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What Readers Are Saying
Note: All reviews featured here are genuine, written by real readers who received a copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. There are no paid, fake, or sponsored reviews—just authentic reader impressions.
Tangerines
Review by
Zade Pearson, Netgalley
An absolutely adorable book, very easy to listen to and full of nostalgic emotions. The journal style of the novel was done so well, it made it very easy to connect with Gilly and her story. A perfect read for young readers and adults seeking a comfort read alike!
Review by
Brynn Bodily, Netgalley
One of the plagues modern entertainment faces is unoriginality. It’s becoming more and more common for stories to be unpredictable, generic, and cliche. Tangerines is anything but.
Tangerines is told through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl Gilly, following the adventures of her and her best friend, Oggy. I expected this book to be a witty, charming read targeted towards kids. After reading it, I am completely blown away by how much this book makes me think. Tangerines is clever and fun, but it’s also much more meaningful of a book than I anticipated.
The prose is one of the stars of this book. Tsvi Jolles has truly captured the thinking and mannerisms of a 10-year-old. Nearly all of the prose is witty; however, I do think at times it veered into the territory of being different to be different. There were only a few instances of this, though, and overall, it was very well-written.
| Review by Catarina Silva, Social Platform |
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| Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles is a masterpiece! I loved the experience of reading it. I gave it 5 stars because I couldn’t give it more. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it’s really good and the characters are fantastic. |
Review by
Alessandra Cauzzi, Net Galley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
This book is the diary of Gilly, a 10-year-old girl.
In the diary she recounts her personal events and the plan, devised with her best friend Oggy, to go to Mississippi where Gilly’s dad is staying.
Gilly names everything; the tangerine tree in her garden is called Orti and it is a special tree because it is full of hearts carved into its bark by Gilly herself. Oggy, on the other hand, is a neologist, making up incredible words and having an answer for everything, more or less.
On their journey to Mississippi’s home Gilly and Oggy meet a yanaka and a monkey.
A very nice book with the point of view of two children in adult dynamics. The interaction between Gilly and Oggy is very very nice.
The story has everything: it is beautiful, it is funny but also sad, it is simple but also has complex themes.
I hope they will translate it into many languages, it is worth it.
Highly recommended!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review by
Kasey Potts, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
This was a beautiful audio book to experience. It felt ephemeral and like listening to a kid’s whispers. The story is poignant but told in such a hopscotch way that it ebbs and flows like waves, washing the truth of the story up before hiding it a bit, then washing it all clean again. Once you get the feel for the narration, it becomes such a melodic experience.
I actually love that it’s not really a happy ending. The journey doesn’t end as expected, but even in its sadness there is still an element of beauty.
The pacing is good and the story flowed well in the style of stream-of-consciousness.
Even as an adult, there was something really refreshing to hear a story told much in the way my brain hops around. I wish there had been more of this when I was growing up.
Review by
Dian Ika, NetGalley
This book feels like a warm hug. A story about family and friendship, about love and hate, from the POV of a 10-year-old girl.
The storytelling is unique, it feels like I read a diary entry of a little kid. The “innocent” commentary somehow relatable, I even have to take a moment to highlight them because it’s so good.
The made up names and words, it really feels like a kid wrote this book! I also found my favorite quotes from this book: [….] hating a person is just the forest’s way of reminding you that you’re wasting your time.
Review by
Suki F, NetGalley
Last updated on Jan 22 2025
We follow Gilly, a ten year old who lives in the forest with her mother, and has a tangerine tree growing in her back garden. The whole book is told from her point of view, and steeped with the innocence and magic of childhood. Her father has left and she spends a lot of the book planning on going through the forest to find him. I found it very interesting to see what she and her childhood friend think is happening, compared to what is actually going on, and the central mystery kept me reading.
At times my interest did wane, and it did sometimes feel to me that she was a child much younger than her years, however as a whole this was quite a charming story.
Review by
Rhoda Saatela, NetGalley
I have a fondness for off-beat, fun, and imaginative children’s literature. I loved this book. It’s a wonderful fantasy as well as a thoughtful look into the mind of a young girl.
Review by
Tracy Bakkelokken
The story hooks immediately, and it was tempting to gobble the whole thing in one go, but I took my time. And it is a story that deserves time. I’ve had Gilly’s voice, and the musings of her heart, in my head for days, and she won’t be leaving anytime soon. Gilly and Oggy’s journey through the forest was such fun—they, and we, learned so much. The end scenes, with her father, were so bittersweet. And the author handled emotions and complex family dynamics with such grace and lyrical beauty. So many beautiful phrases in this slender powerhouse of a book! I kept reading aloud bits of it to my husband every night—so many lines beg to be read aloud and thought about!
Oh, and the cover art on both books is stunning! The Tangerines cover… the art really captures the story perfectly.
Review by
Christine Rodriguez, Reedsy
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!
| Review by Erynn Clark (Educator) |
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| Wow, this was such a lovely, lyrical story following ten-year-old Gilly through her journal entries. These entries are filled with so much curiosity, and they truly made me feel like I was following the thoughts of a ten-year-old girl as she processes the world and her experiences through her writing. There were moments when the pacing of the story felt a little slow, but I was still intrigued to see where Gilly’s journey would go. Overall, I highly recommend this middle grade story! |
| Additional Questions: Will you adopt this title for a course, curriculum, or classroom? Yes Will you recommend that your students read or purchase this title? Yes |
Review by
Bojana Ivanović, NetGalley
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a middle-grade book this touching. Tangerines captures the magic of childhood perception, where imagination turns everyday moments into something special. Seeing the world through Gilly’s eyes truly felt like being ten again—wrapped in nostalgia, remembering how the world once seemed vast and beautiful, full of mysteries and wonder, and simply right. It made my heart ache for that innocence and trust in the world. If you’re looking for a cozy and endearing read, I highly recommend it!
Review by
Tyler Mai, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I appreciate NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Tangerines is a very cute and charming children’s book that completely exceeded my expectations. The story follows a ten-year-old girl named Gilly and her best friend, Oggy, as they go on adventures together. At first, I expected this to be a lighthearted and funny read aimed at kids, but I was surprised by how much depth it had. While the book is imaginative and intelligently told, it also carries a meaningful message that stuck with me long after I finished reading.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its prose. Tsvi Jolles does an excellent job capturing the voice and mindset of a ten-year-old, making Gilly feel incredibly authentic. The writing style is interesting and kept me engaged throughout the story, adding to its charm and uniqueness.
It was a delightful and worthwhile book. It’s a quick, engaging story that offers a fun yet meaningful experience, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Jolles’ work in the future.
Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks
Review by
Thebookwitches_
January 8, 2025
5/5 stars 🌟
Thank you NetGalley and Brave Fawn Books for providing this eARC!
This book was absolutely FANTÁSTICO! The amount of passion and research that has went into the book was amazing, I felt like I got a full history lesson and music lesson in one.
The use of singers was an incredible idea, the show of how bullying can affect our passions, how rumours hurt us but can also lead to something beautiful.
Leo and Shane’s friendship! Tammy felt a-bit fillerish but I appreciated her nonetheless. The use of different languages in this book was great and was amazing to see blended and explained for those who don’t speak it.
It’s amazing to see a book that shows magic within 💛
Overall this book was amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone!
Review by
Laura,
February 2, 2025
Leo loves music, but when he gets a magical electric guitar from his Tio, he finds that he can play even better than before, and bring up the spirits of artists of the past as well as the present.
And while this is all going on, he is being bullied, but he also has his best friend on his side, full of encouragement to lay in the Christmas showcase.
This book should come with a playlist, there are so many songs that are referred to. In fact, I found myself humming them, as the characters in the book spoke about them. Some of the artists that visit him, include BB King, John Lenon, Taylor Swift and Prince.
Most enjoyable. I liked how the bully was treated, that things weren’t all black and white, and there were shades in between as to why he bullies.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is out now, though I did read it as an arc. (advanced reader copy)
Review by
Tracy, YouTube
Tender-hearted and charming portrait of young teen’s journey of self-discovery and finding his voice through the gift of music! It was just delightful to follow Leo and witness his personal and musical confidence growing with each chapter. The additional characters, the relationships in his life, are also in different stages and transitions, just as Leo is—everyone growing, things are changing. I really enjoyed the multicultural flavor throughout the story—Latin American culture and the Spanish language sprinkled throughout the dialogue. Leo’s encounters with the legends & greats of music were such fun to read, as are were all of the music references. I love how the story uses music like a thread that connects to people’s hearts, and how music lives with us—alongside us, and within us—during all the large and small moments of life and part of how we experience the larger world. A truly well-crafted tale that makes the heart sing!