True Sisters by Keren David October Book of the Month

In this day and age I do believe that we as people are becoming more and more aware and accepting that families come in all different shapes and sizes, whether that be to do with race, culture, parents, divorce, siblings through fostering, adoption or half related. No one family fits into a particular category anymore. And this is why I felt compelled to pick Keren David's latest novel, True Sisters, as my book of the month.

There's the family you're born into, and then there's the one you make for yourself!

Ruby has had a lot of foster siblings over the years, but none of them have been anything like Clara. After growing up in almost complete isolation, Clara is distraught at being separated from her mother and overwhelmed by life in a world she doesn't understand.

But the more Ruby tries to help Clara fit in, the more she realises she has to face up to some struggles of her own.

True Sisters was a book I originally asked to review as I thought my eldest daughter would really benefit from reading it, but I too felt compelled to read it.

This is a tale that is truly poignant, not only because it is something that occurs in real life but also for the fact that it really makes you think about the world around you. 

The majority of the story is told from Ruby's point of view but we also see things through Clara's eyes as well. It's an interesting insight into the thoughts of the children, instead of a focus on the adults who are what we see as the problem solvers.

For now I'll let my daughter tell you more:

True Sisters is an absolutely beautiful story. It was the whole package. It had everything. A lesson, a tale on friendship, family, a heartbreaking back story and so much more.

The best thing I found about this book is how realistic it is. I feel that everyone can relate to at least one character. My personal favourite was Adam because of how after the events in his past, he was able to express his own style so freely.

I think I speak for most people though when I say Ruby is the most relatable, she's curvy, she's short, she's had to deal with so many things and unfortunately this is the case for many. I just loved her for how she handles so many situations.

Another detail about this book that I liked is the depth of the story. Every character has their own back story which books often mss. I absolutely adore how all their stories manage to combine to make this book and it gives it an element of satisfaction when you reach a happy ending.

Over all this is a heartwarming tale that I really would recommend to anyone. However, I would especially recommend this book for people from ages 9-16. 

And an added bonus this book is also super readable for anyone with reading problems such as dyslexia.

In conclusion I really do adore True Sisters and this brings my review to it's own happy ending.

I have the same feelings about this books as my daughter does.

The book begins with Clara being taken away from her home, from her mother, from the only life she's known and straight away you can feel the emotions, the utter fear.

And that's what I enjoyed most about this story, the emotions. Keren has a way of writing that really makes you connect to the characters and as was mentioned, each one has their own back story, no detail is missed. It's a really well rounded tale.

When we meet Ruby, it's clear that she knows diversity. Her parents are divorced, her dad has a new partner who has a son of her own and they also have a child together which means Ruby has a step brother and a half sister. And then there's her mum who kindly fosters children from differing backgrounds.

What True Sisters manages to do is make us stop and think, to teach an abundance of lessons. 

First and foremost, don't judge a book by it's cover. We can never really know what someone is thinking and feeling or what they may have been through. And this is lesson both children and adults need to remember at times.

Life can change in an instant and this story shows us to accept and to adapt to any situation.

True Sisters is a very powerful drama that shows us that family might not be always be the one you are born into, it is something that can change, expand and grow at any given moment. We've just got to prepared to keep an open mind to what's around us.

A must read.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for publishing this book.