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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 Alli Sue, NetGalley
I’ll start by saying that the author did such a brilliant job of capturing the gears in a curious child mind that never stop turning. I do know this book is being published as a children’s book but I truly believe the people who would get the most out of it are actually adults. I loved the very amusing observations 10 year old Gilly makes about the world around her. It kind of reminds me of when you take your kid to the park and another child comes and sits down and just starts telling you every single thing that pops into their head and their whole life story, and they say things in such a non challant and matter of fact way that makes it clear that they’re a little naive to the reality or severity of a situation, but they definitely observe more than the adults around them likely think that they’re do.
It was an incredible exploration of the perception of a child and how that often is vastly different to that of the adults around them. A good reminder that adults see things that children don’t, but children also have the ability to see things that adults can’t. So while Gilly may be oblivious to the reality of her situation, that may be overwhelming obvious to an adult listener, she also makes observations about things/life that at some point we seem to grow out of being able to see.
I appreciate NetGalley and the author for giving me an opportunity to read and review this.
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 |
|---|
| 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 Athena Ferguson, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
I was first drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover but the writing proved to be just as captivating.
Tangerine’s by Tvsi Jolles takes you into the mind of a 10 year old girl named Gilly. The way the story is written in prose feels so authentic to the narrator’s young age. She’s telling a story but her thoughts are innocent and scattered just like a young mind. You really start to forget this book isn’t actually written by a child.
In this story Gilly and her best friend Oggy take you on an adventure through the forest to find her father on the other side. Not all is as it seems. Seeing the world through Gilly’s eyes almost gives you a sense of nostalgia and reminds you what it was like to think like a child. This book might be children’s literature but it is a fantastic read for all ages. Though the story itself may be simple, it still has complex themes and gives an interesting childlike outlook on adult dynamics. In this book you will find themes of love, loss, grief, family and friendship. Don’t let the size of this book fool you, it may only be 180 pages but it is packed full of heart and soul.
There are so many quotes I wanted to annotate while reading and listening to this book.
“When scared and hopeful meet in the woods at night, they have a sword fight. Only scared has an actual sword, but for hopeful to win, it just needs to believe it’s holding a sword-one twice as sharp, three times as long, and five times as dangerous.”
I read this book in tandem with the audio and truly you cannot go wrong with either. The book will have you wanting to highlight every other sentence. The narrator’s voice for the audio was so calming and perfect for this story being told by a 10 year old girl.
Review by Taylor Mace, NetGalley, tiktok, Goodreads
This book hit me right in the chest in the quietest way possible.
Tangerines is written like the actual diary of a 10-year-old girl, Gilly—and not the overly polished kind. It’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and full of those weirdly specific thoughts only kids seem to have (like comparing love to moldy tangerines—yes, really). And it works so well.
I loved how real Gilly felt. She’s going through some heavy stuff, but she filters everything through this lens of childhood logic and imagination, which somehow makes it even more emotional. Oggy, her best friend, is chaotic in the best way and their dynamic reminded me of the kind of friendship you only have once in your life—the kind that’s part game, part survival.
The pacing is dreamy, like wandering through a forest and not quite knowing where you’re going—but trusting you’ll find something important at the end. And you do.
Definitely recommend this to anyone who likes character-driven stories, found family, or that bittersweet combo of childlike wonder and real emotional weight.
Review by Tania Sarkar, NetGalley
Listening to “Tangerines” in audiobook format was like quiet therapy. It’s one of those gentle stories that you can play in the background while going about your day, yet it seeps into your heart with unexpected softness. There’s something so comforting about the way the little girl and her friend see the world—it made me feel safe, seen, and weirdly nostalgic.
The book captures childhood innocence beautifully, especially in how the kids question the world without even realizing those questions come from deep, unspoken struggles. It broke my heart and healed it in the same breath. Their interactions made me reflect on my own childhood and the silent battles we often overlook.
But don’t be fooled by the soft storytelling—”Tangerines” hits hard when it comes to societal issues. It quietly, but powerfully, challenges the broken parts of our systems, the ones that let kids carry burdens they shouldn’t. It forces you to see the cracks and ask the tough questions.
It’s a book you feel more than you read. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to understand, heal, and eventually help create a gentler world for the next generation.
Review by Meredith, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Told entirely in the diary entries of 10 year old Gilly, this story is thoughtful and whimsical, very stream of consciousness and so enjoyable. Gilly tells her story in bits and pieces just as it comes to mind and every entry tells of the people and places she loves – her mother and father, Oggy (her best friend who makes up words and rules better than anyone), her beloved tangerine tree and the forest she lives in.
Since I read this via audio, I’ll review both the story and the narration –
Story: I thoroughly enjoyed this. The author convincingly weaves together the scrambled thoughts and emotions of a 10 yr old into a believable and compelling narrative. Gilly’s voice rings true at every turn and keeps you waiting to find out how things tie together. The writing is definitely more descriptive than plot-driven and while that won’t work for every reader, it really rang true for me.
Narration – amazing! No notes. The narrator perfectly conveys the wonder, hopes and fears of a 10 year old facing an epic journey to reunite with her father.
Review by Katherine Hayward Pérez, NetGalley
I felt curious about the title of tangerines, and the cover was beautiful. I was drawn into Gilly’s world. She’s only 10 but has a great imagination. I’m glad she has Oggy and i enjoyed their journey.
I felt for Gilly when her dad went to live on the other side of the forest with her mum’s friend Mississippi. It was heartbreaking witnessing her trying to figure out why he was living with her.
I was hoping she’d see him again one day. The way she carved hearts into the tangerine tree for every day he was gone was heartwarming.
Tsvi Jolles does a great job of bringing Gilly, her thoughts, and her surroundings to life. The audiobook and story itself are both quirky, fun and relaxing but also made me curious. The story is short, around 3 hours for the audiobook, but it’s so immersive.
Tangerines gives a unique look into the thoughts and experiences of a 10 year old. I particularly enjoyed Gilly’s journal.
The plot is emotional, real, realistic, imaginative and memorable.
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 Kayli Gilbert, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
What an adorable book. I’ll keep this one tucked in my heart for a long time.
A young girl by the name of Gilly gives us a glimpse into her life, by allowing us to read her journal. With the support of her best friend, Oggy, her imagination & a few creatures they meet along the way, they are determined to bring back her father. But where is he?
This book is targeted towards kids, but I am surprised at how thought provoking it is. It is clever, fun, whimsical & enchanting, all while discussing complex familial dynamics. Casey Montgomery did a wonderful job bringing this creative work by Tsvi Jolles to life.
Is there a true plot to this book? I am not sure. But either way, I’ll keep this one tucked in my heart for a long time.
I need to purchase a physical copy ASAP.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook of Tangerines.
Review by Priscila Vera Schmidt, NetGalley
When I realized I got the audiobook of a ten-year-old rambling about anything, I seriously thought about DNFing without even starting… and that would have been a HUGE mistake.
It is amazing to listen to how this little girl thinks about the world around her and the things that happen to her and her family. It’s a short audiobook, but I could have listened to her for hours without complaining.
I would love it if the author and narrator team up for other collaborations.
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 Amanda Snyder, NetGalley
This story is told in the imaginative, creative style of a ten year old girl writing in her diary. There are so many things our narrator, Gilly, experiences that we, the readers, may understand a bit better than she does. However, as we are experiencing it all through the fantastical, magical lens of a ten year old girl, we also aren’t fully aware of what the reality of these experiences may be. This made for a fascinating and immersive read, as it could be interpreted in multiple ways. The narrator did a wonderful job of portraying how innocent, yet somehow certain of everything Gilly is. This story is definitely worth a reread to try and see if a second listen can help the reader to absorb more and learn more.
Overall, I have many theories floating around about the circumstances surrounding Gilly and her friends and family. I really enjoyed this book and much like Gilly’s pencils, I feel my brain needs a break, so that it can be full of brand new ideas about this story.
Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7566315751
Additional Questions:
Do you like the narrator? Yes
Will you recommend this audiobook/author to your audience? Yes
Select moods Reflective, Mysterious, Emotional, Sad, Hopeful, Nostalgic
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) |
|---|
| 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
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.
Review by Susannah, NetGalley
Apr 24, 2025
Wow this was absolutely whimsical and such a sweet read! Thank you NetGalley for this listeners arc!!
I found the voice actor be so engaging and captured our sweet Gilly perfectly. I haven’t read very many middle grade stories, but they tend to be enchanting and this one definitely was. The story is set in the real world, but Gilly and her best friend, Oggy, have such a big imagination that it often felt like they’re in their own special world. I will say there are a lot of made up words in this and not being able to visually read them left me lost in some moments 😆
Our narrator is a 10 year old girl who is on a journey to find her dad and try to bring him home. This is a very stream style of conscious writing, which is fitting for the story haha. We would be on our way to go down one path, and next thing Gilly is going on and on about different fruits she loves or memories of her family. Being a teacher myself, it really felt like being in the mind of a child.
I can see this being a story full of adventure and silly moments for children. Reading this as an adult you see the greater picture and Gilly’s naïveté is both endearing at a little bittersweet. While it’s a pretty short read, I still enjoyed Gilly’s journey and how different moments of her life and history are revealed to her (and the audience).
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!
Review by Taylor Skorski (Librarian)
This is a very sweet and meaningful middle grade novel that works well as an audiobook.
Leo is a 13 year old who loves to play guitar and is dealing with drama with classmates at school and his mom being between jobs. He is bilingual and speaks in Spanish with his mom. The Spanish is woven seamlessly into the audio narration and is defined well by context of the conversation or translation by another character.
The guitar Leo is given by his uncle has a touch of magic to it and brings about stars old and new that even todays youth will be able to identify such as Prince, John Lennon, Taylor Swift, and Adele.
Leo seems to deal with some anxiety and big feelings throughout the novel and a subtle thread about coping skills are woven into the text without it being the main point of the plot. There’s important exploration of bullying, friendship, self care, and compassion.
Overall this is a great pick for grades 4-7, especially those who want to read about slightly older characters while maintaining clean language and themes.
Additional Questions:
Will you recommend this audiobook through Readers’ Advisory, book clubs, events, etc.? Yes
Is your library likely to purchase this audiobook? Yes
Do you like the narrator? Yes
Leo and the Crazy Genre Hotel
Review by Sirah, Goodreads librarian
Leo’s summer gets a lot crazier when he takes a job at a sedate old hotel in the town he and his mom just moved to. At first, it seems like he’ll just be run off his feet by some of the more demanding guests, but Leo starts to notice something strange about a few of the guests: they seem an awful lot like characters from books seeking refuge from thoughtless authors. Much more worrying is the shadow of demolition that stretches over the hotel, and Leo realizes that if he doesn’t do something, these runaway characters may lose their last safe escape. But there are more things lurking behind the shadows than Leo realizes, and when his mother embarks on a new romance, Leo is left to pull things together on his own, even if it gets him into one disaster after another.
I can honestly say I’ve never read another book like this one, but I’d love to find more like it. Leo’s character has grown since book 1, and while there are a lot of unexpected twists in this book, it has a beautiful heart and some really solid writing. Reading this book so soon after Tangerines has made it clear just how much the author has improved his craft, and it’s making me hungry for whatever comes out of Tsvi Jolles’s mind next. Although, first, this book has inspired me to re-read the Hobbit, among other classics, and I’m not sorry.
Review by Cassandra Addison
I had so much fun with this MG book!
I did not realize it was book 2, but Tsvi Jolles does a good job of explaining the plot from the previous book so it was easy to follow along in this one. Leo is such a great character and all the other book characters mixed throughout made this such an entertaining read.
Highly recommend this one to book lovers of all ages!
Review by Jenna Robinson, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
This book was so much fun! Leo is a great protagonist to follow and the story was so creative and unique. I really enjoyed it!
Additional Questions:
Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes
Will you recommend this book to your audience? Yes
Review by Sheryl, Amazon
5 out of 5 stars, Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2025
Verified Purchase
This book really got to me. I read a lot and this is the best book I’ve read in a long time!
Review by Keila, Amazon
5 out of 5 stars, Wonderful story ✨️
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025
I love that this story has Spanish speaking people representation. Specially in a realistic way for those who left their native land and have adopted English language and now have some Spanglish 😅🤣 I love the magical vibe throughout the story, the MC character development was very satisfying. It’s a charming quick read that will leave you wanting more ✨️