A 10-Year-Old’s Journey into the Heart of Magic: Tangerines Reviewed

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links on this site. This helps support the maintenance and growth of The Book Burrow, at no additional cost to you. Thanks!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of the ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you’re looking for a quick summary, feel free to check out my shorter Goodreads review. But if you want the full scoop, keep reading!

Let’s be honest: so many books these days feel a little too familiar. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of predictable plots and recycled ideas. But Tangerines? It’s anything but.

Utilization of Character

Tangerines is told through the eyes of 10-year-old Gilly, who’s on a journey of discovery with her best friend, Oggy. I thought this was going to be a light, whimsical read—something fun for kids. What I didn’t expect was that this book would make me pause and reflect.

One of the best parts of this book is how Tsvi Jolles nails the way a 10-year-old would think and speak. You can feel Gilly’s curiosity and wild imagination on every page. She’s trying to figure out life, love, and loss, and the way she sees the world is sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always real. If you’ve ever been a kid with an overactive imagination, you’ll totally relate to Gilly.

Prose

Again, Jolles nails the way a 10-year-old acts and thinks. Some parts are witty in that way only kids can be, and Gilly’s way of seeing things had me chuckling more than once.

That said, there were a few moments where it felt like the writing was trying a little too hard to be unique. I didn’t mind it, but at times it did pull me out of the story. Nothing major, but it’s worth mentioning.

Tone & Setting

What surprised me the most was how this book made me question what was real. There are aspects of Tangerines that had me wondering if this was a fantasy or realistic fiction. As the story progresses, the line between reality and imagination becomes more fluid, giving the book a unique and unexpected perspective. It’s a fun ride, and the conclusion made me appreciate the entire story even more.

Final Thoughts

Tangerines isn’t perfect—it didn’t quite hit the 5-star mark for me—but it’s still a book that I’m glad I read. It’s a short read, and it’s definitely worth it just to experience something new. I can’t say I’ve read many books like this one, and I’m absolutely curious to see what Tsvi Jolles does next.

Disclaimer: Tangerines includes a brief reference to an LGBTQ relationship. Please take note if you prefer to avoid this content.

Looking to read Tangerines? Check the book out here for less than a dollar!