I was asked to review this book because it was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, and I was intrigued. Sarah Crossan wasn't a name I thought I'd encountered before, but when I got the book, I realised that she'd written The Weight Of Water. Which I haven't read. I couldn't help but feel more intrigued about this book, especially since I'd heard people loved it. So, I did it. I read the book.
Apple has lived with her grandmother since her mother left her 11 years ago. Why? Her mother fled to Broadway and America to fulfil her hopes and ambitions of becoming an actress. But after all that time, her mother has returned, and Apple decides it's a great idea to go live with her mother. Who likes a bossy, overprotective grandmother being her guardian? But life with her mother isn't as clean as she expected.
My synopsis cannot do this book justice. Usually I can write a synopsis and feel at least OK about it, but this time, I can't help but feel a bit like that it's let the book down.
This is a beautiful book, which looks small but it is mighty. It explores the relationships that people may encounter, but most importantly it discusses the aspect of learning to love again. Think about it: how easy would it be for you to love your mother again after she left you 11 years ago, gave you no reason, and never contacted you once?
And yet, even after reading a heart-wrenching book like that, I still have a lot of respect for Sarah Crossan. She's written a book that is unlike most YA books. There is a marginal amount of romance at the end, but it's clear of sex, violence, much romance and yet still manages to bring you as close to tears and on the edge of your seat as much as a book that does have all of that.
Offensive to Americans? Maybe. A brilliant book minus controversial aspects of YA? Definitely.
I can't recommend this book to a specific group of people, simply because I think everyone should read it. And I feel as though I should point out that I'm not just saying that either. I genuinely feel this should be as close to the top of all TBR lists across the country.
Please go read this book and support it in the run up to the Carnegie Medal. In fact, can #TeamAppleAndRain be made a thing? Let's do it…
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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