow, somewhere, please do it, no child deserves that.
*I received this book as a digital copy from the author, who asked me for an honest review of this book. I did not receive any other remuneration, and the review is composed entirely of my own opinions.
Iris is just a child, she thinks of herself as a bit weird, and to the outside world she is pretty average. Behind the closed doors of her house, her family life is anything but normal. Her mother works in surgery and keeps odd hours, while her father is always holed up in the home office working. This leaves Iris in charge of her younger brother, Waltz. She makes him dinner, bathes him, supervises his homework and puts him to bed. Along with her schoolwork and the housework, that is Iris’ whole life. Then Lotus arrives. Lotus immediately befriends Iris, and for the first time in her life, Iris sees how other mums treat their daughters, and it contrasts dramatically with her own experience.
Written in first person from Iris’ perspective, this novel is short, but it packs a big punch. It touched my heart. I felt great sadness and anger, the end brought tears. As the story progressed I became angrier and angrier with Iris’ mother. The way she treats Iris is horrifying. Neglect, emotional and physical abuse. Iris is always having ‘accidents’ at her mother’s hands, believing that she is stupid, fat and useless because that is what she is told every day. And she has far too much responsibility for her age. No one that young should have to raise their younger sibling, ever. When does she get to be a kid?
She talks about her Dad working in the annexe office but he is not in the story. We never see him interact with Iris and Waltz, he never prepares their meals or puts them to bed. He is there, but not, absent from their lives because his work is more important than his family. And it seems that their mother is not there much either, and when she is, she is shaming Iris, guilting her, hurting her, making her feel worthless. What kind of parents are they? They should never have had kids.
Iris is well written and incredibly realistic. The subject matter made it, at times, difficult to read. There were times when I didn’t want to know what else would happen to Iris, but I haboured hope that she would escape her situation. I read this emotional tale knowing that there are too many children in the world suffering as Iris does, but I had to know how Iris’ story ended.
This story raises awareness of an issue that is often undetected or ignored. Iris’ mum was good at putting on an act for other people to hide how she was treating Iris and Waltz, and she was good at making Iris feel guilty and ashamed. These feelings, along with the natural love she has for her mother kept her from telling anyone what was happening. Lotus’ mum knew something wasn’t right, but she didn’t speak up. She may have felt it wasn’t her place to interfere, or that she was over-reacting, or even that Iris somehow deserved it. And did the teachers never wonder about Iris? They must have seen the bruises, seen her lack of confidence and belief that she is stupid and useless. And so, child abuse can fly below the radar, damaging the child sometimes beyond repair.
Iris is suitable for upper primary and high school children. It may be good for young readers to discuss the themes with an adult, as it is quite confronting. Iris will pull your heart-strings, make you want to swoop in, bundle her in your arms and save her, want to save all the children that suffer at the hands of their parents. This poignant story will stay close to your heart for years to come. If you can help an Iris, somehow, somewhere, please do it, no child deserves that.
*I received this book as a digital copy from the author, who asked me for an honest review of this book. I did not receive any other remuneration, and the review is composed entirely of my own opinions.
August 29, 2016
Firstly, the artwork for this novel was absolutely stunning. The cover immediately catches your eye. Although this is a middle grade novel, it was very impactful, and I think people of all ages can gain something from reading it. I might actually hesitate in giving it to readers of the intended age, because some of the content was pretty intense and disturbing.
Iris focuses on many issues children face, like being the outsider at school, not being able to make friends, etc. But it also addresses many other serious issues, including child abuse and neglect, which is why it might be too disturbing for some younger readers. All of this, however, is dealt with in a unique and sensitive way that I really admired.
I highly recommend this book, but I would also recommend parents read it first before deciding if it is appropriate for younger children.
Iris focuses on many issues children face, like being the outsider at school, not being able to make friends, etc. But it also addresses many other serious issues, including child abuse and neglect, which is why it might be too disturbing for some younger readers. All of this, however, is dealt with in a unique and sensitive way that I really admired.
I highly recommend this book, but I would also recommend parents read it first before deciding if it is appropriate for younger children.
May 9, 2016
On the surface, Iris' family looks perfectly normal - mother, father, daughter, son and the dog. Iris herself is concerned with all those typical pre-teen worries like school, friends, clothes etc. But it quickly becomes apparent that everything is not as it seems. Iris' own narration is so subtly sad that I honestly felt like I'd been punched in the heart a couple of times. Really emotionally moving and well written.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews