Your cart is currently empty!
Category: Reviews
A Magical Review: Gilly and Leo Steal the Spotlight
I’m excited to share that Tracy from Tracy’s Nordic Light on YouTube recently reviewed my books, Tangerines and Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks, calling them “some of the sweetest stories” she’s ever read.
In Tangerines, meet Gilly, a 10-year-old dreamer searching for her missing father through a forest filled with magic and wonder, alongside her quirky best friend, Oggy.
In Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks, 13-year-old Leo discovers his own strength through a mysterious guitar that connects him to legendary musicians, helping him face bullies, friendship, and loss.
Tracy highlights the heart, soul, and universal themes of love and dreams woven into both tales. Check out her full review here:
Reader Reflections on Tangerines
Okay, so, as the author of “Tangerines,” I’m thrilled to see how readers are connecting with the story. Here are some heartfelt reviews from Goodreads.
Tangerines Gets Some Love on Reedsy
I found this thoughtful review of Tangerines on Reedsy and just copied and pasted it here. I hope the reviewer, Christine Rodriguez, is okay with that! It’s always nice when your books do the work for you and save you the time of writing posts. 😊
Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles is one of those rare books that truly captures the magic of childhood. Through gorgeous storytelling, Jolles blends magic and whimsy with deep, introspective themes. This is a novel that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page.
At its core, Tangerines is a coming-of-age story told through the voice of a young narrator whose observations are both innocent and profound. The protagonist’s world is small but filled with wonder—centered around a beloved tangerine tree, a best friend named Oggy, and the bittersweet complexities of family and belonging. The book reads like a poetic diary, filled with entries that are at times funny, at times heartbreaking, but always beautifully authentic. The writing is lyrical, almost dreamlike, reminiscent of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros or The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
What makes Tangerines such an engaging read is how it captures childhood’s fluid, unfiltered thoughts. The narrator’s mind skips about—one moment pondering the nature of secrets, the next inventing words with Oggy, before seamlessly drifting into a heartfelt reflection on love, loss, and longing. It’s a deeply immersive experience that feels so real—like peeking into a child’s notebook filled with stories, sketches, and scattered daydreams.
I love books that encourage readers to see the world in new ways, and Tangerines does just that. It’s a book that would spark fascinating discussions about storytelling, memory, and imagination. The protagonist’s voice is so unique yet universally relatable—whether you’re an adult remembering the way childhood felt or a younger reader recognizing pieces of yourself in the narrator’s words.
If you enjoy poetic, thought-provoking, and magical books, Tangerines is an absolute must-read. It’s a story about love, loss, and the small but meaningful ways we try to make sense of the world around us. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why stories matter—because they help us remember, understand, and dream.
Highly, highly recommend!
Reviewed by
Christine is an 7-12th grade English teacher, a library assistant, and a bookworm with a passion for good literature. She has a keen eye for good literature and reads books across genres. Her favorites are dystopian lit, sci-fi, fantasy, and contemporary literature.