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Mar 16, 2013 Emily May rated it really liked it

I need to finally brush off my prejudice against books that are written in verse. Every single time I raise a sceptical eyebrow in their direction - completely unable to believe that this is anything more than just lazy storytelling - and every single time I find myself impressed. The Weight of Water was no exception. This is a delightful, if somewhat heartbreaking, little story that took me just over an hour to read.

I've noticed some people shelving this as "middle grade" and I understand w

I've noticed some people shelving this as "middle grade" and I understand why because the protagonist is young and it is an easy enough read for a younger audience to enjoy also. However, I feel the need to say something about this because I am usually put off by the "middle grade" label and sometimes assume it will lack depth or just be written in a style that is too young for me. Basically, I don't feel that is the case with The Weight of Water. I find myself comparing it to books like Wonder - one which I did feel was a touch too young for me - and I think an older audience will appreciate the brutal honesty of this story. Nothing is sugar-coated, the story doesn't evolve through an ideal cycle of peace-problem-happyending. The issues are handled in a much more mature and realistic way.

The story is about Kasienka and her mother, two Polish migrants that have arrived in England searching for the father that left them. Kasienka's mother is obsessed with the idea that she can bring her husband back home to Poland if she can only talk things through with him. Kasienka, being the one with better English language skills, is made to walk down the streets of Coventry, knocking on doors and asking whether people have seen her father. With every failed attempt to find her father, her mother's heart breaks a little bit more. But that is not the only problem Kasienka faces. She must deal with the other students at her school every day; students who hate her for being different, for wearing the wrong thing, for saying the wrong thing, or just because they can.

Swimming is just about the only thing Kasienka can do right; in the water, she is too much of a winner to be a loser. It's the one place she is untouchable. And while the idea of young teens turning to their passion to escape from reality has been explored to death, Kasienka's story still feels fresh. I think it is all the other things that make this story stand out from the crowd - Kasienka's relationship with her mother, the difficult choices she has to make at such a young age, and the exploration of the alienation that many immigrants face. For such a short book, I was blown away by how powerful and moving it was.

I only hope the author writes more novels in verse because I shall certainly be picking them up.

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Mar 04, 2016 Reading Corner rated it really liked it

The Weight Of Water is a novel written in a beautiful,poetic style which creates a fantastic story and atmosphere.Kasienka and her mother move to England, in search of Tata,Kasienka's dad who her mother is determined to find despite Kasienka's reluctance. Kasienka encounters numerous problems throughout the book, in school and at home.

The novel deals with numerous themes, relevant to young people and adults.The honesty in Sarah Crossan's writing is a brilliant aspect of this book, as she doesn't

The novel deals with numerous themes, relevant to young people and adults.The honesty in Sarah Crossan's writing is a brilliant aspect of this book, as she doesn't skim over the harder parts of life we struggle with at home and at school.The target audience of this book may seem young but this novel is an excellent read for people of all ages.

The story is touching and sad at times but definitely enjoyable.I finished this novel in an hour and it left me with a nice,happy feeling.

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Oct 16, 2011 Sarah rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

It's my novel, so I'm giving it five stars in the hope that I start a trend! Do hope you enjoy reading it. Any thoughts, send me a message; I'd love to hear from you.
It's my novel, so I'm giving it five stars in the hope that I start a trend! Do hope you enjoy reading it. Any thoughts, send me a message; I'd love to hear from you.
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Jan 09, 2012 Jo rated it really liked it

Recommended to Jo by: Jenna

"When I am in the water
My body moves like a wave:
There is a violence to it
And a beauty."

Initial Final Page Thoughts.
"And it
Never felt so good."
YES.

High Points.
Kasienka. William. The writing. Friendship. Saying goodbye. Reunions. Butterfly stroke. Kisses like Haribo. Love is a large W. Mama. Resilience. Culture. Blueberry ice cream. Girly sleepovers. Tummy tumbles.

Low Points.
I would have loved to have had a few more poems set when Kasienka and her mum were in Poland. I think it would have ad

"When I am in the water
My body moves like a wave:
There is a violence to it
And a beauty."

Initial Final Page Thoughts.
"And it
Never felt so good."
YES.

Low Points.
I would have loved to have had a few more poems set when Kasienka and her mum were in Poland. I think it would have added a great contrast between the different cultures.
Also, from what was in the book… it looked really interesting.
Also, blueberry ice cream sounds delicious.

Heroine.
Oh Kasienka.
You were so sad and you were so lonely and you were so insecure and you were OK with letting people
Were.
Until you realised how it's OK to be different and how there'll always be moments where you feel a bit odd or alone but that there is always people who are just as different as you.
And they're the kids you want to hang with because they're the best.
If we had gone to school together I bet we'd be the best of friends and we'd stay up all night, swapping stories and drinking pop and being giddy.

I love it when my heroines stand up for themselves and don't need any body to tell them how to do it.
And basically realise that they were brilliant inside and out all along.

Love Interest.
And if Kasienka's ability to conquer her fears wasn't good enough for you, Ms Crossan gives us an incredibly adorable love interest too!

"William is in Year Nine
He could save me from the pack
But he does not want to:
He knows
I can save
Myself."

Also, kissing him is like eating Haribo.
Now, I'm not sure if that's because he tastes like Haribo or because he gives you the feeling you get when you eat an entire bag of the Sour ones and then chug a bottle of Coke.
You know… ridiculously giddy and a fizzy tongue?
Just me?
OK.
Only low point with our lovely William is that he's a smoker.
I know, I know.
Anyway, I loved it when he offered Kasienka one and she says no.
And then they just play on the swings.
*sigh*

Theme Tune.
What the Water Gave Me by Florence + The Machine.

YES.
How long have I been hankering to use a song from Ceremonials? Do you remember my

~~demand~~ polite suggestion that all authors ~~must~~ should listen to it on repeat and then write a book based on it solely to keep me happy?
Well Ms Crossan obviously listened to me and therefore she deserves the prize of a Flo-induced Theme Tune. A prize so coveted by authors across the land….
Um.
OK, maybe not coveted but it should be.

Sadness Scale.
6/10
I always find it difficult to come up with a number for books such as this one because obviously the issues and situations that are dealt with in this book are extremely harrowing and, sadly, common in present day Britain.
But I wouldn't say that this is a particularly sad book. Yes there are a lot of moving poems, especially when Kasienka first moves to England and constantly feels "unwanted and misused", but I also saw this book as more about finding out who you are and becoming comfortable with it.
Regardless of where Kasienka is from, I feel that a lot of readers of all ages would relate to the feelings of loneliness and insecurity that Ms Crossan expertly portrays with the character.
And that last poem? Beautiful and so powerful.
I just wanted to pull her into the biggest cuddle ever.
Or… well, wait until she'd changed out of her cozzie because I don't want to get all chloriney but then we'd cuddle. Definitely.

Recommended For.
People who have ever felt at a loss with themselves. People who like to adopt happiness as their revenge. People who thought their first kiss way awkward *cringe*. People who always leave the best stories at a sleepover for when the lights are out.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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The Weight of Water is the story of Kasienka, a Polish girl who moved with her mother to England to look for her father, who has left them. I like Sarah Crossan's writing and I have read some of her work before. But this book was a bit on the cliche side for me. It's not bad just over done. Although if I were to complain about anything it would be the lack of positive female characters. Not every female in the universe is the "mean girl" or apart of the mean girl's group and it feels like I have The Weight of Water is the story of Kasienka, a Polish girl who moved with her mother to England to look for her father, who has left them. I like Sarah Crossan's writing and I have read some of her work before. But this book was a bit on the cliche side for me. It's not bad just over done. Although if I were to complain about anything it would be the lack of positive female characters. Not every female in the universe is the "mean girl" or apart of the mean girl's group and it feels like I have read a few too many books like this in the young adult genre lately. ...more

Feb 11, 2013 Arie rated it liked it

I'm not usually a fan of novels written in poetic form, but this was an exception. Much like the water which is a recurring motive, this is far deeper than it first appears, with a beautifully written protagonist. The sparse words were infinitely more evocative than dense prose would have been. I found that the characters moved fluidly and realistically throughout Kasienka's life, and the result was a beautifully moving piece of literature.
Simply lovely.

Excerpt from book:

We weren't on a ship.
I

Excerpt from book:

We weren't on a ship.
Immigrants don't arrive on
Overcrowded boats any more,
Swarming wet docks like rats.
It isn't 1920 and it isn't Ellis Island -
Nothing as romantic as a view of
Lady Liberty
To welcome us.

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Sep 28, 2019 Emma rated it liked it

3.5/5 Stars

I always like a Sarah Crossan's book. This one was well done and I appreciate so much the fact that it was written in verse, the author is truly good with this writing style.
I think the story is one a lot of people could relate to, not only because of the immigrant aspect which is very prominent in the narrative, but also because of the family theme that is always present on the page.
I would categorize this book as a middle grade, but don't let this discourage you from reading it be

3.5/5 Stars

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A short, basic read. The story was alright, quite mediocre and not much happened. It just felt quite basic and underdeveloped. I adored One, also written by Crossan in a freeverse format, but this just felt very two dimensional and boring.

The story of a young Polish girl called Kasienka, who along with her mother leave their home country and travel to England in search of Kasienka's birth father. Along the way, she starts at a new high school and runs into a group of nasty students in her year group. All she ever wants to be is happy and swim in the local pool, competing for school and country. This, along with Sarah's other novels I've read by her is written in verse. The short, poetic chapters made for raw emotional reflection. The story of a young Polish girl called Kasienka, who along with her mother leave their home country and travel to England in search of Kasienka's birth father. Along the way, she starts at a new high school and runs into a group of nasty students in her year group. All she ever wants to be is happy and swim in the local pool, competing for school and country. This, along with Sarah's other novels I've read by her is written in verse. The short, poetic chapters made for raw emotional reflection. Really made me think about what things make me happy in general! ...more

Young Adult

Thoughts to follow

Talk about come-from-behind challengers. I was so certain I had my Carnegie nominees sorted, and then I read the The Weight of Water. I almost didn't read it. It's getting close to the end of the school year, and in a week's time I'll be on a plane back to Canada for the summer. I wasn't sure I wanted to invest the time in reading this book, particularly because it is written in verse. Poetry and I are … fairweather friends.

Not reading this book would have been a huge mistake, one I'm glad I did

Not reading this book would have been a huge mistake, one I'm glad I didn't make. Sarah Crossan has created an utterly engrossing story about a Polish girl whose mother has uprooted her and brought her to England in pursuit of her father, who has left their family. Kasienka is devoted to her mother but confused by her father's desertion and her new situation in England. She is upset about being placed in a Year 7 class, despite being nearly thirteen years old, just because of her English skills. And moving schools makes it hard enough to find friends and wage the wars of popularity; moving to a new country and learning a new language makes it even harder.

I come from Thunder Bay, a city that is somewhat multicultural but not exactly a bastion of diversity like one would find in Toronto or, indeed, many major towns in England. My experience dealing with the intersections of different cultural backgrounds, and particularly the psychological effect on a child of moving around the world, is limited. Having taught at a school with a significant proportion of students for whom English is a second language, I have a better idea of the challenges that students—and teachers—face on a daily basis. Crossan captures all of these in the voice and verse of a twelve-year-old girl.

The verse works well because it forces you to pay attention to every word. With prose, it is so easy to skim and still get the gist of the plot. This book has a plot, but the story is definitely about the trajectory of Kasienka as a character. She begins as a scared girl and matures, with each challenge teaching her something valuable about who she is becoming. She faces down the Popular Girl, develops shy affection for a boy in Year 9, and even struggles with keeping a secret from her mother that could tear them asunder. Because everything is narrated in her poetry, we only ever get a sense of Kasienka—the other characters are more like shadows of themselves than real people—but that's enough.

The best "plot point", if you will, concerns Kasienka becoming aware of her father's new life before her mother does. She has to choose whether to keep this a secret from her mother or reveal it, risking both parents' disapproval. As Kasienka"s relationship with her mother deteriorates, her relationship with her father improves, to the point where his new partner invites her to come live with them. She would have everything she doesn't have in the one-room living space she shares with her mother: a bedroom, a bed of her own, a computer. She could be more like a "normal" English girl her age. But it would mean leaving her mother, and even the thought of that makes Kasienka feel so guilty. You can see her thinking about it though, feel the pain as she considers her options.

The book takes its title from Kasienka's newly found love of swimming. Several people encourage her involvement, and she persists until she gets to go to a national competition in London. Again, the poetry works well here, communicating through vivid imagery the relief that Kasienka feels as she swims. Her mundane worries slide off her body; she revels in the feel of the water on her skin, the intensity of the competition of which she is a part. For her, the weight of water is something special, something almost holy. Crossan portrays the refuge that children (and adults, often enough) seek in a hobby or singular activity, something they can focus on—something they can control.

I'm having a hard time, now, deciding which nominee I'd like to win the award. I loved Code Name Verity: it was tops, because I was entertained even as I nearly cried. The Weight of Water, which I almost spurned, is a strong challenger. It is something that would work for children around twelve or thirteen, provided they can swallow their prejudice against poetry like I did. And I think it has a very rich message, both for people who are not from England as well as people who have grown up here and lived here their entire lives. It's a potent book, and one I'm very glad I deigned to read.

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This book made me cry. I felt so much frustration and heartache for Kasienka right through to the end, and, when there were glimmers of hope, I revelled in them. The story is beautifully written, poem-like in structure with a powerful rhythm that had me marching through, desperate to reach those happier moments. A good book to consider using with upper KS2 children in PSHE in regard to bullying and family separations.

Sarah Crossan's One is one of my all-time favourite YA novels, but I hadn't yet picked up her first verse novel, The Weight of Water. It's about 12-year-old Kasienka who moves from Poland to England with her mother, searching for the father who left them.

Continue reading this review over on Pretty Books.

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Feb 23, 2020 Sara rated it liked it

I picked this book up completely on a whim, i'd never heard of it or the author before but it was on display at the library and I was quite taken by the cover.
This book is told in verse and is a story about a Polish immigrant coming to the UK and trying to fit in.
Its a very quick read, i read it in about 20 minutes or so, and I enjoyed it but wasn't bowled over as such.

3.5 stars

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"And though he is right,
It makes me feel worse
Because I do not know
How to be happy."

Although I have read only two of Crossan's books. It's safe to say I love her. I read One last year and it actually made me cry and love it so bad, it jumped onto my top #5 spots. Although it has been replaced, but nevermind that. Sarah Crossan knows how to make you feel. She knows how to squeeze your heart and make you use up a whole box of tissues.
Yeah, she's that good. Not many authors are able to do that.

"And though he is right,
It makes me feel worse
Because I do not know
How to be happy."

The story revolves around Kasienka and her mother who move into the city where there Dad escaped (escaped doesn't sound appropriate but oh well) It is her tale of drama that comes with moving into a new school, falling for a guy who doesn't treat her bad and her search for her dad.

While the book may not have been as beautiful and amazing as One, it was a quick and a enjoyable read. It left me with mixed feeling because I felt like it missed something I can't seem to explain. Like it lacked something. The verse writing was amazing and yeah, I can' wait to read more books by Sarah Crossan. :')

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Jul 12, 2013 Melanie rated it really liked it

There won't be a review as I don't think I can write a review to show how much I was surprised with this novel. A brief thought:

The Weight of Water is raw, heart breaking and real. There were many deep subjects that young adult readers will enjoy although the main character was a middle grade child. This was written in free verse poem style- which I actually loved.

There won't be a review as I don't think I can write a review to show how much I was surprised with this novel. A brief thought:

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April is here, and there's a new Bookish bingo challenge to compete in! I didn't score a bingo last month, and this time around I'm determined to be more strategic about my picks. One of the boxes I'd like to tick off is "verse novel," which gave me the excuse I needed to dive into another Sarah Crossan book. The Weight of Water was Crossan's debut and it follows a young girl named Kasienka as she adjusts to her new life in England with her mother. The two immigrated from Poland to track down Ka April is here, and there's a new Bookish bingo challenge to compete in! I didn't score a bingo last month, and this time around I'm determined to be more strategic about my picks. One of the boxes I'd like to tick off is "verse novel," which gave me the excuse I needed to dive into another Sarah Crossan book. The Weight of Water was Crossan's debut and it follows a young girl named Kasienka as she adjusts to her new life in England with her mother. The two immigrated from Poland to track down Kasienka's father. Kasienka finds herself alienated at school where she is mocked for being different and equally lonely at home, where her mother's sole focus is spending their evenings knocking on doors in the hopes of finding her husband. It's a heartbreaking story, and one where Crossan doesn't shy away from Kasienka's hardships. If you're looking to celebrate National Poetry Month with a verse novel, I highly recommend picking up anything by Crossan. —Kelly (excerpted from Bookish's Staff Reads) ...more

The Weight of Water is a short but stunning novel, written completely in verse, about picking up the pieces and starting over again.

Kasienka and her mother arrive in England from Poland, in search of Kasienka's "Tata" (father), who abandoned them when she was very young. She is enrolled in a secondary school in Coventry, but is treated as an outsider and an intruder by classmates who constantly poke fun at her. She finds solace in swimming and befriends an adult neighbour, both of which bring he

The Weight of Water is a short but stunning novel, written completely in verse, about picking up the pieces and starting over again.

This is a compelling and poignant book that is sometimes humorous and always charming. The poems have a gentle lyricism and speak to immigration, identity, prejudice, discrimination, bullying, families and first love. It is a unique and special coming-of-age tale and I am so glad I read it. This is my first experience with Sarah Crossman, but it won't be my last.

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Simply Perfect. Do yourself a favor, carve out a few hours and read this in one sitting. It will leave a tiny stone in your gut that you will be unable to free yourself from for days.

Beautifully written. Image rich and perfect for teen-agers dealing with being the odd-person out and fitting in. Loved this book.

Everyone…should…read…this…beautiful…and…heartbreaking…book! Trust me, you'll never regret reading it just as I thought I would! Everyone…should…read…this…beautiful…and…heartbreaking…book! Trust me, you'll never regret reading it just as I thought I would! ...more

Apr 26, 2021 Priya rated it really liked it

The verse style really works for this novel that tells the story of a young teenage girl Kasienka, forced to come to London from Poland to look for her father.
Facing what amounts to bullying from her popular classmates, she cannot tell her mother who is heartbroken over her father and solely focused on finding him.
As she tries to navigate her new surroundings, she makes a special friend, learns to look out for herself and even realize her potential.
The conflict she faces as the child between two The verse style really works for this novel that tells the story of a young teenage girl Kasienka, forced to come to London from Poland to look for her father.
Facing what amounts to bullying from her popular classmates, she cannot tell her mother who is heartbroken over her father and solely focused on finding him.
As she tries to navigate her new surroundings, she makes a special friend, learns to look out for herself and even realize her potential.
The conflict she faces as the child between two estranged parents and the problems of being an immigrant who struggles to find acceptance are handled through very skilful verse. ...more

Oct 18, 2017 Andrea rated it really liked it

What a little gem!

A very moving story about a young Polish girl who moves to the UK with her mother, in search of the father who abandoned them.

The style wasn't something I'd read before, but I really enjoyed it.

It felt so realistic and Kasienka was such a great, strong character (unlike her parents).

4.5 stars :)

What a little gem!

A very moving story about a young Polish girl who moves to the UK with her mother, in search of the father who abandoned them.

The style wasn't something I'd read before, but I really enjoyed it.

It felt so realistic and Kasienka was such a great, strong character (unlike her parents).

4.5 stars :)

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Aug 18, 2016 Kristina rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book so so so much!

I loved the fact that it is about immigration because it is a topic that's very close to my heart with myself being an immigrant. Showing the hard transition from one culture to another and the daily struggles every teenager has at a foreign school was so well done!

I liked how the water was portrayed as both a struggle and a bliss because they had to cross it when moving from Poland to England but at the end it turned out that it was water again that made Kasi

I enjoyed this book so so so much!

I liked how the water was portrayed as both a struggle and a bliss because they had to cross it when moving from Poland to England but at the end it turned out that it was water again that made Kasienka happier. The weight of water is relative!

I also really enjoyed the accent on the mother-daughter relationships not only between Kasienka and her mother but also between her grandmother and mother.

The topics about divorce and first love were also done really well!

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Apr 16, 2020 halfirishgrin rated it did not like it

Imagine if we could write about the discrimination of Eastern Europeans in Western Europe without diminishing the racism that black and brown people face.

I'm not welcome to play.
The reason: I am too white.
No one likes too-white,
Eastern white,
Polish winter white,
Vampire-fright white.
Brown is OK-usually.
But white is too bad.
--

Mama is bright-white
Kanoro is too-black against her.

Imagine if we could write about the discrimination of Eastern Europeans in Western Europe without diminishing the racism that black and brown people face.

I'm not welcome to play.
The reason: I am too white.
No one likes too-white,
Eastern white,
Polish winter white,
Vampire-fright white.
Brown is OK-usually.
But white is too bad.
--

Mama is bright-white
Kanoro is too-black against her.

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This book was weak with emotions in my opinion. I didn't find much of a lasting impression. But, it did intrigue me to explore more books written in verse. I thought books of this kind would be sensitive and alluring. But not this one. This book was weak with emotions in my opinion. I didn't find much of a lasting impression. But, it did intrigue me to explore more books written in verse. I thought books of this kind would be sensitive and alluring. But not this one. ...more

Wow. I have no words. I have never read anything like this. (This book is actually a collection of poems that tell the story. And, God, they do it well.) My mom was right, this book is incredibly important.
People should read it. You should read it.

This book is such a cutesy & well-written story about an immigrant girl and her mom trying to fit into a new society.

This one sucked me right in and held me there until I had to read it all in one sitting. Kasienka and her mother arrive in a suburb of London to look for Kasienka's father, who left her and her mother in Poland and fled to England. Cassie, as she is called in school, tries to live a life of her own while trying to help her mother, but Mama is clearly obsessed and pays less attention to her daughter. Luckily, their African immigrant neighbor Kanoro is there to listen and be a friend to both mothe This one sucked me right in and held me there until I had to read it all in one sitting. Kasienka and her mother arrive in a suburb of London to look for Kasienka's father, who left her and her mother in Poland and fled to England. Cassie, as she is called in school, tries to live a life of her own while trying to help her mother, but Mama is clearly obsessed and pays less attention to her daughter. Luckily, their African immigrant neighbor Kanoro is there to listen and be a friend to both mother and daughter. My heart ached for Cassie when she became the victim of bullies, just because she is different, better at swimming, and attracted to a boy everyone wants. The best part of the story for me was when Cassie admits to wanting revenge on her tormenters, and Kanoro tells her that being happy is the best revenge. Will Cassie find happiness? I loved how the story ended. It just goes to show that sometimes you have to go with what life deals you, and it can end up better than you think. Recommended! ...more

Not quite was I was expecting, but still quite good.

The Weight of Water is Sarah Crossan's debut novel and it was definitely a story that didn't disappoint! In this story, Crossan tells the story of a Polish girl, Kasienka, her mother (Ola/Mama) and their move to England in order to search for Tata, her father. This book deals with so many issues, including poverty, racism, immigration, family, growing-up and school life. It is a coming of age book and the title of it is quite apt - the reference to water is an interesting one - it's a good compa The Weight of Water is Sarah Crossan's debut novel and it was definitely a story that didn't disappoint! In this story, Crossan tells the story of a Polish girl, Kasienka, her mother (Ola/Mama) and their move to England in order to search for Tata, her father. This book deals with so many issues, including poverty, racism, immigration, family, growing-up and school life. It is a coming of age book and the title of it is quite apt - the reference to water is an interesting one - it's a good comparison to Kasienka's ever changing life and also reflects the fact that she 'finds herself' through swimming for her school.

Despite her sometimes quite fragile persona, Kasienka has an extremely strong voice from the very first verse. This story is written completely in verse, as a series of connected poems, and this method proves to be extremely effective. Every word seems important and well thought out, the language is simple yet descriptive. There were a few Polish words used at the beginning which I was unsure of, but they felt natural, it was easy to guess what they meant and it added a real sense of authenticity to Kasienka's voice. I managed to connect with her from the very beginning. She is very open and vulnerable but also has a strong personality and doesn't give up easily.

Our protagonist feels a lot of uncertainty, not only at her age (as she is only 12 years old) but also at her environment. There is a big contrast in cultures and it is interesting to see how Kasienka adjusts to some English customs and attitudes. Her family is also quite poor, which also causes some difficulties for her. Because of her differences, it is difficult for her to find friends in England, especially when others are being directly hostile towards her. She has no choice about a lot of things in her life and it's interesting to see how she copes with this.

Kasienka lives with her mother and their relationship sometimes causes inner conflict, especially when her father gets re-involved with their life. Their relationship was very realistic and tense at times. They were very loyal to each other and although they had troubles, they stuck together. Mama was clearly a strong and outwardly confident woman and would go to great lengths for love. However, I actually found Kasienka's relationship with an older, also foreign, man in her building - Kanoro - to be the most touching. Although there wasn't much of their dialogue discussed, it was easy to tell that they were both at ease when they were together and that they had a natural connection. I was glad to see that the (very slight) romance and her romantic interest, William, wasn't overwritten - he simply seemed to be a likeable boy who took notice her. The similarities and blossoming friendship between the newest pupil after Kasienka joined the school was also intriguing.

Overall, this was an amazing book that really surprised me - it was so much better than expected. It reminded me a lot of Faiza Guene's Kiffe Kiffe Demain, but I enjoyed it more thanks to a more likeable protagonist. The fact that it dealt with such a wide variety of important issues as well as being written in a very poetic way was incredible. I would not hesitate to recommend this book or to pick up more of Crossan's books in the future.

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Sarah Crossan is Irish. She graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Literature before training as an English and Drama teacher at Cambridge University and worked to promote creative writing in schools before leaving teaching to write full time.

She completed her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward Albee Fellowship for writing.

She curren

She completed her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward Albee Fellowship for writing.

She currently lives in NYC.

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"When I am alone
I do not know who I am.

When I am alone
I am nothing."

— 8 likes

"I don't want you to write a poem for me
But it would be nice if you did.

And if you bought a rose for me
It would be OK too
But I don't want you to buy flowers
Necessarily.

I don't want you to carry my book bag
But if you feel like doing that
Spontaneously
I wouldn't stop you.

I wouldn't stop you being romantic
If that's what you wanted."

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11409124-the-weight-of-water

Anita Shreve Dating Again After a Absent of 20 Years in Siouxland

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